Xia Ran was so confused that he eventually drifted off to sleep and didn't open his eyes until the alarm clock rang.
"Huh?" Xia Ran sat up blankly and found that Gu Chen next to her had also woken up.
"Little Daddy, is it time?"
"Okay, we're here." Xia Ran yawned. "Get up, change your clothes and get ready to go out."
"good."
The father and son, still half-asleep, washed their faces before fully waking up.
It's already 1:50, and it's about time.
Grandpa Xia got up earlier than them and stayed in the living room watching TV. Just as Lin's father had said yesterday, he was too busy to come over today, and Lin Ziming was also too busy to come over.
"Little Daddy, Big Daddy... what if he doesn't come?"
With Gu Zheng still not out by the time they were about to leave, Gu Chen couldn't help but feel a little worried.
Xia Ran initially thought Gu Zheng would definitely come, but now he's not so sure.
"Let's wait a little longer. If he doesn't come, we'll go ourselves. Maybe he's too busy with his company and can't get away, right?"
"But..." Gu Chen was about to say something when there was a knock on the door at the same time. Before Xia Ran could react, Gu Chen ran out.
"It must be Daddy. I'll go open the door."
As the child ran out, Xia Ran glanced at Grandpa Xia, worried that he might be unhappy. But to his surprise, the old man's reaction was unexpected.
"Go on, have fun. No need to rush back. Grandpa will be fine on his own."
Xia Ran paused for a moment, unsure of what the old man meant, and could only pick up her things and prepare to leave.
"Okay, call me if anything comes up, and I'll try to come back as soon as possible."
"Okay, okay, you're not a child anymore, why are you so worried about me? Go play."
Grandpa Xia waved his hand, urging Xia Ran to leave quickly. Xia Ran could only take her things and go out. Just as she reached the door, she saw Gu Zheng and Gu Chen about to come in.
Upon seeing the two of them, Xia Ran paused subconsciously, but Gu Chen had already run up to him and taken his hand.
"Little Daddy, let's go."
The child looked up at Xia Ran with his head held high, and the joy in his eyes made Xia Ran feel better too.
Xia Ran had always thought that her child didn't like going out to play, but it seems that's not the case at all. Her child really enjoys going out, otherwise why would he be so happy? It seems that she should take advantage of this time to take her child out to play.
However, what Xia Ran didn't know was that Gu Chen wasn't so happy because he was thinking about going out to play. What made the child happiest was being able to go out with his two fathers.
Gu Zheng's first glance was naturally at Xia Ran, but he also subtly glanced behind her and found that the old man and Lin Ziming were not there.
He could have come much earlier, but the investigation into the old man's past actually yielded results, which surprised him even though they were expected.
He had read a lot of information, which was why he had been delayed, and he had also been wondering whether or not to tell Xia Ran about it.
Because he was thinking about these things, and also because he had arranged for someone to handle things with Gu En, he only came over now.
Gu Zheng went straight up and took the bag from Xia Ran's hand. Xia Ran was caught off guard and Gu Zheng took the bag away. Moreover, their hands touched.
Xia Ran stiffened and instinctively withdrew her hand. Gu Zheng saw Xia Ran's reaction and his heart was instantly filled with bitterness.
In the past, when Xia Ran was with him, she always liked to stay close to him, and on the few times they went out shopping, she wanted to hold his hand. But now, she is afraid to even let him touch her.
"Let's go." Gu Zheng also intended to pretend he hadn't seen Xia Ran's reaction, and said this softly to the two of them before heading towards the elevator.
Xia Ran silently closed the door with the child and followed behind.
Gu Chen glanced at his older father walking ahead, then at his younger father holding his hand, his eyes filled with disappointment and frustration.
His great-uncle is really something! How could he be so foolish! At a time like this, why is he still walking ahead alone? This is a rare opportunity; shouldn't he be walking with them?
However, Gu Chen only dared to think it in his heart and didn't dare to say it out loud.
Actually, he has felt very guilty lately because he always helps his older brother.
Even though there were only the three of them in the elevator, Xia Ran felt the air was a bit crowded.
Once in the car, Xia Ran sat in the back seat with the child, while Gu Zheng drove.
Gu Zheng wanted to speak to Xia Ran the whole way, but he couldn't find an opportunity.
"Please stop the car in front of the fruit shop later."
Xia Ran suddenly spoke, which surprised Gu Zheng. Finally, he had something to talk about.
"No need, I already had Uncle Wang prepare everything when I came over. There's enough to take with me."
Xia Ran didn't say anything after hearing this, but she didn't say anything about insisting on buying it either, which could be considered as tacit agreement.
The topic had run out of steam again, and Gu Zheng was somewhat annoyed.
Gu Chen glanced at his eldest father, but ultimately said nothing. He had helped his eldest father for so long, and now it was time to help his younger father as well; otherwise, it would be unfair to his younger father.
Gu Zheng thought for a long time and finally came up with a topic. Since the matter had to be discussed sooner or later anyway, he might as well say it now.
"Ranran, have you ever thought about what Lin Ziming and the others might do by suddenly getting close to you?"
Xia Ran frowned upon hearing this and said,
"They have no ulterior motives, so you'd better not say anything nasty to them or do anything bad, or I won't let you off the hook."
Xia Ran actually knew his and Gu Zheng's identities, so his words about not letting Gu Zheng go were essentially meaningless. However, Xia Ran knew Gu Zheng too well and was afraid that Gu Zheng might do something to Lin Ziming and the others because of temporary suspicion and doubt.
Xia Ran could clearly sense how much her grandfather's mood changed after Uncle Lin and Brother Ziming arrived.
Gu Zheng never expected Xia Ran to think of him this way. He felt a little sad and helpless at the same time, because he knew that he had only himself to blame.
"Ranran, that's not what I meant." Gu Zheng carefully considered his tone, speaking with a hint of grievance.
However, after hearing Gu Zheng speak like that for the first time, Xia Ran had become immune to it, so she was not affected by Gu Zheng's tone at all, and instead spoke even more coldly.
"What do you mean by 'not that'? If that's not what you meant, why did you say it? Gu Zheng, I've been turning a blind eye to many things for now, but if you dare to do anything to Uncle Lin and Brother Ziming, don't blame me for being impolite."
Gu Zheng felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart again, especially when he heard Xia Ran calling him "Brother Ziming" repeatedly. He was so angry that he almost vomited blood, but he could only accept it.
"Ranran, I really didn't mean it that way. I just found out Lin Ziming and his group's identities. They are..."
"Gu Zheng, are you ever going to stop?!" Xia Ran interrupted Gu Zheng before he could finish speaking. "You're investigating this one minute and that the next, what exactly are you trying to do? Uncle Lin and Brother Ziming are my friends, my family. What are you trying to do by investigating them like this?"
"I..." Gu Zheng was speechless. He had only wanted to tell Xia Ran Lin Ziming the real purpose, but he did not expect Xia Ran's reaction to be so strong.
Gu Zheng had a headache and didn't know whether he should continue.
"Have you ever considered that Lin Ziming's appearance might be related to that person from your grandfather's youth?"
"What?" Xia Ran was taken aback. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing much. I just wanted you to think about whether it's possible."
Xia Ran didn't speak. His suspicious gaze fell on Gu Zheng. He didn't believe that Gu Zheng had just said it casually.
"Did you find out something?" Xia Ran couldn't help but ask.
"It's not clear yet; we'll have to wait and see."
Gu Zheng wanted to use this incident to increase his chances of chatting with Xia Ran again.
Chapter 391 Repentance? Forgiveness?
"You!" Xia Ran was furious. He seemed to vaguely understand what Gu Zheng meant by saying that.
Gu Zheng had clearly already found out about Lin Ziming's matter, but now he's saying he hasn't found out yet. He's obviously just trying to keep him hanging!
Even if Xia Ran knew, he was helpless; he couldn't force Gu Zheng to tell him.
Gu Zheng was amused by Xia Ran's appearance. He liked Xia Ran like this—energetic and lively.
It also made him feel that the two of them could get closer.
Xia Ran heard Gu Zheng's laughter, and was immediately annoyed and embarrassed, but she could only endure it.
Gu Chen looked at his two fathers, his little face full of confusion.
What's wrong with this adult? He was so angry just now, and now he's laughing again.
"Ranran, don't worry, I will definitely tell you as soon as I have any news," Gu Zheng said again.
Xia Ran knew that Gu Zheng was already intentionally keeping it from him, so he didn't reply when he heard this.
Gu Zheng felt he had already gained enough for the day, so he didn't say anything more, afraid that Xia Ran would get angry if he said too much.
The He family lives in a wealthy villa area. When entering the community, they have to register with the security guard and explain whose house they live in.
Xia Ran had already texted He Hao on her way there, so after they registered and went inside, He Hao was already waiting for them at the front door.
Xia Ran saw He Hao and Feng Ming waving to them with the chubby boy from inside the car.
"You've finally arrived! Our little fatty has been talking about you for so long."
As soon as they got out of the car, He Hao couldn't help but say something. Before he could finish speaking, Feng Nianhao had already grabbed Gu Chen's hand.
"Wow! Gu Chen, you're finally here! You have no idea how long I've been waiting for you. But my stepfather wouldn't let me call you, saying that you guys have to make arrangements and can't change the time at the last minute."
Xia Ran couldn't help but chuckle at the chubby boy's words and said to He Hao,
"We're not too late, are we?"
"No, no, come on, let's go in." He Hao said with a smile, then gave Feng Ming a wink, and the latter nodded.
"Okay, wait a moment, Xiao Chen brought you some gifts."
As soon as Xia Ran finished speaking, Gu Zheng took something out of the trunk.
There was a box of clothes that Gu Chen had bought, along with a bracelet he had made, and two other boxes that looked quite expensive, but Xia Ran didn't know what was inside.
Xia Ran thought for a moment, but still didn't reach out to take it, just in case she bumped into Gu Zheng's hand again.
He Hao immediately expressed his disapproval upon seeing these items.
"This is my invitation for you to come and have fun. How could you bring so much stuff? It makes me feel so embarrassed."
Xia Ran smiled and said, "No, Xiao Chen wanted to buy that clothes box. He bought it with his own pocket money, and I even braided a red string for you guys."
Xia Ran didn't mention anything about what Gu Zheng took, because he genuinely didn't know what was inside.
"Oh, Daddy, don't ask so many questions. These are all gifts from Gu Chen. You can just take some back to them later. Hurry up, I want to take Gu Chen inside to play!"