The letter to Grandpa and Grandma Sang wasn’t as long, but it was filled with warm greetings for the elderly couple and shared snippets of daily life.

In the evening, when Sheng Zexi came in carrying food, his coat dusted with snow, he didn’t see his young wife in the living room but instead noticed the two letters.

Seeing that one of them was addressed to his grandparents, his heart softened, and his eyes grew tender.

“You’re back,” a familiar, sweet voice called out, making Sheng Zexi turn around. There she was, the graceful and charming figure walking in.

“Yes, I brought some food. I’ll stir-fry a meat dish in a bit.”

“Did you write letters?”

“Yes. Now that we’ve settled here, we should write to let them know we’re safe. But I plan to wait a couple of days, after we visit the local market, to buy some local specialties and send them over as New Year gifts.”

After all, it was only a little over a month until the New Year, and letters took a long time to go back and forth, so they couldn’t write too many.

“That’s fine. You decide. Buy whatever you want. I just didn’t expect you to write to my grandparents too.”

Gu Jianing gave him a sideways glance. “We’re married now. They’re not just your grandparents; they’re mine too. Besides, they’ve been so kind to both of us. Isn’t it only right to write to them?”

As soon as she finished speaking, Sheng Zexi pulled her into a tight embrace. “Ningning, thank you. I know you’re doing this because of me.”

Grandpa and Grandma Sang loved Ningning because of him, and Ningning loved them for the same reason.

“Grandpa and Grandma have always been so good to me. I just didn’t care enough about them before.”

Gu Jianing leaned into his chest and sighed softly. “You’re busy with training and missions. I’m sure they understand. But now that you’re married, as your wife, it’s only right for me to show them more filial piety.”

Of course, there was one thing Gu Jianing didn’t say: it was because Grandpa and Grandma Sang were such wonderful people.

If they were anything like some of the difficult relatives out there, she wouldn’t have said those words.

Just like Sheng Zexi’s disliked his father and stepmother, she wouldn’t bother with them either.

“Alright, let’s eat.”

“Okay. By the way, did you go to the cafeteria for lunch?”

…

In their cozy little home, the couple chatted warmly. Gu Jianing told him about asking Sister Shuwang about the housewarming and the solution they came up with.

“How about we set the date for the day after the market?” Sheng Zexi asked.

“That works.”

After dinner, Gu Jianing continued with Sheng Zexi’s acupuncture treatment. On the stove, traditional Chinese medicine was brewing, something Sheng Zexi had brought back when he returned.

It was a large package, enough for half a month.

“On the day of the housewarming, I’m thinking of checking everyone’s pulse. What do you think?” Gu Jianing asked as she inserted the needles.

Although she had prepared the ingredients, Sister Shuwang would be doing the cooking. Gu Jianing felt she needed to show off some of her skills so as not to embarrass Sheng Zexi.

The guests at the housewarming would likely be Sheng Zexi’s close comrades and their families. She wanted them to see that Sheng Zexi had married a capable wife.

At the moment, her only notable skill was her ability to scan and diagnose any physical ailment with her eyes.

So, she thought, why not offer them a free health check?

Plus, if she found any issues, she could potentially gain new patients. If they allowed her to treat them, she could earn points and rewards.

It was a win-win situation.

Sheng Zexi: A housewarming feast plus pulse readings… it felt a bit odd.

But seeing the excitement and eagerness in Ningning’s eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

“Alright, let’s do it.” At most, he’d give his comrades and their families a heads-up beforehand.

Just a quick pulse reading, a formality.

Sheng Zexi didn’t expect Gu Jianing to actually diagnose anything. Even though she was treating his condition and had previously treated her sister-in-law’s infertility, he thought the chances of success were slim.

After all, he had consulted specialized doctors for his condition, and none had been able to help.

Ningning was just too young.

If she could really cure his infertility and her sister-in-law’s, as she claimed, she’d be nothing short of a miracle doctor.

But Sheng Zexi still doubted it.

As for letting her treat him now, it was more about humoring her and not wanting to disappoint her.

If they didn’t try, how would they know it wouldn’t work?

Gu Jianing had no idea what Sheng Zexi was really thinking. If she had known, she might have jabbed a needle into his pressure point to make him feel some pain for underestimating her.

Before bed, the traditional medicine was ready.

Sheng Zexi obediently drank it, then boiled more water to give Gu Jianing a quick wipe-down.

Though they couldn’t take a proper bath, Gu Jianing insisted on at least wiping herself down daily. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to stand it.

After washing up, the two lay down on the kang, holding each other as they drifted off to sleep.

Perhaps out of consideration for Gu Jianing’s first night and hearing her complain about oversleeping and occasionally rubbing her sore back, Sheng Zexi suppressed his restless thoughts. His warm, dry hands gently massaged her soft waist as she fell asleep in his arms, and soon, he too was asleep…

…

Another morning, and Sheng Zexi was already gone when Gu Jianing woke up.

She didn’t mind much. She was somewhat of a homebody, not particularly sociable, and in this unfamiliar place, she was content staying at home.

But then Zhang Shuwang knocked on her door, furious about the rumors circulating in the military district about her.

They were calling her an ugly schemer who had trapped Sheng Zexi.

“…How can people even think that? If you’re an ugly schemer, then there’s no such thing as a beautiful person in this world. Are these people blind?” Zhang Shuwang was indignant on her behalf.

After all, she knew how stunning Gu Jianing was—the most beautiful person she had ever seen.

And Sheng Zexi’s love for Jianing was absolutely genuine.

If it weren’t true love, would a grown man cook for her? Every time Zhang Shuwang saw the way Sheng Zexi looked at Jianing, his eyes were so tender they seemed to overflow with warmth.

Gu Jianing had initially been upset about being called an ugly schemer.

But seeing how angry Zhang Shuwang was on her behalf, her own anger dissipated.

Why bother getting worked up over people who didn’t matter?

“Jianing, it’s just that you don’t like going out. If you did, you’d definitely stun them. By the way, tomorrow’s the market. Dress up nicely and shock them all.”

Gu Jianing giggled and agreed.

She was a beauty, after all. She couldn’t let people call her an ugly schemer.

“I wonder who’s spreading these rumors,” Zhang Shuwang muttered.