Standing at the door of Grandpa Xia's room, Xia Ran's eyes felt a little sore.
Grandpa, I'm sorry, please let me be willful for a little longer.
Between Grandpa Xia and Gu Zheng, Xia Ran still chose Gu Zheng. He had just gone to tell Grandpa Xia that he was going back to work.
Only if he goes back with him can Ah Zheng go back to handle company matters.
When Xia Ran returned to her room, Gu Zheng had just finished showering and came out of the bathroom. When he saw Xia Ran's slightly red eyes, his brows furrowed instantly.
"What happened?"
His tone betrayed a worry he himself hadn't realized.
"It's nothing, Zheng. I already told Grandpa. Let's go back tomorrow."
Xia Ran walked up to Gu Zheng, hesitated for a moment, and then reached out and hugged him, hoping that Gu Zheng would not let him lose.
Gu Zheng stiffened and instinctively wanted to push Xia Ran away, but after hearing her words, he lowered his raised hand.
"Um."
The next morning, after having breakfast and saying goodbye to Grandpa, they left.
Xia Ran was inevitably a little disappointed, but fortunately Gu Chen healed her.
It was already noon when they returned to the Gu family home. Uncle Gu was already waiting at the door and was very happy to see them come back.
"Tsk... Looks like I came at pretty good time."
As soon as they reached the living room door, they heard a very inappropriate voice.
Xia Ran subconsciously looked up, and the person who had just spoken also looked over, and was stunned when he saw Xia Ran.
"Little Enen?"
Chapter 17 A smack at the corner of his mouth
"Um?"
Xia Ran hummed in confusion. Who is Xiao Enen? He looked back and found that there was no one else besides them.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Gu Zheng's expression changed, and he said coldly to Qin Hao.
Uncle Gu was also secretly giving Qin Hao a meaningful look. After seeing this scene and hearing Gu Zheng's words, Qin Hao realized what was going on.
"Sorry, that was just my catchphrase. By the way, cousin, shouldn't you introduce me to this person holding Chen Baobei?"
He took a closer look and realized that although the person looked like Xiao En at first glance, upon closer inspection, the resemblance wasn't that strong.
Hearing this person call Gu Zheng "cousin", Xia Ran was a little confused. When they got married, he heard A Zheng say that there was no one else in A Zheng's family. How come there is a cousin suddenly?
"His name is Xia Ran, he's Xiao Chen's stepfather, and they just got their marriage certificate a while ago."
"Holy crap! What did you say? They just got their marriage certificate a while ago? How come I didn't know?"
Why should you know?
Gu Zheng sat down on the sofa and immediately retorted to Qin Hao. Qin Hao choked, knowing Gu Zheng's personality, so he ignored him and walked directly to Xia Ran, saying with a grin,
"So, does that mean you're my cousin-in-law?"
"Hello, my name is Xia Ran."
Xia Ran's face flushed slightly. This was the first time someone had directly acknowledged his relationship with A Zheng, and he felt both nervous and embarrassed.
Seeing Xia Ran's blushing face, Qin Hao exclaimed in amazement as if he had discovered a new continent.
"Tsk tsk tsk, cousin-in-law, you're so easily embarrassed! Your face turned red after just one sentence."
Gu Zheng glanced over unconsciously and noticed that Xia Ran blushed in front of someone else. He felt a pang of unease, as if something had gone missing.
"Bad! Bad, bad!"
Before Xia Ran could say anything, Gu Chen in his arms spoke up, his little face puffed up, clearly starting to get angry.
Qin Hao's smile froze on his face as he stared incredulously at Gu Chen in Xia Ran's arms.
"You...are Gu Chen?"
Gu Chen couldn't understand what he meant, so he could only cling tightly to Xia Ran's neck.
Gu Zheng smiled slightly. Now he finally understood why Xia Ran was so happy when the little brat said bad things about him. It seemed that it was actually quite nice.
"Yes, he is Gu Chen."
Xia Ran didn't understand Qin Hao's strange behavior. After receiving Xia Ran's answer, Qin Hao immediately said "Holy crap," turned to look at Gu Zheng, and said...
"Cousin, did I hear that right? Our baby Chen... he can actually speak?"
He was naturally aware of Gu Chen's situation, which is why he was so shocked after hearing Gu Chen speak.
“Young Master, you heard right. The young master is slowly getting better. It’s all thanks to Young Master Ran. He’s the one who made the young master better.”
"So that's how it is, cousin-in-law, you really are capable."
Qin Hao looked at Xia Ran again, and his feelings for her began to change. He thought Xia Ran was just like Xiao En, but he didn't expect her to change Gu Chen so much.
"Don't say that. This is what I should do. The baby is very obedient."
Xia Ran became increasingly embarrassed by the constant praise, while Gu Zheng grew increasingly annoyed.
"Why did you come back to China for no reason? Say what you want to say, don't waste your breath here."
"Tsk tsk tsk, why are you so angry? I didn't offend you. What, you don't welcome me back?"
Gu Zheng ignored Qin Hao and instead looked at Xia Ran, saying,
"The child must be tired after such a long drive. You should take him back to his room first."
Actually, he just inexplicably didn't want Qin Hao and Xia Ran to talk.
Xia Ran didn't think much of it, obediently agreed, and went upstairs. He also felt that the two had something to talk about, so he didn't disturb them.
After Xia Ran left, Uncle Gu also went downstairs. Qin Hao's nonchalant expression turned serious. He sat down next to Gu Zheng and asked,
"What's going on? How come he looks just like Xiao En?"
"It's nothing, they just look alike. He doesn't know anything about Xiao En, so don't mention it in front of him."
"You like him?"
Do you think I would?
"If you don't like him, why did you marry him? What's the benefit of doing that?"
Qin Hao somewhat disagreed with Gu Zheng's approach.
"He can make Xiao Chen better, and he looks like Xiao En, which is a good thing. You'd better not say anything you shouldn't. As for the explanation... I can make sure he lives a worry-free life, and he got married voluntarily; no one forced him."
"you……"
Qin Hao was at a loss for words when he saw Gu Zheng's expression. Considering Gu Chen's change and Gu Zheng's feelings for Xiao En, he acquiesced.
"Xia Ran seems like a good person, so you should treat her well."
"Too talkative."
Gu Zheng gave him a cold look, then got up and went upstairs. Qin Hao rolled his eyes at the sight.
He really couldn't understand why Xia Ran would fall for Gu Zheng, that cold old man.
However, this matter... it would be fine if Xia Ran remained in the dark, but if she found out, I'm afraid no one could accept it.
Gu Zheng returned to his room, where Xia Ran and Gu Chen were working on a jigsaw puzzle on the floor. They had their backs to the door, so they didn't see him.
Seeing this, he leaned against the door, feeling a sense of peace in his heart.
"Big Boss?"
Gu Chen turned around at some point and saw him. Xia Ran, who had heard the voice, also turned around.
Upon seeing Gu Zheng, Xia Ran's face instantly lit up with a smile.
“Ah Zheng.”
His voice was sweet and clear, like a clear spring flowing into Gu Zheng's heart.
"Okay, I have to go to the company now. You can stay home and take care of the little one."
"You're so naughty! It's...baby! No...little brat! You're such a bad daddy!"
Gu Chen's eyes widened, his small face full of accusation. Xia Ran was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.
"Oh? Not a little brat?"
Gu Zheng also curled the corners of his mouth, walked over, bent down, and looked directly at Gu Chen.
Gu Chen seemed startled and immediately buried himself in Xia Ran's arms, only turning the back of his head towards Gu Zheng.
Xia Ran chuckled and hugged the person. She looked up, about to speak, but then realized they were very close, and her face flushed instantly.
"What? You find it funny too?"
"No, no, it's not funny."
Gu Zheng looked at Xia Ran's smiling eyes and snorted coldly. This isn't funny?
Just then, Xia Ran raised her chin and kissed Gu Zheng on the corner of his mouth.
Chapter 18 A Sweet Heartache
"Don't be angry. The baby is still a child. He doesn't understand. I'll teach him slowly and make sure he doesn't say these things to you in the future, okay?"
Xia Ran's eyes were bright and beautiful, with a hint of shyness that inexplicably made Gu Zheng find her somewhat appealing.
"Um."
Gu Zheng lowered his eyes and responded. Xia Ran's actions just now actually made him somewhat happy.
"I'm leaving now."
Over the course of these days, Gu Zheng had unknowingly developed the habit of informing Xia Ran of his whereabouts.