Chapter 9 I’m glad I changed my clothes

Gu Family.

Gu Chuxue, pale-faced, tightly gripped Lin Qinghai’s hand.
“Qinghai-ge, it’s all my fault. I couldn’t keep our baby… You won’t blame me, will you?”

Lin Qinghai’s expression wasn’t any better. Forcing himself to appear composed, he shook his head.
“Chuxue, right now the most important thing is for you to recover. Don’t overthink, hmm? We’re still young — we’ll have children sooner or later.”

“Qinghai, there are all sorts of rumors about you two outside right now, spreading like wildfire. For Xiaoxue’s reputation, you two should get married as soon as possible!” Niu Chunli said earnestly.

“Auntie, I’ve already written to my family. Once my parents finish their farm work, they’ll come to the city. Then the elders from both sides can sit down over a meal and discuss the wedding properly.” Lin Qinghai said softly, “I was planning to wait until Chuxue’s health improved before bringing it up.”

Niu Chunli’s dissatisfaction with Lin Qinghai these past few days eased a little. This was the first time he’d come to see her daughter since the incident. She nodded.
“Alright. You should also hurry and apply for marriage through your unit.”

Lin Qinghai responded, “Understood.”

After staying with Gu Chuxue for a while, he stood to leave.
“Auntie, I’ll have to trouble you to take care of Chuxue. I’ll come see her again when I have time.”

“Qinghai, don’t blame me for being picky — when Xiaoxue lost the baby, you didn’t even go to the hospital right away, and these past few days you haven’t given us a single update. Now that you’ve finally come to see her, you’re leaving so soon to return to your unit? What could possibly be more important than Xiaoxue?” Niu Chunli’s face hardened. “Let me be honest — if it weren’t for how well you treat Xiaoxue, I’d have firmly opposed your marriage.”

“Auntie, it’s not like that. I really do have matters to handle back at the unit.” Lin Qinghai hurried to explain, afraid she’d misunderstand. “I know I’m not worthy of Chuxue, so I have to work harder than anyone else. We’re about to get married, and I want to give her a good life!”

His sincere tone made Niu Chunli drop the matter.
“Go on, then.”

Gu Chuxue reluctantly held his hand.
“Qinghai-ge, once you’re done, you must come see me…”

Lin Qinghai patted the back of her hand reassuringly.
“Wait for me. Be good~”

The moment he stepped out of the Gu household, the warmth vanished from his face, his eyes darkening.

When Gu Chuxue was hospitalized, he’d gone the very first day — but after overhearing something he shouldn’t have, he left without showing himself.

Marriage? She could wait! She thought she was some pampered, noble young lady, but in truth she was cheap goods — in some ways, even less pure than Gu Jinshu.

If it weren’t for Gu Zehua and his wife doting solely on their adopted daughter Gu Chuxue, why would he have bothered breaking up with Gu Jinshu at all? From start to finish, all he needed was the Gu family’s backing.

…

Inside, even with careful care these past few days, the blood and vitality Gu Chuxue had lost could not be restored.

“Xiaoxue,” Niu Chunli frowned deeply in worry, “your father and I discussed it. You need to focus on nourishing your health now, otherwise once you and Qinghai get married, it won’t be easy for you to get pregnant.”

She added, “Western medicine is three parts poison — better to take Chinese medicine and recuperate slowly.”

“Mm.” Gu Chuxue responded absentmindedly. She was thinking — Qinghai-ge seemed strange today. Could something have happened? Or… was it related to Gu Jinshu? After all, the only person who could be connected to him besides her was Gu Jinshu.

Thinking this, Gu Chuxue tentatively asked,
“Mom, do you think Jinshu would try to steal Qinghai-ge from me?”

“Of course not,” Niu Chunli shook her head. “She already said that day she’d break off the engagement with Qinghai. How could she go back on that?”

“Mom~ Jinshu is your biological daughter. You don’t blame me for taking her man, do you?”

“No,” Niu Chunli pulled her into her arms and patted her shoulder gently. “Qinghai is an excellent young man, but he and Jinshu aren’t suitable. You and Qinghai are the best match. I’ll arrange a blind date for Jinshu later, and everything will be fine.”

Where Niu Chunli couldn’t see, Gu Chuxue’s lips curled smugly.
“Mom, Jinshu said she wants to completely cut ties with the family. Will she really come back?”

“That stubborn temper of hers is just like your grandfather’s. When the old man was alive, he was exactly the same! In the city, with no one to rely on, she won’t last long. In a few days, she’ll be back.”

Whenever Niu Chunli thought of Gu Jinshu, she felt a headache. Truly, she was never as worry-free as Chuxue.

“Tomorrow at noon I’ll take you to the military compound to see Professor Zhang. He’s very good with Chinese medicine.” Niu Chunli didn’t say more. “Alright, rest early. We have to go out tomorrow.”

Gu Chuxue obediently nodded.
“Okay, I’ll listen to Mom.”

—

Military Compound.

Elder Lu’s residence occupied the best location in the entire compound and had a spacious courtyard.

Zhang Pingtian had asked Gu Jinshu to deliver medicine.

When Elder Lu saw her, his eyes lit up.
“Jinshu? Didn’t expect we’d meet again so soon!”

“Hello, Elder Lu,” Gu Jinshu greeted politely.

“Good, good!” Elder Lu said happily. “Come inside and sit with me for a while.”

“No, Teacher told me to go back and keep practicing acupuncture.” Without more than a decade of skill, one couldn’t truly master it — in her previous life, Gu Jinshu had practiced every single day.

“Old Zhang can be a bit strict, but don’t be afraid of him,” Elder Lu said. “Come chat with me whenever you’re free.”

Gu Jinshu smiled lightly.
“Strict teachers produce outstanding students.”

“Exactly! That’s the truth.” Elder Lu nodded approvingly. This young lady wasn’t afraid of hardship or difficulty — very good!

Just then, a man’s voice sounded.
“Why did you call me back in the middle of the day? I still have tasks to finish!”

As Gu Jinshu turned to leave, she almost bumped into a tall man in military uniform. His upright bearing radiated integrity; his features were sharp and well-defined. If he entered the entertainment industry, he would surely be a sensation.

Of course, Gu Jinshu, who had grown up immersed in medical texts, wasn’t a fan of the entertainment world — but that didn’t mean she didn’t recognize a striking face when she saw one.

It was clear that Lu Shiyan recognized her too. The petite woman had shed the warmth she’d shown that night; her delicate face and almond-shaped eyes now carried a quiet, serene beauty that made it hard to look away…

Lu Shiyan wasn’t sure if she still remembered him. Running into her here was entirely unexpected — and he was glad he’d taken the time to change into clean clothes before coming back at noon.

Thank goodness he wasn’t still wearing the filthy uniform from several days of continuous overtime.