Chapter 81: Could There Be Something Between Sheng Zexi and Peng Wenjing?

""Jianing, you really have to accept these. Otherwise, I truly don’t know how to thank you.""

Inside the bag were canned fruit, biscuits, malted milk powder, and other treats—things that Sister Yu had bought with the family’s meager savings after much hesitation.

To be honest, she’d never buy these for herself under normal circumstances.

But this time, to thank Gu Jianing, she gritted her teeth and bought them anyway.

Although these things might seem quite valuable to others, Sister Yu knew that no matter how expensive they were, they couldn’t compare to the life-saving favor Gu Jianing had done for her husband, Old Cui.

It might have just been a surgery on his leg, but calling it a life-saving favor was no exaggeration.

She knew all too well: because of his leg, the higher-ups had been pushing Cui Bin to retire from the military.

But how could retirement compare to staying in the army?

Before, surgery was too risky, and they felt helpless—they could only go along with it.

But now, after the operation on Old Cui’s leg, as long as he recovers well, he won’t have to retire. With his previous merits, he might even get promoted.

Of course, that wasn’t the most important thing. The most important thing was that the surgery was a success, and Old Cui’s life was saved.

As his wife, Sister Yu knew better than anyone how Cui Bin would lie awake night after night from the pain in his leg, and how he worried about being forced to retire.

Director Shu had said that if Cui Bin’s leg got any worse, it would be crippled—he might even lose his life.

So, Gu Jianing’s successful surgery really was a life-saving favor.

No matter how generous the gift, Sister Yu still felt it wasn’t enough.

She’d always believed in one principle: you have to be grateful, especially to those who help you. People who aren’t grateful, even if they have good fortune for a while, will lose it in the end.

Gu Jianing knew that if she didn’t accept the gifts, Sister Yu would feel bad, so she accepted them.

""By the way, Sister, I’ve been wondering—why were the director and so many doctors outside the operating room this morning?""

God knows, when Gu Jianing opened the OR door and saw all those white coats, she was startled.

""It was all because of that nurse, Peng Wenjing.""

""Peng Wenjing?"" Gu Jianing immediately thought of the only nurse among the group of doctors, the one who kept glancing at her with a strange look.

She noticed that when Sister Yu mentioned Peng Wenjing, her expression was a bit odd.

Gu Jianing’s instincts told her there was something going on here.

""Sister Yu, who is this Peng Wenjing? What did she do? Can you tell me?""

""Here’s what happened..."" Sister Yu quickly recounted the events of the morning.

So that’s how it was—Gu Jianing suddenly understood.

As for Peng Wenjing’s actions, she didn’t really mind. After all, Peng Wenjing didn’t know her medical skills, and she didn’t have a medical license, so it was normal for her to be suspicious.

But...

""Sister, is there something else you’re not telling me?"" Gu Jianing’s intuition told her Sister Yu was holding something back.

Sister Yu looked a bit embarrassed, but also thought Gu Jianing was very perceptive. She said, ""I didn’t expect you to notice. Actually, it’s nothing much. I just didn’t think it was necessary to bring it up—I was afraid you’d misunderstand Captain Sheng.""

Hmm?

Misunderstand Sheng Zexi? Thinking back to Peng Wenjing’s expression, Gu Jianing suddenly understood.

Could it be that there was something between Sheng Zexi and that nurse Peng Wenjing?

As if worried Gu Jianing would get the wrong idea, Sister Yu quickly explained, ""...So, Jianing, don’t misunderstand Captain Sheng. It’s all just Peng Wenjing’s wishful thinking. Captain Sheng never paid her any attention and never agreed to meet her.""

Gu Jianing nodded. ""I understand, Sister.""

""Good, that’s good.""

Sister Yu didn’t stay long. After chatting for a bit, she left.

In the afternoon, Jiang Baihe came for her usual treatment. When she heard about Gu Jianing performing surgery on Cui Bin’s leg, she couldn’t stop praising her.

That evening, Sheng Zexi came back with their dinner as usual. Gu Jianing took out the roast duck and roast chicken.

""I bought these at the market this afternoon. I thought they tasted pretty good. Can you help me cut them up so we can try them?""

""Oh, and I bought a lot of rice, flour, and pork...""

Gu Jianing listed off all the things she’d bought at the market today—many of them were actually rewards from completing tasks.

Sheng Zexi took the roast duck and chicken—one leg missing from each—looking thoughtful, but he didn’t ask anything. He just put them on the cutting board and started chopping.

Gu Jianing stood by watching, and he reminded her to stand back so she wouldn’t get splattered.

""By the way, I sent letters and packages to my parents and grandparents this afternoon.""

""Alright, you handle those things."" Sheng Zexi’s knife skills were quick and efficient. In no time, the duck and chicken were chopped and filled two plates, with some left over.

Gu Jianing put the extra duck and chicken on another plate. ""This plate is for Shu Wan and Guoguo.""

She and Zhang Shuwan had first met because of Guoguo, but during this time living in the military district, they’d become good friends.

They often exchanged gifts, especially since Zhang Shuwan was a great cook and would make little treats for Gu Jianing from time to time.

Even though Gu Jianing could buy all sorts of snacks from the system’s exchange store—more types and flavors, even—it just wasn’t the same.

""Alright, go ahead."" Sheng Zexi was never stingy. As Gu Jianing was about to head out with the plate, he quickly called her back, ""Put on your military coat first. The snow’s been getting heavier these days. I bet in a week, the mountain will be sealed off by snow.""

His hands were all greasy from chopping the duck and chicken, or else he would have fetched the coat himself.

""I know. That’s why I bought so much at the market today—I think it’ll last us until spring.""

Gu Jianing felt warm inside. She was already dressed warmly, but since Sheng Zexi insisted, she went back to the bedroom, put on the military coat, and headed out.

When she knocked on Zhang Shuwan’s door, Zhang Shuwan opened it, and Gu Jianing quickly shoved the big bowl into her hands, saying it was cold and she needed to get back home.

""Mama, did Auntie Jianing bring us something yummy?"" Guoguo, who was flipping through a picture book, looked up and asked.

""I think so. Let’s see what it is.""

""Guoguo wants to see too!""

When they lifted the lid and saw a whole plate of roast duck and chicken, Zhang Shuwan was momentarily stunned.

""Roast duck and roast chicken!"" As a city girl, Zhang Shuwan hadn’t expected Gu Jianing to bring over cooked food.

""Mama, it smells so good!""

Prepared foods like this were hard to come by these days, and expensive too.

""How did Jianing manage to buy so much, and even bring us so much? No, no, I can’t accept this..."""