He held Gu Chen in one arm and held Gu Zheng's hand with the other.
Perhaps because it was too strenuous, he held onto Gu Chen's clothes while holding onto Gu Chen's arms, trying to save some effort.
Seeing this scene, Gu Zheng couldn't quite describe his feelings; he simply wanted to pull Gu Chen into his arms.
"I'm fine."
He's definitely fine, as for his mood...
However, Gu Chen showed great dislike when Gu Zheng extended his hand.
"No...no!"
"..." Gu Zheng's face darkened.
Xia Ran suddenly felt like laughing for some reason, but seeing Gu Zheng's expression, he didn't dare to laugh out loud. Instead, he hugged Gu Chen and whispered to him,
"Baby, have you forgotten what your little daddy told you? You're not allowed to talk to your big daddy like that. That's not how a good child should behave."
Gu Chen looked at him, pouted, and then buried his head in Xia Ran's neck.
Xia Ran was taken aback, then looked at Gu Zheng. He couldn't discern anything from Gu Zheng's expression, but he still spoke.
"Ah Zheng, don't be sad. Xiao Chen doesn't understand anything yet. I'll teach him slowly."
"Hmm," Gu Zheng replied coldly.
"If you're ever unhappy about anything in the future, just tell me. Although I can't help you much, I can listen to you. Your baby and I will always be here for you."
His tone was gentle, as if he had instantly soothed Gu Zheng's agitation.
Gu Zheng sighed softly, looked up and patted Xia Ran's head, and said,
"I'm fine."
"Are you really alright?" Xia Ran was still somewhat skeptical.
After all, Gu Zheng didn't look like he was alright just now.
"Of course it's true. You can go now, I have things to do."
"Oh, okay." Xia Ran responded, and after glancing at Gu Zheng and confirming that he seemed to be alright, she carried Gu Chen away.
After he left, Gu Zheng also turned around and went back to his study.
The photos that were previously on the table are gone.
Thinking of Qin Hao's enthusiasm for Xia Ran earlier, his face darkened.
Looks like I need to find something for people to do.
Qin Hao, who was downstairs, suddenly felt a chill down his back.
He glanced at the air conditioner with some confusion. It wasn't low; wasn't the temperature just right?
However, his doubts were quickly replaced by Xia Ran coming down from upstairs.
"How is my cousin's wife? Did something happen to my brother?"
Xia Ran smiled and said, "It's nothing, he just said he was a little busy."
He's in a good mood right now because Ah Zheng just patted his head.
"Huh? Is that why?" Qin Hao asked in surprise.
Isn't his brother always busy? Is he in a bad mood because he's too busy?
But that makes sense; his brother is human too, of course he'll have bad moods too.
"It's okay, don't worry. By the way, please don't call me 'sister-in-law' anymore, it feels weird. Just call me Xia Ran, it sounds better."
Xia Ran wanted to address the issue of this form of address the first time Qin Hao called her "cousin-in-law," but she never had the chance.
The term "cousin-in-law" still sounds a bit awkward.
Qin Hao was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled and nodded.
"Okay, then I'll call you Xia Ran. By the way, didn't you just say you were going swimming? Did you guys buy your swim trunks and stuff? I was just about to go out to buy some, so I'll buy them for you too."
"No need, I've already bought it, and you probably don't need to buy one either. I bought one for Ah Zheng, but he probably won't wear it. It's perfect for you to wear now."
"Really? That's perfect, I'm too lazy to go out anyway." Qin Hao didn't notice anything amiss and readily agreed.
It wasn't until Gu Zheng forced him to do chores that he realized where he had gone wrong, and he was filled with regret!
Of course, that's a story for later. Right now, he, Xia Ran, and Gu Chen are in the pavilion in the garden preparing their swimming gear for later.
The swim trunks have already been taken to be washed; now they're getting swimming rings, which are also for Gu Chen—all sorts of cute animal-shaped ones.
You have to pump it up yourself after you buy it.
Gu Chen was very curious when he saw these things for the first time. He played with one of them for a while, then looked up at Xia Ran and called out "Daddy" in a soft, sweet voice, as if asking Xia Ran what it was.
Xia Ran would carefully tell him each time, and Qin Hao, watching from the side, couldn't help but sigh.
Xia Ran is truly their lucky star.
Gu Zheng was busy in his study, but because he had been busy for too long, he got up and stood by the window for a while.
But to his surprise, what he saw when he stood by the window was Xia Ran and Qin Hao playing around Gu Chen.
Qin Hao and Xia Ran both had smiles on their faces, and they seemed to be having a very pleasant conversation.
Gu Chen, who always spoke ill of Qin Hao, was not afraid at all when facing Qin Hao; on the contrary, he acted very affectionately towards him.
Gu Zheng knew he should be happy to see this scene because of Gu Chen's change.
But now, for some reason, I feel very uncomfortable and I always feel that Qin Hao is getting in my way.
And that brat Gu Chen, looks like I'll have to have a good talk with him tonight and let him know who his real father is!
Gu Zheng watched quietly for a moment, then snorted heavily, picked up his phone and called Qin Hao, but found that Qin Hao was not answering his call.
He became even angrier. Just as he was about to go downstairs to find Qin Hao, he saw Xia Ran carrying Gu Chen back home.
Now, Gu Chen's anger subsided somewhat. Not bad, he still knew to avoid suspicion.
With that thought in mind, he sat back down on the stool and went back to reading the documents.
Xia Ran carried Gu Chen upstairs, also holding a large and a small pair of swimming trunks in her hands.
Xia Ran glanced in the direction of the study, then subconsciously tiptoed into the room.
Chapter 23 Subtle Jealousy
When they came out again, Xia Ran and Gu Chen were both only wearing swimming trunks.
Both of them had very fair skin, and looked quite cute with their delicate, fair complexion. It's a pity that no one can see them now.
When Xia Ran carried Gu Chen downstairs, she walked very quietly, as if afraid of disturbing Gu Zheng.
When they arrived at the poolside, Qin Hao had already changed into his swim trunks and was waiting there, while several cute swimming rings and toys were placed in the pool.
Xia Ran carried Gu Chen into the water, and Qin Hao followed. He had just agreed with Xia Ran that he would teach Gu Chen how to swim.
Gu Chen was a little scared as it was his first time in the pool. He held Xia Ran's neck tightly with both hands and didn't move.
Xia Ran chuckled and lifted Gu Chen into the swimming ring, but even inside, Gu Chen still refused to let go.
"Baby, this is the swimming ring Daddy told you about earlier. You'll be fine in it, don't be afraid, trust Daddy, okay?" Xia Ran said softly.
Gu Chen stared at Xia Ran with his big, bright eyes, seemingly considering what Xia Ran had just said.
After a while, Xia Ran slowly removed Gu Chen's hand from his neck, and this time Gu Chen did not hold on to it.
He just looked at Xia Ran with fear in his eyes.
"Daddy... I'm scared..."
Hearing Gu Chen add another word, Xia Ran was so surprised that she was completely stunned.
"Baby, how can you be so amazing!" Xia Ran happily kissed Gu Chen twice on the face, and then Gu Chen's face turned red and he showed a shy smile.
For some reason, Xia Ran felt a lump in her throat when she saw this.
Qin Hao, watching from the side, couldn't help but say something.
"Xia Ran, it's a good thing my cousin met you. You're truly our family's lucky star."
Gu Chen is the only child in both families, and they both love him dearly.
Xia Ran smiled and said,
"Actually, I am very happy and joyful, really."
Not only did he get together with Gu Zheng, whom he had liked for so many years, but he also gained a child who was very attached to him and loved him very much. How could he not feel happy?
Qin Hao also smiled, but didn't say anything more polite. He and Xia Ran simply coaxed Gu Chenxue together.
At first, Gu Chen was quite scared and didn't feel comfortable enough, but later he gradually felt the joy of playing in the water and ended up having a lot of fun with Xia Ran and the others.
Although he doesn't say much else, he only calls out "Dad" and then laughs very happily.
Children's voices are soft, sweet, and clear, and when they laugh, it makes everyone who hears them happy.
Especially Uncle Wang, whose eyes lit up with a smile when he saw this scene.
Gu Zheng was originally busy with work, but later, whether he was too tired or for some other reason, he ended up standing by the window with his coffee again.
I originally just wanted to look outside and calm my nerves.
Unexpectedly, upon looking at him, he saw the scene in the pool, and his brows immediately furrowed.
He thought everything was fine when he saw Xia Ran carrying the child into the house, but now it seems she was just changing her swimming trunks.
The study overlooks the swimming pool, so it's not far away.
You can't hear what they're saying, but you can see very clearly what they're doing.
Gu Zheng tightened his grip on the coffee cup, gave a soft hum, and turned to leave the study.
Xia Ran and Qin Hao were having a great time playing with Gu Chen, and Uncle Wang was watching from the side with a smile on his face.
Gu Zheng got through it under these circumstances. He squinted at the three people in the pool. Anyone who didn't know better would probably think they were a family of three.
Wang Bo turned around and saw Gu Zheng standing next to him, and was still a little surprised.