Chapter 195: He Knew He Couldn't Let Go

Gu Jianing raised her eyebrows—so he had that much backbone? Fine, then.

She smiled. ""Officer Sheng, I’ll remember what you said.""

""As the saying goes, people who walk different paths can’t work together. Officer Sheng, my grandmother and I have things to do, so we won’t be entertaining you any further."" Gu Jianing wasn’t the least bit intimidated by his official status.

After all, she hadn’t done anything wrong. As for Sheng Xinhao wanting to make trouble for her?

With the powerful Childbearing System in her hands, who was she supposed to be afraid of?

He’d come to her door to bully her—was she supposed to just give in? Sometimes, you have to stand your ground.

Since Gu Jianing had made herself clear, Sheng Xinhao didn’t stay any longer.

He simply gave a cold snort and left.

""Ning girl, don’t take his words to heart,"" Grandma Sang comforted her after Sheng Xinhao left.

""Don’t worry, Grandma. I won’t,"" Gu Jianing replied with a smile.

""That’s good.""

""Let’s head to Beijing High School now. The lecture should be starting soon.""

""Alright.""

So, the two of them got in the car and headed to Beijing High School.

Meanwhile, Sheng Xinhao returned home in a fury. At the same time, Fang Wanrong was just about to leave for Beijing High School, planning to invite that Dr. Gu back to treat Sheng Xinhao’s injured arm.

Although Sheng Xinhao was angry, he didn’t take it out on Fang Wanrong.

""Alright, go ahead. Thank you for your trouble."" Once his arm was healed, he’d settle the score with that brat and that insolent country girl.

—

When Gu Jianing and Grandma Sang arrived at Beijing High School, the place was already packed.

Doctors from all over the country had come to attend Gu Jianing’s lecture on treating tuberculosis.

There were so many people that even though the main hall was full, many were still standing.

Almost everyone had brought a notebook and pen to take notes.

As soon as Gu Jianing entered the hall, she felt the strong atmosphere of learning. Looking out, she saw hope and enthusiasm burning in everyone’s eyes.

Gu Jianing thought, perhaps this was the true meaning of the lecture.

""Let’s welcome Dr. Gu Jianing, who will be leading today’s lecture. Dr. Gu, please share your knowledge and treatment plans for tuberculosis.""

Amid warm applause, Gu Jianing walked onto the stage and began her talk.

Every pair of eyes below the stage was filled with a thirst for knowledge. As Gu Jianing started speaking, despite the huge crowd, the hall was silent—apart from her voice, the only sound was the rapid scribbling of pens on paper.

When Fang Wanrong arrived, this was the scene she saw.

Looking at the young, beautiful woman on stage, Fang Wanrong was struck by how young this doctor was.

She had thought that someone so skilled would surely be much older, but…

Truly, you can’t judge a book by its cover.

Since the lecture was still ongoing, Fang Wanrong couldn’t interrupt.

She could only wait until it was over to approach Dr. Gu.

But…

Fang Wanrong glanced around and couldn’t find a single seat.

Was she really going to have to stand and wait the whole time?

The thought made her expression sour a bit.

Still, she held herself back.

Even as Madam Sheng, she couldn’t bring herself to ask for a seat.

So be it—she’d just stand.

Once she got Dr. Gu to come, she’d be sure to mention it to Old Sheng when she got home.

He’d definitely feel sorry for her.

Then she could use the opportunity to bring up the issue of the old house’s property rights.

Fang Wanrong had had her eye on the Sheng family’s old house for a long time. If she could coax Old Sheng into transferring the deed to her this time, that would be best.

Thinking this way, Fang Wanrong felt that no matter how long she had to stand and wait, it would all be worth it.

Just then, as she looked around, she suddenly spotted a familiar face.

Wasn’t that the eldest son of the Li family, Li Tingxuan?

What was he doing here?

Was he also here to see Dr. Gu?

She hadn’t made a mistake.

Li Tingxuan really was there.

He’d arrived late and could only stand in a corner.

But he didn’t look well—he’d had a fever since last night, and although it had broken, he was still pale and listless.

But when he heard Gu Jianing was giving a lecture today, he still came.

His grandfather hadn’t wanted him to go out, insisting he stay home and rest.

Li Tingxuan had agreed, but once his grandfather left, he snuck out anyway.

His gaze was fixed on the woman on stage, full of longing and tenderness.

But in the depths of his eyes, that affection was tinged with bitterness.

After returning home yesterday, he’d had someone look into Gu Jianing and her husband. By this morning, he’d learned most of the details.

So, her husband was Sheng Zexi.

Li Tingxuan knew who Sheng Zexi was.

He was from another compound—a man with a bit of a rebellious streak, but extremely capable.

He was Officer Sheng’s son.

Now he was a deputy battalion commander in the Northwest Military District.

Although not yet a full commander like Li Tingxuan himself, Li Tingxuan knew Sheng Zexi was outstanding, with a record full of military achievements, and had earned the title of ""King of Soldiers"" for several years in a row. His future was something he’d fought for himself.

If it hadn’t been for Officer Sheng suppressing him, Sheng Zexi would never have remained just a deputy battalion commander.

And Sheng Zexi had personally gone to Huaihua Village—Gu Jianing’s hometown—to propose to her.

Although Officer Sheng didn’t approve, Sheng Zexi’s maternal grandparents, the Sang family, did. They liked Gu Jianing very much.

And Gu Jianing…

She was outstanding too.

After joining the army, she quickly became a doctor at the Northwest Military District Hospital. Thanks to her performance, she’d been honored and even accepted as a disciple by Elder Chen.

Now she was giving lectures in Beijing, sharing her knowledge of treating tuberculosis with doctors from all over the country.

She’d come to Beijing this time partly to pay respects to her mother-in-law, and partly to treat Hua Zhenrong.

Li Tingxuan knew about the relationship between Sheng Zexi and Hua Zhenrong.

From the information he’d gathered, Sheng Zexi was outstanding, Gu Jianing was outstanding, and their relationship was very good. Now she was even pregnant with Sheng Zexi’s twins.

They seemed very happy together.

Li Tingxuan knew he was, once again, a step too late.

In his previous life, in his dreams, he’d been too late by many steps. In this life, he was still too late.

Li Tingxuan thought, maybe this was fate.

Fate that he and she were never meant to be.

Li Tingxuan knew that, given this, he shouldn’t pursue her.

In fact, he never intended to.

He told himself that since it wasn’t meant to be, he should let go.

But…

Looking at her on stage—so confident, so dazzling, so beautiful—Li Tingxuan gave a bitter smile.

He knew he couldn’t let go.

Since that was the case, then he wouldn’t force himself to. He’d just keep her in his heart, where only he would know.

He would carefully hide this affection, letting no one know—not even her.

Just watching her from afar, seeing her happy and content, was enough."