Gu Zheng's tone remained indifferent, but Xia Ran could already sense the unease in his voice, and she was overjoyed.
"That's right, but Ah Zheng, they've helped us so much, it's only right that I cook them a meal."
Hearing Xia Ran's words, Gu Zheng's expression remained grim, but he ultimately said nothing.
Because he knew that Xia Ran had no feelings for Yu Chao, it was just that Yu Chao was interested in Xia Ran.
If he didn't know Xia Ran's feelings for him, how could he possibly speak to her so calmly like this?
"You must tell me if you go out with him in the future."
"Okay, okay." Xia Ran nodded quickly. "Don't worry, Zheng, I'll tell you next time I go somewhere."
Chapter 76 Don't Do Foolish Things
Xia Ran breathed a sigh of relief; he had been genuinely worried that A-Zheng would stay angry.
Gu Zheng nodded, his expression softening considerably.
Xia Ran glanced at the cake on the table and asked,
"Zheng, is someone in your family having a birthday today?"
"No, I bought the cake for you. Don't you like cake?"
Gu Zheng said this while loosening his tie.
Xia Ran was taken aback. He did indeed love eating cake, but when had he told A-Zheng? He didn't remember telling A-Zheng, did he?
However, Xia Ran quickly put this doubt behind her, replaced by undisguised joy.
Maybe he told Ah Zheng about it sometime before and forgot.
"Thank you, Zheng." Xia Ran said with bright eyes. When Gu Zheng met Xia Ran's bright eyes, he felt a moment of guilt.
"I'm glad you like it."
Just as Gu Zheng finished speaking, a sound came from the doorway. Xia Ran subconsciously looked up and saw that Aunt Gu and the others had returned. Xia Ran's desire to eat the cake was thus abandoned.
When Aunt Gu and her husband came in and saw Gu Zheng and Xia Ran there, they were a little surprised. They were even more surprised when they saw the cake.
"Zheng, Ran, what's with this cake? Is it Ran's birthday?" Aunt Gu asked.
She knew everyone's birthday in the family except Xia Ran's.
Aunt Gu's words made Xia Ran blush.
He glanced up at Gu Zheng, and only after realizing that Gu Zheng didn't intend to speak did he whisper.
"No, Auntie, today is not my birthday. This cake was specially bought for me by Zheng because he knows I like it."
After saying that, Xia Ran's face turned even redder. He was still quite embarrassed to say those words in front of Aunt Gu and the others.
Aunt Gu was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter and said,
"Oh, I see. Not bad, not bad. You know how to care for your wife now. Since Zheng bought it for you, you should eat it. Don't delay."
As she spoke, she winked at Xia Ran.
Xia Ran's face turned even redder. "I want to wait a bit before eating. I want to take a shower first because I just came back from eating out not long ago."
Aunt Gu: "Oh, I see. Then we'll eat later. But Xiao Ran, did you eat out? Or did you eat at home?"
"No, my friend and I ate out with Xiao Chen. A-Zheng just picked us up."
When the topic came up again, Xia Ran was still quite uneasy, afraid that Gu Zheng, who had finally calmed down, would get angry again.
But to Xia Ran's surprise, Gu Zheng's expression didn't change at all.
After listening to Xia Ran's words, Aunt Gu nodded, not finding anything wrong with it.
"By the way, Zheng, are you going to eat first? Should I go to the kitchen and get your food so we can eat in the living room or the dining room?"
Xia Ran thought of the fact that Gu Zheng hadn't eaten yet, and suddenly felt even more guilty.
They've all eaten out, except for Ah Zheng, who hasn't eaten yet.
Gu Zheng looked up at Xia Ran and said, "You make me some noodles."
"Huh? Noodles? But... if there should be food at home, are you sure you want noodles?" Xia Ran asked.
He felt that Gu Zheng had already eaten out for lunch, so he should have some good food to replenish his energy in the evening.
But Xia Ran's words made Gu Zheng's face darken again.
"You don't want to cook for me? Or is it that only other people can eat your cooking? I can't?"
Xia Ran: "..."
Xia Ran was speechless for a moment, and even found it a little funny.
When did Ah Zheng become so childish? But what can I do? I find Ah Zheng so adorable.
Xia Ran suppressed a laugh and said with a smile, "Okay, wait for me a moment, I'll make it right away. Aunt and Uncle, do you want some?"
Aunt Gu and the others were still a little confused about what Gu Zheng had said earlier, but the confusion was only momentary. Now that Xia Ran had asked, they all shook their heads and said they didn't want to eat, as they had just come back from eating outside not long ago.
Xia Ran nodded knowingly, then placed Gu Chen in Gu Zheng's arms and said,
"Then, Zheng, give Xiao Chen a hug while I go make you some noodles. It'll be quick."
He left in a hurry, leaving Gu Zheng with only Gu Chen in his arms.
After Xia Ran left, Aunt Gu's smile faded considerably, especially when she saw the cake on the table; her expression was indescribable.
"Gu Zheng, tell me honestly, why did you buy this cake? Don't tell me it's because Xia Ran likes it. Even if Xia Ran likes it, you wouldn't go to this store specifically to buy it, would you?"
"Also, if I'm not mistaken, the cake inside should be a durian cake, which is Gu's... favorite. But are you sure Xia Ran also likes this flavor of cake?"
Aunt Gu kept questioning him, even though she didn't know if Xia Ran liked the durian cake.
However, most people don't really like the smell of durian.
Faced with Aunt Gu's questioning, Gu Zheng's expression remained completely unchanged. He simply looked up at Aunt Gu and said...
"I told you, I only bought this cake for Xia Ran, Auntie, please don't overthink it."
Aunt Gu's expression was not good. Just as she was about to say something more, Qin Shi, who was next to her, pulled her back and shook his head to signal her not to say anything.
Aunt Gu was angry, but when she saw Gu Chen being held in Gu Zheng's arms, she held back and left after saying only one sentence.
"Gu Zheng, let me tell you, you'd better be devoted to Xia Ran and not do anything foolish. Some things can never be kept secret forever."
Qin Shi also looked helpless. As Aunt Gu's husband, he knew how much Aunt Gu liked Xia Ran and how much she hated Gu En.
“Ah Zheng, your aunt’s words may be harsh, but they’re not without reason. Life is pretty good right now, so please don’t do anything foolish again.”
Gu Zheng nodded, which was considered an agreement with Qin Shi, but only he himself knew what he was really thinking.
After Qin Shi left, Gu Zheng looked down at Gu Chen in his arms and asked softly,
"How many people did your stepfather take you to meet today? We had dinner together, how many were there?"
Gu Zheng didn't distrust Xia Ran, but he couldn't help but ask. He felt uneasy if he didn't.
Gu Chen blinked and said,
"two."
"Are you sure there are only two?" Gu Zheng asked again.
This time, Gu Chen didn't speak, but simply nodded vigorously.
Gu Zheng raised his hand and patted Gu Chen's head, his tone much gentler than before.
"You did well today. If something like this happens again or if there are any bad people around, be sure to tell me immediately, otherwise you'll have a hard time seeing your stepfather again, understand?"
Chapter 77 Xia Ran suddenly vomited
Gu Chen nodded vigorously again.
Xia Ran was somewhat surprised when she came out and saw that only Gu Zheng and his son Gu Chen were there.
"Zheng, where are your aunt and the others?"
"They went back to their room to take a shower."
As Gu Zheng answered, he placed Gu Chen on the sofa and let him sit down by himself.
He hadn't felt hungry before, but now that he could smell the aroma of the noodles, Gu Zheng realized he was actually very hungry.
The noodles Xia Ran cooked this time were basically the same as the ones she cooked last time.
I chopped up some tomatoes to make the soup base, added some greens, a fried egg, and some homemade braised beef slices. The bowl was full and looked very appetizing.
Hearing that Aunt Gu and the others had already returned to their rooms, Xia Ran didn't think much of it. After giving the noodles to Gu Zheng, he also planned to take Gu Chen back to take a bath.
After all, we're going to eat cake later!
After Xia Ran took Gu Chen back to the room, Gu Zheng, who was eating noodles, paused for a moment, looked up at the cake next to him, his eyes flickered, and then he continued eating as if nothing had happened.
Because they were thinking about eating cake, Xia Ran and Gu Chen took a much faster shower.
After finishing his noodles, Gu Zheng carried the cake up to their room on the same floor.
They were the only residents on that floor, which was quite convenient.
Xia Ran, who had just finished showering, ran into Gu Zheng, who was carrying a cake.
"Eat your cake here, hurry up and eat it, otherwise it won't taste good if it sits for too long."
Gu Zheng placed the cake on the table.
Xia Ran nodded quickly, holding Gu Chen's hand. "Then you should go take a shower too. A shower will make you feel better."
Gu Zheng nodded, and then went to take a shower.
Xia Ran led Gu Chen to the cake. Looking at the cake and thinking of Gu Zheng, Xia Ran couldn't help but smile.
"Xiao Chen, your big dad bought a cake for your little dad." Xia Ran lowered his head and gave Gu Chen a big kiss. Actually, he wanted to kiss Gu Zheng more right now, but Gu Zheng had already gone to take a shower, so he could only kiss Gu Chen.
Gu Chen's face flushed slightly from the kiss, but his eyes were sparkling, clearly showing his great joy.
However, Xia Ran didn't eat it, thinking she would wait until Gu Zheng came out before eating.