Chapter 37: Shen Qingyan Is About to Return to the Army

The two of them gazed into each other’s eyes. Looking at Gu Siqing’s rosy, sleeping face, Shen Qingyan couldn’t help but lean over and gently kiss her cheek. It was just a light kiss, and he immediately pulled away.

Gu Siqing no longer asked about what had happened in the past; she simply held his hand. The two embraced tightly.

Seeing it was about time, Gu Siqing got up to cook. After they finished their meal, they enjoyed some quiet time together—just the two of them. The children wouldn’t be back until the next day.

After the hypnosis session, Shen Qingyan didn’t show any unusual reactions. That night, the two still slept in the same bed as usual.

The next day.

Qi Yuan brought the kids over in the morning, since Gu Siqing had invited her to have a meal together. As soon as she arrived, Qi Yuan saw Shen Qingyan exercising in the courtyard, looking overjoyed. But now that she knew her son had a chance to recover, she didn’t focus too much on it. Instead, she went into the kitchen to help Gu Siqing.

While helping cook, Qi Yuan saw the older and younger child circling around Shen Qingyan, laughing and running. She smiled brightly.

“These two kids haven’t even been here for over a month, and they already look so chubby and healthy, their faces are all plump. Siqing, your cooking is truly amazing,” Qi Yuan said emotionally. “I never imagined I’d get to spend time raising my grandchildren.”

Gu Siqing’s face flushed slightly, her mind flashing to Shen Qingyan holding back his discomfort with great difficulty. She pursed her lips and said, “As long as they eat the right things with proper nutrition, they’ll grow quickly.”

“Kids eat a lot, and with all the running around, they grow fast,” Qi Yuan agreed.

While the two were cooking in the kitchen, Qi Yuan went outside to grab something and immediately saw Shen Qingyan jogging in the yard. Alarmed, she rushed forward. “Why are you already running? You should be walking slowly first!”

She was about to stop him when Gu Siqing walked out of the kitchen, smiling as she held her back. “Mom, he can jog lightly for short periods now. It’s part of his rehab.”

“He used to be a soldier after all. His physical condition is excellent, and he’s been progressing well with rehab. According to the plan I made for him, with consistent training, he should fully recover within two months.”

Qi Yuan was a bit confused by Gu Siqing’s explanation, but she caught the last part. Her expression lit up with excitement. “Siqing, do you mean in two months he’ll be fully recovered and able to return to the army?”

“Yes.” Gu Siqing looked at Shen Qingyan with admiration in her eyes. He had the willpower, the strong belief, and the physical fitness to support such a rapid recovery. Anyone else would have needed at least six months.

Qi Yuan had assumed her son would recover eventually, so she hadn’t paid close attention earlier. But now, hearing he’d be fully back to normal and even capable of high-intensity military training within just two months brought tears to her eyes.

The two kids stood nearby, a little confused.

“So does that mean in two months, Daddy can play soccer with us?” the older child asked.

Shen Qingyan picked up his little daughter. “Daddy can already play soccer with you now.”

It wasn’t hard to play soccer—he just had to control his strength properly.

Seeing Qi Yuan’s red-rimmed eyes, Shen Qingyan reassured her, “Mom, you have to trust your daughter-in-law. Didn’t she say I’d get better?”

“I never said I didn’t believe her—just didn’t expect her to be this amazing. You’ve recovered so fast!” Qi Yuan tightly grasped Gu Siqing’s hand, too moved to speak.

Seeing her expression, Gu Siqing quickly slipped back into the kitchen. “Mom, let’s get ready to eat.”

Qi Yuan, of course, knew Siqing was avoiding her thanks. But that was fine—after all, they were family. She’d just treat her even better from now on.

Shen Mengzhou arrived in the afternoon. He had been craving Gu Siqing’s cooking and began complimenting her as soon as he sat down. Qi Yuan told him their son could recover in two months and suggested he start making arrangements in the army—but Shen Mengzhou was too busy savoring the food to hear her clearly.

A moment later, realization dawned on him. “Wait, did I just hear that our son could return to the army in two months?”

“Yes!” Qi Yuan glared at him. “We’re talking serious business, and you’re lost in the food!”

“The food’s just too good!” Shen Mengzhou chuckled sheepishly and turned to his son. “Really? Two months?”

“You don’t trust your daughter-in-law’s skills?” Qi Yuan shot back sharply.

Shen Mengzhou quickly waved his hands. “No, no! I just wanted to confirm. If that’s true, I’ll go back tomorrow to file a report and see what the higher-ups say.”

“No, do it tonight!” Qi Yuan insisted. Just the thought of their son returning to the army made her too eager to wait.

Shen Qingyan and Gu Siqing exchanged a glance, both unable to suppress their smiles.

“When Daddy goes back to the army, will he be a soldier again?” the older child asked with wide eyes.

“Yes.”

“Wow!” the boy exclaimed, raising his hands in excitement. “Then can I go to the army base with Daddy someday? I really like those soldiers. I think they’re so cool!”

Looking at his son, Shen Qingyan picked him up. “Sure.”

The boy cheered. The younger one giggled shyly beside him.

Family meals were always joyful but short-lived. Soon, it was over.

Remembering Shen Qingyan’s situation, Shen Mengzhou and Qi Yuan went home quickly and used the house phone to make a call.

He contacted Shen Qingyan’s former commanding officer.

After some pleasantries, Shen Mengzhou got straight to the point. “Old Zhao, my son is in recovery right now. In two months, he should be back to full health. Can you start making arrangements in the army?”

The person on the other end had assumed it was a social call. But when he heard this, he shot up from his chair. “What did you say? Xiao Shen can already stand and walk? He’ll be fully recovered in two months?”

He clearly didn’t believe it.

Shen Qingyan had been one of the army’s most promising young soldiers. When he was injured, he was sent to the top military hospital in the capital. They had transferred him to several other hospitals, and all the renowned experts had said he was beyond saving.

And now he was cured?

“Old Shen, don’t lie to me!” The man grew increasingly doubtful.

“You know better than anyone how devastated I was when my son got injured. Do you really think I’d lie about this?” Shen Mengzhou said with a smile. “He’s not just walking now—he can jog a bit too. But he still needs to follow the training plan to fully withstand the military’s demands.”

He explained the situation in detail. The officer on the other end was moved to tears. “That’s great! That’s amazing! I’m so glad Xiao Shen is recovering.”

He had always carried a deep regret in his heart about Shen Qingyan’s injury—it had been a painful thorn in his side for years. Now, it was finally being pulled out.

“Can he return to the army, then?” Shen Mengzhou asked, though he knew it ultimately depended on higher authorities.

“Of course he can!” the officer practically shouted. “Why wouldn’t he?”