Chapter 14: If It’s Not Right, Then Divorce

The joy in his heart made Gu Shiqing realize that his feelings toward Lin Banxia had changed, but he accepted it calmly.

After all, he and Lin Banxia were husband and wife. Their previous conflicts had stemmed from his dislike of Lin Banxia’s personality.

Now that she had changed, it was only natural that his feelings for her would change too.

In fact, if Lin Banxia had been like this two years ago, their marriage might not have needed to be orchestrated by her at all.

He might have been attracted to her on his own…

When Lin Banxia spoke, her expression was calm and sincere.

In truth, even if Xu Minzhi hadn’t mentioned the matter of following the army just now, she would have brought it up herself.

She had done her research — during this era, traditional Chinese medicine developed from the grassroots level. If she wanted to fulfill her grandfather’s wish of promoting Chinese medicine, going to the army was more suitable than staying in Hu City.

She planned to start within the army, gradually build up Chinese medicine, and then eventually expand into the larger cities.

Moreover, it was currently a time of political movements — from every perspective, joining the army was a good choice.

“You’re willing to follow the army? That’s wonderful!” Xu Minzhi was absolutely thrilled to hear this from her daughter-in-law.

At the same time, she gave her son a meaningful glance — once you’re in the army, you better behave well, cultivate your relationship with Banxia properly, and give your father and me a grandchild soon!

Your father and I are already over fifty, and we still have to worry about your personal affairs every day. Do you think it’s easy for us?

Lin Banxia didn’t notice the exchange of glances between Xu Minzhi and Gu Shiqing. She suddenly remembered another important matter. “By the way, Dad, Mom, when I went out today, I brought back the money and gold bars we had hidden last time. Now that the person behind the report has been found out, the house should be safe.” Lin Banxia took out a box and placed it on the table.

Inside were not only more than two thousand yuan, but also over a dozen gold bars.

Xu Minzhi and Gu Honglang exchanged glances, then shook their heads and said: “Banxia, your father and I have discussed it. These money and gold bars should be entrusted to you and Shiqing to keep.”

“That’s right. After what happened with Zhao Guobin, I’ve come to see people more clearly. Your mother and I think it’s inconvenient to keep the gold bars with us. It’s safer for you two to have them.” Gu Honglang added.

In fact, these gold bars were always intended for the couple. Giving them now or later made no difference.

Huh? They were just handing over these sparkling gold bars to her like that?

Lin Banxia glanced at Gu Shiqing, signaling him to help refuse.

But even Gu Shiqing said: “Dad and Mom are right. The army is safer than the compound. Just keep the gold bars for now.”

If he had any suspicions about Lin Banxia’s intentions before, he now trusted her completely.

He had once captured enemy spies who were flawlessly disguised, so his sense of perception was exceptionally keen. He could clearly see that Lin Banxia was truly different from how she had been two years ago.

He trusted her.

If Lin Banxia could even deceive him now, then he would accept the loss.

Since everyone insisted, Lin Banxia had no choice but to continue holding on to the gold bars. Fortunately, she had her storage space — once she put the gold bars in there, no one could find them. In that case, it really was safer than letting Xu Minzhi and her husband keep them.

However, she still said: “Then I’ll temporarily keep the gold bars for now. If you need them, just tell me. But this money — I think it’s better for you two to keep it yourselves.”

These two thousand or so yuan were the savings of Xu Minzhi and Gu Honglang. For the past two years, Gu Shiqing had been sending her half of his monthly allowance. Now that Lin Banxia was going to follow the army, it would be quite improper for her to take this money with her.

Xu Minzhi still wanted Lin Banxia to take the money with her. “Once you’re in the army, everything costs money. You should take it with you. Your father and I are getting older and don’t really need much.”

But Lin Banxia stuffed the money back into Xu Minzhi’s hands.

“Mom, I’ve always known what people say about me. After such a serious incident at home, it made me reflect. You and Dad are both good people. I did many wrong things over the past two years, but neither of you ever blamed me. That’s why I’ve made up my mind to truly make things right this time. Thankfully, everything has been investigated clearly, and we don’t have to be sent down anymore. I’ve finally done something for this family. Mom, I’ve turned over a new leaf now. If you insist on giving me this money, and outsiders find out, wouldn’t I just be labeled again as someone who sponges off her in-laws?”

Taking this opportunity, Lin Banxia also explained the reason behind her transformation.

The original “Lin Banxia” was written by the author in a certain way. Since she had transmigrated into her, she had made quite a few changes.

Although she could back up most of them — for example, her medical skills could be explained by the fact that, according to the setting, her grandfather was an experienced traditional Chinese doctor — it was still a sudden shift that left little time for others to consider deeply.

What if someday, someone began to suspect something?

Especially someone like Gu Shiqing — he was a soldier with a sharp instinct!

Rather than wait for them to grow suspicious, it was better to offer an explanation herself and dispel their doubts.

As soon as she finished speaking, both Gu Shiqing and Gu Honglang showed expressions of “so that’s how it is.”

As for Xu Minzhi, she could only accept the money and took Lin Banxia’s hand, saying: “Don’t worry. From now on, if anyone dares to say a bad word about you, your mom will be the first to stand up for you.”

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

After taking a bath, it was already time to sleep.

In this era without the internet, Lin Banxia picked up a book to read. She noticed Gu Shiqing standing at the door, staring at her, as if deep in thought.

She froze for a moment before realizing what it was about. Gu Shiqing had always resented “Lin Banxia” for scheming to marry him. Ever since they got married, the two of them had never shared a bed.

There was a camp bed in the study, and Gu Shiqing had always slept there.

“The quilt’s in the wardrobe. Get it yourself.” Lin Banxia pointed toward the wardrobe and then lowered her head to continue reading.

She was reading a medical theory book she found in Gu Honglang’s study. Some of the theories were quite novel and genuinely interesting to her.

No wonder Grandpa used to say that in recent years, the country had lost many precious books. If they had been preserved, they would’ve been valuable across various fields.

But Gu Shiqing hadn’t intended to go to the study at all. If he had wanted to continue sleeping there, he would’ve just taken the quilt himself — he wouldn’t have waited for Lin Banxia to say something.

The reason he was standing there was precisely because he didn’t want to sleep in the study anymore. That was why he deliberately didn’t head over after bathing, instead lingering here to make his presence known.

He hadn’t expected Lin Banxia to directly tell him to go back to the study.

Letting out a sigh, Gu Shiqing resigned himself to his fate.

Take it slow, then.

Gu Shiqing pulled the quilt out from the wardrobe. Lin Banxia thought for a moment and added: “You don’t need to feel pressured about me following the army. Just think of it as a chance for us to spend time together. If we find ourselves compatible, we’ll continue. If not, then we’ll divorce.”