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One month later.

Gu Xiaoxi was now able to move like a normal person.

However, her Inner Strength had vanished, and the Spiritual Energy in her Qi Sea was also depleted.

She had become an ordinary person.

Gu Xiaoxi didn’t know why this had happened; Mi Xi had only mentioned a slight injury at the beginning.

She thought it would get better with a little rest.

But a month had gone by, and there was no sign of improvement.

Gu Xiaoxi worried that it might continue like this, and she felt somewhat despondent.

If her abilities had disappeared and she had to return to being an ordinary person, she didn’t know what she could do.

Ai Xiang had treated Gu Xiaoxi many times, but couldn’t figure out what was wrong.

In the end, all she could say to Gu Xiaoxi was, "Just keep resting, as for this injury, you need to recover slowly. Shaoqing was injured back in the day, and after so many years, hasn’t his ability returned? Cheer up a bit."

Gu Xiaoxi leaned against the railing, her expression solemn, "It’s a dangerous time right now, and it’s not a solution if I stay like this."

"You might as well take this opportunity to have a good rest," Ai Xiang explained. "Being a soldier isn’t the best option for you."

"But, I’m used to being a soldier. Without the team, I don’t know what to do," Gu Xiaoxi propped her chin on her hands, feeling downhearted.

However, upon careful consideration... even if she wasn’t used to it now, she had no way of going back.

"I know what you could do... like, have children," Ai Xiang suggested with a smile.

When Gu Xiaoxi heard this, she suddenly felt a chill, "You’re thinking too much. Do you think we’re suitable for that now?"

"What’s unsuitable about it? You’re already living together. Besides, if it wasn’t for your insistence on leaving back then, you’d already be the lady of this house," Ai Xiang sighed, looking at the luxurious mansion with regret, "You probably don’t know, but this place was built for your wedding."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiaoxi lowered her head regretfully, her eyes filled with sadness, "Time doesn’t turn back, it’s too late for anything now."

"As for the military, they’ve temporarily placed you on the list for experience. But if your injury never heals, it will be problematic," Ai Xiang said.

"I know!" Gu Xiaoxi clenched her fists, her mood heavy.

In the blink of an eye, another half month passed.

There was still no sign of recovery from Gu Xiaoxi’s injury.

And just like that, her twenty-second birthday was approaching.

Adding it up, she had been with Quan Shaoqing for four years.

It was a special period now, they couldn’t celebrate her birthday outside, nor could they invite too many people.

So, Quan Shaoqing had the servants prepare in advance to celebrate her birthday at home.

That evening, Gu Xiaoxi was called to the living room by Uncle Zhou, saying that Quan Shaoqing wanted her to wait for him to return.

Aunt Lin had already prepared a big table of delicious dishes.

Ai Xiang and Yun Xiao were getting ready to come over with Quan Shaoqing to celebrate her birthday.

The fast-paced life in the Special Forces for three years made her feel very bored during these leisurely days.

It was rare for everyone to come over to celebrate her birthday, and naturally, she was happy about it.

Gu Xiaoxi sat on the sofa, playing games to pass the time.

This was the seventh time she looked up at the door, and still, they hadn’t come back, which left her feeling a little disappointed.

Just as she picked up her phone with the intention to play a little longer, the sound of a car engine came from outside.

She happily put down her phone, jumped up from the sofa, and ran towards the door.

She saw Quan Shaoqing opening the car door, holding a bunch of roses, while Ai Xiang and Yun Xiao got out of the car one after the other.

They also had smiling faces and were carrying gifts for her as they walked up to her.

"Happy Birthday!" Quan Shaoqing handed her the flowers and gently kissed her forehead.

Gu Xiaoxi immediately beamed, "Thank you!"

Yun Xiao gave her a pink stuffed doll.

Gu Xiaoxi felt that girls understood each other’s hearts better; she really liked the gift.

Ai Xiang presented her with a gaming console, to keep her thoroughly entertained whenever she was bored.

That night, Gu Xiaoxi drank a lot of wine, and just as she was feeling tipsy, Quan Shaoqing pulled her aside, took out a ring, and slipped it onto her finger.

There was no marriage proposal, no superfluous words, he held her hand, his eyes brimming with affection, "Gu Xiaoxi, I’m giving this to you. I’m reserving your latter half of life in advance."

Suddenly, Gu Xiaoxi thought of Ai Xiang’s words, suggesting she have a child.

Her cheeks involuntarily flushed hot.

She gripped Quan Shaoqing’s hand back, smiling foolishly, not able to help being overly happy when drunk.

"As repayment, I’m thinking of having a child for you."

What! Everyone was stunned for a moment!

Quan Shaoqing took a moment to react!

Right then, the servants in the room joyfully called out in unison, "We wish the young master and madam an early birth of a noble child."

Quan Shaoqing was startled by Gu Xiaoxi’s sudden words.

He was somewhat caught off guard and immediately picked Gu Xiaoxi up, then turned to Ai Xiang and said, "She’s drunk. Alright, it’s getting late. I’ll take her back to rest."

Although he had always hoped that she would have a child for him.

But they both had tasks at hand, easy to talk about, but hard to do.

Her sudden statement caused a storm of emotions in his heart.

Not to mention her current physical condition, their future was still an unknown.

Quan Shaoqing forcefully carried Gu Xiaoxi back to the room.

Gu Xiaoxi was aware of what she was saying, and although she was very drunk, she wasn’t incoherent.

At the staircase, she wrapped her arms around Quan Shaoqing’s neck, gazing at him with eyes full of love, "What I said is true."

Quan Shaoqing’s heart skipped a beat as he looked at the woman in his arms, and for a moment, his thoughts were in disarray, engulfing him in a whirlwind of feelings.

...

Downstairs, Ai Xiang and Yun Xiao also prepared to leave.

Stepping out of the garden, Ai Xiang who was driving, said to Yun Xiao, "It’s not convenient for you to go back today. Stay at my place first!"

Yun Xiao nodded and got into the car.

Recently, she returned to Liangshan and found her parents’ graves to pay her respects.

Afterward, she went alone to a nearby island to practice her ice ability.

In this life, she didn’t have many expectations for love.

The more she yearned for things, the faster she seemed to lose them.

So, she preferred to go with the flow.

Ai Xiang’s apartment had two guest rooms; she could stay in any one she liked.

Ai Xiang delivered her to the door of the room and turned to leave.

Yun Xiao called him for the first time, mustering all her courage.

She turned her head to look at him, biting her lip, her heart full of apology, "I was wrong last time. I didn’t mean to damage your flower."

Ai Xiang was silent for a moment, then turned to face her, shrugging it off with an indifferent smile, "After all this time, I’ve also figured it out. I was wrong too, I shouldn’t have been so harsh on you."

From a distance, the two shared a smile.

Yun Xiao took a deep breath, knowing she was forgiven, and her mood instantly improved.

"Then goodnight!" Yun Xiao waved and walked briskly to her own room.

Ai Xiang watched her cheerful figure, looked up at the bright moon shining through the window, and sighed.

Maybe the person he was looking for would never be found.

As for Yun Xiao, she was a nice girl. It’s just that they were never suited for each other.

*

The night’s peaceful breeze lifted the sheer curtains, and in Gu Xiaoxi’s room, the two lay entwined on the bed.

Gu Xiaoxi’s fingers playfully circled his chest as she asked seriously, "If my power doesn’t return, does that mean I can’t stay with the Special Forces?"

"I’ll reserve a spot for you, until you can recover," Quan Shaoqing held her restless hand, pulling her tightly into his embrace.

Gu Xiaoxi took a deep breath, "What if I stay like this in the future?"

"I will protect you, provide for you, take care of you."

His cool words lingered by her ear.

Her heart felt like boiling water, searing hot.

The sense of loss from being unable to recover her abilities had been hard to bear. Yet, with his words, she suddenly felt empowered.

"Shaoqing, I meant what I said. If I can’t continue as a soldier in the short term. While there’s time, I want to have a Little Baby..." As she spoke, Gu Xiaoxi hugged his neck, beaming, "Do you agree or not?"

Quan Shaoqing looked down at her rosy face, feeling sweetness in his heart, then rolled over, pinning her beneath him, and stared into her eyes, "I’m just afraid of wronging you!"

He had sealed his heart away; towards her, he dared not love too deeply.

If she wanted a child, he feared that he might wrong her in the future.

"Meeting you, I have never regretted it. Nor have I ever felt wronged. Shaoqing, I don’t ask for your love, just for you to stay by my side."

She had no grand ambitions; if they really had a child, it would fulfill her mother-in-law’s wish.

Quan Shaoqing, moved, grasped Gu Xiaoxi’s hand, lifted her chin, and immediately his gaze became wolf-like as he said with a suddenly heated tone, "Woman, these are your words, so I won’t hold back..."

...

Ten months later.

Gu Xiaoxi’s power had still not returned.

She didn’t know what secret technique Mi Xi used to summon Lan Xi, resulting in such severe damage to her body.

After ten months of recuperation, there was still no improvement.