Chapter 27: Shen Qingyan Stood Up

Gu Siqing made a simple breakfast and was about to call Shen Qingyan, planning to wheel him out of the hotel room together. As soon as she got downstairs, she saw him staring blankly at a pile of new furniture in the corner of the courtyard. Gu Siqing paused, then walked over and sheepishly explained, “I went out last night and brought back all the new furniture that Gu Dakai’s family bought.”

As if afraid Shen Qingyan would misunderstand, she added, “That day at the police station, when I mentioned my parents’ inheritance, they said the house was the only valuable thing. But I know, all these years, their lavish lifestyle came from that inheritance.”

Otherwise, how could Gu Dakai and Bai Cuiyan, with their salaries alone, afford to indulge Gu Ruizhuo so much? Expensive shoes, and they would buy several pairs at once. Without that money, they might’ve survived, but not nearly as comfortably.

“I took those things as compensation for the inheritance—and as wages for all the years I worked hard in their house.” Gu Siqing had already decided that when they reached the capital, she would find a junk dealer and sell everything off. Whatever she could get would be enough.

Hearing her explanation, Shen Qingyan showed no particular expression but nodded in agreement, “You did the right thing. I think they deserved a lesson. They had money to buy new furniture and set up a house, but no money to compensate you—serves them right!”

Hearing Shen Qingyan’s indignant response, Gu Siqing was both amused and touched. She’d only meant to explain herself but hadn’t expected his wholehearted support. He was always such a principled person—and yet here he was, going against his principles for her.

But to be fair, what she did wasn’t really wrong.

“Let’s go,” Gu Siqing said, wheeling him back to the room. “Mom should be coming soon, let’s take breakfast out.”

Sure enough, just after bringing breakfast into the room, Qi Yuan arrived with the two children. They had been here for a month, and during that time, Gu Siqing had met quite a few potential buyers. The house was in a decent location, but no one had offered a satisfactory price—so she decided to wait a little longer.

Neither Qi Yuan nor Shen Qingyan had ever pressured her; in fact, they encouraged her to hold out for a good offer.

And as expected, the next morning a call came from the real estate agent—someone was willing to buy the house for 800 yuan. Previous buyers hadn’t even offered 600, and now this one was offering 200 more.

Having researched the market, Gu Siqing felt the price was reasonable. She immediately asked the agent to handle the paperwork and finalized the deal.

Excited, she shared the news with the others. “We finally got a good price!”

Qi Yuan was equally pleased. “Perfect timing—I’ve got good news too!”

“I already spoke with the principal. He said you can start university this September.”

This arrangement had just been confirmed recently, and Qi Yuan had been waiting for the right moment to tell her. Now that they were celebrating the house sale, she decided to share both pieces of good news together.

Gu Siqing was overjoyed. She nearly jumped up, gripping Shen Qingyan’s hand tightly. “I can go to university! I can finally go to university!”

That admission spot had been stolen for three years—and now it was hers again. How could she not be thrilled?

Shen Qingyan smiled at her. “I always believed in your capabilities. Have you decided what major to pursue?”

Qi Yuan nodded. “Yes, it’s important to choose early. I can inform the principal and get you officially enrolled.”

Gu Siqing looked at Shen Qingyan’s legs, her gaze firm. “I want to study medicine.”

“I want to be a doctor. I want to save lives, to help more patients recover under my care.”

She had completed tasks across ten different worlds and gained a deep knowledge of medicine. Combined with her genuine desire to help others, it just felt right.

“Medicine is a great field!” Qi Yuan strongly supported her. “Our country’s healthcare isn’t very developed yet, but it will improve. If young people like you enter the profession, you’ll make a real difference.”

Gu Siqing was genuinely happy.

“How about we go out for a nice dinner to celebrate?” Qi Yuan asked.

Gu Siqing shook her head. “Let’s eat here. I’ll go buy food early. There’s this place I know—the owner’s wife cooks really well. I’ll get lots of tasty dishes. Tonight, we’ve got more news to share.”

She had already planned out a celebratory feast and was going to make it in her space.

“What good news?” Qi Yuan called from the hotel room where she was washing lunch boxes. “What could be better than those two announcements?”

Gu Siqing only smiled and glanced at Shen Qingyan. It really was good news.

“Alright, we’ll wait until tonight,” Qi Yuan replied, assuming it was about their deepening relationship. “Then how about we stay one more day and take the train back to the capital the day after tomorrow?”

“Once it’s decided, I’ll call your dad and buy the tickets.”

“Okay.” Gu Siqing had no hesitation. The house was sold, school was starting, and Qi Yuan had to return to work. It was time to go back to the capital.

The two children were a bit sad to hear they were leaving. They tugged at Gu Siqing’s clothes, asking, “Mom, are we never coming back?”

Though they disliked Gu Dakai’s family, they had spent years here and had memories. More than anything, they were afraid of the unknown.

Gu Siqing could tell instantly. She hugged them tightly. “Yes, we’re leaving. We’re going to live with Grandpa. Our whole family will be together.”

“With Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, we’ll live in a beautiful house. Da Bao and Xiao Bao can go to school, make new friends—doesn’t that sound fun?”

Children are easily swayed. At first they were scared, but after hearing this, they began to look forward to the future.

“We’re not scared as long as we’re with Mommy and Daddy!” they said in their soft, sweet voices, each clinging to her side.

Qi Yuan gently patted their heads. “When we get there, Grandpa will buy you lots of toys, and Grandma will take you out to play. Don’t worry.”

The kids were finally at ease.

“Mom, take them for a nap. I’ll call you when the food’s ready. I still need to visit the real estate agent,” Gu Siqing said casually. Qi Yuan took the kids back to the adjacent room.

Gu Siqing quickly wheeled Shen Qingyan into the space.

“Will you be ready this afternoon?” she asked.

Shen Qingyan nodded and looked at the rehab equipment nearby. “I can stand up slowly with support. I’ll try again after lunch.”

“Okay, then I’ll go buy ingredients and make a big dinner tonight,” Gu Siqing said as she picked up a basket.

Although the space was well-equipped, it didn’t have fresh vegetables. She went to the local market and bought fresh produce, eggs, and various meats. Since the space could store food, she bought a lot—especially meat, to make jerky.

They would take the train to the capital in two days. It would be a long trip, and on trains during this era, you couldn’t openly eat much. Jerky would be more convenient and discreet.

Having decided, she bought different kinds of meat from various vendors so as not to arouse suspicion, then returned to the hotel and entered the space to cook.

She planned to make lotus root and pork rib soup, braised pork, stir-fried beef with celery, two simple side dishes, and a meatball soup for the kids. Usually, they only had one meat dish and two vegetables. Looking at today’s lineup, she felt satisfied.

She quickly got to work—it was a celebration after all.

That afternoon, Qi Yuan took the kids out for a walk and bought some local snacks. When they returned, Gu Siqing called them for dinner.

As they entered, the aroma filled the room, though the dishes were all covered tightly with lids.

The two kids sat obediently by the bed. Gu Siqing beamed. “Mom, we have a surprise for you this afternoon.”

Qi Yuan was puzzled.

Gu Siqing turned to Shen Qingyan. He sat in his wheelchair, one hand on the table, the other lifting slowly—for support.

Seeing he was about to stand, Qi Yuan hurried to help—but Gu Siqing stopped her. “Mom, wait.”

Qi Yuan didn’t say anything, but her anxiety was written all over her face. Tears welled up in her eyes.

The next second, she saw her son slowly, with the help of the table, stand up.

One second… two seconds…

Time ticked by.

A few minutes later, Shen Qingyan, still holding the table, slowly sat back into his wheelchair, smiling broadly at Qi Yuan.

“Mom.”