"You should go back to your room and get some sleep. We'll go shopping for New Year's goods in a couple of days when the kids are on holiday. Even though this isn't our home, we still want to celebrate the New Year in a lively and festive way, right?"
Xia Ran helped Grandpa Xia up, and then forcibly led him back to his room.
He understood the old man's homesickness, but for his grandfather's health, he absolutely could not let him go back.
Grandpa Xia was helped back to his room, where he could only sigh silently and obediently lie down on the bed.
"Alright, alright, Grandpa's asleep now, you should go to sleep too, so you don't have to get up early tomorrow."
"I understand. But I shouldn't need to take it tomorrow. Gu Zheng should take it. I'll pick him up in the afternoon."
"Okay, go to sleep."
"Okay." Xia Ran turned off the lights and closed the door before returning to her own room.
Grandpa Xia didn't sleep well all night. All he could think about was what would happen if Xia Ran was found and taken back. He was now 90% sure that Xia Ran was related to the Feng family, but he hadn't found any evidence yet.
But it's better not to look for this evidence; he's afraid that if he does, he'll be even more unable to accept it, and then...
The next day, just as Xia Ran had said, Gu Zheng went to drop the child off, and Xia Ran simply dropped the child off at the door and then returned to the living room.
That evening, Grandpa Xia again sent Gu Chen to deliver dinner, which Xia Ran could only ignore once more.
The next day, the child was on holiday, and Xia Ran and the child both slept until after ten o'clock, which was rare for them.
As for Grandpa Xia, he didn't sleep well all night. He knew that the Feng family would be coming to eat today, so he was actually resisting it. However, he was afraid that if he showed his resistance, Xia Ran would overthink it, and he might give himself away.
The agreed time was in the evening, and Xia Ran planned to go grocery shopping in the afternoon. Most importantly, Brother Ziming would be back today, and he would get answers to his questions.
"Little Daddy, can we invite Grandma and the others to dinner today?"
Just before leaving, Gu Chen suddenly asked Xia Ran a question.
Xia Ran was taken aback. "Do you miss them?"
"Yes, I miss them." Gu Chen nodded vigorously. "I haven't eaten with them in a long time. They must miss me too."
Xia Ran didn't want the child's good intentions to disappear, but she also didn't know what to do.
Should we invite them over for dinner?
"Little Daddy, it's okay if you can't. You've already worked so hard cooking so many meals by yourself. Let's go buy groceries."
Hearing Gu Chen's words, Xia Ran couldn't describe her feelings. She felt both sorry for Gu Chen and somewhat helpless.
"Xiao Chen, can you give your stepfather a little more time?"
"Okay." Gu Chen put his arm around Xia Ran's neck and kissed her on the cheek.
Xia Ran's heart melted, and she returned the kiss to the child.
"Thank you, baby. Come on, Daddy will make you lots and lots of delicious food tonight."
"OK."
The two walked out hand in hand, but unexpectedly ran into Gu Zheng at the door.
Xia Ran narrowed her eyes slightly, feeling that it was too much of a coincidence.
Why do I always run into Gu Zheng when I go out?
"Aran, where are you going? I happen to be free, I'll give you a ride."
Upon hearing this, Xia Ran felt that the coincidence was even more unbelievable.
"No need, we'll go ourselves."
"Little Daddy, how about Big Daddy takes us? We're going to buy a lot of things this time, and the two of us can't carry them all. Big Daddy can help us carry them."
"Are you going shopping?" Gu Zheng said. "Then I'll come with you. I can help you carry your things, and I have a car, so it'll be convenient to go wherever you want. If you're buying a lot of things, it'll probably be hard to find a taxi."
It has to be admitted that what Gu Zheng said did indeed move Xia Ran.
He thought about his grandfather's attitude towards Gu Zheng these past two days. Since his grandfather had already caused Gu Zheng to misunderstand so much, he didn't have anything to be coy about now. He could just be a free laborer. That's right!
Xia Ran comforted herself in her heart, and then led Gu Chen toward the elevator. Although he didn't say anything, his meaning was very clear.
Gu Zheng curled the corners of his lips, finding Xia Ran's proud and aloof little thoughts utterly endearing.
They went to the supermarket, mainly because they had so many things to buy, and the supermarket had everything they needed, so they didn't have to keep going to different places.
Gu Zheng pushed the cart behind them. The whole family was good-looking, attracting a lot of attention along the way.
However, Gu Chen was very excited to be shopping with his two fathers, which was a rare occasion for him. Xia Ran was busy talking to the child and didn't pay any attention to the stares from the other children.
As for Gu Zheng, he was already used to such gazes and didn't care at all.
Gu Zheng was doing his best to be a tool, but it was something that made him very happy. He was willing to do anything as long as he could be with Xia Ran.
Because there were many people eating, Xia Ran bought a lot of vegetables.
Also, Xia Ran was worried that Feng Ming and He Hao would bring more gifts, so he bought some fruit and gifts for them to give as presents next time.
Looking at the overflowing shopping cart, Xia Ran suddenly realized that Gu Chen's words when she left home made sense.
Luckily, Gu Zheng drove here; otherwise, it would have been a problem how to get it back.
When it came time to pay, Gu Zheng took out his card and paid. Xia Ran wanted to refuse, but Gu Zheng spoke first before he could.
“Aran, the child is living at home now, so it doesn’t matter whose money he uses.”
Upon hearing this, Xia Ran paused for a moment and silently put her phone back.
Well, Gu Zheng's attitude should be fine. Grandpa said time will tell, and time is the best proof. Since he has this intention, there must be some things he shouldn't dwell on too much.
“That’s right, Little Daddy, let’s keep our own money and use Big Daddy’s.” Gu Chen also pulled Xia Ran’s hand and said.
Xia Ran chuckled softly, "Okay, whatever you say."
Xia Ran was also quite surprised by what Gu Chen had just said. The child seemed to be changing more and more lately.
When they left, Gu Zheng carried all the heavy items, Xia Ran only took some light ones, and Gu Chen only took a small bag of vegetables.
Gu Zheng walked in front, while Xia Ran and Gu Chen followed behind. Xia Ran felt a strange unease as she watched Gu Zheng carrying two large bags full of things.
He never imagined that one day someone like Gu Zheng would accompany them shopping, carrying two large plastic bags.
It's impossible to say I wasn't moved at all. Is this what Grandpa meant by "time reveals true character"?
"Ran, give me your things, I'll put them up." Gu Zheng put the things he was carrying in the trunk, and then took the things from Xia Ran.
This time, Xia Ran did not refuse, but obediently handed over the bag in her hand.
When they got home, Gu Zheng followed Xia Ran with two large bags, but when they reached the door, he hesitated to go in, afraid that Xia Ran would not let him in.
However, he found that Xia Ran walked in without saying whether it was okay or not, leaving him in a dilemma.
Gu Chen turned and glanced at Gu Zheng, his tone filled with disappointment and frustration.
"Big Daddy, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and come in. Little Daddy didn't say you couldn't come in."
Upon hearing this, Gu Zheng reacted like an eighteen-year-old boy, his shocked smile inexplicably amusing.
He glanced at the doorway, then walked in anyway, but to his surprise, the living room was full of people.
Feng's parents, He Hao and his wife and their son, Lin Ziming and his father, and his grandfather were all sitting in the living room.
"Grandpa," Gu Zheng called out to Grandpa Xia.
Chapter 412 Gu Zheng successfully enters the door
To be honest, Gu Zheng was quite afraid that Grandpa Xia would kick him out. But to his surprise, Grandpa Xia not only didn't kick him out, but also nodded slightly and said to him,
"Take the things to the kitchen. Xiao Ran is in the kitchen."
Upon hearing this, Gu Zheng's smile deepened.
"good."
Lin Ziming watched Gu Zheng's retreating figure, his eyes narrowing slightly.
It seems quite a lot has happened while he was away.
But judging from Grandpa's attitude, it seemed that Grandpa wasn't angry at all, so he couldn't say anything reckless at this time, otherwise it would make things awkward for everyone.
Lin's father shared the same thought as Lin Ziming, so the Feng family did not sense anything unusual about the relationship between Gu Zheng and Xia Ran.
After Xia Ran put the things away in the kitchen, she turned around and almost bumped into someone's arms.
He subconsciously took a step back and looked up at the person who had approached. When he saw that it was Gu Zheng, his expression changed slightly.
Upon seeing this, Gu Zheng quickly said,
"Grandpa let me in. He said you were in the kitchen."
Hearing this, Xia Ran paused for a moment, then said nothing, simply tidying up her things.
Gu Zheng didn't want to leave, and after thinking for a moment, he said...
"Can I stay here today? The Feng family members are all outside. They'll be suspicious if I'm not here."
He looked completely at ease.
Xia Ran glanced at him, but before she could speak, Lin Ziming came in from outside.
"Xia Ran, Grandpa asked me to ask Gu Zheng if he has time to have a meal with the child here."
Xia Ran had originally intended to tell Gu Zheng to leave, but she had to swallow her words.
"Are you sure it was Grandpa who said that?" he asked Lin Ziming, somewhat disbelieving.
Lin Ziming shrugged. "Do you think I'm the kind of person who would joke about something like this?"
Xia Ran thought it was indeed unlikely, and considering his grandfather's attitude towards Gu Zheng these past few days, he felt that his grandfather would really say such a thing.
He glanced at the pile of vegetables before speaking to Gu Zheng.
"You can stay here, but you have to work to earn your living."
Gu Zheng had no reason to refuse and immediately agreed.
"Okay, no problem."
Seeing this, Lin Ziming understood everything. This Gu Zheng really did have some skills; he had even managed to change Grandpa Xia's opinion of him.
"By the way, Xia Ran, why don't we have Yu Wu come over too? He's probably too lazy to cook by himself. I happen to have some time, so I can go and pick him up."