Breaking Up a Couple
Zhan Aiping thought carefully and realized that Gu Xiangyi had indeed become invisible lately. Even though they both worked at the military hospital, they barely interacted these days.
This all started when Gu Sheng got injured.
When Gu Sheng was hospitalized, Gu Xiangyi had been running around diligently every day—helping take care of things and looking after the children. But after Gu Sheng was discharged and recovering at home, she started coming by less frequently.
At the time, Zhan Aiping hadn’t noticed because she had been completely focused on her injured husband.
Later, when Gu Sheng was promoted to regiment commander, the couple had been busy moving houses and dealing with numerous visitors congratulating them or catching up. Their social life had become much busier, and neither of them had time to check in on Gu Sheng’s little sister.
And so, quietly and without a word, Xiangyi had disappeared from their lives.
Zhan Aiping frowned. When was the last time I saw her?
She vaguely remembered Xiangyi saying a quick hello before rushing off, but at the time, Aiping had been preoccupied with Xie Wan’s visit and hadn’t given it much thought.
Now, looking back, something felt very off.
The girl is hiding something.
___
At that very moment, Gu Xiangyi was drowning in worry.
Her mind was consumed by one thing, and she had no idea how to bring it up to her sister-in-law.
Anxiety, distress, and a little bit of sweetness—she felt like a secret agent with a classified mission.
And it all started when her brother got injured.
While Gu Sheng was hospitalized, Zhan Aiping was entirely devoted to taking care of him. Meanwhile, Zhan Mingzhao had been worried sick about his sister and brother-in-law’s situation. He contacted Gu Xiangyi to get updates, and she told him everything she knew.
One thing led to another… and somehow, sparks began to fly between them.
Gu Xiangyi covered her face in embarrassment.
She had no face to see anyone—especially not her sister-in-law!
For the past few weeks, she had been actively avoiding Zhan Aiping.
She had never even ‘considered’ having feelings for Zhan Mingzhao. That’s why she used to joke about it so openly. But now that there ‘was’ something there, she couldn’t tell a single soul.
The sky is falling!
___
Meanwhile, Zhan Aiping was on the phone with her father-in-law, Gu Ze’an.
“How’s Lao Wu’s recovery going?”
“He’s doing well,” Aiping replied. “Nothing serious anymore.”
“That’s good to hear. Your mother-in-law and I were worried. You should all come back home for the New Year—we miss the kids.”
Then, Gu Ze’an sighed, “And tell Xiangyi to stop being so stubborn. Why does she insist on bringing home a boyfriend? It’s not like her old man is afraid she won’t find someone. She doesn’t have to settle just for the sake of it…”
Halfway through his sentence, he realized something.
“Wait a minute. What’s going on with Xiangyi? She hasn’t been calling me or her mother much lately…”
Zhan Aiping had a pretty good guess.
“She’s probably dating someone and doesn’t want us to find out. Lately, she’s been avoiding me and her older brother too.”
“What?!” Gu Ze’an nearly had a heart attack.
Truthfully, he was terrified of meeting a future son-in-law. He had no idea what kind of man his daughter would bring home.
“She’s really dating someone? You two need to keep an eye on this!”
“Mm-hmm,” Zhan Aiping agreed, handing the phone to the kids so they could chat with their grandfather.
Little Tangyuan happily took the receiver. “Grandpa! I know how to dance now! I’ll dance for you next time!”
“Haha, good, good! Grandpa can’t wait to see your dance!” Gu Ze’an was so overjoyed that he could hardly contain himself.
Guobaorou, meanwhile, tugged at Gu Sheng’s pant leg and muttered, “Your dad got played too.”
Gu Sheng: “…”
He scooped his son into his arms. Guobaorou clung to his father’s uniform, feeling increasingly frustrated.
How is dancing so impressive?
Being unable to outshine his little sister made him feel utterly defeated.
But… he ‘definitely’ wasn’t about to put on a little dress and start dancing himself.
Gu Sheng grabbed his son’s tiny hand and kissed his cheek. “Silly boy, don’t be so competitive.”
His son’s competitive streak was at least as strong as his and Aiping’s combined.
At the very least, Gu Sheng had ‘never’ been so competitive that he’d consider wearing a dress just to outshine someone in dance. His son, however, had actually ‘secretly’ tried dancing in private.
His competitive drive was ridiculous.
His wife had already noticed, and she had warned him—don’t expose their son, and don’t tease him about it.
_____
At the military hospital, Zhan Aiping wanted to find Gu Xiangyi before the end of her shift.
But before she could, Head Nurse Zhang caught her and pulled her into a long conversation about kids.
They talked for a while, until Head Nurse Zhang casually mentioned, “Your little sister-in-law is dating someone, isn’t she? She’s being all secretive about it.”
“…What?”
“Everyone already knows. She should just come clean.”
Zhan Aiping: “……”
“She’s definitely dating someone. As her sister-in-law, you must know, right?”
Zhan Aiping raised an eyebrow. “Do people know who she’s dating?”
“I’ve heard he’s a pretty handsome guy.”
Zhan Aiping: “……”
Oh no.
Gu Xiangyi had always liked pretty boys.
Where on earth did she find another one?!
After parting ways with Head Nurse Zhang, Zhan Aiping still wanted to find Gu Xiangyi, but on the way, Director Xu caught her.
“Your godfather says you should bring the kids home for New Year’s.”
Zhan Aiping replied, “We were already planning on going this year.”
By the time she finished chatting with Director Xu, it was quite late, so she went straight home.
The moment she walked in, she said to Gu Sheng, “Looks like your little sister really is dating someone.”
“And she’s sneaking around about it. She actually knows how to be shy now, keeping it a secret from us.”
Gu Sheng said, “She’s at that age—sooner or later, she was bound to date someone.”
Zhan Aiping frowned. “Aren’t you the least bit worried? Shouldn’t you go ask her about it?”
Gu Sheng shrugged. “What’s there to ask? Let’s just wait for her to bring him home for New Year’s. We’ll see for ourselves then.”
Zhan Aiping thought about it. “That’s true.”
“Since she finally found someone, let her enjoy it for a bit.”
Dating wasn’t a crime. Maybe she had really met someone she liked, which was why she was being so secretive about it.
Gu Sheng smirked. “Wife, enough about my sister. Let’s talk about adding a new member to our family.”
Zhan Aiping raised an eyebrow. “Oh? You want to have another baby with me?”
Gu Sheng blinked at her. “Wife, I’m a regiment commander now, and our yard is so much bigger…”
Zhan Aiping just stared at him in silence.
“Do you remember what you said before?”
She still didn’t say anything.
“You know… about that batch of puppies. Wife, let’s go pick one out.”
Zhan Aiping chuckled. “So you’re talking about getting a dog?”
“Are you letting me or not?” Gu Sheng grinned.
She thought about it—now that they had a bigger yard, a dog would have plenty of space to run around. As long as it wasn’t allowed inside the house, cleaning wouldn’t be a hassle.
“Fine, let’s go pick out your ‘dog son.’”
____
Zhan Aiping went to the military canine training base and picked out a discarded mixed-breed puppy—a German Shepherd mix that had just been weaned. It was still tiny, with short legs.
She finally got to use the name she had thought of before. Their new dog would be called Zongzi (Sticky Rice Dumpling).
Little Zongzi was lively and obedient, and he was great at reading people’s expressions.
Gu Sheng, filled with ambition, decided to personally train the dog so that Zongzi would ‘only’ listen to his commands.
“Mommy! Doggie!” The new addition to the family made Guobaorou and Tangyuan ecstatic. They ran around the puppy, barking along with it.
“Woof woof woof!”
“Brother… Doggie!”
Meanwhile, little Zongzi didn’t bark much. Instead, he listened to the two kids bark at him for half the day.
Gu Sheng sighed. Great. Now I have a dog son and a dog daughter.
___
Within a few days, little Zongzi had completely blended into the Gu family. He was a very intelligent pup and an expert at reading the room. Most importantly, he was exceptionally devoted to pleasing Zhan Aiping.
The moment he saw her, he would wag his tail enthusiastically, his entire body trembling with excitement.
Gu Sheng nearly lost it when he saw the dog licking his wife’s face. This damn dog is too much!
Zongzi had immediately figured out who the real head of the household was.
He was determined to butter up Zhan Aiping.
Zhan Aiping sighed happily. “Raising a dog really is nice. If I’d known, I would’ve had one as a kid.”
Gu Sheng: “…”
Suppressing his irritation, he took the kids and built a proper doghouse in the yard for their new family member.
He was good at woodworking, and the two children watched him work, occasionally petting Zongzi’s little head.
“Xiangyi hasn’t been to our house in ages. Tell her to come over.”
Zhan Aiping nodded. “A hidden bride still has to meet the in-laws. If she’s really dating someone, she needs to bring him out for us to see.”
____
Zhan Aiping expertly cornered Gu Xiangyi at the military hospital.
Gu Xiangyi’s heart pounded wildly when she saw her.
On the surface, she kept up a carefree smile. “Sister-in-law, what brings you here today?”
“Can’t I come see you for no reason?” Zhan Aiping said with amusement. “Gu Xiangyi, you have the guts to date, but not the guts to tell me?”
Gu Xiangyi braced herself. “Who said I’m dating?”
Zhan Aiping smirked. “Your colleagues. Everyone knows you’re dating someone. Who are you still trying to hide it from?”
Gu Xiangyi: “…I don’t believe it. I bet no one knows ‘who’ I’m dating.”
If they knew, the entire hospital would be in chaos.
Trying to change the subject, she suddenly said, “By the way, sister-in-law, your younger brother’s movie is being released soon. They should be showing a few outdoor screenings at the end of the year. You should take your kids to watch their uncle’s movie!”
Zhan Aiping blinked. Oh, right. My brother’s movie…
“Let’s not talk about his acting career.” She turned back to Gu Xiangyi, refusing to let her escape. “Xiangyi, are you on my side or not?”
“Who is your boyfriend?”
“It’s about time you told me.”
Gu Xiangyi hesitated. “Sister-in-law… I’m afraid if you find out, you’ll break us up.”
“Why would I do that? I’m not your parents. If you’re serious about him, then bring him home to meet Uncle and Auntie.”
Gu Xiangyi muttered, “I don’t dare.”
Zhan Aiping narrowed her eyes. “Just how ‘unpresentable’ is your boyfriend?”
“I heard he’s quite handsome.”
Gu Xiangyi nodded. “He looks a lot like you.” Zhan Aiping: “…?”
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