When Qin Hao received Xia Ran's call at the company, he thought he was seeing things and rubbed his eyes frantically.
He simply couldn't believe Xia Ran would call him!
"Hey, Xia Ran, what's up? Why are you calling me?"
Qin Hao was originally in Gu Zheng's office, so Gu Zheng heard him speak. When Qin Hao called out Xia Ran's name, Gu Zheng looked up.
Upon meeting Gu Zheng's gaze, Qin Hao immediately understood and quickly put the call on speakerphone.
"It's nothing, I just wanted you to tell your brother that I'm waiting for him at the entrance of the community and ask him to come over. I have something to say to him."
Qin Hao and Gu Zheng were both stunned when they heard this, but Gu Zheng was the first to react.
"I'm coming right now." He spoke loudly enough that Xia Ran on the other end of the phone heard him.
He hung up the phone immediately after hearing Gu Zheng's reply.
Qin Hao glanced at Gu Zheng, who had stormed out of the door, then at the phone that had been hung up, and finally blinked.
Does Xia Ran's initiative to contact his brother mean he wants to get back together with him? If that's the case, that would be wonderful!
Qin Hao immediately sent a message to Lin Yi, unaware of how ambiguous his action was.
Is the fact that they subconsciously shared the good news with someone already indicates that their relationship is already that good?
On the other side, Gu Zheng had never felt so eager to return home. Xia Ran's initiative to contact him made him extremely happy.
Perhaps because he was too happy, he didn't realize how strange Xia Ran's tone was when she called him earlier.
Xia Ran sat in the shop for a while longer before deciding to leave. He even forgot at first that he had ordered some things to take away, and it was only when the waiter reminded him that he remembered.
Carrying the bag in her hand, Xia Ran left the store in a daze.
Actually, the winter sun is very warm when it shines on you, but at this moment, standing under the bright sun, he doesn't feel warm at all, and even feels a little cold.
This chill was no less than the chill I felt when I found out I was a stand-in.
He stood there watching the cars come and go in the middle of the road, his heart filled with confusion.
He had originally arranged to meet Gu Zheng across the street, but now, for some reason, he couldn't take a single step.
He felt that God had played too many jokes on him this year, so many that he couldn't bear it.
His legs were getting numb from standing for so long, and a girl had appeared beside him without him noticing.
"Young man, what's wrong? I've seen you standing here for quite a while. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Hearing the sound, Xia Ran turned around and saw that it was a waiter from the milk tea shop next door, whose eyes were full of tour guide-like expressions.
Xia Ran was momentarily dazed, then came to her senses and said softly,
"It's nothing, I was just... thinking about some things, thank you."
But seeing the pain on Xia Ran's face, the girl didn't believe Xia Ran was alright. However, everyone has things they don't want to talk about, so she didn't ask, but simply comforted her.
"Nothing in this world is insurmountable. Time heals all wounds. Taking a step back can open up a whole new world, and taking a step forward can also lead to a brighter future. Don't be sad. You still have people who care about you. If you're free, go back now. I have to go back to work. Goodbye."
"Goodbye," Xia Ran replied to the girl, watching her return to the milk tea shop.
The girl's words didn't make Xia Ran feel any better, but thinking about the phone call he had with Qin Hao earlier, he figured he should go over there too.
There were no traffic lights here, and Xia Ran was in a daze, so she was almost hit by a car while crossing the road. Fortunately, the driver stepped on the brakes in time, and Xia Ran was also startled.
The driver leaned out of the car window, but instead of scolding Xia Ran, he asked with some concern.
"Young man, are you alright? Were you scared? Should we go to the hospital?"
The driver was a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties.
Coming to her senses, Xia Ran quickly bowed to the man, "I'm so sorry, uncle, I wasn't watching where I was going! I'm so sorry!"
"It's alright, it's alright. Hurry up and cross the road, the cars behind us are going to block the way," the driver said with a smile. Xia Ran nodded quickly and walked to the entrance of the residential area.
Standing at the entrance of the residential compound, he was still shaken, but the accident also helped him calm down.
He thought he needed to calm down and think carefully about what to do next.
Not long after, Gu Zheng arrived in his car. After parking in the parking space at the entrance of the residential area, he hurriedly got out of the car and came to Xia Ran.
"Ranran, I'm here. Is there something you wanted to see me about?"
Gu Zheng's face was filled with undisguised excitement and anticipation.
However, Xia Ran's face remained calm as she asked...
"Is Gu Chen Gu En's biological son?"
Gu Zheng's expression froze, and he asked with a hint of surprise,
How did you know?
Hearing this, Xia Ran closed his eyes briefly. Although he had just witnessed the truth, he still found it hard to accept hearing Gu Zheng admit it to him.
"So, he really is Gu En's son?" Xia Ran asked again, her voice trembling uncontrollably.
"Ranran, this is a complicated matter. Let me explain. Actually, I wanted to tell you yesterday, but you were busy. I also wanted to tell you this morning, but you didn't come out to see me either time. So I told the child to make sure you come out tonight, and I will definitely tell you the truth then."
Xia Ran thought of what Gu Chen had said to him that morning, which proved that Gu Zheng hadn't lied, but he...
"Gu Zheng, do you think I owed you something in my past life? Why have I had to endure all this time and time again? Why did I ever fall in love with you? Why did you marry me? Gu Zheng, I regret it so much."
Xia Ran spoke each word carefully, this time his eyes only slightly reddened.
"Actually, the life I want is very simple: three meals a day, and someone I like who also likes me. But all of this seems too difficult. I don't know why things have turned out this way, but what I want to say is, can you please leave me alone? I'm really tired."
"Also, I don't want to know anymore that the child is Gu En's biological child. Take the child back today and don't live across from me anymore. I beg you, can you let me have some peace and quiet?"
Xia Ran thought he would yell at Gu Zheng, but now he realized that he didn't even have the strength to yell anymore.
Gu Zheng was also saddened by Xia Ran's words, especially when he saw Xia Ran's expression, he felt even more heartbroken.
He wanted to say no, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.
"Okay, I promise you, I'll go back and take the child with me first, but you also promise me that you'll give me a chance to explain after today. Besides, we're going to the Feng family's place tomorrow."
Xia Ran didn't say anything, but turned around and walked into the residential area. Gu Zheng followed silently behind her, his eyes full of heartache.
They walked to the door, Xia Ran opened the door and entered the living room, and the next second a small cannonball rushed over.
"Daddy, why did it take you so long to come back? I missed you so much!"
Gu Chen hugged Xia Ran's leg, looking up at her with eyes full of joy.
This time, Xia Ran didn't reach out to hug the child; she just looked down at the child.
The living room contained not only the children and the old man, but also Lin's father, Lin Ziming, and Yu Wu.
"Hey? Big Daddy, what brings you here too? Did Little Daddy let you in?"
Gu Chen's tone suddenly changed, becoming excited and happy.
Gu Zheng's arrival caused a slight change in the expressions of everyone except Xia Ran and the child.
However, they all tacitly remained silent, because Xia Ran had brought this, and they didn't know what Xia Ran was thinking.
Gu Zheng: "Xiao Chen, come here. Let's go home with your big dad today."
"Huh? Why?" Gu Chen was confused and subconsciously hugged Xia Ran's leg tightly. "Why do I have to go back? I don't want to go back. I want to stay here with Little Daddy. Little Daddy, why do you think Big Daddy wants me to go back?"
Gu Chenyan looked up at Xia Ran again, but received no response from her.
Xia Ran calmed herself down, reached out a hand to push Gu Chen aside, and whispered,
"You go back with your father first today, I... have something to do."
Even after learning Gu Chen's true identity, Xia Ran still couldn't bring herself to say a single harsh word to the child.
Gu Chen noticed that Xia Ran was acting strangely.
"Little...Little Daddy, what's wrong? Why aren't you smiling at me? I'm scared."
Gu Chen no longer refers to himself as "baby" all the time; he only does it occasionally.
Xia Ran took a step back.
"I have other things to do. You and your eldest father go back first."
"No!" Although Gu Chen didn't know what was wrong with Xia Ran, he felt that she absolutely couldn't leave, otherwise he would lose his stepfather.
"Xia Ran." Old Master Xia, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "What are you doing? Don't take your bad mood out on the child. Look, you've scared the child."
The old man got up, walked to Gu Chen's side, hugged him, and gently comforted him.
Xia Ran's lips moved, but in the end she didn't say anything.
Gu Zheng then stepped forward and said to the old man,
"Grandpa, I had some things to take care of at home today, so I took the child back first. Please don't worry about Xia Ran. It's all my fault. I will apologize and explain to you later."
After saying that, he bent down and forcibly picked up Gu Chen.
Gu Chen didn't want to leave and burst into tears instantly.
"Waaah... I don't want to go! I don't want to go! I want my little daddy! Great-Grandpa, I don't want to go. I want to stay here with you. Great-Grandpa, little daddy... Baby's scared..."
Gu Zheng remained unmoved, while Xia Ran turned her body away from looking, her eyes slightly red.
The old man wanted to say something more, but looking at Xia Ran's expression, he sighed and said nothing.
Gu Zheng, holding the crying child, looked at Xia Ran and said...
"I'm taking the kids home first. I'll explain everything to you. If you're angry, don't be angry yourself. Be angry with me instead."
Gu Zheng knew that Xia Ran wouldn't answer him, so after he finished speaking, he picked up the child and prepared to leave.
"Waaaaah... Don't go, don't go! I want my little daddy, I want my great-grandpa! Great-grandpa, I won't go, don't go..."
The child's cries made the adults present feel a little sorry for him, but Gu Zheng carried the child to the door without changing his expression.
But he hadn't taken two steps when Xia Ran's voice called him to stop.
"Wait a moment."
Chapter 385 Venting
Gu Zheng subconsciously stopped in his tracks, thinking that Xia Ran wanted them to stay. Not only him, but also Gu Chen in Gu Zheng's arms immediately stopped crying.