The weather was bitterly cold, but leaving the children at home wasn’t an option—not with that neighbor around—so she brought them along to the hospital.  

Gu Liancheng introduced, “Chongling, this is my wife, Jiang Zhen.”  

“Hello, Comrade Jiang Zhen. Your child and Little Gu’s are easy to tell apart, but they’re all such beautiful kids.”  

“Hello, Uncle,” the four children chimed in with varying tones, their voices crisp and sweet.  

With winter offering little in the way of gifts to buy, and it being late at night, Jiang Zhen—who lacked the memories of Li Chongling that the “other Jiang Zhen” had blocked out—treated him as a stranger.  

She took out a red envelope containing five yuan as a token of goodwill: “Here’s a red envelope. Buy yourself something you like.”  

Gu Liancheng wished he could dig a hole and disappear. He had suggested borrowing some sugar or dried noodles from his elder sister’s house, but giving money? What kind of gesture was that?  

This was a family who, before Liberation, could afford to send their children abroad to study. They surely had some wealth tucked away. Five yuan was a significant gesture for an ordinary household, but for someone like Li Chongling, it would be a joke if word got out.  

Jiang Zhen tugged Gu Liancheng’s arm, pulling him closer. “I heard from Liancheng that you studied abroad. You’ve seen all the finer things in life, and money is no object for you. But what I have is very little. To me, these five yuan mean a lot. It’s only because you and Liancheng are good friends that I’m giving this to you—it’s a sign of my respect and sincerity toward his friend. Please don’t look down on it.”  

…  

Li Chongling laughed at first, but then a pang of sorrow and loss hit him. Once, in jest, Jiang Zhen had said something like: “If you ever change your heart, it’s not like I’ll be helpless. I’ll marry one of your good friends, live happily, and make you regret it.”  

But Li Chongling knew this wasn’t that Jiang Zhen. The subtle expressions, mannerisms, and aura couldn’t have changed so drastically.  

Moreover, the Jiang Zhen before him held neither affection nor hatred for him—only a look of curiosity.  

He remembered Jiang Zhen once mentioning she had a twin sister, with whom she occasionally shared a psychic connection. She was absolutely certain her sister was still alive. The woman before him was most likely that sister. He and “Jiang Zhen” truly… truly shouldn’t have crossed paths. Most of all, he never should have befriended someone as deceitful as Du Qiuyi. By the time he realized, it was already too late.  

Li Chongling accepted the red envelope. “Liancheng, I really envy you. To have such a candid wife.”  

Jiang Zhen looked at Gu Liancheng triumphantly. “See? I told you sincerity wouldn’t be mocked by a true friend.”  

Gu Liancheng: … He was now certain that Li Chongling and the “other Jiang Zhen” had known each other during their studies abroad.  

This was bad. Did Li Chongling think the Jiang Zhen before him was the one he knew?  

Gu Liancheng forced a smile. “Why envy me? Aren’t you afraid your fiancée will get jealous?”  

Li Chongling chuckled. “She won’t. She’s the most understanding.”  

Gu Liancheng: “I heard your wedding is set for next March?”  

Li Chongling nodded. “I wanted to get married on the National Day, but everyone said sooner is better, so March it is. You must come for the celebration.”  

…

After leaving the inpatient department, they went to the pediatrics ward to find the on-duty elder sister, Gu Jiaoxia, who took a moment to say, “Originally, several people were opposed, but since you helped the troops on the bandit suppression battlefield the other day, the military wrote a letter of thanks to the hospital. At Monday’s meeting, it should be finalized. I still hope you’ll come to pediatrics. If you’re willing, I’ll fight for it.”  

Working in pediatrics with her as the head nurse meant no special treatment, but at least no one would make things difficult for her.  

Jiang Zhen was fine with either: “Elder Sister, don’t go out of your way for me. I’ll go wherever I’m assigned.”  

“Then come on Monday. Liancheng happens to be on his make-up wedding leave, so he can stay home with the kids.”  

…  

Jiang Zhen carried the secret about Li Chongling in her heart. Gu Liancheng and the department behind him had been more than tolerant toward her. She had told them Li Chongling knew her, they investigated, asked her to probe further, and confirmed it. But then what?  

Li Chongling knew her, but she didn’t know him—wasn’t that strange?  

Gu Liancheng and his organization had accommodated without exposing it, giving her enough trust. Touched, Jiang Zhen said, “Liancheng, if there’s ever anything I can do to help in the future, just ask. Don’t hold back.”  

“Okay.” Gu Liancheng thought to himself that Jiang Zhen probably also realized how illogical it was for Li Chongling to know her while she didn’t know him.  

In truth, he and the special task force members all knew and wanted to reassure her that she could trust them and not worry. But they couldn’t say it outright. And then there was Li Chongling—what did he think of Jiang Zhen? How would he explain this to Du Qiuyi?  

…  

Du Qiuyi came to the ward after her morning meeting to find her fiancé already discharged and packed. She smiled. “You could’ve waited for me.”  

Li Chongling said, “It’s fine. I can manage stairs now. By the way, Liancheng brought his wife to the hospital last night to discuss work and stopped by to see me.”  

Du Qiuyi had already heard about it from the nurses but was pleased he mentioned it. “This morning’s meeting was about the arrangements and treatment for several externally hired doctors and nurses. Jiang Zhen was assigned to obstetrics and gynecology.”  

Li Chongling showed no reaction. “Your eldest niece is going to be upset.”  

“I’ll talk to Qihui. Ex-spouses working in the same department isn’t a big deal. We studied abroad—exes can even stay friends there. By the way, Jiang Zhen acted like she didn’t know us. Has she really moved on?”  

Li Chongling said, “I doubt it. She’s the type to follow through on her word. She really married a man I know. If she gives you trouble, just ignore her.”  

Du Qiuyi nodded. “Actually, abroad, it was mainly you who knew her. I only heard about her. But now that we’re engaged, for your sake, I won’t take it to heart.”  

…

Du Qiuyi went to the obstetrics and gynecology department to persuade An Qihui, who was threatening to resign: “Enough is enough. Stop making a scene.”  

An Qihui couldn’t understand it. “Auntie, you’re being too virtuous. You’re not considering my feelings at all. You let my mother become a nun, made my younger sister stay a widow in the Qi family, and said that if your heart is clear, there’s no need to avoid suspicion. But letting Jiang Zhen come to our department? I can’t accept it.”  

“Your mother chose to become a nun herself—don’t blame me for that.”  

Du Qiuyi continued, “It was you who said you liked Yan Jiawen. You who said you didn’t mind that he had been in a matrilocal marriage. You who insisted you’d marry him even if it meant being a stepmother to his child. That’s why I helped arrange for him to study medicine and later work at the hospital. Years have passed, and now the hidden risks have surfaced. You can’t just deny it now. If you really can’t stand it, divorce isn’t out of the question.”  

“I’m not getting a divorce! Why should I make things easier for Jiang Zhen? So she can laugh at me? So she can be happy?”  

“That’s the right attitude.” Du Qiuyi said, “If you’re really unwilling to back down, then focus on building a happy life with Yan Jiawen. Surpassing Jiang Zhen is the best revenge.”  

“But if we’re in the same department, Jiang Zhen will have chances to talk to Yan Jiawen. No matter how tightly I guard against it, I can’t stop it completely.”  

Du Qiuyi smiled. “What’s there to worry about? You can still talk to Gu Liancheng, can’t you? Why shouldn’t she speak to Yan Jiawen? Be more magnanimous. If you lack confidence, then find a way to make Jiang Zhen disappear.”  

An Qihui was stunned. “…Auntie, that incident with the boat capsizing—was it an accident, or…?”  

“How should I know? Stop overthinking things.”  

…

Jiang Zhen’s job was settled. The children refused to stay home, so Gu Liancheng brought them to the hospital. “Department assigned?”  

“Yeah, obstetrics and gynecology—same department as my ex-husband. Plenty of people are waiting to see the drama.”  

Gu Liancheng: “…And you’re okay with that?”  

“Doesn’t matter where I go.” Jiang Zhen said, “If the pediatrics nurses earned more, I’d fight for it. But since the pay’s the same, it doesn’t matter which department I’m in. Whether in pediatrics or OB-GYN, there’s no telling what might happen—it’s all unknown. My experience tells me sometimes it’s better to go with the flow rather than fight against fate. It might not be a bad thing.”  

Gu Liancheng thought her reasoning made sense. She wasn’t the same “Jiang Zhen” as before—she had no connection to Yan Jiawen now.  

Gu Jiaoxia had thought Jiang Zhen would definitely be assigned to pediatrics and was shocked by the outcome. “I told you Du Qiuyi is a hypocrite. She’s definitely behind this.”  

Jiang Zhen quickly reassured her, “It’s fine, Elder Sister. I can handle workplace relationships.”  

Still uneasy, Gu Jiaoxia whispered to her brother, “Liancheng, you’d better keep an eye on Yan Jiawen. Don’t let him steal your wife.”  

Gu Liancheng wasn’t worried about Yan Jiawen—his concern was Li Chongling. “Elder Sister, we should trust Jiang Zhen. Besides, I don’t work at the hospital—how am I supposed to keep watch? If someone’s heart changes, no amount of vigilance will stop it. But I believe Jiang Zhen won’t do that.”  

Gu Jiaoxia studied her brother’s character and appearance—he was second to none—and relaxed slightly.  

…

After settling her work arrangements, Jiang Zhen didn’t rush to leave. Checking the time, she saw it was almost the appointed hour.  

“I’m going to meet Yan Jiawen. During the meeting earlier, he slipped me a note asking to talk in the morgue. Can you keep watch for us?”  

Gu Liancheng: “…” What a choice of location. “Is it appropriate for me to go?”  

“Of course. You can even eavesdrop. I have nothing to hide—I’m not afraid of you listening.”  

Gu Liancheng understood Jiang Zhen better than she realized, so he wasn’t worried about her. His concern was Yan Jiawen. How could the man have been foolish enough to choose An Qihui over Jiang Zhen?  

…

Yan Jiawen finally managed to slip away. Fortunately, Jiang Zhen kept her word and arrived on time. With An Qihui watching him so closely, he only had a few minutes to speak.  

“Jiang Zhen, I want to divorce An Qihui. Can you help me figure out a way?”  

Jiang Zhen: “…” She had once wondered if the relationship between the “other Jiang Zhen” and Yan Jiawen was also contractual, like hers with Gu Liancheng.  

When she had probed her memories, she found that the “other Jiang Zhen” had blocked out painful recollections so thoroughly that she couldn’t uncover the specifics of what had happened between them.  

“Why should I help? Do I owe you?” Jiang Zhen asked.  

Yan Jiawen looked ashamed. “I’m sorry, Jiang Zhen. I know we originally agreed—you needed someone to marry so your child would have a legitimate father, and I was poor but willing. You kept your promise, sending money, food, and aid to my family every year. I’m grateful for all of it. But I truly have no one else to turn to. I’m sorry. Forget I said anything. But you must be careful around Du Qiuyi. I suspect she was involved in the boating accident.”  

Jiang Zhen: “…” So Yan Jiawen had also sensed something was off and was uneasy. “Honestly, your pitiful act is hard to watch. Fine, tell me—why do you want a divorce now?”  

“Ever since Du Qiuyi returned… No matter how well-liked she is, some people still dislike her. The two who didn’t fawn over her—one was forced into a marriage far away, and the other was fired after a patient’s family lodged a serious complaint. She keeps asking about my relationship with An Qihui, whether we plan to divorce since we haven’t had children in all these years. I denied it every time. But since she came back, if I so much as joke with a nurse, that nurse gets assigned night shifts indefinitely.”  

“Aren’t you being paranoid?” Jiang Zhen pressed deliberately, hoping he’d reveal more.  

“No, it’s real. It only happens to me—other doctors don’t face this. Now it’s happening to Dr. Qi too. He was kind to a female patient, and suddenly Du Qiuyi started paying special attention to her. I’m worried for that patient now.”  

“What’s her name?”  

“He Shuli. OB-GYN. Ectopic pregnancy. She needs surgery or she could die. But she’s unmarried, her family hasn’t come, and she refuses to say who the father is. It’s tragic.”  

Jiang Zhen nodded. “I’ve been assigned to OB-GYN. I’ll keep an eye on her.”  

“It’s too late. Her surgery is today.”  

Gu Liancheng, who had been listening outside, now understood. Without another word to Yan Jiawen, the two of them sprinted toward the surgical ward.  

Watching their retreating figures, Yan Jiawen muttered to himself, “Wasn’t this supposed to be confidential? Why bring her husband along? The An family funded my education—I owe them. But if I don’t do something soon, I’m afraid I’ll end up dead.”  

By the time Jiang Zhen and Gu Liancheng arrived, the news was already out: the surgery had failed. He Shuli was dead.