Chapter 399| Chapter 400| Chapter 401
Chapter 399: The House is in a Mess
The moment she stepped out of the courtyard, she crossed paths with Political Commissar Xie. Seeing her carrying a whimpering Yi Yi with a look of sheer panic on her face, he stopped, completely taken aback.
“Comrade Sheng Wanyan, what’s happened?”
“Political Commissar, Yi Yi has a sudden fever. I need to get her to the hospital right away.”
Hearing this, Political Commissar Xie didn’t waste a single second. “A fever? Did she catch a chill?” He waved his arm toward the lane, barking an order to his driver. “Hurry up, get in the car. Let Xiao Liu drive you over.”
Xiao Liu was Political Commissar Xie’s personal bodyguard. In her state of panic, Sheng Wanyan didn’t care about protocols; she quickly thanked him and hurried into the backseat, cradling the child close.
“Thank you so much, Commissar.”
Political Commissar Xie waved her off, turning on his heel to trot back toward the training grounds to find Gu Tingxiao. With the regiment and battalion commanders currently away on field deployments, Gu Tingxiao had been left to shoulder the training of several regiments simultaneously. Political Commissar Xie knew full well how exhausted the young captain was.
“Political Commissar!” Gu Tingxiao snapped a crisp salute the moment he saw the older man approach.
Political Commissar Xie quickly pulled him by the arm to a quiet corner. “Drop the formalities, you brat. Your daughter has a fever and your wife just rushed her to the hospital. Go get down there right now.”
A sharp spike of anxiety hit Gu Tingxiao’s chest, but his eyes automatically drifted back toward the drilling soldiers on the field.
“I’ll take over supervision here. Move!” Political Commissar Xie urged.
“Thank you, Commissar.” Gu Tingxiao saluted quickly, broke into a brisk walk, and then picked up his pace into a full run toward the main gates.
Sheng Wanyan rushed into the emergency room with Yi Yi. In those days, military hospitals lacked a specialized pediatrics department, meaning all emergencies were handled in the general wing.
Pan Yue’s mother happened to be on duty and hurried forward the moment she spotted them. Learning that the baby was running a high temperature, she immediately escorted them to see an available physician.
“Doctor, her fever flared up around eight this morning,” Sheng Wanyan explained, keeping her voice tight and focused. “There haven’t been any convulsions, and she hasn’t vomited.”
The doctor nodded, immediately checking the little girl’s temperature before conducting a thorough full-body examination.
“The child’s temperature is currently at 38 degrees Celsius,” the doctor concluded. “Aside from a standard winter cold, her vitals look perfectly fine. For a toddler her age, as long as the fever stays at 38 or below, it’s best to rely strictly on physical cooling methods like lukewarm wipes. If it spikes past 38.5, you’ll need to administer febrifuge.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded. As a medical researcher, she understood the biology perfectly, but the sheer panic of motherhood had demanded she get a professional evaluation just to put her mind at ease. Hearing that it was a standard, uncomplicated cold lifted a massive weight from her chest.
“I’ll write a prescription for some fever-reducing medicine for you to keep on hand as a precaution,” the doctor continued, penning the note. “If she hits 38.5, give her a dose. Keep her warm, monitor her closely, and don’t panic. Fevers are a natural part of a child building an immune system as they grow.”
Just as the doctor finished his instructions, the door flew open and a breathless Gu Tingxiao burst into the room.
“Wanyan! How is she?”
Before Sheng Wanyan could reply, the physician patiently re-explained the diagnosis to reassure the frantic father. These were seasoned military doctors, exceptionally gentle and patient with the soldiers and their families.
“It’s just a fever. Children go through this as their bodies develop,” the doctor said reassuringly. “Go on home and monitor her temperature closely to ensure she doesn’t catch another chill. You can introduce a bit more fruit or malted milk to her diet later to help boost her immunity.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
Gu Tingxiao leaned down, his large hand gently brushing against his daughter’s flushed face. Her forehead felt burning hot to the touch.
“Take this slip over to the pharmacy window to settle the fee and collect the medicine,” the doctor said, handing the paper to Sheng Wanyan.
Wanyan carefully transferred the sleeping toddler into Gu Tingxiao’s arms. His body heat was naturally higher and steadier, making him a much more comforting anchor for the sick baby. Yi Yi had finally cried herself out and drifted into an exhausted sleep. Gu Tingxiao wrapped his thick military coat securely around her, shielding her from the biting wind outside. Watching his little girl suffer broke his heart, filled with the helpless frustration unique to parents who can only watch their children ache.
Once Wanyan settled the bill and gathered the medicine, the couple hurried out. Political Commissar Xie’s guard was still waiting patiently at the hospital entrance, saving them from having to make the freezing trek back to the compound on foot.
The moment they arrived home, they laid Yi Yi down on the warm bedroom kang. Gu Tingxiao immediately went to stoke the stove, throwing extra firewood into the hearth to ensure the bed remained perfectly heated.
“It’s going to be okay, wife,” he murmured softly, turning to look at Wanyan.
Sheng Wanyan sat on the edge of the platform, a deep wave of maternal guilt washing over her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she had failed to protect her daughter. “I’ve been so consumed with the household chores and my translation work lately… I must have grown careless and neglected her.”
Her mood was incredibly bleak. Whenever a child fell ill, a mother couldn’t help but internalize the pain as her own personal failure.
“Wanyan, look at me,” Gu Tingxiao said, stepping closer and taking her hands. “I’m the one who has been completely buried in military duties. I’ve left the entire weight of this household on your shoulders. If there’s anyone to blame here, it’s me.”
He meant every word. If anyone deserved criticism, it was him as a husband. His wife had been doing an incredible job managing a grueling routine. Twenty-four hours a day, she was solely responsible for preparing three fresh meals, scrubbing the house, washing the laundry, tending the yard, and feeding the chickens—all while managing a rigorous translation workload and keeping a toddler entertained. She had zero personal time; even basic needs like using the restroom or grabbing a bite to eat had to be meticulously timed for when Yi Yi was asleep. Gu Tingxiao knew that if roles were reversed, he wouldn’t be able to run the household half as efficiently as she did.
“Don’t blame yourself,” he urged gently. “Didn’t the doctor say this is part of how children grow? Spikes in temperature and seasonal colds are entirely unavoidable as they age. All we can do is nurse her through it. You’ve done more than enough.”
Though Wanyan understood the medical logic, looking down at Yi Yi’s miserable, flushed face still made her heart ache intensely. Her daughter was usually so vibrant, yet even in this state of pain, the little girl was quiet and cooperative, as if trying her best not to cause her mother any extra worry. That very trait—being far too sensible for a one-year-old—only made Wanyan feel more heartbroken.
“It’s alright,” Gu Tingxiao comforted, smoothing a strand of hair from her face. “Yi Yi loves you too much to want to see you crying over her.”
Wanyan managed a weak smile, her spirit finally rallying a bit under his steady support. “Are you supposed to head back to your unit soon? If your training schedule is tight, go ahead. I can handle things here.”
She knew how exhausted he was. He was single-handedly directing the physical training of multiple regiments, yet the moment he came home at night, he still insisted on scrubbing the laundry and washing the heavy cloth diapers. He was doing everything in his power to share her burden without a single word of complaint. She ached for his exhaustion just as much as he ached for hers.
“It’s fine. I won’t head back until the afternoon session,” Gu Tingxiao replied firmly. In this state, he didn’t dare leave his family alone, terrified the fever might spike unexpectedly.
Seeing that Yi Yi’s sleep had stabilized, he stepped into the kitchen to prepare lunch. But the moment he lifted the lid off the breakfast pot and saw the morning’s food completely untouched, his brows furrowed tightly. He checked his watch; it was already past eleven in the morning. He quickly reheated the breakfast items and carried the tray back into the bedroom.
“Wanyan, you haven’t eaten a single thing today?”
Sheng Wanyan shook her head wearily. She simply hadn’t had the time. From the second she realized the baby was burning up, her entire world had narrowed down to getting to the hospital.
“Eat. Skipping meals like this is going to ruin your stomach.”
Seeing her open her mouth to protest that she had no appetite, Gu Tingxiao’s expression darkened with firm disapproval. He pulled up a stool and sat squarely in front of her. “I’m going to sit right here and watch you finish it.”
Faced with his unyielding stance, Wanyan had no choice but to pick up her chopsticks, knowing that if she refused, it would only add to his immense sense of marital guilt. She managed to eat two boiled eggs before setting the rest aside, genuinely unable to force down another bite. Besides, with lunch just around the corner, two eggs were more than enough to steady her stomach for the time being.
Chapter 400: Yi Yi Recovers
Gu Tingxiao didn’t force her to finish the rest of the coarse grains once he saw her manage to eat two eggs.
At noon, he cooked a comforting bowl of fine-grain egg noodles and stood by, only relaxing once he saw Sheng Wanyan finish her meal. While she ate, Gu Tingxiao kept a close eye on Yi Yi, making sure her condition didn’t suddenly worsen. Fortunately, her temperature gradually dropped, stabilizing at a much safer 37.4 degrees by the afternoon.
Both parents finally let out a long sigh of relief. As long as the fever was trending downward, they knew the worst was over.
Gu Tingxiao was incredibly busy at the base, so he had to return for the afternoon training session. Before leaving, he lingered by the bed, his eyes filled with worry as he checked on his daughter one last time.
“It’s alright, you can go,” Sheng Wanyan said gently, understanding his anxiety and reassuring him so he could leave with peace of mind.
“Thank you for your hard work, wife,” Gu Tingxiao murmured. Left with no other choice, he hurried out the door to catch up on the training schedule.
Once he left, Sheng Wanyan returned to the bedroom to keep watch. Yi Yi was sleeping soundly, and her mother stayed faithfully by her side. By dinnertime, the fever had completely broken, lifting another heavy weight from Sheng Wanyan’s chest.
When Yi Yi finally woke up, her weak, fragile appearance made her mother’s heart ache.
“Mom…” she whimpered, her eyes red and glassy. “Hungry…”
Looking at her miserable, tearful face, Sheng Wanyan felt terrible. “Mommy will make you some milk right now,” she cooed. “Does my little Yi Yi still feel uncomfortable anywhere?”
She pressed a gentle hand to the toddler’s forehead. The burning heat was gone, but the little girl was clearly still dealing with a sore throat and a heavy head.
“Dizzy… dizzy…” Yi Yi mumbled.
Since she could express herself clearly, Sheng Wanyan tucked her back under the covers and went to mix her a bottle. For a child this young, it was always best to rely on natural recovery and avoid medication unless absolutely necessary.
When Sheng Wanyan brought the warm milk over, Yi Yi drank it listlessly, her usual boundless energy completely drained. Sheng Wanyan stroked her hair comfortingly until she finished the bottle and drifted right back to sleep. Taking advantage of the quiet, Sheng Wanyan pulled a stethoscope from her spatial dimension and carefully listened to the baby’s heartbeat. Confirming that everything sounded normal and that it was just a typical winter cold, she put the instrument away, feeling truly relieved.
Gu Tingxiao rushed back the moment his shift ended. Entering the house, he immediately stripped off his heavy, snow-dusted military coat and scrubbed his hands clean before daring to step into the bedroom.
“Wife, how is Yi Yi?”
“The fever broke, but she’s still a bit dizzy and her throat hurts,” Sheng Wanyan whispered. “I was planning to boil some snow pear water to soothe her throat.”
Hearing this, Gu Tingxiao immediately went to fetch the snow pears they had stored. “I’ll take care of dinner. You eat first,” he insisted. Knowing how exhausting it was to care for a sick child all afternoon, he immediately took over the household chores the second he walked through the door.
Sheng Wanyan didn’t argue. After eating her meal, she went to the kitchen to check on his progress with the pear water.
“Should I add some rock sugar?” Gu Tingxiao asked, unsure if a sick toddler should have anything too sweet.
“No, leave it out. Yi Yi is only a year and a half old; it’s best to keep it as simple as possible,” Sheng Wanyan advised.
Gu Tingxiao nodded, placed the lid on the pot, and lowered the heat on the stove.
“Go eat your dinner,” Sheng Wanyan told him. “I’ll watch the stove.”
He agreed and left the kitchen. Once she was alone, Sheng Wanyan discreetly added a single drop of spiritual spring water from her space into the simmering pot. She had never given Yi Yi the spiritual spring water before, fearing the child’s small body couldn’t handle such a potent tonic. But now that Yi Yi was sick, a single drop would be just enough to gently boost her immune system.
Once the pear water was finished boiling, she let it cool down to a warm, safe temperature before bringing it into the bedroom.
Yi Yi was sleeping fitfully, her little face flushed and her brows knitted together. Sheng Wanyan reached out and gently smoothed the crease between her eyes. “Yi Yi, wake up for a bit, sweetheart. Time to have something to drink.”
The toddler was too lethargic to sit up on her own, so Gu Tingxiao stepped in, carefully lifting her into his arms and coaxing her awake. Sheng Wanyan slowly fed her the warm liquid with a small spoon. Thankfully, Yi Yi had always loved fruit. Since the pears were naturally sweet, the little girl managed to drink most of it without a fuss before slumping back into an exhausted sleep.
Seeing his daughter look so drained broke Gu Tingxiao’s heart. He gently laid her back onto the warm kang, tucked her small blanket securely around her, and finally went out to eat his own dinner.
Sheng Wanyan reheated his food. The man hadn’t stopped moving since he got home.
“You eat. I’ll go give Yi Yi a quick sponge bath,” she said.
“Alright.” He quickly finished his meal and immediately went to boil fresh water for the bath.
Once the baby was wiped down and clean, the couple sat quietly, watching their child sleep soundly before finally turning in for the night. However, Gu Tingxiao didn’t dare fall into a deep sleep, terrified that Yi Yi’s fever might spike again in the middle of the night. Sheng Wanyan was equally restless, tossing and turning.
“Wife, go to sleep. I’ll keep watch,” Gu Tingxiao whispered, gently patting her back. “You need your rest. You still have to take care of her all day tomorrow.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded. The sheer physical and emotional toll of the day had left her completely drained. Soothed by his rhythmic pats, she quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Yi Yi woke up crying briefly in the middle of the night, but Gu Tingxiao was right there to pacify her. He managed less than two hours of sleep the entire night, keeping constant vigilance over his daughter.
When morning came, Yi Yi had finally regained a bit of her energy. Aside from her sore throat, her other symptoms had faded.
“Yi Yi, does your head still feel dizzy?” Sheng Wanyan asked.
“No, no~” Yi Yi babbled, shaking her head vigorously from side to side.
Sheng Wanyan quickly caught her little head to stop her. Shaking it that hard was a surefire way to actually make herself dizzy!
“Hurts~” the toddler complained, pointing a chubby finger at her throat.
After giving her a bottle of morning milk, Sheng Wanyan boiled another batch of pear water. This time, Yi Yi drank the whole bowl. Feeling better but still recovering, she lay obediently on the bed, clutching her doll and staring blankly at the ceiling.
Hearing her awake, Maodou padded over to the doorway, wanting to come inside and keep her company. However, since the dog hadn’t been bathed in several days and Yi Yi’s immune system was still fragile, Sheng Wanyan wouldn’t allow it.
“Not right now, Maodou. You have to wait a few days. Yi Yi’s resistance is too weak,” she told the dog. Understanding her tone, Maodou obediently lay down just outside the threshold, faithfully standing guard over the bedroom.
Over the next few days, Yi Yi steadily recovered. Thanks to the soothing pear water, her throat cleared up. Grandpa and Grandma Sheng had heard about her illness and stopped by to check on her, but fearing they might carry germs to her weakened system, they didn’t dare stay long.
It took about a week for Yi Yi to bounce back completely. The moment she did, she immediately resumed her favorite hobby: dismantling the house. With Maodou as her loyal sidekick, she went back to exploring every nook and cranny, digging into corners and making a joyous mess.
Sheng Wanyan didn’t have the heart to stop her. The poor girl had been bored out of her mind being bedridden for a week. To ensure she didn’t catch another chill on her head, Wanyan pulled a little red knitted winter hat over her sparse hair.
Wearing her bright red cap, Yi Yi went on a frantic exploration spree, fascinated by everything from the furniture legs to a stray toothpick. Sheng Wanyan trailed behind her, quickly sweeping up any small, dangerous objects to prevent the toddler from accidentally swallowing them.
When Gu Tingxiao came home from work that evening, he couldn’t help but smile at the sight of his daughter bursting with life once more.
“Daddy!”
“Hold!”
Yi Yi stretched out her little arms, as plump and segmented as fresh lotus roots, demanding to be picked up. Gu Tingxiao happily scooped her into his embrace. The little girl rested her head obediently against his broad chest, having missed her father terribly after being apart all day.
Chapter 401: Yiyi’s Lack of Confidence
“Did you listen to your mother today?”
“I did!”
Yiyi clenched her tiny fists to show just how obedient she had been, proving she hadn’t given her mother a hard time at all.
“That’s great,” Gu Tingxiao praised her generously, his eyes crinkling into a warm smile.
“Great~” Yiyi echoed. Then, her little mouth forming an ‘O’ shape, she pointed a chubby finger at herself and asked uncertainly, “Is Yiyi awesome?”
“Yes, you are,” Gu Tingxiao nodded patiently.
Hearing this, Yiyi was instantly overjoyed. She grabbed his face and planted a big kiss on his cheek.
Sheng Wanyan brought out dinner. Seeing how happily the father and daughter were getting along, she smiled and shook her head. Gu Tingxiao really refreshed her understanding of him time and time again, and she loved witnessing her daughter’s adorable charm.
“It’s time to eat!” she called out.
Hearing his wife’s voice, Gu Tingxiao quickly scooped his daughter up into his arms and carried her over to wash her hands.
During dinner, Yiyi had to sit in Gu Tingxiao’s lap. The dining table in their home was simply too high, and Yiyi’s small frame wasn’t tall enough to reach it from a standard chair.
“Can you make a high chair for Yiyi when you have time?” Sheng Wanyan asked, having noticed the issue as well. She had come down with a fever recently, leaving the house in a bit of a mess, so she hadn’t had the time or energy to deal with it herself.
Now that things had settled down, Gu Tingxiao could spare some time to build one.
“Alright.”
That night, Sheng Wanyan drew up a blueprint for him. The high chair was a simple design—much like the ones children would use in later generations—complete with a small dining tray attached to the front.
Gu Tingxiao understood the concept the moment he saw the sketch. They still had plenty of leftover wood at home, so he immediately started prepping the materials.
In just two days, Gu Tingxiao finished constructing the chair. He sanded it down meticulously until the wood was perfectly smooth, ensuring there were no splinters that could scratch her skin.
To go with it, Sheng Wanyan sewed a custom cushion so Yiyi wouldn’t get a sore bottom from sitting on the hard wood. She made sure not to stuff it too thickly; after all, overly soft seating wasn’t good for a developing toddler. The cushion featured four ties that secured it to the chair’s legs, keeping it firmly in place no matter how much Yiyi squirmed.
“Do you like your new chair, Yiyi?”
At first, Yiyi didn’t really think much of it. To her, it looked no different from the other chairs in the house. Mainly because, from her height, all she could see were its four wooden legs.
Sheng Wanyan quickly picked her up and set her down in the seat so she could experience it for herself. Only then did Yiyi discover the magic of this new furniture.
She was actually sitting at the same height as her parents! She could clearly see all the food on the table and even reach out to grab things herself.
It was now early April of 1977. At one year and eight months old, Yiyi was finally old enough to start learning how to feed herself.
Sheng Wanyan placed a small bowl in front of her and scooped in some soft, easy-to-chew food. Yiyi looked down at the deboned fish and egg custard, then clumsily grabbed her small spoon.
She tried to scoop the food up, but failed. She tried a second time, but the food slipped off again. The delicious meal was right in front of her, yet she couldn’t eat it. The frustration quickly set in.
Anxious and overwhelmed, Yiyi looked at her parents with a deeply grieved expression, on the verge of tears.
“Don’t cry, let’s take it slow,” Sheng Wanyan coaxed gently. “Mom is right here with you.”
Yiyi quickly held back her tears. With red, watery eyes, she looked at her mother and picked up the spoon again, trying to mimic her movements.
Gu Tingxiao was quietly watching the whole ordeal. It was their child’s first time learning to feed herself, and as parents, they couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.
“That’s right, push the food against the side of the bowl so it’s easier to scoop up.” Sheng Wanyan guided her daughter’s tiny hand, helping her through the motion. Finally, Yiyi successfully scooped up a bite and brought it to her mouth.
“Mmm~” As she tasted the delicious fish and egg custard, her eyes curved into happy little crescents.
“That’s great. Now, try it by yourself, Yiyi.” Sheng Wanyan let go of her hand, encouraging her to do it independently to see if she had grasped it.
Yiyi gripped the spoon and tried again, but the food slipped away once more. Defeated, her little shoulders slumped.
The frustration finally boiled over, and she burst into tears. “Yiyi is stupid~ Wuwuwu…”
The chubby toddler covered her face with her tiny hands, crying out in absolute heartbreak.
Sheng Wanyan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. What exactly was going through this little girl’s head?
“You’re not stupid. If we fail, we just try again,” Sheng Wanyan said gently. “Mom will stay right here and try again with you. It’s okay. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll just keep trying. It’s really no big deal.”
Hearing her mother’s soothing words, Yiyi wiped her tears and watched closely to learn the technique once more.
“Yiyi, it’s okay to cry and vent your feelings when you fail,” Sheng Wanyan took the opportunity to impart a small life lesson, believing that Yiyi was smart enough to grasp the basics. “But you have to understand that crying doesn’t solve the problem. It just lets your feelings out. When we fail, we just try again. Mom and Dad will always be here to support you.”
Yiyi nodded her head. She only understood about half of what her mother meant—mostly that she was allowed to cry, but she still needed to finish her task.
Following her mother’s lead, Yiyi practiced the motion again and again until she slowly got the hang of it.
She went for another scoop, and this time, it worked! For the first time, she had successfully fed herself using her own ability.
“Mmm~” Yiyi hummed happily, chewing the food she had secured herself.
“Yay~” Yiyi cheered, flashing a triumphant sign.
Sheng Wanyan clapped her hands in praise. “That’s wonderful! You did it.”
“Great~” Yiyi was so thrilled that she clapped her hands in celebration, waving her chubby arms in the air.
Watching from the side, Gu Tingxiao quietly relaxed his tightly clenched fists.
Sheng Wanyan caught the subtle movement and found it highly amusing. This man really was something else. He had clearly been incredibly nervous about whether Yiyi would succeed, yet he sat there pretending to be completely calm and unfazed.
Caught by his wife’s teasing gaze, Gu Tingxiao felt a flush of embarrassment. He brought a fist to his mouth and let out an awkward cough.
“Wife, eat some meat,” he said, hastily placing a piece of meat into her bowl to cover up his bashfulness.
Sheng Wanyan decided not to expose him. She smiled and started eating, saving the proud father from losing face in front of their daughter.
Now that Yiyi had mastered feeding herself, meal times became incredibly lively. Every time the toddler successfully took a bite, she would proudly ask for validation.
“Daddy, look~” Yiyi demonstrated her successful eating technique, perfectly aware that she wanted her parents to shower her with praise.
“Yiyi is so amazing,” Gu Tingxiao praised earnestly. “Even Daddy can’t compare.”
Delighted by his words, Yiyi ate with even more enthusiasm.
Both Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao understood clearly that Yiyi was a child who thrived on positive reinforcement. Without her parents’ praise, her confidence would instantly deflate.
It was just her innate temperament. As parents, they knew they had to guide her patiently, showering her with enough encouragement and confidence to help her overcome her tendency to give up easily.
The more validation she received from them, the more eager she became to show off her skills. Under her family’s tireless praise, Yiyi’s resilience slowly grew. Gradually, her habit of crying and giving up transformed into a determination to encourage herself, constantly reminding her little heart that she could do it.
