Chapter 115.2

When Zhao met Gu Qinghan’s cold gaze, she instinctively took two steps back. Her face turned even paler, and her legs began to tremble. It was unclear whether the trembling was from the cold or fear. 

Behind Gu Qinghan stood a man dressed in military uniform. At first glance, Wen Nuan froze in place, shocked. 

It had been nearly a year and a half since their last meeting, so much so that Wen Nuan almost didn’t recognize him. 

But as the man approached, his features became clearer. Wen Nuan gave a small nudge to Gu Qinglan, who was still sobbing, signaling her to look. 

Gu Qinghan walked toward Zhao Wuzhu and Wen Nuan, her pitch-black eyes filled with an oppressive intensity as they fixed on Zhao Wuzhu. Her voice was sharp and commanding. “Qinglan’s military registration was exchanged for by Wen Nuan’s own academic merits. Everyone in the family compound knows this.” 

“And now, in this new society, Qinglan is an adult. She has the right to decide her own marriage. It’s not your place to interfere. I will respect her decision.” 

“I also heard everything Xiao Nuan just said. Mother, I hope you’ll reflect on whether you’ve gone too far. Furthermore, I’ll arrange for someone to send you back to our hometown the day after tomorrow. This is no place for your tantrums.” 

Zhao Wuzhu could hardly believe what she was hearing. Qinglan’s military registration was truly settled by Wen Nuan? And everything else Gu Qinghan just said—could it all be true? 

She admitted to herself that she had always favored Gu Qingsong. After all, he was always by her side, he was her son, and his sweet words often flattered her. 

But she didn’t think she was wrong. Any mother would naturally favor the child who could support her in old age. 

Gu Qinghan was stationed with the army year-round, often gone for one or two years at a time, making it impossible to rely on him. 

Gu Qinglan was a woman, destined to marry and leave the family someday. How could they treat her as a treasure? 

Her only real hope for the future was her youngest son, Gu Qingsong. So was it truly wrong to show a little favoritism? 

The more Zhao Wuzhu thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. She had only wanted the best for Gu Qinglan, to find her a good husband with strong prospects. How could that possibly be wrong? 

But then her eyes met Gu Qinghan’s cold, unyielding stare, and for the first time, Zhao Wuzhu found her son genuinely frightening. Red-eyed and indignant, she snapped, “Fine, I’ll go back! I don’t want to stay in this freezing place anyway. Just consider it as if I never gave birth to one of you!” 

Gu Qinghan’s face was full of displeasure. “Stop trying to introduce Qinglan to someone. She doesn’t need it.” 

“…” 

Zhao Wuzhu shot Gu Qinglan a resentful glare before adding, “Fine, at least let me meet this so-called boyfriend of hers. I’m already here, and it wouldn’t make sense for me to leave without knowing my future son-in-law, would it?” 

She didn’t believe for a second that Gu Qinglan truly had someone in her life. If she did, how could the people at the hospital not know about it? 

As soon as her words fell, Gu Qinghan turned his head and called out, “Li Daxiang, step forward.” 

A tall figure, nearly as tall as Gu Qinghan himself, jogged over briskly. After stealing a quick glance at Gu Qinglan, he stood at attention before Gu Qinghan and Zhao Wuzhu, saluting them. “Hello, Auntie.” 

After more than a year of absence, Li Daxiang had grown sturdier compared to when he left the Northern Air Force unit. His voice had also deepened, gaining a rich, commanding tone. 

The only thing that hadn’t changed was the brightness in his eyes, still as sharp and clear as ever. 

Gu Qinghan glanced between Li Daxiang and Zhao Wuzhu before saying, “Comrade Li Daxiang, please report your basic information and family background to Comrade Gu Qinglan’s mother.” 

Li Daxiang paused for a moment, but he quickly understood. Turning to Zhao Wuzhu, he spoke in a loud and steady voice, “Auntie, my name is Li Daxiang. I’m from the Northern Air Force Base, 34th Division, 76th Regiment…” 

He proceeded to recount everything about himself, leaving no detail behind. He described how many siblings he had, which comrades he was close to in the unit, and even minor personal details that seemed excessive. 

Zhao Wuzhu was so overwhelmed by the situation that she froze, unsure of how to react. She couldn’t even begin to process what Gu Qinghan was trying to achieve by having Li Daxiang give such an elaborate report. 

All she could do was stare blankly at Li Daxiang, hardly registering what he was saying. 

When Li Daxiang finally finished speaking, the atmosphere grew awkwardly silent. 

Everyone turned to Gu Qinghan, waiting for him to break the tension. 

Gu Qinghan glanced at Li Daxiang and said, “I heard you’re seeing someone. However, I haven’t received any official report from you. Make sure there’s one on my desk before tomorrow morning’s meeting.” 

Li Daxiang froze on the spot at these words, staring at Gu Qinghan in stunned silence. Then, as if instinctively, he glanced over at Gu Qinglan, his expression a mix of confusion and unease. 

It had been more than a year since they last met. Li Daxiang hadn’t forgotten what she looked like, but the moment he saw her again, he realized that, in his memory, she had changed. 

She had become even more beautiful and graceful. 

As light snowflakes drifted from the sky, Gu Qinglan met Li Daxiang’s gaze and felt her eyes well up with tears again. 

Seeing the two of them standing there silently, Wen Nuan quietly reminded, “Did you hear what your brother said? Quickly write up the report, or else you’ll get scolded.” 

Wen Nuan had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Over the past year, Gu Qinglan had immersed herself in work, using it to numb herself. 

But Wen Nuan knew all along, through the many times she held back her words, that Gu Qinglan wanted news of Li Daxiang. 

Unfortunately, the flight academy had strict regulations, and Gu Qinghan didn’t visit often, so there was no way to provide her with any substantial information. 

But now, Li Daxiang was finally back. 

Wen Nuan could tell from his eyes that he, too, missed Gu Qinglan. 

Even though they were separated by a few people, his intense gaze seemed capable of melting anyone. 

Gu Qinglan turned her face away, lowering her head to hide behind Wen Nuan. She muttered softly, “It’s so late, let’s do it tomorrow.” 

“What are you waiting for?” Wen Nuan pinched the palm of her hand and scolded softly, “Get the report to your brother and the political commissar tonight. The longer you wait, the worse it’ll get!” 

With that report, there was no way Zhao Wuzhu could make any trouble.  

But even without the report, Zhao Wuzhu wouldn’t be able to stir up any real trouble. 

Wen Nuan knew that all the trouble Zhao Wuzhu was causing would only make her own children dislike her more. 

If Zhao Wuzhu were smart, she would use this opportunity, coming to the North, to build a good relationship with both Gu Qinghan and Gu Qinglan. That way, the two children would willingly show her respect in the future. 

But Zhao Wuzhu was too stubborn. She even tried to force Gu Qinglan to meet some official. Wen Nuan thought it was both foolish and malicious. 

She couldn’t help but feel disgusted thinking about it. That man was like a leech, probably scheming something. 

After hearing this, Gu Qinglan murmured softly, “I know.” 

Wen Nuan turned around and wiped the tear stains from Gu Qinglan’s face, then waved at Li Daxiang. “Daxiang, come here.” 

Li Daxiang had been waiting for this moment for a long time, and when it finally arrived, he glanced at Gu Qinghan before stepping forward. 

His heart pounded loudly in his chest. When he looked at Gu Qinglan, he found himself at a loss for words. 

Seeing the awkwardness between the two, Wen Nuan spoke up, “After dinner, quickly write up the report, okay? Did you hear me?” 

“Yes.” 

They answered in unison, and then their eyes met again. Both of them looked away shyly, avoiding each other’s gaze.  

Zhao Wuzhu watched them, and a thought suddenly flashed through her mind, but no one else seemed to pay her any attention. 

Zhao Wuzhu glared at them, feeling bitter and frustrated. She didn’t know whether she had truly done something wrong. 

Wen Nuan, however, wasn’t interested in paying attention to Zhao Wuzhu anymore. She wasn’t a child, and if she still couldn’t figure things out by now, it would be a shame to have lived for so many years. 

She rubbed her hands together. She had rushed out so quickly that she hadn’t even put on her gloves, and now the cold was starting to sting. 

But then, the next moment, Gu Qinghan walked over to her, took her hand, and slipped it into his own warm coat, glaring at her. “It’s cold, isn’t it? Let’s go back inside.” 

Though Wen Nuan had just finished her confinement, Gu Qinghan still didn’t want her out in the snow for too long. 

Wen Nuan smiled and said, “Let’s go back. I’m really freezing.” 

If it hadn’t been for Zhao Wuzhu’s sneaky actions earlier, Wen Nuan wouldn’t have even realized how hard Zhao Wuzhu had been pushing Gu Qinglan into those discussions. She had no idea that Zhao Wuzhu, in just two days, could stir up so much trouble. 

Really, she was just bored. 

Lele, likely having waited a long time without seeing Wen Nuan return, came out looking for her. 

When she spotted her father had returned as well, she immediately ran up to him and called out, “Dad, it’s time for dinner!” 

“Mom, hurry back! Bao Bao and Zhou Zhou are awake. You should go check on them.” 

Wen Nuan furrowed her brow and asked the little one, “Did they cry?” 

Lele shook her head. “No, they didn’t.” 

“Then don’t worry about them. Let them play on their own for a while.” Gu Qinghan picked Lele up and then reached out to take Wen Nuan’s hand. “Let’s go home.” 

“Okay!” Lele was lifted high and quickly noticed Li Daxiang standing next to Gu Qinglan.

The little one’s head turned as she quickly remembered, then she laughed and called out, “Uncle Daxiang, you’re back!” 

“Auntie, Uncle Daxiang’s back! Come in and eat with us!” 

Li Daxiang had been trying to figure out how to speak to Gu Qinglan for a while, but Lele’s appearance gave them the perfect opportunity. 

After greeting Lele, Li Daxiang turned his attention to the young woman standing nearby, her face tinged with a faint pink, and softly said, “Qinglan, long time no see.” 

—I missed you so much. 

Gu Qinglan raised her gaze slightly. When she met Li Daxiang’s eyes, she suddenly felt a bit of dryness in her eyes. 

But when she spoke, it was in a tone of questioning: “Didn’t you say you were going for a year? Why did you stay so long?” 

Li Daxiang turned to glance at Gu Qinghan and Zhao Wuzhu, who had already gone back inside. Then, without any hesitation, he answered, “I missed you… I missed you so much.” 

In that instant, Gu Qinglan’s defenses broke down, and she laughed and cried at the same time, “I missed you too, I missed you so much, Comrade Li Daxiang.” 

The two of them stood there, foolishly staring at each other for a long time. Finally, because of the cold, they decided to go inside to warm up. 

That evening’s dinner was filled with different emotions. 

Wen Nuan completely ignored Zhao Wuzhu, spending the entire meal talking to Li Daxiang and seizing the chance to ask him about the past year at the flight academy. 

Gu Qinghan clearly had no intention of paying attention to Zhao Wuzhu. If not for the inconvenient transportation, Wen Nuan suspected he might have sent her away immediately. 

Gu Qinglan smiled a lot more than usual. After dinner, she didn’t even greet Zhao Wuzhu, leaving the family compound with Li Daxiang. 

After Gu Qinglan left, Zhao Wuzhu couldn’t hold herself back any longer. She mustered up the courage to find Gu Qinghan and asked, “That Comrade Li just now, is he Qinglan’s boyfriend?” 

Gu Qinghan raised an eyebrow and gave a vague reply, “What do you think?” 

The simple question infuriated Zhao Wuzhu, and she didn’t speak for the rest of the night.