Gu Zheng stood not far behind the two, watching their interaction with mixed feelings of bittersweetness.
He could have been involved, but he ruined it all himself.
After buying the tickets, Xia Ran took the child inside. Gu Zheng, a man, inevitably encountered all sorts of stares when he came to buy tickets for the amusement park.
However, Gu Zheng was not affected by this at all, and his gaze remained fixed on the two people in front of him, one big and one small.
Xia Ran couldn't possibly not have noticed that Gu Zheng had been following him, but he could only pretend he hadn't.
Gu Chen, on the other hand, would occasionally glance behind him, but only when he was in front of him. Later, he was completely dazzled by the various rides and attractions in the amusement park.
As Xia Ran and her child played on each amusement park ride, Gu Zheng watched from below. He even saw someone taking photos of their companions with a camera, and after a moment's thought, he went over and bought the camera for a high price.
It's not a great camera, but it's good enough as long as it can take pictures.
As Gu Zheng watched Xia Ran's every smile and frown on the camera, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl upwards.
Especially when Xia Ran and the child were riding the carousel, and Xia Ran glanced back at him unintentionally and smiled unconsciously, he even had a feeling.
They seem to be doing great, as if they've never argued or divorced.
Xia Ran played with the child for a few hours before preparing to leave. In fact, this trip with the child was his way of accompanying the child on his final journey.
Children this age should go to kindergarten; they can't stay at home like this anymore.
Xia Ran and her child had just come down from one of the amusement rides when Gu Zheng came over with two bottles of water.
"Ranran, drink some water."
Xia Ran didn't respond, but just looked down at the child.
The child quickly took the water from Gu Zheng's hand. Xia Ran neither spoke nor objected to the child taking Gu Zheng's things.
After all, they are biological father and son. Even if Gu Zheng and he have many faults, they are not a problem for the child.
Gu Zheng was still holding the bottle that belonged to Xia Ran. When he saw that Xia Ran didn't take it, his eyes were filled with undisguised disappointment.
He glanced at the child, and Gu Chen, the clever little fellow, immediately understood what Gu Zheng meant. After taking a sip, he looked up at Xia Ran beside him and said,
"Little Daddy, you should drink too. Are you thirsty too?"
"You're not thirsty, Daddy, you drink it."
It would be a lie to say he wasn't thirsty, but he'd rather be thirsty than drink what Gu Zheng bought.
Gu Chen: "No, Xiao Chen is thirsty, and Daddy must be thirsty too. How about Daddy drinks this bottle of mine? Please have a sip!"
When a child acts cute, Xia Ran has no choice but to sigh helplessly and take a sip of her drink.
"Okay, little daddy, have a sip."
Gu Chen's eyes narrowed instantly with a smile, and Xia Ran took the child and walked towards the door, looking like she didn't want to pay any attention to Gu Zheng.
However, Gu Zheng didn't think anything of it, since Xia Ran had already drunk water anyway.
Xia Ran had only taken two steps when she received a call from Yu Chao.
After what happened yesterday, Xia Ran felt a little awkward and uncomfortable when facing Chao.
But after thinking about it, he answered the call anyway.
"Hey, senior."
Yu Chao: "Xiao Ran? Where are you now? Are you at the amusement park?"
"Hmm?" Xia Ran hummed in confusion, then subconsciously glanced around at her surroundings. "Senior, how did you know?"
Yu Chao: "Yes, I just came over and saw you in the amusement park. Look over here where they sell milk tea."
Xia Ran looked over and, sure enough, saw Yu Chao.
This time, not only Xia Ran saw Yu Chao, but Gu Zheng and Gu Chen also saw Yu Chao, and the father and son's expressions became rather unpleasant.
Gu Zheng, in particular, had a dark expression, but he was still holding back, afraid of upsetting Xia Ran.
However, Gu Chen didn't have so many scruples. He immediately grabbed Xia Ran's leg and looked at Yu Chao with hostility.
He knew perfectly well that this person had always wanted to like his younger father and even wanted to take him away from him.
Yu Chaochao and Xia Ran walked over. When they saw Gu Zheng, his expression didn't change at all, as if he were looking at an insignificant person.
"Senior, what are you doing here?" Xia Ran asked.
Yu Chao: "I was just looking for someone, and I didn't expect to see you guys. How was it? Did you have fun? Want to grab a bite to eat together?"
"I was planning to have dinner with you yesterday, but then..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but Xia Ran already understood what he meant.
He said those things yesterday, so if Yu Chao really likes him, he'll probably be heartbroken.
If he didn't know that Yu Chao liked him, there would be no problem with them going out to eat together. But now that he knows that Yu Chao likes him, wouldn't going out to eat with Yu Chao again give Yu Chao the wrong feeling?
Gu Zheng listened from the side, wishing he could immediately refuse on Xia Ran's behalf, but he gritted his teeth and held back.
If he told her, Xia Ran would probably be even angrier at him.
Yu Chao noticed Xia Ran's hesitation, which strengthened his resolve. He then spoke up.
"Is it not even allowed to go out for a meal?"
Upon hearing this, Xia Ran sighed and understood. Since that was the case, he would have a meal with Yu Chao and clarify things there.
"Okay." Xia Ran nodded. "Then I'll treat you to a meal, senior. Thank you for helping me so much before."
The senior smiled and said, "Go ahead, my car is at the door."
Just as Xia Ran was about to leave with Yu Chao, Gu Zheng couldn't help but step forward.
Looking at Gu Zheng blocking his way, Xia Ran spoke calmly.
"Excuse me, you're blocking the way."
Gu Zheng moved his lips, but in the end he didn't say anything. He gave Yu Chao a cold look and then stepped aside.
Chapter 245 Schemes
Upon seeing this, Yu Chao felt incredibly pleased.
Regardless of whether Xia Ran still likes Gu Zheng or not, at least he dislikes Gu Zheng now, which means he still has a chance.
No, even if there is no opportunity, he will create one. Xia Ran can only be his. He is no worse than Gu Zheng. Why should Xia Ran not like him?
As for the child named Gu Chen, Yu Chao didn't care at all.
Once he gets Xia Ran, won't he be in control of everything? As for the child, he can just let Xia Ran get rid of it later.
Yu Chao: "Xiao Ran, how about we go eat some Thai food? I heard there's a new Thai restaurant that's pretty good."
Xia Ran nodded and walked ahead with the child, while Yu Chao turned back and gave Gu Zheng a provocative look.
Seeing Gu Zheng's provocative gaze, Yu Chao's face turned frighteningly cold, but Yu Chao showed no fear whatsoever.
Given Xia Ran's current level of dislike for Gu Zheng, if Gu Zheng were to dare to attack him, it might not necessarily be a bad thing for him.
"Little Daddy, are we really going to have dinner with Uncle Yu Chao?"
Once they were in Yu Chao's car, Gu Chen couldn't help but lean close to Xia Ran's ear and ask a question.
He really wanted to say no, but he was afraid his stepfather would get angry.
Xia Ran: "Xiao Chen doesn't want to?"
"No." Gu Chen shook his head. "I didn't. I'll go wherever my stepfather is."
Xia Ran smiled and said, "Okay."
Yu Chao overheard their conversation, which deepened his dislike for Gu Chen.
This child is really a burden. He can't understand why Xia Ran likes such an annoying child so much.
Could it really be as Gu En said, that Xia Ran hasn't let go of Gu Zheng yet?
Gu Zheng naturally followed Yu Chao's car in his own car, and Yu Chao had a few more thoughts after seeing this.
Since this person is so eager to follow, then let Gu Zheng follow along. In any case, if something happens, it can only be said to be an accident, and it has nothing to do with him.
As Yu Chao drove, his gaze fell on the fork in the road ahead. If Huo Yan followed too closely, he would instinctively turn right.
There is a protruding stone block on the right front side. If you are not familiar with this place, you will definitely bump into it.
Yu Chao kept his expression unchanged and made a turn. He deliberately slowed down a little, and only sped up after the front of the car was straight. If Huo Yan wanted to catch up, he would have to speed up.
However, Gu Zheng's car following behind them did not crash directly into the stone pillar as Yu Chao had expected, but narrowly avoided it.
When Yu Chao saw this scene in the mirror, his expression changed, but he quickly realized what was happening and didn't give himself away. Instead, he remained calm and continued driving forward.
I never expected that Huo Yan would be so lucky to survive such a thing.
Yu Chao drove all the way to the restaurant entrance without doing anything else, since Xia Ran would inevitably become suspicious if he did too much.
Xia Ran was completely unaware of the little schemes Yu Chao had been plotting against Gu Zheng, but Gu Zheng, who had been following their car, had noticed them.
A hint of sarcasm flashed in his eyes; this Yu Chao was more cunning than he had imagined.
He didn't believe Xia Ran would like someone like that.
But... Xia Ran's feelings for him now are causing him some pain and leaving him somewhat at a loss.
Xia Ran could hit him or scold him, but she just ignored him completely, making it impossible for him to do anything or communicate with her.
Every time Xia Ran spoke coldly to him, he felt heartbroken and speechless, even speechless.
The car stopped in front of the restaurant, and Yu Chao and Xia Ran got out. Yu Chao originally wanted to show Gu Chen some fake affection, so that Xia Ran would feel better about him.
But as soon as he smiled at the child, the child quickly turned his head away.
Yu Chao's smile froze for a moment, and he disliked the child even more.
"Xiao Ran, does this child... not like me very much?"
Xia Ran was taken aback, recalling Gu Chen's earlier expression. He felt a little awkward and said...
"No, he's just a little shy around strangers. Don't worry about it, senior."
He actually knew that Gu Chen didn't like Yu Chao, but of course he wouldn't tell Yu Chao about it.