Gu Zheng had never smiled like this before Gu En appeared. And after Gu En came into the picture, their relationship deteriorated to divorce and breakdown, so of course Gu Zheng wouldn't smile at him so tenderly anymore.
Even later, when Gu Zheng found out his feelings and wanted to get back together with him, his tone and smile were cautious, ingratiating, and expectant.
Because he never gave Gu Zheng a friendly look back then, and never wanted to talk to Gu Zheng, Gu Zheng never smiled at him, or rather, even if Gu Zheng smiled at him, he didn't see it.
Then, just as he was trying to accept Gu Zheng, his grandfather passed away, and it seemed that today was the first time he had seen Gu Zheng smile like that.
While he was thinking, Gu Zheng had already led him into the store. Actually, they weren't far from the store, and Gu Zheng knew the address.
Gu Zheng just wanted to ask Xia Ran a question; he didn't actually not know the way.
Once inside the store, Xia Ran's thoughts finally returned. He looked down at Gu Chen, whom he was holding hands with, and then at Gu Zheng, who was holding his hand beside him. A hint of tenderness appeared in his eyes.
That's actually quite good.
However, they had only just entered the store and hadn't even found seats when Gu Zheng suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"What's wrong?" Xia Ran asked Gu Zheng.
Gu Zheng gestured for Xia Ran to look at the front of the shop. Xia Ran followed his gaze and saw a large photograph in front of the shop, and the people in the photograph were none other than them.
Xia Ran's eyes widened slightly as she tried to recall when the photo was taken.
"Where...where did this come from? How..."
“This is a photo of the first time you brought me and the child here,” Gu Zheng said.
Hearing this, Xia Ran suddenly remembered.
"But who took this photo? We didn't take any photos at the time."
"I don't know." Gu Zheng frowned.
At that moment, the store employees also saw them, and then a young girl ran over.
"Oh, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you for so long!" the girl said excitedly.
Xia Ran looked at the girl in front of her and was quite certain that she did not know her.
"Do...do we know each other?"
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm the owner of this shop now, and I took that photo of you. I've been looking for you and waiting for you to come, but I never saw you. I didn't expect you to finally come after so long. Oh my, it's been so long, you three seem to have gotten even more handsome."
The girl spoke excitedly, while Xia Ran looked completely bewildered.
What exactly happened?
Seeing their puzzled expressions, the girl slapped her forehead and instantly realized what was going on.
"Oh dear, it's all my fault. I was so busy talking to you that I forgot to let you sit down. Come, come, sit here."
The girl walked to a four-seater in the corner. Xia Ran glanced at Gu Zheng, who was also looking at her.
"Let's go take a look first," Gu Zheng said.
"Okay," Xia Ran replied, as he thought so too.
Chapter 433 Photos, Signboard
The girl sat alone on one side of the four-seater table, while Xia Ran and Gu Zheng sat on the other side with their child.
The girl looked at the family of three across from her, her eyes crinkling with laughter.
Wow, how come all three of you are so good-looking? You look even better up close!
Xia Ran and Gu Zheng exchanged a glance upon hearing this. In the end, Xia Ran cleared her throat, preparing to speak, because she knew Gu Zheng well enough to know that he wouldn't ask on his own initiative.
"Um, boss, right? I have something I want to ask you. What's the deal with this photo in your shop? And why did you call us over here?"
Upon hearing this, the owner immediately realized what was happening and slapped her forehead in frustration once again. However, she didn't say anything right away but instead handed over the menu first.
"You guys order some things you want to eat first, and then we can talk slowly. Don't worry, this is my treat, so eat whatever you want."
She had a wonderful plan; she wanted to see the family of three up close as much as possible, so she needed to find a reason to stay here a little longer.
However, neither Xia Ran nor Gu Zheng were the type to be greedy for small gains. They couldn't eat with complete peace of mind until they had clarified the matter of the photos.
"No, boss, you should tell us first, otherwise we won't be able to eat."
Xia Ran tried to make her tone and expression more serious.
The girl looked both annoyed and pitiful.
"Well... okay. Actually, I took a picture of your family of three by accident when you came to eat last time. At that time, I had just taken over this shop, and I thought your picture was very sweet and you were good-looking, so I wanted to use it as a signboard in the shop."
As she said this, she touched her nose shyly.
"However, I had been waiting for you to come and ask for your opinion, but I waited for several months without seeing you. Today I finally saw you! I am so happy! By the way, do you mind? If you do, I will take down the photos in a moment."
The boss wasn't an unreasonable person. Although she really liked the photo and the family of three, she wouldn't force them if they didn't want it.
"But if you're willing to let me put your photos in the shop, I can let you eat as many desserts as you want for free!
It's clear the boss really wanted this photo.
Xia Ran and Gu Zheng were both quite surprised after hearing this. They hadn't expected it to be for this reason, which really surprised them.
Gu Zheng glanced at Xia Ran, and Xia Ran was also looking at him.
"Is that all?" Xia Ran looked at the girl again.
The girl nodded vigorously, "Because this photo of you two is so sweet! Don't you think so? Ever since I put up your photo, the shop's business and sales have doubled! I've even rented the second floor now. And look, your eyes are full of love for each other! I'm so envious!"
Xia Ran and the others glanced back; they could see the photo from this vantage point as well.
This photo was actually taken when Xia Ran and the child were eating in the store, and Gu Zheng went to buy cotton candy and was about to hand it to Xia Ran.
Upon hearing this, Xia Ran took a serious look and seemed to genuinely notice the gentleness in Gu Zheng's eyes at that moment.
Xia Ran subconsciously looked at Gu Zheng, who looked a little embarrassed, and the tips of his ears turned red.
Xia Ran suddenly paused for a moment, then a smile appeared in his eyes. He asked Gu Zheng, "What do you think?"
"I'm fine with anything, I'll listen to whatever you say."
"Well... how about we keep this photo?"
As soon as Xia Ran said this, the boss across from them immediately lit up.
Wow, really? Thank you!
Xia Ran smiled at her, and was about to speak when Gu Zheng spoke up.
"But I have one condition."
"What? You mean! As long as it's within my tolerance, I'm fine with anything!"
She looked resolute, as if she was afraid that Xia Ran and Gu Zheng would change their minds.
In fact, Xia Ran didn't know why Gu Zheng suddenly said that, so she looked at Gu Zheng with a puzzled expression.
Gu Zheng maintained a calm expression throughout. "Send me the original photo."
"Huh?" The boss was taken aback for a moment, but quickly realized what he meant and said with a smile, "No problem, no problem! But I have a condition."
Gu Zheng's brows furrowed immediately.
"I want to take another picture for you and put it in the store, and I can also send you the original picture."
Hearing the girl's words, Xia Ran suddenly rubbed her temples, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Similarly, Gu Zheng actually agreed this time as well.
"Thank you! Please have a seat! I'll go get you some food, it's on me today, and I'll also go grab a camera! Please have a seat!"
The girl excitedly left her seat. Xia Ran thought the girl was quite nice, with a good personality.
"Daddy, will that lady give us that photo?" Xia Ran glanced at Gu Chen, patted the child's head, and answered with a smile.
"Yes, your dad asked earlier, and the older sister will give it to us. Does Xiao Chen like this photo?"
"I love it! I love it so much! I've never taken a single photo with my dad or my other dad before, I really like it."
Gu Chen's affections also influenced Xia Ran and Gu Zheng.
"Then your stepfather will take lots and lots of pictures of you in the future."
"We're going to take lots and lots of photos together!" Gu Chen emphasized.
"Okay, let's take lots and lots of photos together." Xia Ran said, then looked at Gu Zheng.
"Why did you suddenly decide to ask the boss for the original image?"
“Because the child is right, we don’t even have a single photo yet.” Gu Zheng’s voice was full of gentleness, and Xia Ran’s heart trembled. She looked away uncomfortably.
The boss quickly came over with a camera and took three photos, each one of which was stunning.
The boss, holding the camera, smiled and said, "That's really nice. You can sit down first, I'll go get the photos developed. The food has already been ordered for you, and someone will bring it to you shortly. Remember to wait for me to come back before you leave."
Xia Ran nodded, of course. The girl ran off quickly, as if afraid that if she came back too late, Xia Ran and the others would have already left.
The owner was indeed very generous, having the waiters serve them a lot of food, including desserts, drinks, and snacks.
Xia Ran recalled that when she last came over, Xiao Chen was very quiet and didn't even say a word. She didn't expect that this time the child was as lively as other children.
"Xiao Chen, do you remember the last time we came here?"
Xia Ran suddenly asked a question, wanting to know if Gu Chen still remembered.
Gu Chen nodded vigorously, "Of course I remember!"
Xia Ran and Gu Zheng exchanged a glance, and then Xia Ran patted the child's head.
"It's good that you remember. Our Xiao Chen is great."
Although Gu Zheng didn't say anything, he patted the child's head. Gu Chen, whose head had been messed up by the two fathers, wasn't angry at all; instead, he smiled.
He likes this kind of life, and he likes this kind of big dad and little dad.
Halfway through the meal, Gu Zheng's phone suddenly vibrated. He picked it up and looked at it, a strange glint in his eyes.
Xia Ran noticed Gu Zheng's mood, but said nothing and simply ate with the child.
Gu Zheng glanced at the phone once and then put it away.
When the girl returned, she had seven photos in her hand, and she gave four of them to Xia Ran.