Chapter 51: Is Daddy Going to Die?

When Gu Yanbin handed Tongtong the envelope stuffed with a thick stack of ten-yuan bills, the little girl’s eyes instantly widened into perfect circles, and her tiny mouth formed a shocked “O”!

“WOW!!!”

She let out an exaggerated gasp, her small hands trembling as she took the envelope and hugged it to her chest as if it were the most precious treasure in the world.

“So much money! Daddy! Is this real? Is it all for Tongtong?”

“Of course it’s real!” Gu Yanbin couldn’t help but laugh at her little miserly expression. “This is a reward for our clever Tongtong who cares so much about national affairs!”

Tongtong’s face flushed with excitement. Clutching the money, she spun around the room several times, then immediately began planning how to spend her “fortune.”

“Tongtong will treat Brother Jingnan, Brother Muchen, Brother Pingping, Brother Kangkang, Brother An’an, and Brother Xinxin to the most delicious candy!

And buy Mom a new scarf! Buy Godfather new gloves! And…”

Counting on her fingers, she included everyone around her in her plans.

No sooner said than done!

She immediately begged Uncle Xiao Zhang to take her to the supply and marketing cooperative, where she boldly splurged on a huge pile of premium fruit drops and animal crackers—things she usually couldn’t afford!

Then she began distributing them to her little friends.

When she ran to Commander Liu’s house, she deliberately picked out the most beautifully wrapped candy and pressed it into Liu Nianxin’s hands. “Brother Xinxin! This candy is for you! It’s super sweet and will make you happy!”

Liu Nianxin looked at the pretty candy wrapper in his hand, then at Tongtong, who was beaming like a little flower. A faint blush spread across his pale face.

He whispered, “Thank you… little sister.”

Then he turned and ran back into the house, returning with a freshly finished painting, which he solemnly handed to Tongtong.

The painting depicted Tongtong holding the fish that day—her eyes curved into happy crescents, her face a little dirty, but her smile radiant. Even the folds of her dress and the shimmer of the fish scales were rendered with delicate, vivid detail, bringing the scene to life!

Tongtong stared at the painting and gasped in awe once more.

“Wow! Brother Xinxin! You drew it so well! It’s even prettier than a photo from the studio! You’re amazing!

“You’re definitely going to become a super, super famous painter someday!”

Her praise was sincere and enthusiastic, exaggerated in the way only a child can be, but it greatly encouraged Liu Nianxin.

He smiled shyly, a new sparkle in his eyes.

Liu Zhenjun and He Xiulan watched from the side, their hearts filled with warmth.

Tongtong, acting like a little adult, turned to Liu Zhenjun and said, “Dry maternal uncle, Brother Xinxin is so talented at drawing—he’s a genius! You must find him the best teacher! One day, his paintings will hang in big houses in Beijing for everyone to see!”

Though spoken innocently, her words struck a chord.

Liu Zhenjun looked at his son, whose expression had noticeably brightened because of his painting, and recalled Engineer Peng’s amazement at Tongtong’s own talents. A sudden realization dawned on him.

Yes, why insist on his son following a traditional path?

If he truly possessed such remarkable talent and passion for painting, wasn’t that a worthy path in itself?

He crouched down and said earnestly to Tongtong—and to his son, “Alright! Dry maternal uncle will listen to Tongtong! Once Brother Xinxin is a little more prepared, we’ll find him the best painting teacher! So he can become a great painter!”

Xinxin’s eyes instantly lit up, filled with hope as he looked at his father.

Tongtong also smiled brightly, patting Xinxin on the shoulder. “That’s great! Keep it up, Brother Xinxin!”

Xinxin’s eyes sparkled as he nodded firmly.

Tongtong spent most of the day playing with Xinxin before preparing to head home.

On the way, she saw a signalman rushing into the compound on a bicycle, his face pale with panic as he shouted, “Deputy Battalion Commander Lin is injured! He was ambushed during a mission and suffered severe injuries. He was just rushed back to the Military District Hospital! Hurry and bring his family over!”

The news spread through the family compound like a thunderclap.

Tongtong’s little brow furrowed slightly.

Scumbag Dad was injured?

What a pleasant surprise!

Not long after, Gu Yanbin also hurried back, his expression grave as he picked her up and headed out.

Tongtong nestled in Gu Yanbin’s arms, tilting her head. “Is my dad dead?”

Gu Yanbin: “…He’s still in critical care.”

Why did his tone sound almost regretful?

Tongtong sighed softly too.

It really was a pity.

Gu Jingnan and Si Muchen ran over. “We’re coming too!”

So Gu Yanbin took the three children and boarded the Jeep sent to pick them up.

Meanwhile, at the hospital.

When Dean Su heard that the injured soldier, Lin Zhiguo, was Yu Wanqin’s husband, he took the matter very seriously.

He personally led the team, organizing the best medical group to perform surgery on Lin Zhiguo.

After all, Yu Wanqin was a talent he held in extremely high regard—exceptionally gifted, quick to learn, and undoubtedly a future technical backbone of the hospital.

To keep her securely at the hospital, he had to ensure her family’s well-being!

After the surgery, he even arranged for Lin Zhiguo to stay in a private, high-grade ward and prescribed the best medications available.

He also instructed the nurses to notify him immediately once Lin Zhiguo regained consciousness.

When Lin Zhiguo woke from anesthesia and found himself receiving such exceptional treatment, he was both flattered and overwhelmed.

He couldn’t help but let his imagination run wild—had he performed meritoriously in the mission? Was his promotion paperwork about to come through? Were the higher-ups showing him special consideration?

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, and he grew so excited that his wounds felt less painful.

Shen Wei arrived at the hospital even before Tongtong.

She and her daughter had been confined for several days, leaving them looking utterly haggard.

As soon as they were released and learned that Lin Zhiguo was severely injured and hospitalized, Shen Wei was terrified out of her wits—Lin Zhiguo was her only lifeline.

She rushed to the hospital, covered in dust, and as soon as she entered the room, she threw herself at Lin Zhiguo’s bedside, weeping pitifully with an air of deep affection.

“Zhiguo! How did you get hurt so badly? You scared me to death! Sob… If anything happened to you, I wouldn’t want to live either. I’d just take the children and follow you!”

Lin Zhiguo felt quite comforted, thinking Shen Wei still cared deeply for him.

Just as he was about to console her, Dean Su arrived in person for his rounds.

The two quickly separated, with Shen Wei moving farther away and pretending to adjust the IV drip.

“Deputy Battalion Commander Lin, are you feeling better?”

“Y-yes, much better.”

Lin Zhiguo accepted Dean Su’s warm inquiries with a mix of gratitude and awe.

Dean Su, who usually wore a stern expression, was now amiable and kind, carefully asking about Lin Zhiguo’s condition and instructing the nurses to use the best medications.

His attentive manner further convinced Lin Zhiguo that he was about to be promoted.

After Dean Su left, Lin Zhiguo couldn’t help but say to Shen Wei, “Weiwei, did you see how the dean acted… Does that mean my promotion is confirmed?”

Shen Wei’s eyes flickered, knowing full well why the dean was being so attentive.

It must be because of that bitch Yu Wanqin!

These past couple of days, she had heard some things. She never expected that bitch Yu Wanqin could catch Dean Su’s eye and even be recruited as a special talent into the Military District Hospital.

What does she have to deserve it? It’s just sheer luck!

Who knows if she used some underhanded methods!

But facing Lin Zhiguo, she didn’t dare speak the truth.

Her eyes darting around, she began to claim credit, feigning shyness as she said, “Maybe… maybe it’s also because of me? I’ve been performing well at the hospital recently, and the dean thinks quite highly of me…”