Chapter 107: Suspicion

Even though later on, Qin Tian’s parents uncovered the truth and brought Qin De to justice—

Neither Granny Qin nor Qin Tian and his sister could ever come back.

They had sacrificed their own family for the sake of national weapons research, devoting everything they had to their country. Yet in the end, the mother and her children met such a tragic fate. It was just too cruel.

They didn’t deserve such an ending.

Gu Jianing forced herself to suppress her emotions for now.

Half an hour later, the medicine was ready. Granny Qin got up, drank the medicine, and lay back down on the bed. Her coughing eased noticeably, and she seemed much calmer.

“Ningning, thank you. If it weren’t for you, this old woman might have…” Ever since the day Qin Tian and his sister returned from the market and praised Gu Jianing, Granny Qin had a very good impression of her.

Now, even after learning she had tuberculosis, Gu Jianing still came out in the freezing cold to treat her.

This kindness—both she and the Qin family would never forget it.

“Granny, don’t worry. I can treat your illness. As long as you follow my instructions and take your medicine, you’ll definitely get better. Qin Tian and Qin Qing are still young, and with their parents away, they need you to look after them.”

Granny Qin nodded. She understood. “Sigh, I just don’t know when Ah Hong and the others will be back.”

Ah Hong?

“Granny, are you talking about Qin Tian and Qin Qing’s parents?” Gu Jianing asked.

“Yes.” Perhaps because she trusted Gu Jianing, Granny Qin revealed a little: her son and daughter-in-law worked for the country.

She was afraid Gu Jianing and her husband would think her son and daughter-in-law had abandoned their mother and children, but that wasn’t the case. They just had to put the country first, sacrificing their own family for the greater good. There was nothing they could do—it wasn’t their fault.

Gu Jianing understood. In this era, there were many people who sacrificed their families for the country.

It was precisely because of the dedication of people like them that the country would one day prosper.

It was countless people like them who, with their own backs, supported this once storm-tossed nation, awakening the sleeping lion.

“Granny, even if Qin Tian’s parents haven’t sent letters, surely they’ve sent money back, right?”

“I think, since they’re working for the country, the country wouldn’t treat them unfairly.”

Granny Qin nodded. That made sense. But over the years, they really hadn’t received any money from them.

“Granny, did you or Qin Tian ever ask about it yourselves?”

Granny Qin was taken aback, then shook her head. “It was Ah De who asked.”

But every time, Ah De only brought back disappointing news. After a few years, they stopped hoping.

Gu Jianing’s face darkened slightly. “Granny, forgive me for saying this, but is Qin De really that trustworthy? I just met him earlier, and to be honest, my first impression wasn’t great. Do you think what he says is true?”

As Gu Jianing spoke, Sheng Zexi was listening by her side.

He looked at his wife’s back, feeling as if Ningning knew something.

“No, that can’t be…” Granny Qin instinctively replied. Was Qin De not trustworthy? Could he have lied?

Over the years, Ah De hadn’t been especially good to them, but he did help out from time to time.

But Gu Jianing—Granny Qin had a very good impression of her. She didn’t seem like someone who would slander others for no reason.

If, if what Ningning said was true, and Ah De hadn’t been telling the whole truth, then…

Thinking of the possibilities, Granny Qin’s face went pale. Her chest tightened, and she started coughing violently again.

Gu Jianing quickly took out her needles and gave her a few acupuncture points, finally calming her down.

Granny Qin grasped Gu Jianing’s hand, her own withered and wrinkled. “Ningning, then, what do you think we should do?”

“Let my husband take Qin Tian to the post office and ask if his parents have sent any money over the years. If not, then I’ve wronged Qin De. But if they have, then we might need to call the police…”

Gu Jianing shared her suggestion and waited for Granny Qin’s decision.

She was worried Granny Qin might still trust Qin De too much.

Fortunately, Granny Qin was clear-headed and decisive. She immediately agreed to Gu Jianing’s idea.

“Alright, let’s do that. Sorry to trouble you and Xiao Sheng.”

“If Ah De hasn’t done anything wrong, that’s fine. But if he has, then we should call the police!”

Granny Qin’s eyes were full of determination.

To her, the most important thing now was Qin Tian and Qin Qing. No one could harm their interests.

If Qin De really had taken the money sent by her son and daughter-in-law—eight years’ worth—Granny Qin would never forgive him!

No one knew better than her how hard life had been for the two children all these years.

After Granny Qin made her decision, Gu Jianing looked at Sheng Zexi.

Sheng Zexi pulled Gu Jianing aside. “I can drive the boy to the post office, but I’m worried about leaving you here alone.”

He’d seen Qin De’s look and demeanor just now. He was afraid the man might come back and, seeing Sheng Zexi gone, might do something to Ningning.

Gu Jianing squeezed Sheng Zexi’s hand. “I know you’re worried, but don’t be. He might not come back. After you take Qin Tian away, we’ll just lock the door and not open it for anyone. Even if he tries to force his way in, don’t worry—I can protect myself. Trust me.”

With the exchange shop at her disposal and nearly a thousand points, she could redeem anything she needed in an emergency.

But Gu Jianing didn’t think Qin De would come.

When Qin De had come earlier, her malice detector hadn’t gone off, so for now, he wasn’t considered dangerous.

Sheng Zexi gazed steadily into Gu Jianing’s eyes, as if struggling with something, but finally calmed down.

“Alright, I’ll trust you.”

Meanwhile, Granny Qin explained things to Qin Tian. The boy’s face was full of shock and confusion, but he pursed his lips and walked over to Sheng Zexi.

“Brother Sheng, could you please take me to the post office?” Qin Tian asked.

“Of course,” Sheng Zexi replied.

After getting Qin Tian into the car, Sheng Zexi watched as Gu Jianing locked the door, reminded her not to open up for anyone, then drove off toward the county seat.

The post office was in the county town. On a snowy day like this, it would take a long time to walk from Kaoshan Village.

Neither Kaoshan Village nor the Northwest Military District was close to the county.

But with a car, it would save a lot of time.

Maybe because of the heavy snow and cold, there was hardly anyone on the road.

It was Qin Tian’s first time in a car. He was nervous and uneasy, staring out the window, thinking about what Granny and Sister Gu had said.

Granny said, Sister Gu said, maybe Mom and Dad really had sent money, but Uncle De always said they hadn’t."