Chapter 492| Chapter 493| Chapter 494
Chapter 492: Grandpa and Grandma’s Loneliness
One of the courtyards was set up as a grocery store, its shelves neatly lined with goods, while the other was designed to mimic her clothing boutique back in Bing City.
Sheng Wanyan was in no rush to open the clothing store just yet; her main priority was getting the grocery store off the ground. A grocery store would allow her to quietly funnel a massive amount of supplies out from her dimensional space and sell them off. In fact, clearing out her excess inventory was the primary reason she had opened the storefront in the first place.
Because of this, she only needed to hire a single employee for the initial launch—someone whose main responsibilities would be lifting crates and stocking the shelves. She could easily drop off the stock in the store’s warehouse overnight, and it would be ready for direct sale the following morning.
Even so, she still needed to establish relationships with legitimate, local suppliers. After all, she had to purchase stationery, notebooks, and other school supplies unique to this era. Her main goal was simply to introduce the meat, vegetables, and unbranded daily essentials from her space into the store’s inventory. She didn’t dare take unnecessary risks with anything else, especially with her family living right next door.
Gu Tingxiao took charge of hiring the craftsmen for the renovation. Following her instructions, he had the interior partition walls of the courtyard knocked down to create an open, easily viewable layout, and he even had custom iron storage shelves welded together.
Seeing that the renovations were officially underway, Father and Mother Sheng hurried back to Chengdu to wrap up their affairs.
The moment she arrived back in Chengdu, Mother Sheng submitted her formal resignation. When the neighbors living in their apartment building heard that she was willingly throwing away her stable job, they all thought she had completely lost her mind. But the moment word spread that Sheng Wanyan had been admitted to Peking University and Pan Yue to Tsinghua University, the entire building was struck with absolute awe.
Suddenly, neighbors were constantly flooding their apartment, arms laden with visiting gifts just to pick her brain. It was during these casual chats that the neighbors discovered Mother Sheng had resigned precisely so she could permanently settle down in the Capital. The revelation sparked intense envy. Everyone agreed that if their own children were brilliant enough to get into the nation’s top universities, they would gladly quit their jobs to go support them.
Through it all, Mother Sheng kept completely silent about Sheng Wanyan’s retail business. She knew navigating those social dynamics would be an absolute nightmare. If word got out, who knew how many acquaintances would come crawling out of the woodwork to beg for favors? People would inevitably try to saddle her with their children, expecting the family to find them lucrative work in the capital. If her hometown relatives discovered that Sheng Wanyan was opening her own shops, they would undoubtedly swarm the Capital demanding that she arrange jobs for them. Mother Sheng was far too clever to flaunt her family’s wealth.
Father Sheng kept his mouth shut as well. Although he fiercely loved boasting about his children’s academic brilliance, he knew exactly where to draw the line.
Consequently, Mother Sheng became the absolute envy of their entire residential block in Chengdu. The neighbors who had always been on good terms with her did everything they could to maintain their bond, while the ones who used to bicker with her shamelessly showed up at her doorstep to curry favor. Mother Sheng felt she had never carried so much influence and respect in her entire life.
Before anyone realized it, Sheng Wanyan had already completed her first two weeks of university lectures, and the renovations for both the grocery store and the clothing boutique were officially finished.
Sheng Wanyan began posting recruitment notices around the neighborhood, drawing a massive influx of applicants over the next few days. After all, the compensation she offered was highly generous, and the labor itself wasn’t overly grueling. She utilized her brief lunch breaks to interview several candidates, but none of them left her satisfied.
Gu Tingxiao poured her a fresh glass of warm water, watching her with a trace of concern. He had witnessed firsthand how exhausting the past half-month had been for her. Between her rigorous daily lectures, she spent her midday breaks running interviews, inspecting the finishing touches on the stores, and coordinating with local wholesale suppliers.
“Wife, still haven’t found the right fit?”
Sheng Wanyan let out a heavy sigh and shook her head.
Naturally, the logistics of setting up her grocery store couldn’t be kept secret from the neighborhood, meaning the vast majority of applicants were local residents. Many neighbors had even attempted to leverage personal relationships just to secure the position. After all, Sheng Wanyan was offering a monthly salary of thirty yuan, and the workplace was right on their doorstep. If she hadn’t been away at university during the day, the threshold of her house would have likely been broken down by the sheer volume of visitors.
“Everyone who has come in for an interview so far is completely illiterate,” she explained. “This store requires daily inventory checks and precise book-keeping, so I absolutely must hire someone with a decent education. On top of that, they need to be completely reliable, close in age to my mother so they can get along, and already possess their own permanent residency in the Capital.”
Gu Tingxiao gently massaged her tense shoulders as he thought through his own connections. His military comrades and friends were all roughly his own age, and very few had parents who matched Mother Sheng’s demographic.
“Don’t worry too much. Let’s just wait and see,” Gu Tingxiao comforted her, reminding her that a proper hire shouldn’t be rushed. Sheng Wanyan knew he was right, so she braced herself to run more interviews.
As the saying goes, heaven rewards the diligent, and Sheng Wanyan’s patience finally paid off.
However, the moment she looked up at the applicant sitting across the interview table, she froze completely. “…”
Staring at Grandpa and Grandma Sheng, she stammered, “Grandpa, Grandma… what on earth are you two doing?”
“Your grandfather is perfectly literate, and his mental math is excellent,” Grandma Sheng announced proudly. “There’s absolutely no need for you to waste money hiring an outsider. Besides, the merchandise you’re selling isn’t overly heavy; your grandparents can manage the shelves just fine.”
“Grandpa, Grandma, you are both up there in years,” Sheng Wanyan protested gently. “How could I possibly let you come out and work?” She flatly disapproved of the idea; even if they were working for her, it was still labor.
“And why shouldn’t we?” Grandma Sheng countered firmly. “Are you turning your nose up at us because we’re old and incompetent?”
Sheng Wanyan shook her head frantically. Even at their advanced age, her grandparents were capable of managing the household and helping to pick up Hu Zi from daycare—they were incredibly useful to the family.
“Then it’s settled. If you’re willing to pay a stranger, you might as well pay me and your grandfather. We only expect the standard thirty yuan salary. Think about it: if you hire an outside clerk to work alongside your mother, and your mother constantly has to step away to pick up the children, that employee is going to feel resentful. It will only breed tension. If you hire your grandfather and me instead, we can seamlessly cover for her, manage the sales, and bring in extra income for the family!”
Sheng Wanyan turned a helpless look toward Gu Tingxiao, but to her surprise, her husband actually nodded in quiet approval.
“Besides,” Grandma Sheng added softly, her tone turning earnest, “your grandfather and I are honestly dying of boredom cooped up in that house all day. Working here would give us something meaningful to do.”
Grandma Sheng’s confession made Sheng Wanyan pause, a wave of realization washing over her. It dawned on her that she had never actually stopped to ask Grandpa and Grandma Sheng how they were adjusting to life in the Capital. Everyone in the household had their own daily purpose; even little Hu Zi and Yi Yi went to their respective schools, leaving the two elderly grandparents entirely isolated at home.
They spent their days staring at each other within the quiet walls, and whenever they stepped outside, they didn’t recognize a single soul. Their current residence was far removed from the bustling city center, making casual sightseeing trips impossible. At most, they could sit under the shade of the courtyard trees to make small talk with a few passing neighbors, but they never truly felt at ease.
In a couple of days, Sheng Wanze was scheduled to return to his base in Bing City to rejoin his regiment. Once he left, the two elders would have absolutely nothing to occupy their time, left to sit by the door for hours on end, anxiously waiting for Pan Yue and Hu Zi to come home.
“Alright,” Sheng Wanyan agreed softly.
The moment she relented, a noticeable shift took place in her grandparents’ expressions; they practically radiated a fresh, vibrant wave of energy. Sheng Wanyan smiled and shook her head affectionately. It was true—the elderly needed to stay active and engaged, otherwise life would quickly lose its flavor.
Sheng Wanyan went out to tear down the recruitment flyers, deciding to wait until the grocery store stabilized before launching the clothing boutique. Furthermore, opening a boutique would require establishing a small localized production workshop beforehand; otherwise, she would have to constantly transport inventory all the way from Bing City, which would be logistically exhausting.
When Gu Tingxiao learned that she was already contemplating purchasing another property, his expression remained perfectly calm, as if he had anticipated her financial trajectory all along.
“I actually asked around on your behalf a few days ago,” he noted casually. “There’s a courtyard currently up for sale right near the Peking Dance Academy. It’s roughly the same size as our current property, and the owner is asking eleven hundred yuan.”
Every single day when he escorted Yi Yi to her classical dance lessons, he made sure to scan the surrounding real estate. After all, he understood his wife’s unique quirks perfectly. She possessed an absolute obsession with traditional courtyard houses and desperately wanted to acquire them wherever they went—she even mumbled about real estate in her sleep sometimes.
“Really?!”
The moment she heard there was a prime property available right by the Dance Academy, Sheng Wanyan’s eyes lit up with intense excitement.
Chapter 493: Getting Along with Roommates
That was the Peking Dance Academy! It was packed with young women who loved fashion and beauty. Opening a clothing boutique right there would mean an instant, built-in customer base.
“Really? I’ll go take a look at it with you this weekend,” Sheng Wanyan agreed without a second thought.
She was so thrilled that she rewarded Gu Tingxiao exceptionally generously that night. The couple had been incredibly close lately. Whenever Gu Tingxiao had a free moment, he would scour the city to find properties for her, and in return, Sheng Wanyan was noticeably more enthusiastic and affectionate than usual.
At times, Gu Tingxiao found himself a little overwhelmed—especially when Sheng Wanyan lounged in front of him wearing a silky camisole nightgown. Her flawless fair skin, long legs, slender waist, and sweet, delicate voice were completely irresistible. He happily let himself be captivated night after night.
Because of this, little Yi Yi began to notice a highly baffling pattern: every single morning when she woke up, she inexplicably found herself in her own bedroom. She clearly remembered drifting off to sleep right between her parents… Yet she could never catch them in the act, and lacking the vocabulary to properly argue her case, the poor toddler could only suffer the injustice in silence.
Sheng Wanyan successfully closed the deal on the properties near the Dance Academy. There were exactly two courtyards: one was perfectly sized for a small production workshop, and the other would serve as her new boutique branch. However, she was in no rush to launch them. Once the basic renovations were complete, she quietly locked the gates and left them aside, keeping her primary focus on her university lectures and the grocery store.
Every morning when Sheng Wanyan walked into her classroom, she found that Wei Lili had already saved a desk for her. Sheng Wanyan had repeatedly told her it wasn’t necessary, but the young girl was entirely too enthusiastic, making sure to reserve a spot every single day without fail. Not wanting to crush her sweet roommate’s spirit, Sheng Wanyan gracefully accepted the daily gesture.
As soon as she took her seat one morning, her roommates eagerly brought up the idea of a dormitory dinner party. They had been classmates for over two weeks now and wanted to head out as a group to enjoy a nice, celebratory meal together.
Although Sheng Wanyan rarely stayed overnight in the dorms, she was still an official member of Room 305. On days when her academic workload was particularly heavy, she would often spend her midday breaks resting in her assigned top bunk. She naturally had no objections to the outing, but Li Juhua looked noticeably reluctant.
“Isn’t eating out entirely too expensive?” Li Juhua muttered, her brow furrowing.
“If the eight of us order five dishes to share and split the bill evenly, it will only cost about fifty cents each,” Wei Lili reasoned. To her, fifty cents was an incredibly reasonable price to pay for everyone to enjoy a proper meat dish.
Li Juhua shifted her gaze tightly onto Sheng Wanyan. “Wanyan, don’t you live right near the campus? Why don’t we all just chip in twenty cents each and have the dinner party at your house instead?”
The roommates had already gathered the basic details of Sheng Wanyan’s life: her family occupied a courtyard close to Peking University, and her husband was a well-salaried military officer. Since her home was luxurious and nearby, wouldn’t it be incredibly convenient for everyone to just gather there?
The moment the suggestion left Li Juhua’s mouth, Sheng Wanyan flatly refused. She had no intention of playing the role of a self-sacrificing martyr just to please a roommate.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t have the capacity to cook for such a large group of people,” she replied coolly.
Having lived alongside the girls of Room 305 for half a month, Sheng Wanyan had successfully gauged everyone’s true personalities. Wei Lili was sweet and naive; Liang Fanghua was straightforward with a cheerful, tomboyish edge; Gu Shumin was a quiet intellectual who cared only about her books; and Zheng Lingling was a social butterfly who loved making new connections. Lin Meili was a passionate foodie who wore her heart on her sleeve, while Liu Na, the daughter of a rural village chief, was a sensible married mother whose husband worked as a city truck driver—though frugal, she was strictly honorable and loathed taking unfair advantage of others.
Then there was Li Juhua. She had also come from a rural background, though no one quite knew whether she was married or single. She possessed a deeply ingrained, selfish streak. Whenever a roommate brought snacks or delicacies into the dorm, Li Juhua would always hover around to swipe a portion for herself. Up until now, it had been minor enough that the other girls simply ignored it, too lazy to spark an argument over a few bites of food.
“What’s the big deal?” Li Juhua pressed, entirely oblivious to her own rudeness. “Five meat dishes can be whipped up in no time.”
Sheng Wanyan nearly laughed out loud at the woman’s audacity. Five meat dishes? Does she have any conception of what fresh meat and supply coupons cost in the capital right now?
“My time is incredibly limited,” Sheng Wanyan stated, her tone turning unyielding. “Between my university lectures and caring for my daughter, I simply don’t have the luxury to play hostess.”
Li Juhua hadn’t anticipated such a direct, unblinking rejection, and her strained smile practically froze on her face.
“Wanyan is a student just like the rest of us,” Wei Lili interjected firmly, stepping in to shield her friend. “She has to manage her studies and run a household. Where on earth would she find the time to cook for eight people? Going out to a restaurant is much simpler and won’t cause anyone an extra headache.” She couldn’t understand why Li Juhua was trying to force her way into someone else’s private home. Besides, a measly twenty cents… what could that even buy? Fresh pork was already eighty cents a pound. Li Juhua was clearly trying to score a lavish feast on a beggar’s budget under the guise of a bonding party.
Sensing the shift in the room’s atmosphere, Wei Lili added coolly, “If anyone feels the restaurant is beyond their budget, they are completely free to skip the dinner.”
Faced with a unified front, Li Juhua knew she had no leverage. She certainly didn’t want to risk being completely ostracized by the dorm. “I’ll go…” she mumbled, her expression souring. “Who said I wasn’t going?”
Though Li Juhua looked deeply displeased, no one paid her any further attention. The roommates happily finalized their plans to head to a nearby state-run restaurant right after classes concluded the following afternoon. It was the perfect Friday plan to wrap up the school week and ring in the weekend.
“Wanyan, the advisor mentioned that the portal for declaring elective courses is officially open now,” Wei Lili said, turning the conversation back to academics. “Which one are you planning to take?”
Over the past two weeks, Sheng Wanyan had quietly audited several foreign language classes across different departments to gauge the faculty. In the end, she stuck to her original design, choosing the language she had intended from the start.
“French,” she answered.
“Ah, really?” Wei Lili pouted playfully. “I was hoping we could take the same elective.” Wei Lili had opted for English because the curriculum was far more straightforward; she wouldn’t dare touch French, as complex grammar had always been her fatal weakness.
“Meili chose English too,” Sheng Wanyan noted with a smile. “You two can keep each other company.”
Wei Lili’s face brightened immediately. Lin Meili was indeed taking English. As the two youngest girls in their immediate social circle, they would make perfect classmates.
“Meili! Do you want to head over to the cafeteria together for lunch?” Wei Lili called out.
The moment the word ‘cafeteria’ hit her ears, Lin Meili snapped her head up, her eyes sparkling with instant, pure excitement. “Yes! Let’s go, let’s go!”
The two young girls practically sprinted out the door the moment the lecture concluded. Sheng Wanyan packed her notebooks into her canvas tote and began her leisurely walk back to the courtyard for lunch.
The moment she stepped through the primary university arches, she found Gu Tingxiao waiting for her by the curb, with little Yi Yi perched happily on the bicycle frame. The little girl’s cheeks were flushed a vibrant, healthy pink. She had faithfully stuck to her classical dance lessons for a full half-month now, attending every single day without a single complaint—her persistence was truly remarkable for a toddler.
“Mommy!”
The second her eyes landed on her mother, Yi Yi scrambled down and dashed over. Sheng Wanyan scooped her up into a warm hug.
“Did you have a wonderful time dancing today, sweetie?”
“Yes! It was so much fun!” the little girl cheered. “Grandma Hu said Yi Yi is awesome!” She eagerly began babbling about her afternoon, detailing the joy of practicing rhythm alongside her older peers at the Academy.
A toddler as small as Yi Yi training daily was a magnificent sight, and many of the Academy’s senior instructors frequently lingered by the studio mirrors just to watch her move. After all, they had never seen a baby this young learning classical dance within a university setting.
Aunt Hu had privately pulled Gu Tingxiao aside to rave about the child’s raw talent, noting that Yi Yi possessed an extraordinary level of comprehension and an innate, flawless sense of rhythm. If the little girl truly maintained this dedication, she would undoubtedly surpass Aunt Hu’s own historic achievements one day.
While Aunt Hu had initially offered to mentor Yi Yi out of respect for her friendship with the Gu family, she was now completely desperate to claim the little girl as her official disciple solely because of her breathtaking genius.
Sheng Wanyan, however, hadn’t given a definitive answer just yet. She knew that once a formal apprenticeship was locked in, the expectations would skyrocket, and Yi Yi would have to endure rigorous, exhausting training. As a mother, she wanted to wait and see how long her daughter’s toddler fascination would actually last. If the little girl could maintain this fiery passion for over six months, Sheng Wanyan would gladly step in to specifically cultivate her path.
Aunt Hu entirely agreed with her cautious approach. Yi Yi was still so small, after all; there was always a chance her current interest might fade as she grew.
Chapter 494: Dormitory Dinner
It is always better not to rush into conclusions when it comes to children. When discovering a child’s passion, it is best to let nature take its course.
Aunt Hu did not mind waiting six months to see if the little girl’s dedication would last. After all, her position at the academy was permanent, and her home was right here; she wasn’t going anywhere.
“Let’s go home,” Sheng Wanyan said.
“Let’s go, let’s go~”
Yi Yi happily took her mother’s hand. Amid the curious and admiring gazes of the students lingering by the school gates, the family of three turned and headed back to their courtyard.
The moment they arrived home, Yi Yi dashed off to play with Maodou. She then led the massive dog over to find Hu Zi, who had just returned from daycare. The two children immediately squatted in a familiar corner of the yard, huddling close to resume their whispering.
Later that evening, Sheng Wanyan mentioned to Gu Tingxiao that she would be attending a dinner party with her roommates the following day. Gu Tingxiao had never been the type to restrict her social life or stop her from making friends.
“Alright, then Yi Yi and I will drive over to pick you up after you finish,” he said. “From there, we’ll head straight back to the military compound. When I stopped by last time, Mom mentioned how much she missed you.”
Sheng Wanyan had been entirely too preoccupied to visit the family compound over the past two weeks. Her schedule had been packed, and she had spent the previous weekend checking on her new properties, leaving her with no spare time.
Gu Tingxiao had managed to drop by the main house whenever his schedule allowed, but because he always showed up alone, Grandpa and Grandma Gu had thoroughly scolded him and chased him out. The Gu family elders hadn’t laid eyes on Sheng Wanyan or little Yi Yi in half a month, and they were desperately lonely for their company.
Grandpa Gu had even sent a frantic telegram urging them to come back and stay for the weekend, though he had carefully kept his wording mild, terrified of placing an extra burden on Sheng Wanyan while she was adjusting to her heavy university workload.
“Sounds perfect,” Sheng Wanyan agreed. “Tomorrow evening, you and Yi Yi can grab a quick bite at home before picking me up. We’ll spend the entire weekend at the compound.”
Hearing that they were going back to see her cousins, grandparents, and great-grandparents, Yi Yi instantly began to cheer.
“Mommy! Yi Yi is going to dance for Nana!”
“Alright, sweetheart, you can show everyone your dancing,” Sheng Wanyan laughed, gently rubbing her head. The little girl had been dying to showcase everything she had learned under Aunt Hu’s tutelage to her adoring audience.
After a relaxing dinner, the family headed to bed early. The following afternoon, right after their final Friday lecture concluded, Sheng Wanyan and the rest of Room 305 made their way to the designated state-run restaurant.
They ordered a generous spread of four meat dishes alongside a mountain of staple foods, and everyone ate heartily. Although Li Juhua looked visibly pained when the bill finally arrived, she didn’t dare back out and paid her fair share along with the rest.
Sheng Wanyan handed her portion of the cash and the required supply coupons to Wei Lili. The moment the group stepped out onto the street, they spotted Gu Tingxiao waiting patiently by a parked car.
Wei Lili and the others stared wide-eyed as Gu Tingxiao rolled down the window. Up until this moment, the roommates hadn’t discovered his exact military rank. They had casually assumed he might be a standard battalion commander or something similar, but looking at the vehicle, they realized his position wasn’t that simple.
“Wanyan, where on earth did your man manage to get a car?” Li Juhua blurted out, her eyes darting across the polished exterior. In truth, it wasn’t just Li Juhua who was dying to know; the entire group was brimming with curiosity.
“He borrowed it from a military comrade,” Sheng Wanyan replied smoothly. She deliberately kept the details vague, though she recognized the license plate instantly as belonging to Father Gu’s private government vehicle. It was clear Gu Tingxiao had picked it up from the compound ahead of time.
“I’ll take my leave first,” Sheng Wanyan said, offering a warm smile. “We need to drop by the main family residence to visit the elders tonight.”
She opened the passenger door and glanced into the back seat, only to find little Yi Yi and Maodou curled up together. The little girl was fast asleep, her head resting peacefully against the dog’s thick fur. Sheng Wanyan settled into her seat and carefully turned to secure her daughter so she wouldn’t roll over if the car bumped, then offered a final wave through the open window.
“Goodbye, everyone. Make sure you all head back to the dorms safely.”
“Goodbye, Wanyan!”
The roommates waved as the car smoothly pulled away from the curb and merged into the evening traffic, before turning to walk back toward campus together.
“Wanyan’s husband certainly seems to have an impressive number of ‘comrades’ in the capital,” Li Juhua noted, her tone laced with a faint edge. Given his relatively young age, she couldn’t bring herself to believe Gu Tingxiao could possibly be a full regiment commander; reaching the level of a battalion commander was already an elite achievement.
“Isn’t it completely normal for military men to have brothers-in-arms scattered across the entire nation?” Wei Lili countered instantly. “Besides, everyone knows Wanyan’s in-laws are well-established right here in the Capital. Is it really that shocking that her husband has strong connections and influential friends in the city?”
Li Juhua fell silent, realizing her roommate made a valid point. Still, she couldn’t shake the persistent belief that Sheng Wanyan had fundamentally miscalculated her marriage. A brilliant university student tying herself down to a soldier? she thought critically. Her husband wasn’t even permanently stationed in the Capital, meaning he would eventually have to pack his bags and return to his distant regiment in the north. If Sheng Wanyan refused to follow him so she could finish her degree, who was going to manage their household and raise the children?
Granted, Sheng Wanyan’s husband was clearly capable and provided well, but she was a top-tier scholar with a dazzling, limitless future ahead of her. With scores like hers, she could have easily married into an elite, aristocratic intellectual family. Why on earth would she lower her own social standing to play the role of a lonely military wife?
“It’s just such a waste of her potential,” Li Juhua sighed aloud, shaking her head. “Comrade Sheng Wanyan has a magnificent career ahead of her. The disparity between them is just too vast. How much of a future can a common soldier actually offer a woman of her intellect?”
A few of the other roommates nodded along in quiet contemplation. Looking at it objectively, Sheng Wanyan truly did possess a boundless trajectory. However, suggesting that a dedicated soldier wasn’t worthy of her seemed entirely uncalled for. Comrade Gu Tingxiao was an exceptional man by any metric. Even if they remained oblivious to his family pedigree or his specific title, one only had to look at Sheng Wanyan’s elegant wardrobe, her flawless poise, and her glowing, radiant complexion to see that Gu Tingxiao cherished his wife completely.
Hearing Li Juhua’s critical remarks, Liang Fanghua’s straightforward temper immediately flared, and she confronted her directly. “They were happily married long before she ever sat for the university entrance examinations.”
She stared hard at Li Juhua, her voice ringing with clear conviction. “They chose each other freely, and they are deeply in love. Wanyan is a woman of profound character; she is not the type of person who would ever dream of abandoning her husband and children just because she secured a university degree.”
Liang Fanghua’s sharp rebuke caused Li Juhua’s face to stiffen with embarrassment, and she quickly averted her eyes, looking anywhere but at her roommates. Fortunately for her, the other girls didn’t press the matter, viewing it merely as a casual debate.
“Furthermore, Comrade Gu Tingxiao is exceptionally handsome, fiercely devoted to his family, and holds a highly promising career of his own,” Liang Fanghua added, crossing her arms. “In what universe is he not worthy of her? Are you secretly hoping to see a happy family break apart? Why are you so obsessed with policing another person’s marriage?”
Liang Fanghua had always carried herself with an unyielding, fearless honesty, never hesitating to speak her mind or worrying about whether her blunt words might offend someone.
“Who said I was trying to be nosy?” Li Juhua muttered, her face flushing with anger. “I was just—”
“Just what?” Liang Fanghua cut her off dryly. “Mind your own business and worry less about things that don’t concern you.”
Li Juhua was practically trembling with rage. She couldn’t understand why Liang Fanghua constantly went out of her way to antagonize her. She didn’t believe she had uttered a single false word, yet the girl had humiliated her right in front of the entire dormitory. Who does she think she is?
“Alright, alright, let’s leave it at that,” Liu Na intervened hastily, stepping between the two to diffuse the rising tension. Aside from Li Juhua, she was the oldest girl in Room 305. Whenever a minor friction threatened the peace of the dorm, she would invariably step forward to play the peacemaker, though she secretly loved being in the thick of any drama. “We all live under the same roof. There’s no need to bicker over something so trivial.”
Sheng Wanyan remained entirely oblivious to the minor dispute that had played out among her roommates. By the time the car finally cleared the security checkpoints and glided into the military compound, it was already past ten o’clock in the evening.
The entire residence was dark, the family members having already retired for the night. Gu Tingxiao shifted into park, quietly stepped out, and carefully gathered the sleeping Yi Yi into his powerful arms.
“We’ll just give her a quick wipe-down tonight,” Sheng Wanyan whispered, keeping her voice low as she gathered their bags. “It’s far too late into the evening for a full bath, and I don’t want her catching a chill.”
“Agreed,” Gu Tingxiao murmured.
The couple quietly pushed through the heavy front doors. The moment they stepped into the dim entryway, Sheng Wanyan blinked in sudden surprise, wondering if the late hour was causing her eyes to play tricks on her.
Sitting side by side on the living room sofa were Father and Mother Gu.
“Mom, Dad? Why are you both still awake?” Sheng Wanyan asked softly, stepping forward.
The elderly couple had found it completely impossible to sleep. Their intense longing for their children had driven them downstairs to sit in the quiet room, anxiously counting the minutes until the car pulled into the driveway.
“We couldn’t settle down,” Mother Gu admitted, her voice dropping to a gentle whisper as her eyes immediately zeroed in on the toddler tucked against her son’s chest. “Is our little darling fast asleep?”
She leaned closer, noting the flush of healthy pink on Yi Yi’s sleeping face, a profound wave of maternal peace finally settling into her chest. “Are the two of you hungry? Should I step into the kitchen and whip up a quick bowl of noodles?”
“No, Mom, we ate at the restaurant before leaving. We’re perfectly full,” Sheng Wanyan reassured her with a warm smile. “You and Dad should go ahead and get some proper rest.”
Seeing that their children had returned safe and sound, a bright, contented smile spread across the old couple’s faces, and they finally felt ready to retire.
“Alright, excellent. Your father and I will head upstairs to bed then,” Mother Gu murmured.
As the elders disappeared up the staircase, Sheng Wanyan offered a playful look to her husband. Gu Tingxiao merely smiled back. Cradling their daughter securely in one arm, he reached out with his free hand, laced his fingers tightly through his wife’s, and guided her up the steps toward their bedroom.
