Chapter 32

Gu Juncheng was not someone who excelled at expressing himself. Most of the time, he listened while Lin Qingping spoke. But Lin Qingping knew what his ideals were.  

In their past life, no matter how much she disliked Gu Juncheng, after he sacrificed his life, his belongings were still handed over to her. Among them was a diary.

On the title page, it was written: To protect the nation and defend the homeland, to contribute my strength to the country’s prosperity and peace.  

This was Gu Juncheng’s ideal. It was written in powerful, vigorous handwriting in the diary, and etched into his very life.  

In this life, you still protect the homeland. Let me protect you, all right?  

Before falling asleep, Lin Qingping held onto Gu Juncheng’s arm. That was the last thought on her mind.  

What she did not know was that the following night, when Gu Juncheng returned, he did not go home immediately. Instead, he made a trip to the Medical Office to see Doctor Shi.  

After sitting in the Medical Office for half an hour, he still wore an expression like he was suffering from constipation, and said nothing at all.  

Doctor Shi was ready to kick him out.  

“Seriously, are you just standing around here to get in my way?”  

“It’s not that… um…”  

Gu Juncheng didn’t know how to begin.  

Doctor Shi looked him up and down.  

“What’s wrong with you? Ever since your wife showed up, you haven’t been acting right, have you?”  

As he spoke, he frowned and stared at him.  

“You… don’t tell me you have some kind of unspeakable problem?”  

“Actually…”  

Gu Juncheng nodded earnestly, only to realize something was off with that phrasing. Sure enough, Doctor Shi gave him a bizarre smile.  

Gu Juncheng came to a sudden realization—he nearly kicked him.  

“What nonsense are you spouting?”  

“What else am I supposed to think? Everyone else’s wife comes, and they’re all overjoyed. But you? You’re at my place every other day!”  

Doctor Shi still had a look of deep suspicion.  

“Can you blame me for overthinking it?”  

“When have I ever come every other day? I’ve only been here once! And it was because she had a fever!”  

Gu Juncheng frowned as he spoke.

“Then what are you standing around here for today? If you have something unspeakable to say, just say it!”  

Gu Juncheng really wanted to kick him.  

“Um… tell me, when a woman has that thing, is there… um, any unusual behavior?”  

Commander Gu finally forced the words out. His dark face flushed red from the effort.  

“Which thing?”  

Doctor Shi suddenly leaned in close.  

“Are you talking about…”  

“Get lost!”  

Gu Juncheng kicked at him. Doctor Shi dodged with practiced ease.  

“I mean, during those few days every month—is it especially strange? Is there any remedy for it?”  

Doctor Shi: …He had sunflower seeds ready, and this was what the man came to say?  

Lin Qingping had no idea whether Gu Juncheng would make it back in time for dinner. She waited and waited. Seeing that mealtime was about to pass, she finally decided to eat alone.  

At the canteen, she ran into Lei Sufang again.  

Lei Sufang greeted her warmly.  

“Hey, you’re not eating with Commander Gu today?”  

“Oh, I don’t know when he’ll be back.”  

Lin Qingping answered with a smile.  

Lei Sufang looked surprised.  

“He’s back! I just saw him—he went to the Medical Office!”  

Lin Qingping’s expression changed.  

“Medical Office?”  

Could he be injured again?  

She no longer cared about dinner. Without another word, she turned and ran straight toward the Medical Office.  

But as she passed the Dormitory, someone inside suddenly shouted her name:  

“Lin Qingping!”  

As soon as she heard it, she changed direction at once and rushed inside.  

Once in the room, she grabbed him and spun him around, checking him all over.  

“What are you doing?”  

He was thoroughly confused.  

Was this some new symptom of a woman’s monthly cycle? Old Shi didn’t mention this part just now!  

“You… you’re not injured, are you?”  

Tears were already welling in her eyes.

“No, I’m not!”  

He looked at her reddened eyes and suddenly remembered what Old Shi had said: sensitive, easily emotional.  

“Then… then why did you go to the Medical Office?”  

Lin Qingping finally relaxed a little.  

“To…”  

Gu Juncheng couldn’t exactly admit that he’d gone to consult Old Shi about those monthly matters.  

“Nothing much. Just asked a few casual questions.”  

Lin Qingping: ???  

Her imagination started running wild again.  

Gu Juncheng had always spoken decisively and clearly. He never stammered. What kind of question would make him hesitate like that when speaking to Doctor Shi?  

And so, she assumed he had gone to ask about those unspeakable matters.  

She blamed herself even more—was she too impatient, too blunt? Had she made him feel pressured, so much so that he went to Doctor Shi for help?  

Her heart ached all of a sudden.  

She threw herself into his arms, hugging his waist tightly.  

“Juncheng, don’t push yourself. It’s okay.”  

Gu Juncheng thought for a moment.  

“It’s not really pushing myself.”  

Though it was a bit awkward to bring up, he and Old Shi had a brotherly relationship after all.  

“No, no, you really don’t have to pressure yourself. I’m fine, truly. Don’t worry about me—I… I don’t mind at all.”  

Lin Qingping grew even more upset.  

So her guess was right. He had gone to the Medical Office for this.  

Gu Juncheng’s brows furrowed.  

“How can you not mind?”  

Old Shi had said that women needed to take special care during this time—no cold or spicy food, rest was important. How could he not mind?  

“But…”  

Tears welled up again in Lin Qingping’s eyes.  

“Juncheng, it breaks my heart to see you like this…”  

“This is nothing! It’s just a simple matter.”  

Gu Juncheng had even brought back a bag of brown sugar. Old Shi had said brown sugar water was good for it.  

“Juncheng! No! I’d rather not have it!”  

Gu Juncheng: ??????  

It was just a bag of brown sugar—was that really such a big deal?  

“Juncheng, please don’t worry. I just want to live a good life with you. I’ll never look down on you. I don’t even need to have children. Having Zhiyuan is enough.”

Gu Juncheng: ???  

“It’s that serious? You can’t have children?”  

Gu Juncheng grabbed hold of Lin Qingping’s arm.  

Old Shi had indeed said that if something was truly abnormal, she should go to the hospital.  

Lin Qingping looked at him strangely.  

“You… you don’t know?”  

“How would I know?”  

Gu Juncheng had never heard anything about whether she could or couldn’t have children. He held her hand tightly.  

“Lin Qingping, come on. I’m taking you to the hospital.”  

“To… to the hospital? Now… right now?”  

Lin Qingping stammered. Even if treatment was needed, wasn’t this a long-term matter? Was there really a need to rush?  

“What else? How long are you planning to put it off?”  

Truth be told, Gu Juncheng didn’t actually care that much about whether he had children or not. But if there was an illness, it had to be treated. Besides, they needed to find out if there were any other underlying issues.  

Lin Qingping was stunned.  

“I… I haven’t been putting anything off?”  

Why was he saying she was the one dragging her feet?  

“If there’s something wrong with your body, it needs treatment. This isn’t something you can just gloss over! Lin Qingping!”  

Lin Qingping grew even more bewildered.  

“I… I’m not sick! I just had a cold, and I’m almost recovered!”  

Gu Juncheng raised an eyebrow.  

“Then what were you talking about this whole time?”  

Lin Qingping’s eyes had been fixed on his face, but now they slowly shifted downward.  

“I… I was talking about you… you…”  

Suddenly, Gu Juncheng recalled what she had said earlier: that she didn’t mind, that she didn’t need children, that having Zhiyuan was enough…  

So what she meant was…  

He was the one with a problem?  

That he couldn’t have children?  

Gu Juncheng was completely stunned by this sudden revelation.  

Lin Qingping panicked.  

It was over—she had said too much. If he took this to heart, wouldn’t it torment him endlessly?  

She threw herself onto him, gently stroking his back.  

“Juncheng, Juncheng, please don’t be like this. I truly don’t care. It doesn’t matter to me. Don’t be upset. Don’t feel inferior…”  

Inferior?  

“Lin Qingping!”  

He shouted her name, loud and clear.