The two of them were still eating in the living room on the kang bed. After finishing their meal, they sat there chatting, and Sheng Zexi wrapped his large arms around Gu Jia Ning and pulled her into his embrace.
Gu Jia Ning was startled, but once she realized what was happening, she obediently snuggled into his arms.
Inside the room, a kerosene lamp emitted a dim, warm light, not too bright, illuminating the two people nestled together, creating a very cozy atmosphere.
Outside, the snow continued to fall, occasionally accompanied by the sound of cold winds whipping through.
"I have to return to the unit for training tomorrow, I’ll be out early and back late, but I’ll still come back to eat with you."
"Okay, I plan to ask Sister Shu Wan about warming the house tomorrow and see how to do it."
"Alright. Don’t feel too pressured. Whatever works is fine. You can use the money and tickets at home as needed; you don’t need to ask me."
"The military region has a supply and marketing cooperative; if you need to buy anything, just go. There are many villages outside the military region that cooperate with us. On the 10th of every month, there is a big market, and villagers bring some agricultural and sideline products to sell. You can check it out then."
The thought of a big market made Gu Jia Ning’s eyes light up with delight.
Realizing that a heavy snow would soon seal off the mountain for a couple of months, causing a shortage of supplies, Gu Jia Ning felt it was necessary to stock up early.
When the time comes, she can see what’s available at the market. If it’s unavailable, she can always exchange for goods in the System Mall, using the market as an excuse.
"Alright, I understand."
"By the way, I haven’t asked you yet. After arriving at the military region, do you have any plans? Would you prefer to stay home, or are you looking to find a job?" Sheng Zexi knew that Gu Jia Ning could be a bit lazy, so he was uncertain whether she wanted to work or stay home.
Either way was fine with Sheng Zexi, as he had enough money to support both of them.
"I want to work!"
Almost forgot! Gu Jia Ning looked up at Sheng Zexi seriously and said, "There’s a hospital in the military region, right? Do you think I could work as a doctor there?"
With the Childbirth System in hand, capable of binding to patients, scanning symptoms, and treating them, not becoming a doctor would be such a waste.
Sheng Zexi suddenly understood. That’s right, Ningning had studied a medical care program in technical school before. However, wouldn’t being a nurse be more suitable?
But remembering how Ningning treated her sister-in-law and cured the poisoned pigs in Huaihua Village, Sheng Zexi also felt that Ningning had medical skills.
"I’m not sure, but I’ll find some time to ask for you."
"Great."
With that, Gu Jia Ning tried to get up, "Where are you going?" The softness and fragrance in his arms suddenly disappeared, and Sheng Zexi instinctively tried to pull her back.
"I’m going to get something to treat your body." Gu Jia Ning said.
If it wasn’t for the earlier conversation about work, she would have almost forgotten about the important task, lost in the warmth of this man’s affection.
Can’t forget, there’re plenty of rewards.
The two returned to the main bedroom’s kang, which had long been heated. The room wasn’t so cold anymore.
Sheng Zexi took off his clothes and lay down.
Gu Jia Ning glanced at his strong and muscular body but didn’t let her thoughts wander, focusing instead on acupuncture.
She took out a long needle, carefully heating it over the fire, and then swiftly and accurately inserted it into the corresponding acupuncture point.
Murmuring as she worked, "You also need to cooperate by taking herbal medicine. I’m confident that in about half a month, you’ll be fully recovered."
"But where do we buy these herbs?"
Sheng Zexi replied, "The herbs need to be bought from the county, which is quite far away. You’d have to take a car to get there."
"How about this, you write the prescription for me, and I’ll ask someone from the logistics department to buy it. They often need to go and purchase supplies in the county."
"Alright, then let’s buy enough for half a month. I’m not sure how long the snowy mountain seal will last, and in another month, it’ll be the New Year."
"With the mountains sealed by snow, my estimate is about half a month." Sheng Zexi thought back to previous years’ snow sealing times.
"It means this year, you’ll be spending New Year with me here in the Northwest Military Region, and it might not even be a very good meal."
Almost every year in the Northwest Military Region, the Spring Festival coincides with the snow-sealed mountains. People can’t get in or out, and many training sessions and tasks pause during this period.
It’s only after the snow melts that operations resume.
"I’m sorry you have to endure this." Sheng Zexi’s eyes reflected guilt.
Originally, had they not been married, Ningning could have been in Huaihua Village, celebrating with the Gu Family members, surrounded by familiar family, in the place she grew up, where it wouldn’t be as cold, and even taking a bath wouldn’t be inconvenient.
Gu Jia Ning paused her acupuncture work, looking back at Sheng Zexi, and in his eyes, she saw genuine remorse.
Honestly, does she miss her family?
She truly does.
In her past life, she had let her family down, and in this rebirth, she intended to make it up to them. But within less than a month, she married and followed him to the Northwest.
Here, the place was unfamiliar, the weather was cold, and movement was limited, which was indeed a significant inconvenience compared to Huaihua Village.
But...
"But now I have you with me, right?" Gu Jia Ning looked firmly at Sheng Zexi.
Then, without stopping her hands, she continued with the acupuncture.
"However, here I have only you as family, so you must treat me well."
"And when I miss my family, you have to accompany me back there."
Sheng Zexi, moved by Gu Jia Ning’s gaze, felt a stirring. So Ningning’s words meant she cherishes her family, but for his sake, she was willing to follow him to the Northwest Army, right?
So it was quite possible that, in Ningning’s heart, he was also an important family member.
If not for the needles still in his body, the fervently warmed Sheng Zexi would have embraced Gu Jia Ning tightly now, wanting to express his current overwhelming emotions.
"I promise to take good care of you. Whenever you want to go back, I will do my utmost to make it happen and accompany you back."
Unable to move, he could only pledge with words.
Gu Jia Ning gave a light nod. She trusted Sheng Zexi.
After finishing the acupuncture, Gu Jia Ning took paper and pen to write down the prescription.
About half an hour later, the needles were removed, and the treatment was over.
"Hurry and put on some clothes, don’t catch cold."
"No need to get dressed."
"Hm?"
Before Gu Jia Ning could respond, Sheng Zexi suddenly pulled her into an embrace, whispering softly into her ear.
The man then grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest.
"Ningning, it’s getting late. Shall we go to bed? It would be a shame to have to take the clothes off again later."
"I, I..." Gu Jia Ning knew that tonight was supposed to be their wedding night. Though she had fantasized about it during the day, now that the moment had arrived, she felt nervous.
But the next second, her lips were sealed by Sheng Zexi’s as he leaned in for a kiss.