So he drew this design and showed it to me specifically because it was useful to him?
Gu Tang couldn't help but reach out and pick up Qin Xiao, lifting him high in the air: "My Xiao'er, I didn't know you were already this amazing!"
Qin Xiao was lifted into the air by Gu Tang, his eyes crinkling into small crescent moons with laughter.
Gu Tang not only praises himself, but also becomes so happy because of him.
The sadness on her face caused by her wicked father had completely disappeared.
He felt incredibly happy.
Just as the father and son were enjoying a pleasant time, there were three knocks on the study door.
Gu Tang slowly put Qin Xiao down and subconsciously shielded him behind her.
Qin Junche leaned against the study door.
He returned directly from the Star Army headquarters, still wearing his formal military uniform.
A white shirt, a black suit, and trousers—the styles were all very simple.
But the tailored cut was perfect, straight and crisp, making Qin Junche appear even taller and more imposing.
Her legs were long and straight.
Yet, a lazy smile lingered on his face.
In contrast to the somewhat serious and abstinent formal attire, it made Qin Junche look even more charming.
Gu Tang seemed oblivious to his charm, asking him in a calm tone, "Is there something you need?"
"Didn't you receive the invitation from Qin Xiao's school?" Qin Junche said, "Tomorrow is the first day of the Royal Academy's 300th anniversary celebration week. All students and parents must attend the opening ceremony of the celebration."
"Oh." Gu Tang nodded. "I understand."
He could sense that when Qin Junche was saying these things, Qin Xiao's hand, which was gripping the hem of his clothes, stiffened again.
Gu Tang frowned slightly.
His son doesn't know how to communicate with people, doesn't like to talk, and is also very young.
The Qin family has never publicly acknowledged his identity.
Gu Tang could easily imagine what kind of life her obedient son was living at school.
Thinking of this, he lowered his head and patted Qin Xiao's head again, softening his voice to comfort him: "Don't be afraid, Dad is here, and I will never let anyone bully you again."
Gu Tang's tone was firm, and his protectiveness towards Qin Xiao was evident in his words.
Qin Junche glanced at Qin Xiao with a complicated expression.
He knew exactly what his son was truly afraid of.
hehe.
"I happen to be free tomorrow, so why don't I take Qin Xiao with me?"
"No need to trouble Your Excellency, Marshal." Gu Tang waved his hand. "I'm fine, I can go."
Qin Junche shrugged at his son, who was still hiding behind Gu Tang, without making a sound, indicating that he had done his best.
"Whatever you say." He smiled slightly. "However, I was also a student at the Royal Academy, and I happen to be in the capital now. The academy's dean personally invited me to participate, and I've already accepted. So I'll be there tomorrow. At that time..."
Gu Tang interrupted him: "No need to say anything, I know."
"What do you know?" Qin Junche wasn't angry at being interrupted; he still looked at Gu Tang and his son with that same lazy smile.
His gaze would occasionally sweep over Qin Xiao.
Every time I look into my son's eyes, I can't help but feel a little smug.
It was as if he was warning Qin Xiao that if he dared to misbehave, he would immediately tell on him.
Qin Xiao: "..."
Gu Tang frowned.
Qin Junche was simply reminding him to pretend he didn't know him when they were out, so as not to cause trouble for Marshal Qin.
He understands very well.
But did Qin Junche really have to say such hurtful things in front of Qin Xiao?
Gu Tang himself doesn't care, but Qin Xiao definitely does.
He was so young, and so shy and sensitive.
She realized that she was not accepted by her other father or his family.
How painful it must have been for him!
If Qin Junche says something like that again, Qin Xiao will probably become even more withdrawn!
Besides, Qin Xiao is so afraid of Qin Junche, and he doesn't like to talk.
Gu Tang believed that even if they did meet at the academy...
Qin Xiao would never take the initiative to get close to Qin Junche.
Thinking of this, Gu Tang lowered his head and patted Qin Xiao's head, instructing him, "Xiao'er, draw here for a while."
After he finished speaking, he strode out of the study, grabbed Qin Junche by the collar, and pulled him out as well: "Come with me."
As soon as he closed the study door, he turned around and pinned Qin Junche against the wall.
"Don't worry, if we really run into you at the academy, we'll all pretend we don't know you." He looked coldly into Qin Junche's eyes.
Any potential threats that could hinder him from completing his mission must be eliminated in advance.
He took a deep breath and said to Qin Junche, "Some things are best left unsaid to you and me; there's no need to let Xiao'er know."
"Oh..." Qin Junche chuckled, "I see!"
He looked into Gu Tang's eyes, who was so close to him.
Those eyes were so bright, yet so cold.
The cold inside made it impossible for him to find even a trace of emotion that might linger within him.
Qin Junche's hands, hanging by his sides, clenched quietly.
He looked into Gu Tang's eyes, lowered his gaze, and smiled, "You don't want Qin Xiao to hear me say, 'You can't greet me outside,' right?"
“Yes!” Gu Tang said.
"Okay." Qin Junche quietly loosened his clenched fist. "I can keep quiet. But..."
He smiled casually, raised his hand, and pointed to his lips: "Give me a kiss, and I won't say anything."
Gu Tang: "..."
Chapter 33 The Marshal Refuses to Divorce (7)
Gu Tang: "..."
He stared into Qin Junche's eyes.
The other person, however, kept their eyes closed and refused to make eye contact with him.
A slight smile always played on his lips.
Because he couldn't see Qin Junche's gaze, Gu Tang couldn't discern the meaning behind that smile.
But he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Your request is really..." Gu Tang carefully chose his words, "...unique."
He was genuinely a little surprised.
As the Marshal of the Star Army, heir to the Qin family, whose mere stomp of his foot could make the capital tremble.
Qin Junche would actually offer such an unexpected and completely unprofitable condition.
Gu Tang reached out, pinched Qin Junche's chin, and leaned down to kiss him without hesitation.
This was truly a kiss that was not romantic at all, and even devoid of any tenderness.
Gu Tang's lips touched Qin Junche's thin lips briefly before leaving.
He slightly increased the distance between them, looking into Qin Junche's eyes.
"Is it okay now?" Gu Tang asked.
“Remember your promise!” he said calmly.
Then he released his grip on the other person's chin and turned to go back to his study.
The moment Gu Tang moved, Qin Junche grabbed his arm.
A strong force pulled him back into the other person's arms.
"You..." Gu Tang only had time to brace himself with one hand on Qin Junche's strong chest before the back of his neck was grabbed.
He was pressed against the other person, and finally stopped where they could hear each other's breath.
Gu Tang could even count Qin Junche's long eyelashes.
"You call this a kiss?" Qin Junche seemed to chuckle softly.
As he finished speaking, he tightened his grip on Gu Tang's nape, pressing him completely against himself.
Hot lips covered mine.
Before Gu Tang could utter a single word, all his voice was completely swallowed up by the other party.
Time seemed to stretch on for a long time, yet it also felt like a fleeting moment.
When Gu Tang felt his breathing becoming labored and his head spinning, Qin Junche finally released his grip on the back of his neck.
For a moment, no one spoke in the second-floor corridor of the villa.
Gu Tang remained in the position of half-lying on Qin Junche.
His hand was still resting on the other person's chest.