Chapter 251 Congratulations, you're going to be a father!
Gu Baobao practically lived in the laboratory.
Lu Zhanming delivered meals to her on time every day, watched her finish eating, and then quietly cleared away the dishes before leaving.
He didn't disturb her, but when she was so tired that she fell asleep on the table, he gently draped a coat over her shoulders and then stood guard outside the door, like a silent guardian.
In December 1966, the first round of animal experiment data was released.
The results showed that mice in the experimental group that received the improved version of Strong Shield No. 1, after being exposed to the same dose of radiation, showed better results.
The survival rate was 63 percent higher than that of the control group, and the degree of damage to major organs was reduced by more than 40 percent.
The data was sent to the expert group. Several elderly experts with gray hair, wearing reading glasses, repeatedly checked the calculations. Finally, they all looked up at Gu Baobao, their eyes filled with undisguised shock.
"Comrade Xiao Gu,"
The team leader's voice trembled.
"This...this is groundbreaking!"
Gu Baobao shook her head:
"That's not enough. The survival rate needs to be above 80%, and the damage reduction needs to reach 60%. In addition, the side effects of long-term use need to be observed for at least three more rounds."
She knew better than anyone that those meritorious personnel would not face one or two exposures, but years of perseverance.
Her medicine had to be mild enough and long-lasting enough.
Time slipped into 1967.
The outside world is experiencing an unprecedented storm.
Universities suspended classes, factories stopped production, streets were plastered with big-character posters, and loudspeakers blared day and night.
But in the heavily guarded research building where Gu Baobao was, time flowed at a different pace.
Her name and contributions are listed under the highest level of protection.
A document jointly signed by several veteran coaches ensured that she would be unaffected under any circumstances and would have the absolute right to continue her research.
Thanks to this shared protection, the Lu and Gu families were able to remain unscathed during the storm.
Grandpa Lu settled down in Qinghetun and actually started learning farming from Gu Dahe.
In spring, we raise seedlings; in summer, we weed; in autumn, we harvest corn; and in winter, we chat around the fire pit.
Guard Xiao Chen became the most popular young man in the village; everyone wanted his help when they needed it.
The Gu family worked diligently in the village and rarely spoke.
Gu Dongguo performed outstandingly in the army and was promoted to officer, but he still hadn't found a wife, and Wu Guixiang would nag him about it every time he wrote a letter.
Gu Baobao, who was in the eye of the storm, was almost completely unaware of the changes in the outside world.
Her world was filled with radiation doses, cell activity, and molecular formulas.
Only when the night was deep and quiet, and Lu Zhanming held her in his arms, would he whisper to her about the situation outside, where chaos had broken out, and who had been affected, but he would always add at the end:
"Don't worry, our family is all right."
In March 1967, the third round of long-term toxicity tests of Strong Shield No. 1 was passed.
The expert panel unanimously concluded:
It can enter the stage of trial use on a very small number of human subjects.
The first batch of users were three distinguished academicians who had worked at the Northwest Base for many years.
The day the medicine was sent out, Gu Baobao sat in the laboratory all night.
It wasn't until the early hours of the morning that Lu Zhanming came and carried her back.
"They'll be alright, right?"
She leaned against him, her voice as soft as a feather.
Yes, it will.
Lu Zhanming kissed her forehead.
"I trust your medicine."
In May 1967, Lu Zhanming turned 30.
There was no cake, no candles.
These things aren't popular these days, and you can't buy them anyway.
Gu Baobao deliberately finished her experiment early, went to the grocery store and bought half a pound of meat and a bunch of chives with her coupons, then went home and made dumplings.
Dinner was simple: a plate of dumplings, a dish of peanuts, and two cups of spring water.
The two sat facing each other, with the evening breeze of late spring blowing outside the window.
Halfway through the meal, Gu Baobao put down her chopsticks, took out a neatly folded piece of paper from her pocket, and pushed it in front of Lu Zhanming.
"Birthday present."
Lu Zhanming smiled, wiped his hands, took the paper, and opened it.
By the dim light, he could make out that the words on it were a test report from the General Hospital of the Military Region.
Name: Gu Baobao
Test items: Pregnancy examination
Result: Positive (twins)
Recommendation: Pay attention to nutrition and have regular prenatal checkups.
Time stood still.
Lu Zhanming stared at the paper, his eyes unblinking.
The paper in my hand started to tremble, and the trembling became more and more violent.
Gu Baobao watched him, watched his eyes gradually redden, watched his Adam's apple bob violently, watched him suddenly raise his head and look at her, and saw something shatter and something else well up in those usually calm and sharp eyes.
"Baby……"
His voice was so hoarse it was almost unbearable; every word seemed to be squeezed out from the depths of his chest.
"This...this is..."
"Um."
Gu Baobao nodded, her lips curving into a smile.
Congratulations, you're going to be a father. Two.
Lu Zhanming jumped up, his movement so sudden that he knocked over the chair.
He walked around to her, squatted down in front of her, looked up at her, reached out his hand to touch her stomach, but stopped in mid-air, trembling violently.
"Really...really?"
He asked again, like a fool.
"real."
Gu Baobao took his hand and gently placed it on her lower abdomen.
"They're just two months old. The Defer scan showed both little ones are healthy."
Lu Zhanming's warm, broad hands rested on her still-flat stomach, carefully, as if holding a priceless treasure.
He just squatted there, looking up at her, his eyes red, but his mouth was stretched into a smile like a child.
"Baby……"
His voice choked with emotion.
"Thank you... thank you for giving me a home... Now, we have our own children..."
He stood up, gently but firmly picked her up, sat down in a chair, and let her sit on his lap, wrapping her up in his arms.
His chin rested on the top of her head, his arms were around her waist, and his palms were always pressed against her lower abdomen.
"after,"
He kissed her hair, each word spoken as if making a vow.
"I will protect you, and protect our babies. I will protect them with my life. I love you!"
Gu Baobao leaned against his chest, listening to his heart pounding like a drum, and smelling the clean, familiar scent of his body.
The wind blowing in from outside the window carries the scent of early summer plants sprouting.
She suddenly remembered many things.
I remembered the dark, fat body I had when I first transmigrated, and the earthen bed and kerosene lamp in Qinghetun.
I think of the operating table in the island hospital, the exhibition booths and gunshots in Paris, the snowy nights in the courtyard and the ever-burning lights in the laboratory.
We stumbled and struggled along the way, braving wind and rain.
But at this moment, in this man's arms, in his burning vows, and in the two little lives quietly growing in her womb, all the hardships found their home, and all the difficulties blossomed into flowers.
"husband."
She called his name softly.
"Um?"
"I love you."
It's not a response, it's a declaration.
In this special era, on this quiet night, in this home where a new life is about to be born.
Lu Zhanming tightened his arms, holding her even closer.
He didn't speak, but simply lowered his head and kissed her lips.
The kiss was tender and lingering, tinged with the saltiness of tears, and also with endless love and promises.
Outside the window, moonlight bathed the courtyard.
The distant city remains bustling, and the tide of time continues to surge.
But in this small world, a couple embraced, and two lives quietly grew.
The roots are firmly planted, and the wings are about to spread.
And the future is approaching step by step with firm strides.
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