He thought for a moment and asked, "Is this a portrait of me?"
"Mhm." Qin Yuan nodded repeatedly.
He ran to Gu Tang's side with his short legs, trying to reach his sketchbook by standing on tiptoe.
"There's more to come," Qin Yuan said, turning the page for Gu Tang.
There is indeed more to come.
Each one depicts the same man; some show him holding a sword, while others show him with three small figures trembling in front of him.
There's another image of a man representing Gu Tang sitting by a lake.
Beside him nestled two little boys who looked almost identical.
Qin Yuan looked at the picture with delight and said to Gu Tang, "This is me and my brother."
He tilted his head back, pursed his lips, and asked, "Dad, wasn't that grilled fish super delicious?"
In stark contrast to Gu Yuan's silence and indifference, Qin Yuan was remarkably poised and natural.
It was as if he and Gu Tangsheng were born to be so familiar, and no one could feel the slightest bit of awkwardness or distance between them.
Gu Tang patted his little head again and smiled as he agreed, "If there's a chance, I'll bake it for you."
He was somewhat surprised; the picture showed two children.
So, does that mean Qin Yuan knew about Gu Yuan's existence?
Gu Tang seemed to be deep in thought as her gaze drifted toward Qin Junche.
After his son spoke, Qin Junche took two steps back.
He crossed his arms and silently watched the interaction between Gu Tang and his son.
Only when she met Gu Tang's questioning gaze did she slowly nod.
Gu Tang: "..."
He really couldn't understand what Qin Junche was thinking.
"Qin Yuan." Qin Junche looked at his son. "Alright, you've already spoken to your father and given him the painting. We should go home now."
Qin Yuan's face immediately fell.
He clearly saw his younger brother being carried into his house by his father.
Why can't he stay here?
"Qin Yuan." Seeing that his son showed no intention of moving, Qin Junche's voice became more forceful. "Come here."
"Oh," Qin Yuan replied, sounding aggrieved.
He looked up at Gu Tang again, his small mouth flattened, and his eyes, which had been bright just moments before, had become much dimmer.
"Come here," Qin Junche urged again.
He even stepped forward and pulled Qin Yuan to his side.
"We're leaving." He nodded slightly to Gu Tang as a farewell.
Then, she forcefully pulled her obviously unwilling son and turned to walk towards the elevator.
Gu Tang did not return to his room immediately.
The elevator doors opened, the father and son went in, and then the elevator doors closed again.
He remained silent, watching the elevator descend floor by floor until it finally came to a stop on the first floor.
Gu Tang then turned around and went back to his home.
Gu Yuan remained obediently seated on the bed, waiting for him.
Looking at her other son, whose pale complexion revealed the veins beneath his skin.
Then I thought of Qin Yuan's healthy and adorable face, as red as an apple.
Gu Tang's heart stirred.
He lowered his head and gently rubbed Gu Yuan's head.
Seeing his son look up at him, Gu Tang smiled and asked, "Are you hungry?"
Gu Yuan hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Dad will cook for you."
Gu Tang straightened up and looked around where he was now living.
It was too narrow and small, and very dark.
The lack of sunlight year-round left the room with a faint musty smell.
He frowned. Gu Yuan's health was already poor, so he definitely couldn't continue living in a place like this.
Gu Tang thought for a moment, then said to Gu Yuan in a consultative tone, "Xiao Yuan, how about we eat out today? Then we might need to find a different place to stay, this place isn't suitable for you."
He was particularly able to understand Gu Yuan's quietness and silence.
Having spent so much time in the welfare home, their health has deteriorated. The elderly caretaker of that dilapidated welfare home probably doesn't have the energy to not only barely feed these children but also provide them with enough care.
Just like I used to be.
Therefore, he was willing to interact with Gu Yuan in such an equal manner.
Sure enough, Gu Yuan thought about it seriously and nodded obediently.
He watched as Gu Tang packed all the important documents into a backpack, and then, when the other man walked up to him, he reached out his hand.
Gu Tang picked him up in one swift motion.
Xiao Gu Yuan's body was very light, so light that it was negligible in weight to Gu Tang.
The father and son took the elevator downstairs. He figured he would never come back to this dark and damp place.
Gu Tang took Gu Yuan directly to a five-star hotel not far from his apartment.
He planned to stay here for a few days and wait for Qiao Si's reply.
If the other party allows him to join the hunting team, then he will go with them to hunt owls.
Once we get Xiao's heart and cure Gu Yuan's illness, we'll consider moving houses.
Gu Tang placed Gu Yuan on the soft bed and called someone to bring lunch.
The father and son sat on opposite sides of the dining table and quietly finished their lunch.
He looked at Gu Yuan's slightly narrowed eyes and asked, "Are you sleepy?"
"Mm." This time, Gu Yuan not only nodded, but also gave a soft reply.
"Then take a nap." Gu Tang lifted him off the chair, wrung out a towel and carefully wiped his hands and then his face.
While he was doing these things, Gu Yuan stared intently at him.
"What's wrong?" Gu Tang took the towel away.
He pinched Gu Yuan's cheek: "Are you unhappy?"
Gu Yuan shook his head.
He thought for a moment, then said, "Happy."
However, his tone of voice was never like Qin Yuan's, which seemed to naturally carry a childlike innocence and cheerfulness that could bring joy to people.
Moreover, unlike Qin Yuan, who, despite it being their first meeting, could call Gu Tang "Dad" so readily and without any hesitation.
Gu Tang smiled at Gu Yuan.
He carried him to the bed and watched as the child obediently took off his shoes and socks by himself.
Then he quickly crawled into bed, staring wide-eyed at Gu Tang.
At times like this, he wouldn't look at Gu Tang with starry eyes like Qin Yuan would.
He just watched silently, and if you didn't look closely, you wouldn't see the faint expectation in his eyes at all.
Gu Tang couldn't help but sigh softly.
He bent down and touched Gu Yuan's forehead: "I'm going to take a shower, then I'll come and sleep with you."
He promised.
He hadn't even had time to change his clothes after the show ended.
Gu Tang quickly took a shower, and then actually lay down on the bed to keep Gu Yuan company while he took a nap.
Only after he returned did the child finally close his big eyes, which were clearly so sleepy he could barely stay awake.
Gu Yuan's breathing gradually became long and deep.
When Gu Tang turned to look at him, she could see his long eyelashes.
Even in his sleep, he didn't seem very at ease.
Gu Tang reached out and gently stroked his son's slightly furrowed brows.
The moment he moved his hand, the child grabbed his other hand, which was placed beside him.
Gu Tang's body stiffened when he felt the little finger holding his finger.
But he quickly relaxed.
The "LIVE" program wasn't actually that demanding for him.
During the two days and two nights of recording, he eliminated other teams without delay, while also making the most of his time to rest.
For a cultivator of his level, two or three hours of sleep is enough to fully restore his energy.
It's just that the bed was too soft and the blankets were too warm.
The child nestled against him, holding his finger, was so adorable.
Gu Tang's eyes slowly closed as well.
When he woke up, the sun had already set.
Gu Tangxian turned to look at Gu Yuan; the child was still asleep.