“Five lives lost in one death. There’s nothing we can do to save them.”
When he heard the news, Gu Zhengguo beat his chest in grief.
“It’s all my fault. I didn’t know she was pregnant.”
Liu Xiaowei, standing nearby, let out a soft snort. “Uncle Gu, the doctor said Brother Yizheng became infertile after his injury. Even if this woman climbed into Brother Yizheng’s bed, that doesn’t mean the children in her belly are his.”
“That’s right, Zhengguo,” Liu Xiaowei’s mother, Liu Fangfang, chimed in. “Xiaowei is right. Young girls these days are very cunning. Maybe she was already pregnant with another man’s child and is trying to pin it on our Yizheng. Our Yizheng may be disabled, but he’s still a first-class meritorious pilot. We can’t just pick up some random woman and make her our daughter-in-law.”
“Ah…” Gu Zhengguo rubbed his face and sighed. “That girl is only twenty. She’s still so young. Regardless of whose children are in her belly, it breaks my heart that she died just like that.”
Liu Xiaowei twisted her body. “She was already climbing into a man’s bed at twenty. Her death is no great loss.”
Jiang Yitang could no longer stand it. With a thump, she sat straight up, raised her hand, and slapped Liu Xiaowei across the face.
“You little green tea! Even if you died, I’d still be alive!”
“Ah! A corpse has come back to life!” Liu Xiaowei screamed.
Jiang Yitang slapped her again. “Stop yelling. I’m barbecuing no, wait, I’m thinking.”
Liu Xiaowei was completely stunned by the beating. She burst into tears and ran out of the hospital room.
Liu Fangfang looked pitifully at Gu Zhengguo and deliberately put on a coy expression with her aging face.
“Brother Zhengguo, I’m scared.”
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll go get someone!” Gu Zhengguo supported Liu Fangfang, although his own legs were trembling a little.
Jiang Yitang looked around at her surroundings and sucked in a sharp breath.
Wasn’t this her previous life? How had she come back here again?
Jiang Yitang had lived a very happy life in this lifetime. She had been doted on by her family ever since she was little, gotten into the best medical university in the country, and entered a hospital after graduation. Before long, she had become a leading figure in the medical field.
To relieve stress, she had gone scuba diving, only to get into an accident. When she regained consciousness, she discovered that she had been reborn back into her previous life.
The Jiang Yitang of her previous life had been terribly unfortunate. Her father didn’t love her, and her mother didn’t care about her. After finally getting into nursing school and becoming a junior nurse, she was constantly bullied because she worked too hard and was easy to take advantage of.
Worst of all, she had simply been thirsty and drank a glass of water, only to inexplicably end up climbing into a patient’s bed and sleeping with him.
If he had been an ordinary patient, perhaps it wouldn’t have been such a big deal.
But that patient happened to be Gu Yizheng, a first-class meritorious pilot who had been honored by the state. His father was also a senior military commander.
Gu Yizheng had suffered severe injuries and could barely move on his own, let alone do anything indecent. Yet Jiang Yitang had been unable to explain herself and was branded a shameless woman who had climbed into a man’s bed.
Because of the scandal, Jiang Yitang’s reputation was ruined and she lost her job. One day, she went to the river to clear her head. Unable to think things through, she threw herself into the river.
Jiang Yitang took a moment to steady herself before reaching for her pulse.
Thankfully, the quadruplets in her belly were still alive.
Since Heaven had given her another chance to return, she would live properly this time, give birth to her children, and raise them well.
Gu Zhengguo brought over a doctor. The doctor was also rather flustered.
“Old Commander, Comrade Jiang really had no breathing or heartbeat earlier, but she seems perfectly fine now. Let’s observe her for a while longer. If there are no abnormalities, she should be alright.”
Jiang Yitang rolled her eyes inwardly.
She couldn’t help thinking that doctors in the 1980s really weren’t as advanced professionally.
“Then… what about the four babies in her belly?” Gu Zhengguo asked, still shaken by what had happened.
“They’re not dead!”
Jiang Yitang sat straight up.
“You’re Old Commander Gu, right? Gu Yizheng’s father?”
Gu Zhengguo nodded. “That’s me. Comrade Jiang, you took advantage of Yizheng’s severe injuries and… well, you know what happened. What you did was indeed wrong. But our Gu family isn’t the kind of family that refuses to take responsibility. We can discuss this matter. Just don’t try to take your own life again.”
“What’s there to discuss?”
Jiang Yitang jumped down from the hospital bed.
“I’m pregnant with four babies, and all four of them are from your Gu family. Bring Gu Yizheng here and have him register our marriage with me!”
Liu Xiaowei and Liu Fangfang had been eavesdropping through the crack in the door. The moment they heard this, they rushed inside.
“No! Brother Yizheng is a first-class meritorious pilot. This woman isn’t good enough for him!” Liu Xiaowei stomped her foot.
Liu Fangfang also pursed her lips and nodded.
Jiang Yitang let out a cold laugh. She pressed one hand down on Liu Xiaowei’s head and pointed at her pregnant belly with the other.
“It’s your Brother Yizheng who isn’t good enough for me! Now that I’m carrying his children, he has to take responsibility for me!”
“Let go of me, you crazy woman!” Liu Xiaowei finally managed to break free and hurriedly smoothed down her disheveled hair.
“Even if you really are pregnant, what makes you think the children in your belly belong to Brother Yizheng? What if they belong to some other man? Wouldn’t Brother Yizheng be the one getting the short end of the stick?”
“That’s right.” Liu Fangfang nodded in agreement. “Girls these days are so casual. Some of them get pregnant without even knowing who the father is.”
“I’ve slept with several men, and I don’t even know who the father is?” Jiang Yitang gritted her teeth and shot back. “Don’t assume everyone is like you, who’ll sleep with anyone.”
The mother and daughter were left speechless, their faces turning red, then white.
Jiang Yitang couldn’t care less about their ridiculous expressions. She directly questioned Gu Zhengguo.
“Old Commander, you’re an old military commander at your age. Are you really going to join them in bullying a young woman like me?”
“Uh… this…” Gu Zhengguo was rendered speechless.
Jiang Yitang lifted her chin.
“I’m carrying four babies. Without a marriage certificate, I won’t be able to give birth to them. That’s what the law says, and you know that better than I do. If you still suspect me, then wait until I give birth to these four children and have a paternity test done. If even one of them isn’t Gu Yizheng’s, I’ll accept whatever punishment you give me!”
“Goodness…” Gu Zhengguo looked troubled. “Comrade Jiang, it’s not that I suspect you. It’s just that Yizheng’s situation is rather special. If you marry Yizheng, you may have to endure some hardships. You need to think carefully. Besides, ever since Yizheng was injured, his temper has gotten worse. I’m afraid he may refuse to marry you.”
Jiang Yitang couldn’t help clicking her tongue.
She thought to herself, Gu Yizheng is already disabled and in that condition, and he still thinks he can refuse to marry me? He’s gotten way too used to having things his way.
“Old Commander, don’t tell me all that. I’ll ask you one simple question: Do you want these four grandsons or not?”
“Yes!”
Gu Zhengguo answered without hesitation.
“Once the doctor gives you a checkup and everything is confirmed to be fine, I’ll take you to see Gu Yizheng and submit the marriage application for the two of you.”
“No need for a checkup. I’m perfectly healthy.”
With that, Jiang Yitang even stretched lazily.
“Alright. I’ll arrange a car to take you back to the compound.”
Seeing that she really did seem energetic, Gu Zhengguo clasped his hands behind his back and walked out.
Liu Xiaowei and Liu Fangfang hurried after him, whispering.
“Uncle Gu, what if the children in her belly aren’t Brother Yizheng’s? The doctor already said Brother Yizheng is infertile and can never have children again.”
Gu Zhengguo stopped in his tracks.
“What the doctor said may not necessarily be accurate. The doctor said Comrade Jiang was dead, but she came back to life. If Yizheng isn’t actually infertile, then our Gu family could have four grandsons.”
“But…” Liu Xiaowei wanted to say more.
Liu Fangfang gave her a meaningful look.
“Yes, your sister-in-law isn’t in good health. If she really gives birth to four grandsons, I’ll help take care of the children.”
“Achoo!”
Jiang Yitang deliberately sneezed loudly.
“Comrade Jiang, what’s wrong?” Gu Zhengguo asked.
He might have been putting on a tough front, but deep down, he was already craving grandchildren especially four grandsons at once.
Jiang Yitang rubbed her nose.
“Nothing. The smell of a white lotus is a little too strong. I’m not used to it.”