Chapter 201: He Misses His Wife So, So Much

Gu Jianing’s treatment of Hua Zhenrong was still ongoing.

Every day, the treatment sessions grew shorter, and now Hua Zhenrong could stay clear-headed all day long. With good food and restful sleep, his complexion and spirits were improving by the day.

Even his once-thin body was starting to fill out.

Naturally, the Hua family was endlessly grateful to Gu Jianing.

Meanwhile, Sheng Xinhao had pinned all his hopes for healing his arm on that mysterious acupuncture master.

Finally, one day, a trusted aide from the railway department called him, saying they’d finally tracked down news of the acupuncture master.

On the other end of the line, the aide sounded excited and thrilled.

“Sir, what a twist of fate! You’ll never guess who the acupuncture master is—it’s someone right under our noses! We really couldn’t see what was right in front of us.”

Sheng Xinhao: …

For some reason, he had a bad feeling about this.

And sure enough, his premonition was spot on.

He heard the aide say, “That acupuncture master is actually your eldest son Sheng Zexi’s wife, Gu Jianing.”

“Haven’t they just come to the capital from the Northwest Military District?”

“Aren’t they staying at your house?”

“Oh, sir, did you not tell your son and daughter-in-law about your illness because you didn’t want them to worry?”

“You really should tell them! Your daughter-in-law is the acupuncture master—she can treat you!”

…

The aide kept congratulating Sheng Xinhao over the phone.

But Sheng Xinhao felt as if he’d been smacked in the head with a brick—his head throbbed with pain.

No, it wasn’t just his head—his arm started aching too.

He couldn’t help but let out a wail.

Hearing the noise, Fang Wanrong rushed over.

The more the aide praised Gu Jianing, the more Sheng Xinhao felt his blood boiling, all rushing to his head.

“Old Sheng, what’s wrong?”

The next second, the phone in Sheng Xinhao’s hand crashed to the floor.

He stared blankly ahead, and as Fang Wanrong hurried over, he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

By sheer misfortune, it splattered right onto Fang Wanrong’s face.

She let out a piercing scream.

And then, after spitting out the blood, Sheng Xinhao’s eyes rolled back and he collapsed straight to the ground.

“Old Sheng! Somebody, help! Help!”

…

The next day, Gu Jianing heard from Grandpa Sang that her so-called father-in-law—who never acknowledged her—had actually been hospitalized.

Gu Jianing was puzzled. Was it because of the illness his second wife had mentioned when she came to see her last time?

But she didn’t think much of it.

After all, it had nothing to do with her.

Besides, neither Sheng Xinhao nor Fang Wanrong had come looking for her since, so Gu Jianing had even less reason to care.

What Gu Jianing didn’t know was that Sheng Xinhao had been hospitalized this time because he’d been so infuriated.

When he woke up in the hospital, Sheng Xinhao couldn’t believe it—both the brilliant female surgeon from before and this acupuncture master were actually Gu Jianing!

The very country bumpkin he’d always looked down on, the one he’d insisted his eldest son divorce.

He could never have imagined that a rural girl could have such skills.

If only he’d known…

If only he’d known, he wouldn’t have tried to stop the marriage.

A daughter-in-law with such ability and connections—her rural background could be overlooked; she was more than worthy of his son.

And with such a daughter-in-law, his arm could be cured.

But now…

He’d said every harsh word possible in front of Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing.

He’d even declared that he’d rather die than beg that woman for help.

He, Sheng Xinhao, had his pride.

There was no way he could go and ask for help now.

But what about his arm?

Was he just supposed to let it waste away? Let someone else take his position?

That was something Sheng Xinhao could never accept.

For the first time, Sheng Xinhao understood what it meant to be stuck between a rock and a hard place.

That brat Sheng Zexi must have known all along that his wife was capable and well-connected, but didn’t tell him. Had he really grown so distant from his own father?

But Sheng Xinhao remembered—back when Sang Yuwan was still alive, he and his son had been close.

Even after Sang Yuwan passed away, his son had still relied on him.

When did things start to go wrong between them, with every meeting ending in an argument?

It seemed to have started after he married Fang Wanrong.

So, was it all because of Fang Wanrong?

Because of a woman, had he lost his most beloved eldest son?

So, when Fang Wanrong came in carrying a bowl of porridge, she was met with Sheng Xinhao’s scrutinizing gaze.

Fang Wanrong: !!! What did I do this time?

—

Northwest Military District. After finishing training and returning home, Sheng Zexi was reading a newspaper article about Gu Jianing’s lecture.

Ever since she’d made the papers, the news had spread throughout the entire military district.

Everyone had nothing but praise for Gu Jianing.

Even the soldiers under Sheng Zexi’s command looked at him with envy.

And who could blame them? How could they ever hope to marry a wife as beautiful and capable as Deputy Commander Sheng’s?

It was impossible, really. After all, Deputy Commander Sheng was so outstanding, and they…well, they just didn’t measure up.

So, best not to have unrealistic dreams.

Sheng Zexi, of course, noticed the envy in his soldiers’ eyes. In fact, it wasn’t just in their eyes—they said it out loud, too.

Hearing them all praise Gu Jianing, Sheng Zexi felt…well, just over the moon. So proud he could burst.

Of course Ningning is amazing—otherwise, why would I have gone to such lengths to marry her?

Ningning is the best. These brats can forget about ever finding a wife as wonderful as her.

Soon after, Sheng Zexi was called in by his superior.

Naturally, it was about Gu Jianing. The leader praised him repeatedly.

“Hey, sir, I know I have good taste.”

“Of course, I’m outstanding myself—that’s why Ningning chose me.”

Leader: …This kid. He really is excellent, but his shamelessness is something else.

But seeing Sheng Zexi so happy, the old leader who’d watched him grow up couldn’t help but be pleased.

After all, back in the day, seeing Sheng Zexi so wild and unruly, he’d thought the boy would end up alone for life.

But now—this was good.

Even if, whenever he talked about his wife, the kid looked a little silly!

After basking in his soldiers’ envy and his leader’s praise, Sheng Zexi went home and took out the wedding photo he’d taken with Gu Jianing.

He gently traced the tiny figure in the photo with his finger, his voice muffled, “Wife, when will you come home?”

He really, really missed his wife."