Chapter 19: An Encounter with Wen Zhuqing

Yao Chunhua was comforted by how sensible her daughter had become. Ever since she was pulled out of the river after her suicide attempt, her daughter had truly changed a lot.

But how could a person change so much overnight? Yao Chunhua couldn’t shake the feeling that her daughter must have suffered some great hardship out of sight. Thinking this, she felt both gratified and heartbroken.

“All right, I’ll thank you on your second sister-in-law’s behalf.”

Gu Jianing just shook her head, not thinking much of it. When she was rescued from the river, her second brother had immediately slaughtered the old hen they’d been saving to make soup for his wife’s postpartum recovery, and her second sister-in-law hadn’t objected. Kindness should be repaid with kindness.

After being reborn, Gu Jianing had learned one thing: if someone treated her well, she would treat them well in return; if someone treated her badly, she wouldn’t be polite either.

When Gu Jianing left for the old house, Yao Chunhua carried the two cans of milk powder into her daughter-in-law’s room.

Since she was still in confinement, Su Miao hadn’t been able to help out today, but she’d been listening intently to all the lively commotion outside.

When her husband came in and mentioned the betrothal gifts from Officer Sheng, Su Miao couldn’t help but sigh—her sister-in-law really had good fortune.

Of course, envy was just envy. Su Miao felt that marrying into the Gu family and becoming Gu Yunnan’s wife was already a blessing.

Looking at her son Zhuangzhuang lying beside her, her gaze softened even more.

Just then, she heard movement outside, and her mother-in-law came in, carrying something in her arms. Looking closely, it turned out to be two cans of milk powder.

After Yao Chunhua put down the milk powder and explained her purpose, Su Miao hurriedly said, “Mother, I can’t accept this. This is part of Officer Sheng’s betrothal gifts for Jianing. How can I take it?”

Milk powder was extremely precious, even in the city, and hard to come by.

She knew that with milk powder, her son would surely grow up stronger, but Su Miao felt she couldn’t be greedy. This belonged to her sister-in-law.

“This is specifically from Ningning to you. Not just you—everyone else has something too. This is just a token of Ningning’s affection for her nephew. Take it.”

Yao Chunhua’s tone left no room for refusal. Su Miao hadn’t expected that her sister-in-law had asked for her to have it. Her eyes grew hot with emotion, and she was deeply touched.

“There’s no need to say thank you—just remember it in your heart. And don’t cry; crying during confinement can ruin your eyesight.”

Su Miao quickly composed herself. She wasn’t crying out of sadness, but happiness.

Yao Chunhua still had to prepare lunch, so she didn’t stay long.

When Gu Yunnan came in, Su Miao’s eyes were still a little red. Seeing the two cans of milk powder on the table, she asked about them and learned the reason.

“If Mom said Ningning gave it, then just accept it. With these two cans of milk powder, our Zhuangzhuang will grow up even stronger.”

“I’ll try to spend more time in the mountains these days and see if I can hunt more game.”

“Okay.”

Gu Yunnan couldn’t help but reflect. Outsiders often said the Gu family spoiled Gu Jianing too much, but they weren’t blind—there were reasons for their affection.

Ever since they were kids, whenever Ningning got something good, she’d share it with her three brothers.

Whenever they got into trouble and were about to be punished, Ningning would always stand up for them.

Sure, Ningning could be a bit willful, but she was just a little spoiled, and they were happy to dote on such a little sister.

It was only after she met Wen the educated youth that Ningning started to change.

But they all felt that Ningning had been led astray by Wen.

Now, after that incident with the river, Ningning no longer liked Wen, and it seemed she’d gone back to her old self.

Gu Yunnan thought this was for the best.

Meanwhile, Gu Jianing left the house and was walking toward the old residence when, out of nowhere, someone jumped out in front of her.

“Comrade Ningning.”

Gu Jianing looked at the handsome young man in a white shirt and black trousers standing before her, and for a moment, she felt as if she were in another lifetime.

She’d been reborn for several days now, but this was the first time she’d seen Wen Zhuqing in this life.

That’s right—the person in front of her was Wen Zhuqing.

Gu Jianing pressed her lips together and studied him, lowering her gaze as a flash of intense hatred flickered in her eyes. Her hand tightened slightly under her sleeve.

But soon, when she looked up again, she had returned to her usual innocent expression. She blinked and said, “Oh, it’s you, Comrade Wen.”

From the moment he saw Gu Jianing, Wen Zhuqing had been secretly sizing her up. Looking at the bright-eyed, lively girl, he realized she seemed even more beautiful than before.

To be honest, Wen Zhuqing was a man, after all. Even back in Shanghai, it would have been hard to find a girl as pretty as Gu Jianing.

So, yes, he was attracted to her looks and figure.

But he also knew very well that, as someone from Shanghai with his own ambitions, he could never marry a country girl with no background.

Still, now that he’d been sent down to the countryside, and considering his family’s situation and the current political climate, who knew when he’d be able to return to the city?

Even so, he could still make plans for himself while he was here.

He just wanted to make his life a little easier.

Wen Zhuqing was well aware of his own good looks and gentle temperament.

Since coming to the countryside, plenty of girls had tried to get close to him, but the one he was most satisfied with was Gu Jianing. After all, her father was the village head, her three brothers were all capable, she herself was beautiful and innocent, and her family doted on her.

If he could win Gu Jianing over, she’d surely bring him many benefits.

With this in mind, he acted accordingly.

Over the past six months, things had gone smoothly, and he was certain Gu Jianing was completely devoted to him.

Just recently, when Gu’s eldest brother got an opportunity to work at the steel factory, Wen Zhuqing knew his own chance had come.

With just a few words, he’d persuaded Gu Jianing to help him get the job.

He hadn’t expected Gu Jianing to jump into the river over the matter, but he wasn’t surprised either.

He’d thought that after the incident, the Gu family would give in, and he’d soon get the job and never have to work in the fields again.

But unexpectedly, that very day, someone had ambushed him, beaten him up twice, and he’d been bedridden for days.

Meanwhile, rumors kept spreading about Gu Jianing being matched with a military officer.

He’d planned to wait until he recovered before checking in on Gu Jianing, but today, when he heard that the officer had brought his family to propose marriage, Wen Zhuqing couldn’t sit still any longer. Forcing himself up, he went out hoping to run into Gu Jianing—and, as luck would have it, he did.

Looking at Gu Jianing’s expression, she didn’t seem much different from before, but for some reason, Wen Zhuqing felt that something about her had changed.

He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. After several days of recuperation, the swelling on his face had finally gone down, and he put on his usual gentle smile. His peach-blossom eyes seemed full of affection, and perhaps a hint of grievance, as he said, “Comrade Ningning, I heard you got engaged today?”

…

After sending his grandparents back to the hotel, Sheng Zexi suddenly remembered he’d forgotten to discuss with Gu Jianing when to take their wedding photos and register their marriage, so he drove back.

Unexpectedly, Gu Jianing wasn’t at home—she’d gone to the old house. Knowing where it was, Sheng Zexi walked over.

Not far away, two women were chatting as they walked, their voices carrying over.

“Hey, didn’t that Gu family girl get engaged to a military officer today?”

“That’s right, the Gu family was bustling today. That officer is really something—he brought an extravagant betrothal gift all the way from the capital.”

“So, do you think Gu Jianing really doesn’t like Wen, the educated youth, anymore?”

“Seems like it.”

“Then how come I just saw Gu Jianing meeting with Wen, the educated youth?”"