Chapter 50: A Benefactor

She had always feared that if Guoguo were ever kidnapped by traffickers, her child would be hurt.

After a quick check, she found that Guoguo was unharmed and still bundled up tightly. From this, she knew that after Guoguo was rescued, she had been well cared for.

When she had just come out, she saw that it was this young woman who was holding Guoguo’s hand, and Guoguo was looking up at her with a gaze full of trust.

“Hello, you must be Commander Sheng’s wife. Thank you so much for saving my Guoguo. If it weren’t for you, my child would have been taken by those traffickers. I don’t even know what I would have done.”

Although the young woman in front of her was wrapped up tightly, with only her eyes visible, Zhang Shuwan still had a very good impression of her.

Besides, she knew that Guoguo was very good at telling good from bad in people. She wasn’t someone who easily relied on others; in fact, she was rather wary of strangers.

Perhaps it was because, back in their hometown, the Lin family had always harbored ill intentions toward their little family of three.

After her parents passed away, the Lin family first tried to get their hands on her parents’ inheritance. When that failed, they kept trying to persuade Lin Xing to divorce her, saying that another woman would surely be able to bear him a son. Even when they saw Guoguo, they would call her a money-losing good-for-nothing girl.

Fortunately, Lin Xing wasn’t a fool.

All of this made Guoguo especially sensitive to the goodness or malice of others.

So, seeing how attached Guoguo was to Gu Jianing, Zhang Shuwan was certain that this young woman was a good person.

“You must be Guoguo’s mother. My name is Gu Jianing. Honestly, it was just a matter of chance—I just happened to be there.”

Her sweet, melodious voice made Zhang Shuwan feel instantly at ease. “Yes, yes, it was fate. Still, it’s fate that brought you and my Guoguo together.”

Zhang Shuwan couldn’t help but wonder if she should have Guoguo recognize Gu Jianing as her godmother. After all, such a life-saving favor was impossible to repay—maybe making her a godmother would be a way to express their gratitude, to give Guoguo another mother to honor in the future.

But this wasn’t something to rush; she’d have to discuss it with Lin Xing first.

Actually, Zhang Shuwan had her reasons for thinking this way.

Back when Guoguo was only six months old, Zhang Shuwan once took her out and happened to run into Huang Banxia, a half-blind fortune-teller who lived nearby.

Huang Banxia had lost sight in one eye, hence his nickname. He used to tell fortunes for a living.

Later, when superstitions were being stamped out, his situation became quite difficult.

That time, Huang Banxia had been beaten badly and was lying on the ground, barely moving.

Feeling sorry for him, Zhang Shuwan secretly gave him some water and food.

After he recovered, the next time he saw her, he looked at her with his one good eye and mysteriously said that Guoguo would one day face a great calamity—a deadly one.

If she couldn’t get through it, she might die young.

But if she met a benefactor, she would be able to turn misfortune into blessing.

As a mother, hearing someone say that her daughter would face a deadly calamity and might die young made her heart skip a beat.

Before she could say anything, Huang Banxia left.

After that, Zhang Shuwan never saw him again. Some said he left, others said he died.

Even though she didn’t want to believe what he’d said, Zhang Shuwan never forgot his words.

And now...

Zhang Shuwan thought, this time, when Guoguo was kidnapped by traffickers, she really could have died.

So, without a doubt, this was the calamity Huang Banxia had foretold.

But Gu Jianing had saved Guoguo, so she must be the benefactor who helped Guoguo escape danger.

Zhang Shuwan decided she would tell her husband about Huang Banxia’s prophecy when they got home.

As they talked, the group got into the car.

Because Gu Jianing was dressed so heavily, Sheng Zexi helped her up into the car.

Lin Xing drove, Sheng Zexi sat in the front passenger seat, while Gu Jianing and Zhang Shuwan, who was holding Guoguo, sat in the back.

As Zhang Shuwan helped brush the snow off her clothes, Gu Jianing took another look at her.

She realized that Guoguo actually did resemble Zhang Shuwan a bit.

Guoguo’s features took after Commander Lin, but her face shape was like Zhang Shuwan’s.

Zhang Shuwan had a cute, doll-like face, with big, clear eyes that looked pure and innocent—definitely not someone with a scheming mind.

Once they were in the car, the tightly sealed windows kept out the cold air.

Gu Jianing took off her hat, revealing a head of smooth, jet-black hair. She also loosened her scarf a bit to catch her breath.

She hadn’t expected that, as soon as Zhang Shuwan looked up and caught sight of her, she would be completely stunned.

“Miss, you’re so beautiful!”

“I can guarantee, there’s no one in our entire military district prettier than you.”

A delicate oval face, exquisite features, fair and tender skin that glowed like a freshly peeled egg, especially under the red scarf, making her complexion look even more radiant than snow.

Her lips were full and rosy, like the most beautiful petals in bloom.

Her eyes were like peach blossoms, the corners slightly upturned and captivating, yet clear and sparkling, as if holding a pool of autumn water.

What a stunning beauty!

“Auntie is so pretty, like a fairy,” Guoguo, nestled in Zhang Shuwan’s arms, also exclaimed with bright eyes.

Up front, Lin Xing, upon hearing his wife’s voice, instinctively glanced at the rearview mirror.

With just one look, he realized his wife wasn’t exaggerating—she really was beautiful, even more so than the girls in the performing arts troupe.

Sheng Zexi was something of a legend in the Northwest Military District.

There were plenty of stories about him circulating in the district.

His background, his rebelliousness and good looks, how he’d turned down countless blind dates arranged by the higher-ups, his iron-blooded style in combat, his reputation as the “King of Soldiers,” his sharp tongue…

In the Northwest Military District, everyone had given Sheng Zexi a nickname: “The Jade-Faced Yama.”

It was said that he was the most handsome man in the entire district.

But don’t be fooled by his looks—during training, he could push you to the brink of despair; on the battlefield, he could crush the enemy; if you tried to get to know him, his sharp tongue could make you cry on the spot. His cold indifference was overwhelming—few could withstand it.

The leaders all said he was a troublemaker.

No one knew who could ever tame him.

People joked that the one who could make Sheng Zexi gentle probably hadn’t even been born yet.

But now, as Lin Xing recalled seeing Sheng Zexi carrying bags at the train station, and noticed the way Sheng Zexi’s lips unconsciously curled up when his wife and daughter praised Gu Jianing, he thought: Looks like the one who can handle Sheng Zexi has finally appeared.

But that girl really is beautiful. Since ancient times, even heroes fall for beauties.

Hearing the compliments from Zhang Shuwan and her daughter, Gu Jianing couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you.”"