Help others? It's better to help yourself - Chapter 58

With the news that Gu Panpan had been hospitalized for bed rest with her twin pregnancy, the military wives and older women in the family compound frequently stopped Shen Yue’s mother whenever they saw her.

“Big aunt, congratulations! You’re going to have two more grandsons!” — This was to offer congratulations.

“Big aunt, with two more babies, do you think you’ll be able to manage? Do you need me to help out?” — This was someone offering to “work part-time” for extra money.

“Why didn’t your daughter-in-law wait a couple more years? Having them all at once, look at how exhausted you are!” — This was someone coming to stir up trouble.

“What does your daughter-in-law eat? Does she have any hobbies or things she avoids?” — This was someone trying to get some secret tips.

Every time Shen Yue’s mother went out, she would frequently bump into a few people wanting to talk to her. It was unavoidable, so Shen Yue’s mother had to reduce how often she went out. When she did need to go, she tried to go when there were fewer people around.

Now, she simply ate at the cafeteria. She didn’t have time to cook by herself, so she had to rely on ready-made food.

Shen Yue took three days off. After Gu Panpan’s condition improved a bit, he quickly returned to the military, as he couldn’t be away for too long.

*Knock—Knock—Knock—*
“Come in.”
“Hello, Doctor Wang, I’m from Bed 6.”

Doctor Wang put down the medical records and looked up at the man in military uniform, showing respect.

“Please sit down. How can I help you, Comrade?”

Shen Yue was pressed for time, so he got straight to the point: “Doctor, I only have three days off, and I need to return to the base this afternoon. Please take extra care of the patient in Bed 6.”

Doctor Wang replied, “Don’t worry, we will do our best to take good care of her.”

“Thank you very much!” Shen Yue turned and went to buy two bottles of milk essence, one pound of brown sugar, and two pounds of hard candy.

He left the milk essence and brown sugar on the bedside table and took one pound of hard candy to find the head nurse.

“Comrade, what is this for?” Nurse Tang, nearly fifty years old, always spoke gently to patients and their families, no matter how tired she was.

“I’m the husband of the patient in Bed 6. I only have three days off, and I need to leave soon. I’m worried about her being alone here, so I’m afraid I have to trouble you and the nurses to look after her more. Here is my contact number in case anything happens.” Shen Yue handed over his contact details.

“Comrade, don’t worry. Taking care of patients is our job!”

“I’ve seen many doctors and nurses these past few days who are so busy they don’t even have time to eat. Sometimes they feel dizzy and uneasy from hunger. When they can’t eat, they can suck on a piece of candy to help ease it. Please don’t mind,” Shen Yue said as he pushed the candy over.

“This is what we should be doing, no need to be polite!” Tang Huqi quickly refused.

“It’s nothing special, but I’ll feel better if you take it,” Shen Yue insisted.

Fearing further refusal might draw attention and create an uncomfortable situation, Tang Huqi accepted the candy.

Once she accepted it, Shen Yue didn’t say anything else. He quickly turned and walked out, heading back to the car.

…

“How is Bed 6 feeling today?” Doctor Wang asked during his rounds. He checked on Gu Panpan twice a day, thoroughly examining and inquiring each time.

Gu Panpan’s complexion was clearly better than when she first arrived: “Much better, I’ve been feeling more energetic these past few days.” After receiving five days of glucose infusions, her pale face had regained some color, and her lips weren’t as dry and cracked.

“Still can’t eat?”

“No,” Gu Panpan shook her head helplessly.

“Has the early pregnancy reaction eased?”

“As long as I don’t eat, it’s a bit better. Otherwise, I can’t control the urge to throw up.”

With the reduced morning sickness and the medication for preserving the pregnancy, Gu Panpan’s stomach no longer felt bloated or painful. This pregnancy had been temporarily stabilized.

Doctor Wang said, “Alright, don’t eat anything for now. Drink things like milk powder, brown sugar water, honey, soy milk, or rice oil, whatever is available. Just drink a little each time, gradually increasing the amount. Nourish your stomach first, then try eating.”

“If your appetite improves, and the morning sickness disappears or lessens, then there’s no problem.”

Gu Panpan nodded obediently. She no longer dared to rely on past experiences or theories; it was better to follow the doctor’s advice. When it comes to professional matters, trust the professionals!

Shen Yue called frequently, communicating with the doctor and nurses. Once he knew his wife was gradually recovering, he finally felt relieved.

Half a month passed before Shen Yue had time to visit her in the hospital. He stayed for less than twenty minutes before turning back.

Another half month passed before he came again. Gu Panpan looked at her husband, who had obviously lost a lot of weight in the past few days, and felt warmth in her heart.

Shen Yue completed the discharge procedures, drove her home, and without stopping for a minute, returned to the military camp.

…

After staying in the hospital for over a month, Gu Panpan felt “comfortable” the moment she lay in her own bed at home.

Turning her head, she realized the two children seemed to be a bit unfamiliar with her. Although she knew that they were young, had poor memory, and often forgot things, she still felt uncomfortable.

This made her think of her children from her past life, none of whom ever thought of her or treated her with filial piety.

It didn’t matter. When they were old enough to remember, her mother-in-law would already be gone. In this life, as long as she tightly held onto money with one hand and Shen Yue with the other, they would never have to live in hardship again.

When Shen Yue retired, he could earn money for her, and even if he didn’t retire, she could still live in the military compound, at least having some status and power.

After giving birth to this child, they would have four kids, both sons and daughters. As long as she didn’t make mistakes, Shen Yue wouldn’t be able to get rid of her. Moreover, he was a responsible man, and for the sake of the children, he would never easily bring up divorce unless absolutely necessary.

Thinking this, Gu Panpan felt at ease and focused on resting and nurturing the pregnancy.

Back at the military base, Shen Yue had his own break room. He opened the cabinet under his desk, where there was a red box. Inside the box were letters that Gu Panpan had sent him over the years. They were organized by date, a bundle for each month, and a stack for each year, arranged neatly.

Shen Yue opened each letter, reading them carefully from start to finish. He closed his eyes and sneered. This was still the Gu Panpan he knew, with no essential changes. The only difference was that she now knew how to put on a “beautiful” facade.

The relationship between them had never changed. The one who opened his heart was always him.

He opened a drawer, inside which were two bankbooks. Half of the money he earned over the years had been sent to his mother, while the other half, after covering personal expenses and social obligations, had been saved. One of the bankbooks contained the money from his monthly allowances and the rewards for completed tasks.

Since Gu Panpan had started accompanying him with the military, Shen Yue had stopped saving his allowance. Every month, he sent half of the money directly to his mother, and the rest he brought home.

Originally, he had planned to give the bankbook with the allowance savings to Gu Panpan when his mother returned home, leaving just their family of four during the New Year. But now, it seemed better to maintain the current situation.

Wasn’t it just getting by and muddling through life? No real emotions involved, always keeping a hand in reserve—who wouldn’t do that?