The footsteps faded into the distance, and Xia Ran remained in the same posture, with no one knowing what he was thinking.
When Gu Zheng walked into the living room, the child immediately ran towards him.
"Big Daddy, how's Little Daddy? Is he alright?"
Gu Zheng squatted down to be at eye level with the child and said,
"He's not feeling well right now, he's very unhappy, so I'll pick you up tomorrow morning, okay?"
Gu Chen's tears fell without warning, but he still nodded heavily.
“Okay, I understand, Daddy. I…I’m willing to go back with you. I know it’s because of us that Little Daddy is unhappy. Let’s cheer him up. I can take care of myself.”
Gu Zheng hugged the child and said, "Spend some time with your stepfather tonight and talk to him."
After saying that, he left immediately.
Even the child could tell that Xia Ran was unhappy, but he hadn't noticed at all.
No, perhaps he did realize it, but he just didn't want to admit it. He didn't want to admit that what he brought Xia Ran was not happiness, but pain.
But the child's words, and Xia Ran's words just now, made him understand completely.
Perhaps, he really should let Xia Ran go.
His heart was really, really hurting, so much so that he couldn't even speak.
Dazhuang watched the whole scene unfold and sighed silently in his heart.
He now seems to truly believe that Gu Zheng likes Xia Ran, but unfortunately, this affection came too late.
Da Zhuang's phone vibrated, and when he saw who had sent him the message, his brows furrowed again.
He's not much better off than Xia Ran now. Since He Xiu went back, he's been sending him messages every day, occasionally asking about Xia Ran, which forces him to reply. It's hard for him to delete this person's contact information.
After Gu Zheng left, Gu Chen also entered the room. He walked up to Xia Ran, who was sitting on the bed, then climbed onto the bed himself, put his arm around Xia Ran's arm, and said...
"Little Daddy, don't be sad. Xiao Chen will never make you sad again."
His voice was soft and gentle, as if soothing Xia Ran's worries little by little.
Xia Ran looked down at the child, reached out and hugged the child into her arms, and said softly,
"Baby, come sleep with your dad, he's a little tired."
At this moment, he was unaware that Gu Zheng had already spoken to the child, and he was only thinking of explaining things to the child the next morning.
Gu Chen nodded, "Okay, Xiao Chen will sleep with you. You have to sleep well and eat well too, otherwise... Xiao Chen will feel sorry for you, okay?"
Gu Chen was trying hard to hold back his tears. After hearing these words, Xia Ran's eyes also became a little hot, and she softly replied, "Okay."
The child in his arms quickly fell asleep, but Xia Ran couldn't fall asleep. He quietly watched the child for a while, then got up and went to Grandpa Xia's room.
Grandpa Xia was also in a bad mood, and he was afraid that something might happen to Grandpa Xia.
Fortunately, Grandpa was just sleeping and there was nothing unusual. Xia Ran took a stool and sat by the bed, looking at Grandpa Xia's face.
He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that his grandfather's hair seemed to have turned much whiter and his face looked older.
Xia Ran felt incredibly guilty when she thought that all of this was because of him.
"Grandpa, I'm sorry..."
"What are you apologizing for? I'm your grandfather, no matter what, I'm still your grandfather, and I'm not blaming you."
Chapter 251 The Child Must Leave
Xia Ran had only meant to say something to herself, but to her surprise, Grandpa Xia actually answered.
He paused for a moment, then continued.
"I'm sorry, Grandpa. It's all because of me. Otherwise, the neighbors wouldn't have come to our door to cause trouble."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Grandpa Xia said disapprovingly. "That's how all of them are. We should just live our own lives!"
Grandpa Xia sat up and coughed lightly after speaking. Xia Ran could only quickly help Grandpa Xia sit down.
"Even though that's what I say, I still can't help it..."
Grandpa Xia: "Xia Ran, you need to know that in the end, you will encounter many problems and setbacks in your life. Some things and setbacks are actually our life experiences."
"That's how some people are. The worse you are, the more they'll kick you when you're down. So once you do something embarrassing, they'll swarm around you and laugh at you."
"The best way to retaliate against these people is to live a better life than them, so that they will never have the chance to laugh at you again, understand?"
Xia Ran knew perfectly well that his grandfather was right, but when he thought of the faces and expressions of those people today, he couldn't help but feel sad, angry, and guilty...
"I understand, Grandpa. You also need to take good care of yourself. You can't let anything happen to you, otherwise I really won't know what to do."
"Don't worry, Grandpa is in good health. As long as you can live a good life, that's all that matters. Grandpa is getting old, and what I want most is for you to live a good life."
"Okay." Xia Ran nodded. "Grandpa, don't worry, I will."
Xia Ran chatted with her grandfather for a while, and then went back to her room to pack Gu Chen's clothes.
That night, Xia Ran didn't seem to sleep well either. In her dreams, she kept seeing everyone pointing fingers at her and saying she was a mistress...
He knew perfectly well that he wasn't, but he just couldn't help feeling sad and having all sorts of wild thoughts...
When Xia Ran woke up the next morning, she found that the child had already woken up.
He sat up and sat opposite the child. Thinking about how the child would have to leave soon, he was speechless for a moment.
How can he bring it up in a way that makes the child feel less upset?
But to his surprise, before Xia Ran could speak, the child spoke first.
"Little Daddy, I have something I want to tell you."
"Huh? What?" Xia Ran responded subconsciously.
Gu Chen: "Little Daddy, I...I've thought it over. I can't lose my Big Daddy. I can only...I can only leave you. I...I don't actually like you that much."
The child said he didn't like Xia Ran, but tears still streamed down his face.
"You...you have your own life. Don't think about me anymore. I'll eat and sleep well on my own."
Hearing the child's words, Xia Ran was stunned. Looking at the child crying with a stubborn expression, he felt a pang of sadness and pain in his heart.
"Xiao Chen, do you...do you know what you're saying?" Xia Ran asked.
Gu Chen nodded vigorously, "I know, I know everything, but I really can't bear to part with my eldest father. Just like you said, my surname is Gu."
"I'm leaving soon. I'll eat and sleep well, so don't worry about me. You... you should be happy too, and don't make me worry..."
Upon hearing this, Xia Ran seemed to immediately understand what it meant.
But he couldn't believe it; he couldn't believe that his child would think that way and say such a thing.
He wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing, because this was a very good thing for him.
Because he originally wanted to make things clear with his child, rather than worrying that the child wouldn't listen to him, he decided to go along with the child's words.
“Okay…” Xia Ran replied, “Then when you get back, have your uncle take you to kindergarten and get along well with the other children.”
"If you feel unwell, be sure to tell your teacher immediately, or tell your great-uncle and Grandpa Wang, okay?"
The child nodded with tears in his eyes, "I understand, Daddy, can you hug me again?"
Xia Ran choked up and couldn't speak, so she could only hold the child in her arms.
When the two came out of the room, both of their eyes were red and swollen.
Dazhuang, unusually early today, sighed when he saw their swollen eyes and asked,
"What would you like for breakfast this morning? I'll go buy it for you."
Gu Chen: "I want to eat anything my little dad makes, anything is fine."
Xia Ran patted the child's head. "Okay, then you stay here with Great-Grandpa. Your little dad will go make it for you."
The child nodded vigorously, then ran over to Grandpa Xia.
Xia Ran glanced at the child and went into the kitchen. Da Zhuang looked at him and followed Xia Ran into the kitchen.
Gu Chen sat down on the small stool in front of Grandpa Xia, right next to Grandpa Xia's lap, and looked up at Grandpa Xia as he spoke.
"Great-Grandpa, I'm leaving soon. I won't make you angry anymore, and I won't... let anyone say anything bad about my stepfather anymore. I'm sorry..."
Grandpa Xia, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them immediately upon hearing Gu Chen's words, looking at the child with some surprise.
“Who…who told you these things? Did your stepfather tell you? And you…”
Grandpa Xia originally wanted to say, "Don't blame your stepfather," but before he could finish speaking, the child spoke up.
"No, Great-Grandpa, it was me who said it. I know I can't keep relying on my stepfather anymore. He's very good to me, but... I know he'll be unhappy if I keep following him around."
"Great-Grandpa, please don't tell Little Dad what I'm telling you, okay? Otherwise he'll be sad. After I'm gone, please don't be so mean to Little Dad. He loves you very much."
Seeing the child looking up at him, Grandpa Xia couldn't help but get teary-eyed.
The child is a good person, but they are just destined to be apart.
Grandpa Xia raised his hand and touched the child's head, saying softly.
"From now on, you can't throw tantrums and refuse to eat. You're a little man now, and you need to learn to grow up. If you miss home, come back and visit. Your great-grandfather will always welcome you."
Gu Chen smiled slightly. "Okay, I understand. Thank you, Great-Grandpa. Great-Grandpa, can I keep this little bracelet forever?"
Gu Chen raised his hand, revealing the silver bracelet that Grandpa Xia had given him before.
Grandpa Xia: "This was originally a gift for you, so I will definitely keep giving it to you."
"Thank you, Great-Grandpa." Gu Chen smiled, his eyes crinkling, but Grandpa Xia felt a lump in his throat.
Chapter 252 Guilt
Gu Chen didn't say anything more, but sat leaning against Grandpa Xia's legs.
Although it was sad to leave his stepfather and great-grandfather, they would be happy to see him gone, as he would only be a burden to his stepfather here.
When Xia Ran finished cooking the noodles and eggs, she saw Grandpa Xia stroking the child's head.
He paused for a moment, a smile appearing in his eyes. His grandfather's affection for the child was no less than his own.