It is troublesome to decoct Chinese medicine. Jiang Ning learned the ancient method of processing at the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which allows the medicine to be made into pills for easy carrying.  

She has learned a lot from Professor Li and Ma Guangnian, and her hands are full of secret prescriptions. Since she wants to repay Gu Tinglin, she naturally has to show her utmost sincerity. After all, she had lived a comfortable life in the past few years thanks to the space. 

Jiang Ning prescribed a prescription for his symptoms, but the ancient processing method is very troublesome. Even with the help of Huo Yishen and Doudou, it took two or three days to complete. 

Not only did she make stomach-nourishing pills, but she also prepared several bottles of quick-acting heart-saving pills, sleep aids, blood pressure-lowering pills, and body-conditioning pills to improve immunity. 

She packed a full large box, enough for him to use for years. 

Her intentions were fulfilled; whether he cherished his life or not was beyond Jiang Ning’s control. 

After preparing the medicine, she made a special trip to the hospital. 

Gu Tinglin is still in the hospital, but Jiang Ning thought for a long time and really didn’t know what to say if they met. 

Shu Xueqing arranged the work for the nurses. When she looked up and saw Jiang Ning coming over, she smiled and greeted her, “Jiang Ning, are you here to see the chief?” 

The way she said it made it sound like Jiang Ning was overthinking things. 

But since she was already here, Jiang Ning asked, “How is his condition?”

 

His chronic illnesses couldn’t be cured in a short time, but it had to be admitted that ever since Jiang Ning had come, Gu Tinglin’s spirits had been pretty good. He hadn’t insisted on being discharged to return to work, and he had delegated most of his work to others. 

With less work, he naturally had more time to rest. 

Perhaps this is the power of family affection and blood relationship. Finally, someone can control Gu Tinglin, the old stubborn man. 

To be honest, Shu Xueqing felt a bit uncomfortable, but it wasn’t out of jealousy or envy. 

Jiang Ning was his daughter. Although Gu Tinglin hadn’t known about her existence before, blood ties don’t lie. It was just unexpected that Song Yaling was so vicious as to harm her own flesh and blood. 

Jiang Ning’s experience made Gu Tinglin feel a strong sense of self-blame and a desire to make up for it. 

So whatever his daughter said or did, he would subconsciously take it to heart, something an outsider like Shu Xueqing couldn’t compare to. 

This was a good thing; with someone to care about, his life had more meaning. 

Jiang Ning wasn’t aware of Shu Xueqing’s thoughts. She handed over the medicine she had prepared, “I found some herbs outside and made a few bottles of medicine for him. He just needs to take them as prescribed. Could you please give them to him?” 

Shu Xueqing didn’t take them. “This is your gesture of goodwill; the Chief will be very pleased. He’s just in the ward resting.” 

Jiang Ning understood but didn’t want to have too many ties with Gu Tinglin, so she forced the medicine into Shu Xueqing’s hand. “This is compensation for breaking the jade pendant. Just tell him. I have something to do, and I’m leaving first.” 

Holding a full box of medicine, Shu Xueqing couldn’t catch up even if she wanted to. They are truly a real father and daughter, and they are both very stubborn. 

Getting them to fully acknowledge each other wasn’t going to be easy. 

Shu Xueqing sighed, took the medicine to the ward, and saw that Gu Tinglin was working while sick again. She suddenly didn’t look pleased and put the medicine heavily on the table. 

Gu Tinglin looked up at her, “Still mad at me?” 

“You’re the big Chief, and I’m just the head nurse at the hospital. How could I dare be mad at my superior?” 

“Sorry, I was in a rush that day.” Gu Tinglin set aside the documents, his tone was flat but sincere. “I can sense that Jiang Ning doesn’t want to acknowledge me. Besides, disaster could strike at any moment. If we acknowledge each other and form a deeper bond, then one day, if we’re separated by life and death, wouldn’t that be a greater pain for her?” 

“I know you are doing this for my own good, but I still hope you won’t look for her again. It’s best to just live in peace.” 

Shu Xueqing, who did a thankless job, felt a surge of bitterness and injustice. “Yes, you always think about your ex-wife and daughter, but you don’t consider yourself.” 

Gu Tinglin had a headache. “What ex-wife? I’ve told you before—she’s an ex-girlfriend from thirty years ago.” 

Shu Xueqing got angry, “Not your ex-wife? Then why do you let her go around calling herself the Chief’s wife?” 

“Do I have to explain to everyone that Song Yaling is just my ex-girlfriend from thirty years ago?” 

It would have been better if he hadn’t explained. This completely pissed off the good-tempered Shu Xueqing. “You are such a nice person. You even take care of your ex-girlfriend. Why don’t you consider me, your current partner?” 

Gu Tinglin looked at her without saying anything. 

Shu Xueqing couldn’t hold back her tears and quickly turned sideways so he wouldn’t see. 

No, he did consider her—right up until they were at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, when he got a call and left without looking back. 

He broke up with her, didn’t register their marriage, and told her to find a good man to marry. 

He said things like this every year or so. 

But she was human. Feelings don’t just disappear, and it’s not easy to find someone else to marry. 

She had been so angry that she tried dating someone else, but she found she couldn’t force herself to move on. 

Seeing her tears, Gu Tinglin felt pained but didn’t know how to comfort her. 

When he accepted the national mission, he was prepared to make a life-or-death decision. Who knew how long the disaster would last—10 years, 50 years, 100 years, or even longer? 

No one knew the answer. 

Gu Tinglin was willing to sacrifice himself, but he underestimated Shu Xueqing’s feelings for him. She had never given up for more than ten years. 

He had already said everything he needed to say, and now that things had come to this, he really didn’t know how to respond to her. 

He handed her a handkerchief. “Don’t cry. It’s all my fault.” 

It would have been better if he hadn’t said it, because Shu Xueqing’s tears fell even more heavily. 

Gu Tinglin’s head was throbbing badly. She was almost 40 years old, but she was still so willful and stubborn. 

“Chief…” 

Secretary He pushed the door open, only to find Shu Xueqing in tears. He immediately backed out awkwardly. 

Someone would come to the ward at any time. Gu Tinglin looked embarrassed, but he couldn’t respond to her feelings, nor could he pull her back. 

He had no choice but to shift his attention to the box on the table. “What’s this?” 

Shu Xueqing didn’t reply. 

Gu Tinglin had to bring it over himself and found that it was all medicine. 

He was about to say that his health problems weren’t serious and that there was no need to waste the hospital’s valuable medicine when he noticed that the bottles had labels with instructions and precautions. The handwriting looked familiar. 

Holding the medicine bottle, Gu Tinglin stared at the writing in surprise. “Did Jiang Ning send this?” 

Shu Xueqing was still angry and remained silent. 

Gu Tinglin stroked the words and couldn’t help but smile. He didn’t expect Jiang Ning to do these things.

 

It seems that she still has a place for him in her heart. 

“Xueqing, thank you.” For everything she had done for him over the years. 

“There’s no need to thank me; I was meddling.” Shu Xueqing said bitterly, “I shouldn’t have gone to find Jiang Ning, shouldn’t have told her about your illness, and shouldn’t have brought the medicine she made for you. If I’d known, I should’ve thrown it in the trash just now.” 

He knew she was angry, but her words still left Gu Tinglin speechless. 

He took a deep breath, looked at the woman in front of him, who had selflessly given so much for over a decade. He pulled her sleeve and drew her closer. “If I owe anyone, it’s you.” 

“It’s not your fault; I’m the one who refused to let go. I deserve what I got.” 

Gu Tinglin looked at her facial features. In the blink of an eye, more than ten years had passed, and she already had wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. 

The only thing that had not changed was that she was still obsessed with him. 

Gu Tinglin was in a state of confusion. “If the natural disaster ends one day, and if I am still alive by then, I will definitely marry you.” 

“You won’t die. Even if it’s not for you or me, don’t you still have Jiang Ning?” Shu Xueqing shed tears. “You haven’t fulfilled your responsibilities as a father. How could you bear to die?” 

To be honest, Gu Tinglin felt a little regretful. If he had known she was so stubborn and considerate, he should have gotten the marriage certificate back then. 

But there is no medicine for regret in life. He held Shu Xueqing’s hand for a long time without letting go.