Chapter 17: Conversation

Ji Yuan saw the man approaching from the side, a flicker of surprise appearing in his eyes before it quickly vanished.

Gu Xichao stepped forward, saluting crisply, his gaze deep. “Captain Ji.”

Ji Yuan also reined in his casual demeanor, raising a hand in return. “Major Gu.”

In that instant, their eyes met, and Fang Zheng, who followed Gu Xichao, felt a bit nervous. He raised his hand and also called out, “Captain Ji.”

Ji Yuan responded indifferently with a slight “Hmm.”

Zhong Yi, sitting in a wheelchair, turned his head slightly. “Hey, guys, let’s not be so awkward. Can we just go inside and talk?”

Gu Xiaobao looked up and cheerfully called out, “Dad.”

Gu Xichao’s expression softened slightly at this.

Ji Yuan’s body suddenly became tense.

Su Nianmei came out, pouring two cups of water. Gu Xichao and Ji Yuan each sat in a chair, drinking water in silence, with no one willing to speak.

Fang Zheng, nicknamed Fang Monkey, stood at the door.

Suddenly, there was a “puff” sound, and Fang Zheng hurriedly caught Er Gouzi, who had one foot forward while the other was still behind the threshold.

He had been lifted up by Fang Zheng, his little hands tightly gripping the milk bottle.

Once he realized he and the milk bottle were safe, he patted his pink little skirt.

Without caring about the many people standing nearby, he wobbled over to Gu Xiaobao, tiptoed, and placed the milk bottle on the table.

After rummaging through his pocket for a while, he finally pulled out a milk candy, placed his hand inside his blanket, and quietly handed it to Gu Xiaobao.

Gu Xiaobao took the candy with one hand while the other hand gently ruffled the little tuft of hair on Er Gouzi’s head.

Zhong Yi found it amusing and glided over in his wheelchair to pinch Er Gouzi a couple of times.

Er Gouzi shook his head, struggling out of Zhong Yi’s grasp and hiding behind Gu Xichao, tugging at his arm while peeking out with his little eyes at Zhong Yi.

“This little guy is shy.” Zhong Yi teased.

Gu Xichao held the porcelain cup, took a sip of water, and casually remarked, “Children are timid.”

Ji Yuan shot Gu Xichao a sidelong glance. “Children may be timid but can also speak the truth.” He lifted his cup, blowing on the steam. “Not like certain people who appear to be upstanding gentlemen but, behind the scenes—”

Su Nianmei found it strange, unsure what the two hinted at with their cryptic remarks.

Noticing Gu Xichao’s cup was nearly empty, Su Nianmei picked up the kettle to refill it. She held the cup in one hand and lifted the kettle with the other, intending to set the kettle down after pouring.

Suddenly, Gu Xichao’s hand reached out and rested on the back of her hand, the warmth of his palm enveloping her. Her grip on the porcelain cup faltered.

Gu Xichao withdrew his hand, leaning forward, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

He whispered softly, “I only have one wife, and there will only ever be one.”

Though he spoke quietly, the others in the room, all trained to be attentive, caught his words.

Su Nianmei’s hand slipped from the cup, her eyes downcast, their depths filled with a certain inscrutable complexity.

He smiled, his eyes sparkling like stars, and took the cup back, lowering his head to sip the hot water little by little.

His words were meant not just for Su Nianmei but also for the others present.

His gaze casually swept over Ji Yuan, who felt a hint of provocation in it.

After finishing his conversation with Gu Xichao that morning, Ji Yuan’s youngest sister, Ji Yun, rushed over to ask about the results, showering praises on Gu Xichao.

Although Ji Yuan was not particularly close to this youngest sister, he felt quite displeased that his own precious “cabbage” was being admired by others.

His gaze toward Gu Xichao already carried a hint of hostility, and at that moment, Ji Yuan suspected that if looks could kill, Gu Xichao would have died a thousand times under his glare.

But for some reason, his heartfelt unexpectedly lighter, as if a heavy stone that had been hanging in the air had finally dropped.

He glanced at Su Nianmei, who sat on the edge of the bed, her hair elegantly styled and her cheeks rosy. The thought that she was now married to someone else made him frown.

The warm sensation on his leg brought Ji Yuan back to reality; he realized Er Gouzi had somehow climbed onto his lap.

Ji Yuan carefully picked up Er Gouzi, cradling him in his arms, and gently smoothed down the ruffled skirt that had popped up.

Looking at the small, fair-skinned bundle, he couldn’t help but think of his sister, who had been about this same size back then.

It struck him as somewhat amusing, and he playfully pinched Er Gouzi’s nose, speaking softly, “Girls shouldn’t lift their skirts casually.”

Er Gouzi wiggled his bottom, his little face scrunched up in frustration and then sank his teeth into Ji Yuan’s arm as he followed Ji Yuan’s movements.

This little pain was nothing for Ji Yuan, who had tough skin and strong flesh. He reached down and gave Er Gouzi’s bottom a couple of pats.

Suddenly, after being patted, Er Gouzi paused for a few seconds before bursting into loud wails.

Zhong Yi watched with amusement as Ji Yuan flailed about, clearly in a panic.

Having grown up with Ji Yuan’s heavy-handed antics, Zhong Yi understood all too well the kind of force Ji Yuan used.

He discreetly pushed his wheelchair outward, leaving the center stage open for Ji Yuan to take the lead.

Er Gouzi lay in Ji Yuan’s arms, crying so hard that he could barely catch his breath. Su Nianmei tried to reach out to comfort him, but Er Gouzi pushed her away.

His entire face was buried in Ji Yuan’s embrace, and he sobbed loudly.

Gu Xiaobao exchanged a glance with Gu Xichao, prompting Gu Xichao to step forward. He took the item from Gu Xiaobao’s hand and quietly slipped it into Er Gouzi’s mouth.

As soon as Er Gouzi took the milk candy, his cries diminished, turning into muffled words. “I—I’m not a girl.”

Ji Yuan found the situation both infuriating and amusing.

Ultimately, he could only helplessly ruffle Er Gouzi’s hair, soothingly saying, “Hmm, yes, it’s my fault. You’re not…” Ji Yuan paused mid-sentence, feeling something was off, and lifted Er Gouzi again.

After examining him repeatedly, Er Gouzi, with the candy in his mouth, let out a loud burp.

“You’re not a girl!” Ji Yuan exclaimed in surprise.

While chewing on the candy, Er Gouzi pinched Ji Yuan’s nose, saying sweetly, “I’m a boy!”

Zhong Yi leaned back against the wheelchair, feeling slightly dissatisfied with the turn of events. Squinting at Fang Zheng, who stood outside, he called for him to get him a cup of water. Then, seizing the opportunity, he pushed his wheelchair and rushed outside.

Ji Yuan noticed this movement and handed Er Gouzi over to Gu Xichao before heading outside.

Er Gouzi, caught off guard by being handed over, slipped out of Gu Xichao’s arms and crawled on all fours toward Gu Xiaobao’s bed.

Halfway there, someone yanked him back down.

With both little hands gripping the edge of the bed, his face contorted in frustration, revealing his small, tightly clenched teeth and exposed gums.

The person behind him said, “Be good.”

At once, Er Gouzi let go, going limp as he allowed her to pick him up.

Gu Xiaobao looked at the newcomer and grinned, “Aunt Li!”

Su Nianmei turned to look as well. The woman wore a white lab coat and a braid casually hung down her back.

She appeared remarkably young.