Xia Ran breathed a sigh of relief, but in the end she couldn't help but glare at Gu Zheng without leaving a trace. It was all Gu Zheng's fault. He didn't know to wake him up last night, and the child was so frightened this morning.
Gu Zheng looked somewhat helpless after receiving a disapproving look. Although he didn't know what Xia Ran was thinking, he could roughly guess.
Because of a misunderstanding in the morning, the atmosphere at breakfast was rather awkward.
Xia Ran, in particular, felt her face flush, and dared not look directly at Da Zhuang and the others' teasing gazes.
Xia Ran forced herself to look up, reluctantly accepting the offer, and said...
"Don't look at me like that. Nothing happened between us last night. I couldn't sleep, so I went to sit by the door for a while. Gu Zheng found me and kept chatting with me. Later, I fell asleep without realizing it, and Gu Zheng had to take me back to his room. He was worried that taking me back to his room would disturb the child, so this is what you saw this morning."
He originally thought that if he explained it this way, Dazhuang and the others would believe him and understand.
But to everyone's surprise, even after he finished speaking, their expressions didn't change. Even He Xiu, who came from next door, had already been told what happened that morning by Da Zhuang, and now fully understood what had occurred.
Da Zhuang looked at Xia Ran with an expression that said, "Don't worry, there's no need to explain anymore, we all understand. Anyway, you're already married, we all understand, we all comprehend. We just want to say that next time, could you please make arrangements for the child in advance, so as not to make the child worry and be afraid again?"
"I..." Xia Ran wanted to argue a bit more, but in the end she gave in, "Fine. Anyway, you won't believe me no matter what I say."
As soon as he finished speaking, the others all smiled again, which Xia Ran couldn't bear to look at. But when he turned to look at Gu Zheng, he couldn't help but get angry when he saw the smug smile on Gu Zheng's lips.
I'll settle the score with Gu Zheng properly next time! If he still believed Gu Zheng was innocent just now, he's absolutely convinced Gu Zheng did it on purpose now!
Gu Zheng noticed Xia Ran's gaze, but he wasn't angry at all. Instead, he smiled at Xia Ran.
Well, now Xia Ran is in a dilemma – she can't be angry, and she can't not be angry either.
The Lunar New Year is fast approaching, and today is Lunar New Year's Eve. In the past few days, Xia Ran and her family have prepared a lot of things, decorating their home in a lively and festive manner.
According to local custom, if an elderly person in the family passes away, the first New Year's Eve will not be decorated so warmly and festively.
But Xia Ran is different. Grandpa Xia's passing is different from other people's passing. Grandpa said that he hoped he could live a peaceful and joyful life, so he should live well so that Grandpa wouldn't have to worry about him from over there.
Because the Lunar New Year is approaching, people who went out to work in the town have returned, and the town is noticeably more lively. There aren't many places in the town that still retain such old-fashioned courtyard houses, probably only three or four. Xia Ran's house and the house next door that Gu Zheng bought occupy two of them, and some young people who have returned like to come here to take pictures.
Plus, there are two big trees in front of the house, making it a great spot for taking photos.
Xia Ran sat at the door with her child and watched this scene. Suddenly, she felt a sense of peace in her heart.
Gu Zheng was on the phone in his room; it sounded like Qin Hao was reporting official business to him.
Dazhuang and Hexiu had already gone to buy fruit. With the Lunar New Year approaching, fruit was expensive and in short supply in many places, so Dazhuang simply took Hexiu to the wholesale department to buy some.
Lin Ziming and his father had basically figured out the town over the past few days. So, taking advantage of the fact that potted plants and fresh flowers were relatively cheap on New Year's Eve, Lin's father took Lin Ziming to the flower market and bought a lot of potted plants and fresh flowers. They just got back and are decorating the house now.
"Want to take some photos?" A voice suddenly sounded behind the two of them, and then someone sat down next to Xia Ran. It was Gu Zheng.
When Gu Zheng came over, he brought them milk, which was still warm.
Xia Ran accepted the milk with a helpless expression. "I'm not a child anymore. Don't keep giving me hot milk. You can heat it up for the child from now on."
"Even if you're not a child, I'd still be happy to heat up some milk for you."
Ever since that night when the two of them opened up to each other, Gu Zheng has been able to say sweet nothings to Xia Ran effortlessly.
Xia Ran has gone from feeling awkward at first to getting used to it now, but she still can't help feeling shy.
"Could you please be more careful with your words next time? The child is still here."
"It's good for a child's physical and mental health if the two fathers are affectionate. And the child should already be used to it."
Suddenly being mentioned, Gu Chen glanced blankly at his two fathers and tilted his head slightly.
"What's wrong?"
Xia Ran and Gu Zheng both smiled indulgently. Xia Ran rubbed Gu Chen's head and said, "It's okay, drink your milk. When Uncle Dazhuang and the others come back this afternoon, we'll start preparing delicious food. Daddy will make you some local specialties, and then we'll make you glutinous rice balls and dumplings, okay? Great-Grandpa used to like making glutinous rice balls and dumplings for Daddy during Chinese New Year."
Hearing this, Gu Zheng looked at Xia Ran with even more worry in his eyes. Fortunately, Xia Ran's expression did not change, so he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Okay, then I'll make tangyuan for my stepfather too. Can you teach me, stepfather?"
"Of course you can."
Xia Ran and Gu Chen were discussing making glutinous rice balls when they unknowingly finished their milk. Gu Zheng habitually reached out and took their cups from their hands.
Just as Gu Zheng brought the two cups over, a camera shutter sounded in front of them.
Xia Ran and the others instinctively looked over and saw two boys who looked to be in their early twenties. One of them was smiling at them while holding a camera, and then the two walked towards them.
"I'm sorry to be so forward." The boy with the camera had dimples, and his smile was very cute.
“I came back with my boyfriend. He said there were two very beautiful courtyard houses here. Since I like photography, he brought me here.”
"I couldn't help but take pictures of you two together. Do you mind? If you do, I'll give you the photos and the negatives. If you don't mind, I'll give you the photos, but can I keep the negatives? I'm planning to hold a photography exhibition at school next semester, and I'd like to include your photos in it."
The boy talked for a long time, leaving Xia Ran and the others no time to interject. The boy behind him, her boyfriend, was obviously used to this, so he kept giving Xia Ran and the others an apologetic smile.
After the boy with the camera finished speaking, he looked at Xia Ran with such anticipation. His gaze was so endearing that it melted Xia Ran's heart. It was the first time she'd ever seen such a soft and adorable boy, and she truly couldn't resist him…
Xia Ran looked at Gu Zheng beside her, "What do you think?"
"I'll do whatever you say," Gu Zheng replied without hesitation.
For some reason, Xia Ran blushed slightly upon hearing Gu Zheng's words, feeling that Gu Zheng's words were somewhat indulgent.
He took a deep breath and focused his gaze on the boy in front of them.
"Sure, we're not related, you can take it. But we hope you'll only use it for the photography exhibition and not for anything else. Do you understand what I mean?"
It's not that Xia Ran insisted on saying it that way, but the internet is so developed in today's society that sometimes just a single photo can lead people to say all sorts of things.
He asked Gu Zheng earlier because he was afraid that these photos would put Gu Zheng in a difficult position. After all, Gu Zheng's identity is quite intriguing, and it wouldn't be good if someone used them for something.
"Of course, of course! I would never do anything else. You believe me, I just thought the scene you just saw was so beautiful that I couldn't resist taking a picture."
When the boy smiled happily, his dimples became even deeper, and Xia Ran's mood improved as well.
Chapter 437 Watching Fireworks Differently (End of Main Text)
"Here, this photo is for you, thank you."
The photos had already been developed while they were talking.
Xia Ran took the photo and found it to be quite beautiful. It seemed they hadn't taken enough photos. To be honest, the three of them looked really good together in the picture.
The boy's boyfriend patted him on the shoulder, indicating that it was time to leave.
The boy turned around and smiled at him before looking at Xia Ran and the others.
"Thank you all, we'll be going now. See you next time if we have the chance."
"Goodbye." Xia Ran waved to them. Watching the two figures leave, he couldn't help but sigh.
"very nice."
"Hmm?" Gu Zheng looked at him. "What's wrong? What's so good?"
"It's so good to be young, it's so good to be in love," Xia Ran sighed. Gu Zheng was taken aback, then a hint of guilt appeared on his face.
"sorry."
"Huh?" This time, it was Xia Ran's turn to be puzzled. "Why are you suddenly apologizing?"
Even the child looked at Gu Zheng, clearly finding his apology to Gu Zheng somewhat strange.
"It's all because I haven't let you experience what it's like to be in a relationship. After the New Year, I will definitely accompany you to do all the things that a relationship should do."
After hearing Gu Zheng's words, Xia Ran winked at him, feeling a warmth in his heart. In fact, he was already satisfied with Gu Zheng's words.
"Then we'll go and date when we have time. Actually, I don't really want to experience dating. Everyone's dating experience is different. We're already very happy with what we have now. I'm very content. I was just sighing a little earlier."
"I'll definitely make it up to you then," Gu Zheng said stubbornly.
Xia Ran smiled at him and didn't argue further. The child, seeing this, couldn't help but chime in.
"I want one too! Daddy, you can't leave me behind. You have to take me with you when you're dating. You can't leave me behind, or I'll be sad!"
When the two heard their child's words, they both laughed. Xia Ran patted Gu Chen's head and said softly, "Okay, when Daddy and Daddy start dating in the future, we will definitely take you with us. We will never leave you behind."
Gu Chen rubbed Xia Ran's hand contentedly.
Just as Xia Ran was about to suggest going back after sitting for so long, two cars drove up in front of them.
Xia Ran didn't recognize one of the cars, but he did recognize another one; it seemed to belong to the Gu family.
Xia Ran glanced at Gu Zheng, who smiled at him.
"Actually, I wanted to tell you this earlier, but I was held up by some things. My aunt and uncle said they're coming here for the New Year this year, and the Feng family is coming too."
Xia Ran looked towards the car and, sure enough, Aunt Gu got out. Then came Mr. and Mrs. Feng.
"Baby!" Mr. and Mrs. Feng were overjoyed to see Xia Ran and immediately ran over.
Xia Ran wondered if it was just her imagination, but she felt that Mr. and Mrs. Feng seemed to have become younger since she last saw them.
In the instant he was stunned, Feng's parents had already run up to him, and then Feng's mother hugged Xia Ran tightly.
Xia Ran was stunned for a moment, unsure of how to react. He could only subconsciously look at Gu Zheng beside him, since Gu Zheng was the person he knew best.
Gu Zheng nodded reassuringly at him, and Xia Ran hesitated for a moment before raising his arm.
Feng's mother was stunned when Xia Ran actually responded to him. Her eyes welled up with tears in no time, a mixture of joy and emotion.
"My little one, you... why do you look so thin when I hold you?" Feng's mother choked up, and her arms tightened around Xia Ran.
"No." Xia Ran was a little uncomfortable. "You...you're mistaken. I've been doing quite well lately, eating pretty well, and I haven't lost weight."
He didn't know how to address Feng's father and mother, so this was the only way he could address them.
Mr. Feng also saw Xia Ran's initiative, and for a moment, this big man couldn't help but tear up.
Xia Ran felt a bit conflicted and didn't know what to say, so she could only nod at him.
"Um... why don't you go in first? Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I... I wasn't prepared at all."
"It's alright, it's alright, we're all ready. Your welcoming us is the best preparation you can give us." Feng's mother reluctantly let go of Xia Ran.
Xia Ran breathed a sigh of relief, but he felt very uncomfortable being hugged by Feng's mother.
"Of course you're welcome to come, but it's such a long way, you... it's not really necessary for you to come, it's quite troublesome."
“How can this be called trouble?” Mrs. Feng said disapprovingly. “You are our little one, of course we will stay by your side.”
“That’s right, that’s right,” Mr. Feng said. “It was our fault before, we lost you, that’s why we haven’t been able to spend the New Year with you all these years. But now that we’ve found you, we’re determined to spend the New Year with you. Your mother and I will be wherever you are.”
“We know you’re not used to our presence yet, but that’s okay. We can wait for you to get used to it. Don’t worry, we won’t force you. We just want to stay by your side for the New Year.”