Chapter 196: Isn’t This a Little Too Quick for a Slap in the Face?

Li Tingxuan knew that even though he had come, he couldn’t stay for long.

Otherwise, if Grandpa found out…

Once Grandpa started investigating…

Li Tingxuan was well aware of his grandfather’s abilities.

He was afraid that Grandpa would find out about Gu Jianing and cause her trouble.

Li Tingxuan didn’t want to bring Gu Jianing any unnecessary problems, so even though he wanted to stay longer, he left after half an hour.

Gu Jianing noticed when Li Tingxuan left.

Standing on stage, she could easily see what was happening below. Even though there were a lot of people, someone tall and good-looking like him was bound to catch her eye.

When Gu Jianing was speaking on stage, she happened to glance over and saw Li Tingxuan in the corner.

But it was just a fleeting glance, and she quickly looked away.

Although she’d met Li Tingxuan before, Gu Jianing didn’t consider herself close to him. She didn’t know why he’d come today, nor did she give it much thought.

She focused on the lecture at hand.

When she looked up again later, someone else had taken Li Tingxuan’s seat.

Gu Jianing didn’t pay it any mind.

The lecture lasted a full three hours. The last half hour was a Q&A session, with Gu Jianing answering questions from the audience.

Some of those asking questions were a generation or two older than Gu Jianing, with graying hair.

But no one cared about that.

After all, ability comes first.

As long as you’re capable, age doesn’t matter; anyone can stand on that stage.

The lecture finally ended amid enthusiastic applause, though everyone was left wanting more.

They all wanted to discuss medicine further with Gu Jianing.

But they also knew that she’d been speaking for three hours, and she was heavily pregnant—she must be exhausted.

So, even those who were eager to talk to her held back when they saw the fatigue between her brows.

Meanwhile, Gu Jianing was packing up her teaching materials, planning to find Grandma Sang.

Suddenly, someone approached.

“Hello, Dr. Gu.”

Gu Jianing looked up to see a well-dressed, middle-aged woman smiling warmly at her.

Gu Jianing didn’t recognize her. “Hello, and you are?”

“Hello, Dr. Gu. My surname is Fang. Here’s the thing—I have a patient I’d like you to take a look at.”

So it was about a patient.

But Gu Jianing didn’t agree right away.

Instead, she asked, “What kind of patient? Where are they? What are the symptoms?”

With so many people around in the hall, Fang Wanrong naturally didn’t want to reveal Sheng Xinhao’s condition, so she said, “Dr. Gu, this isn’t the best place to talk. Why don’t you come home with me?”

She lowered her voice, “The patient is my husband.”

Gu Jianing wasn’t about to follow a stranger home so easily. She replied, “I’ve just finished a three-hour lecture and I’m a bit tired. How about you leave your address, name, and contact information, and we’ll be in touch another day?”

Three hours on her feet while pregnant—no matter how healthy she was, she was still tired.

Both physically and mentally exhausted.

She planned to rest first.

As long as it wasn’t an emergency, the patient could wait.

Fang Wanrong frowned at Gu Jianing’s refusal.

What was with this doctor? She, the dignified wife of a high-ranking official, had waited so long just to invite her to treat Old Sheng as soon as possible.

And yet, she was being turned down.

Fang Wanrong was not pleased.

Seeing that the crowd had thinned, Fang Wanrong decided it was time to reveal her identity.

She stepped forward, chin slightly raised, and said in a low voice, “I suppose you don’t know who I am, Dr. Gu?”

Gu Jianing: Huh? Do I need to know who you are?

This attitude, this tone—what’s her problem?

Under Gu Jianing’s gaze, Fang Wanrong continued, “My husband’s surname is Sheng. I’m sure you know which Sheng family holds the highest status in Jing City.”

Hmm?

Gu Jianing blinked.

Surname Sheng, high status?

She actually did know.

“Do you mean the Sheng family of the Commander?” Gu Jianing asked.

Fang Wanrong was quite pleased that Gu Jianing guessed correctly.

She thought to herself: Since she’s figured it out, she should be eager to come with me now.

After all, for a mere doctor, the chance to get close to the Commander’s family doesn’t come often.

Even though Gu Jianing had just given a lecture, in Fang Wanrong’s eyes, she was still just a small-time doctor.

She was nothing compared to Old Sheng’s status.

Just as she thought Dr. Gu would pack up and follow her to the Sheng household, she noticed the doctor giving her a strange look.

Then she heard Gu Jianing ask, “Madam, you’re here to invite me—may I ask, did your husband, Commander Sheng, send you?”

Gu Jianing studied the elegant woman before her.

If she wasn’t mistaken, this must be Xi-ge’s scheming stepmother.

And she was here to invite her to treat Sheng Xinhao?

Fang Wanrong didn’t know why Gu Jianing was asking, but she nodded. “Of course.”

You should feel honored—the Commander himself is inviting you, and even sent his wife to fetch you.

Fang Wanrong felt she was already giving plenty of face.

If it weren’t for wanting to show her affection for Sheng Xinhao and win his sympathy, she would’ve just sent a guard to fetch Gu Jianing.

After all, she thought, who wouldn’t be tempted by an invitation from the Commander’s family?

“So, the patient is your husband, Commander Sheng?” Gu Jianing confirmed.

“Yes,” Fang Wanrong replied, growing impatient. “Dr. Gu, are you done with your questions? Let’s go.”

To her surprise, Gu Jianing smiled—a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Sorry, Madam Sheng, I can’t go with you.”

“Why not?!” Fang Wanrong was shocked, her eyes wide.

“I think you should go back and ask Commander Sheng yourself.” After all, just this morning, he’d sworn up and down that he’d never ask her for help, not even if he were dying.

He’d just made such a big show of it this morning, and now he’d sent his wife to invite her?

This…

Gu Jianing almost laughed. Isn’t this slap in the face coming a little too quickly?

Just as Fang Wanrong was about to question her further, a voice suddenly rang out.

“Fang Wanrong, what are you doing here?”

“Why are you looking for Ningning?”

Fang Wanrong was surprised—who dared to call her by her full name like that?

But the voice sounded familiar.

She turned around and saw someone walking toward her.

When she saw who it was, Fang Wanrong froze, her expression turning ugly.

It was none other than Grandma Sang.

Of course Fang Wanrong recognized her—wasn’t she Old Sheng’s ex-wife, Sang Yuwan’s mother!"