Chapter 15: The First Meeting

Chapter 15: The First Meeting

What does a tough soldier look like?

Just like this!

Tall and straight, with long arms and legs that must be around 185 cm. How can the rhythm of his strides be so pleasing to the eye?

His rugged face is far more handsome than any in the newspapers.

The green military uniform on him looks better than any male lead in modern TV dramas she has seen!

The descriptions in books and photos cannot match the impact of reality.

Hormones are overwhelming!

Su Zhaozhao felt herself regaining her confidence; she could actually juggle work and men.

"Have you eaten?"

The casual greeting snapped Su Zhaozhao out of her pink bubble, "Y-Yes, I have."

Then there was silence...

Isn't this family reunion scene too calm?

Should she cry a bit?

And then hug the male lead for a little extra affection?

Xiang Beifang stammered, his eyes darting back and forth, "C-Captain, do you recognize me?"

Gu Heng glanced at him, "Your sister-in-law."

Oh no!

Xiang Beifang felt he was in trouble!

Oh no, he had offended the sister-in-law.

"S-Sister-in-law..." It wasn't me, Captain made me stop you.

Comrade Xiao Fang, being perceptive, pulled him away.

Xiang Beifang looked back every few steps, "I haven't apologized to Sister-in-law yet."

"Forget it, there will be plenty of opportunities later. Hurry up, don't disturb the Gu family's reunion..."

Su Zhaozhao cleared her throat awkwardly and nudged the two motionless children, "This is your father."

Gu Xiang and Gu Nian did not speak, only looking at Gu Heng without a word.

Su Zhaozhao: "Hehe, they're just shy. They'll warm up soon."

Gu Heng squatted down, gripping his slightly trembling hands, and met the eyes of the two children, "What are your names?"

Gu Nian looked at his brother, then up at his mother, his voice tiny, "Gu Nian."

Gu Xiang lifted his chin, "I'm Gu Xiang."

Gu Nian, Gu Xiang—Gu Heng repeated these two names several times in his mind.

"Xiang is the older one, right?"

Gu Xiang: "That's right." With an air of pride, as if acknowledging Gu Heng's discernment.

The corners of Gu Heng's mouth twitched, and he smiled, reaching out to pat the heads of the two children. Standing up, he said, "Is the accommodation arranged?"

Su Zhaozhao: "Yes, we're staying at the guesthouse."

"Let's go to the guesthouse first."

"Comrade Xiao Fang said he would take us to meet the leader..."

"There's no need. We'll have other opportunities." He then took Gu Xiang and Gu Nian's hands and walked forward.

Su Zhaozhao lagged behind.

She couldn't help pouting; men, after all, always prioritize their children over their wives.

But her two children were the best, constantly looking back to make sure she was following.

Also, why is the male lead so calm? Not even a hint of excitement?

With a cool expression, nothing gives him away, just like the aloof and composed male leads in novels.

Entering the guesthouse, Gu Heng glanced back at Su Zhaozhao.

Su Zhaozhao understood, "It's upstairs, room 202."

Gu Heng started up the stairs.

At the door, he waited for Su Zhaozhao to get the key and open it.

Once inside, he let go of Gu Xiang and Gu Nian's hands.

"I have some questions to ask you."

After being separated for so many years and suddenly having two more children, it's normal for the male lead to have doubts. Su Zhaozhao nodded and sat down on the bed, "Go ahead and ask."

Gu Heng looked at the two children, leaning against the desk, "What exactly happened in the village back then? What about Father and Mother..."

Su Zhaozhao sifted through her host's memories, "After you left, Father and Mother thought you had returned to the provincial city to work, so they didn't worry much. Who knew that just two months later, someone brought news that the provincial city had been bombed, and you were gone, with all the details..."

"Mother almost cried herself blind. The two elders went to the provincial city but couldn't find your remains... Fortunately, I was diagnosed with pregnancy before that, which gave them some comfort..."

At this point, Su Zhaozhao sighed deeply, "Who knew that not long after, a gang of bandits came from somewhere, breaking into the village in the middle of the night. Father and Mother were light sleepers and woke up early. They hid me in the cellar before the bandits broke down the door, saving me from the disaster. We thought the bandits would leave after looting, but when I came out, Father and Mother were already..."

Her eyes reddened, and tears fell as she became more agitated, influenced by the emotions of her host. At this moment, what she said didn't seem like the host's memories but rather her own experiences.

Fear, sorrow, and utter helplessness...

Su Zhaozhao got goosebumps. She had never felt this way since she arrived. Could it be that the host's consciousness had always been in this body?

Unable to control herself, she continued, "I called for Father and Mother, but they didn't respond. Father had a cut on his stomach, and Mother's head was covered in blood. Fires were everywhere in the village, and our house was burning too. All the grain and money in the house were stolen."

"Everyone was running away, afraid the bandits would come back. I didn't know what to do, so I followed them. I don't know how long we ran, only remembering that it was almost dawn, and I was the only one left on the road..."

"I wanted to go back to the village to check, but I was too scared. Thinking that we had no relatives in the village and that I was alone, with no home, and hearing that several nearby villages had also been raided by bandits, I decided to return to my parents' home..."

"I begged all the way, not knowing how long it took. By the time I arrived, I was almost ready to give birth. Because I couldn't find food, the two children in my belly lacked nutrition and were born as small as kittens. I was really afraid I wouldn't be able to raise them..."

"I thought of you and their grandparents, so I named them Gu Xiang and Gu Nian..."

She recounted every detail of her life and all the hardships she had endured.

Gu Xiang and Gu Nian were in tears, while Gu Heng remained silent, his hands gripping tightly on his thighs, veins bulging.

"Brother Stone, I never believed you were gone. Thank heaven, finding you is such a blessing. I've brought the two children to you, and now I have no regrets..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Zhaozhao's eyes rolled back, and she fainted.

"Mom! Mom! Waa..."

"Zhaodi!"

Ignoring the shock to the two children and Gu Heng, Su Zhaozhao herself was terrified.

Looking at the unfamiliar face in front of her, Su Zhaozhao asked, "Are you Zhaodi?"

The opposite Su Zhaodi nodded.

Oh my God! A paranormal event!

Su Zhaozhao didn't know where she was, it was pitch black, and she was scared to death, "Are you coming back?"

If you come back, I'll leave. Although the two children are pitiful and adorable, modern life is what I miss.

The opposite Su Zhaodi shook her head, "I can't come back."

Su Zhaozhao was disappointed, "Then what are you doing here?"

"I just want to thank you in person, thank you for being good to the children, thank you for bringing them to their father. If you hadn't come, they would never have known their father was still alive, and I would never have seen him again..."

Are you thanking me or scaring me?

It looks like if I hadn't treated the children well, you would have taken me away!

Su Zhaodi bowed deeply to her, "I have to go. From now on, it's up to you. You're a good person..."

With that, her figure faded away.

"Don't go! I still have questions, can I go back? Hey!"

As the word 'hey' echoed, Su Zhaozhao suddenly opened her eyes!