Chapter 96: Was It All Just a Dream, Merely Zhuangzi Dreaming of a Butterfly?

As soon as Gu Jianing saw the look on his face, she knew he didn’t believe her. She snorted lightly. “I’m telling the truth. They say mothers and children have a kind of telepathy. Anyway, I just have this feeling—I’m sure I’m pregnant.”

Gu Jianing spoke so seriously that Sheng Zexi’s attitude became serious as well.

Ever since he’d witnessed Gu Jianing’s medical skills and his own health had been restored, he couldn’t deny that he’d started to look forward to having a child.

But… was it really possible?

Thinking back to the times he’d been injured on missions and the repeated hospital checkups that always ended in disappointment, Sheng Zexi found it hard to let himself hope.

“So what should we do now? Should we find a doctor to check your pulse, or go to the hospital for a test?”

“It’s only been a month, so a doctor probably wouldn’t be able to tell by pulse. But we could do a blood test at the hospital—that would show if I’m pregnant or not,” Gu Jianing replied.

“So, should we go to the hospital for a blood test?”

“Of course.”

“Alright, let’s go. But let’s eat lunch first.”

“Okay.”

Sheng Zexi bustled into the kitchen and quickly whipped up two dishes—one meat, one vegetable—and a soup, plus steamed some rice.

After they finished eating, Sheng Zexi grabbed clothes, a scarf, a hat, and bundled Gu Jianing up tightly before taking her hand and heading to the military district hospital.

Since it was New Year’s Eve, there were only a few staff on duty at the hospital, and hardly any patients.

Coincidentally, Dr. Hao was the one on duty in the gynecology department that day.

After hearing their situation, Dr. Hao said, “If it’s only been a month, it’s hard to tell by pulse, but a blood test should work.”

“But are you sure you don’t want to wait a bit longer? What if it’s just a late period?”

After all, Gu Jianing had mentioned her periods were irregular and often late, and she’d had cramps before.

Dr. Hao tended to think she wasn’t pregnant—after all, for people like her, getting pregnant was always a bit difficult.

Actually, Sheng Zexi was thinking the same thing.

But he didn’t make the decision. Instead, he looked at Gu Jianing.

Gu Jianing didn’t hesitate. “Dr. Hao, please just do the blood test for me.”

How could the system’s test results possibly be wrong?

Sheng Zexi, just wait until the results come out—you’ll be shocked, your jaw will drop, hmph!

“Alright, let’s do the blood test.”

Soon, Dr. Hao arranged for a nurse to draw Gu Jianing’s blood.

“The results might take two days. You know, there aren’t many staff on duty at this time,” Dr. Hao explained.

They both nodded in understanding and agreed to come back in two days for the results.

As they were leaving the hospital, Gu Jianing caught sight of a familiar figure—it looked like Peng Wenjing.

The moment Peng Wenjing saw them from afar, she immediately turned and left, as if she was afraid of running into them.

Gu Jianing thought: Looks like Peng Wenjing has really given up on Sheng Zexi. That’s good—now I don’t have to do anything about it.

Back home, Gu Jianing started picking out clothes from the wardrobe.

“You’re changing?” Sheng Zexi came over, wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his chin lightly on her shoulder.

“Of course. Not only am I going to wear something nice, I’m also going to put on my prettiest makeup,” Gu Jianing replied matter-of-factly.

“Is it because of tonight’s New Year’s Eve performance?”

“Mhm.” Gu Jianing turned to glare at him. “Someone’s rotten peach blossom will be there tonight. I heard that girl is the star of the Beijing Arts Troupe. How could I not dress up? I can’t let her outshine me.”

Sheng Zexi couldn’t help laughing. “That won’t happen.”

“What won’t happen?”

“You won’t be outshone. Because I’d never compare anyone else to you,” Sheng Zexi said seriously. “In my eyes, my wife is the most beautiful, the prettiest. You don’t know how my soldiers and comrades envy me for marrying such a beautiful and capable wife. I’m really proud.”

He meant every word. Other than Gu Jianing, there was no room in his eyes for any other woman.

His wife, Gu Jianing, was so important to him—how could he ever compare her to anyone else? Wouldn’t that be belittling Ningning?

Gu Jianing burst out laughing at his words. Her slender fingers poked his chest, chin lifted a little in pride. “You should be proud.”

With that, she giggled.

“Alright, why don’t you help me pick something out?”

“Sure, I think this set looks good.”

“I think so too.”

…

Today, Huaihua Village was especially lively for New Year’s Eve. Every household had decorated in festive red.

The whole Gu family gathered at the old house for the reunion dinner.

The New Year’s Eve meal was lavish.

But compared to previous years, there was one person missing.

Yao Chunhua felt a little sad, and so did Grandpa Gu and the others. But soon Grandpa Gu spoke up, “It’s New Year’s Eve, everyone—no need to be sad. Zexi is a good man, he’ll take good care of Ningning. And Ningning just called yesterday—she’s doing well in the Northwest Military District.”

“We need to live well and be happy, too.”

“This year, our family has made progress—our eldest is a worker now, his wife is pregnant, and Ningning married into a good family. I believe in the new year, our Gu family will only get better.”

“Dad’s right. Ningning wouldn’t want us to feel sad because of her. Our family is doing better and better—we should be happy.” Gu Yunting agreed right away.

The rest of the Gu family chimed in, looking forward to the new year and hoping everyone would get better and better.

Meanwhile, in the Northwest Military District, after dinner, Gu Jianing was being led by Sheng Zexi toward the auditorium. She looked up but couldn’t see the full moon in the sky, and felt a wave of sadness.

“Brother Xi, do you think they can’t see the moon in Huaihua Village either?” she asked softly. It was New Year’s Eve, after all—a time for reunion.

Sheng Zexi paused, then reached out and pulled her into his arms. “Missing your family?”

Gu Jianing gave a quiet “mm,” her voice tinged with a slight choke, though she held it back.

Looking back on her past life, Gu Jianing felt she’d drifted through it, never really living, never truly caring for her family.

Now, living again, with the emotions of two lifetimes layered together, she’d become much more sentimental, and more sensitive to the feelings and changes around her.

She didn’t know if this was a good thing or not.

For a moment, she felt a bit lost. Had she really been reborn?

Or was it all just a dream—just Zhuangzi dreaming of being a butterfly?

“Ningning.”

Just as the thought crossed her mind, she heard Sheng Zexi call her name. The next second, she was pulled into his embrace.

Unlike before, Sheng Zexi held her tightly this time, instantly bringing Gu Jianing back to herself.

It wasn’t a dream. At least, at this moment, Sheng Zexi’s embrace was real."