Koukou didn’t understand what “goodbye” meant; his crying was simply because he had just woken up, had been held by Gu Yanqing for only a short while, and hadn’t had enough playtime yet before Gu Yanqing had to leave.

He felt upset that Gu Yanqing was leaving when he wanted him to keep holding him.

When Gu Yanqing disappeared from Kou Kou’s sight in an instant, the little one felt aggrieved and started crying.

Hearing Kou Kou’s cries, Gu Yanqing quickly opened the door.

Kou Kou saw him and although his eyes were still wet with tears, he immediately broke into a smile.

He reached out both hands towards Gu Yanqing, wanting him to pick him up.

“Good boy, Daddy’s not leaving,” Gu Yanqing said as he embraced Kou Kou, who buried his head on Gu Yanqing’s shoulder.

Gu Yanqing had never called himself “Daddy” in front of Kou Kou, fearing Qiao Wanqing wouldn’t be pleased.

He also felt he hadn’t done much for Kou Kou and felt unworthy of the title “Dad.”

But seeing Kou Kou in this pitiful state today, he realized his position in Kou Kou’s heart was different from others.

Kou Kou clung to him, had a natural closeness to him, and would get upset if he didn’t get his hug, and would cry because he didn’t want to be separated from him.

Kou Kou mimicked his dad’s accent and called out “babababa” several times.

Gu Yanqing’s heart was melting.

Qiao Wanqing watched as Kou Kou nestled in Gu Yanqing’s arms, looking pitiful.

She felt too tired to complain about her son’s tendency to take advantage of others.

Even though Gu Yanqing only met him occasionally, each time he did, he treated Kou Kou well and hugged him warmly.

But children forget quickly; after a few days of not seeing someone, they might not recognize them anymore.

Yet, whenever Kou Kou heard Gu Yanqing’s voice or saw him, no matter how long it had been, he would happily rush to him.

Now, he was even crying when Gu Yanqing had to leave.

Was this blood relation really so delicate?

“Let’s go, I won’t leave.”

Gu Yanqing closed the car door while holding Kou Kou.

Kou Kou couldn’t bear to let him go.

He wouldn’t let him suffer, even if his company went bankrupt.

Qiao Wanqing said, “It’s okay, just hold him. He’s just upset because he hasn’t been hugged enough by you. Work is important.”

Gu Yanqing’s work was indeed crucial; he had to attend a video conference with a business partner in City C about their major project this spring.

He couldn’t afford any mistakes.

But seeing Kou Kou clinging tightly to his shirt, afraid that he would leave, Gu Yanqing suddenly understood the feeling of an incompetent ruler who avoids morning court sessions.

At that moment, he just wanted all the meetings and projects to disappear.

However, Qiao Wanqing clearly wanted him to prioritize the bigger picture and not get caught up in sentimental attachments.

Ahem, Gu Yanqing found the phrase “work is important” unexpectedly pleasing.

He decided to go along with Qiao Wanqing’s suggestion.

The two returned home again.

Gu Yanqing played with Kou Kou while Qiao Wanqing prepared a bottle of milk for him.

Kou Kou had a great time being entertained by Gu Yanqing for a while. When he saw Qiao Wanqing approaching with the bottle, his eyes lit up and he eagerly reached out, asking for milk.

Gu Yanqing reached out to take the bottle from her, but Qiao Wanqing didn’t hand it over. “Let me hold him while he drinks,” she said.

Understanding her intention, Gu Yanqing handed Kou Kou over to her.

Kou Kou, fixated on the milk, nestled obediently in Qiao Wanqing’s arms, holding the bottle with both hands.

“You can go now,” Qiao Wanqing whispered to him while Kou Kou was drinking contentedly.

Gu Yanqing glanced reluctantly at Kou Kou, but the baby was completely focused on the milk and didn’t notice him.

With a touch of sadness, Gu Yanqing left.

So, any reluctance from babies is really quite superficial.

Gu Yanqing noticed that the formula Qiao Wanqing was using wasn’t the type he usually bought, which must have been finished already.

He called his assistant to bring some over, along with toys and clothes suitable for Kou Kou’s stage.

He also had gifts and health supplements sent to Qiao’s grandmother, but as for Qiao Wanqing…

he mischievously chose not to buy anything.

Additionally, he had Wang Xiao find him a capable assistant who could handle local affairs and some of his work while he stayed here for a while.

In a situation like today’s, having a private assistant meant he didn’t have to run around.

The next day, Qiao Wanqing’s second uncle was discharged from the hospital.

Gu Yanqing, Qiao Wanqing, and Kou Kou went together to pick him up.

Huang Kewei came over as usual to conduct a basic check-up for the second uncle, congratulated him on his discharge, and gave them some advice on what to pay attention to after leaving the hospital.

After settling the bill and obtaining some prescribed medicines to take home, they could leave directly.

Because they were old classmates, Huang Kewei didn’t take advantage of Qiao Wanqing.

The medications he prescribed were necessary and in moderate amounts; what the second uncle needed most was rest and dietary adjustments.

“Let’s go, I’ll accompany you to settle the bill,” Huang Kewei said to Qiao Wanqing after finishing his instructions.

Then, he chuckled softly, “By the way, I have some good news for you.”

Gu Yanqing: “…”

Are you flirting with my child’s mother right in front of me?!

He could tell from Huang Kewei’s gaze towards Qiao Wanqing that he was interested in her.

However, Huang Kewei didn’t know that Qiao Wanqing had a child.

Qiao Wanqing had only brought Kou Kou to the hospital once, right when her second uncle had his accident, but Huang Kewei hadn’t seen them.

Later on, Qiao Wanqing had been troubled by a series of events, and even though Huang Kewei was purposefully getting closer to her, she hadn’t noticed it, let alone casually mentioned to him that she had a child.

And there’s a sad fact: Kou Kou doesn’t resemble Qiao Wanqing at all.

So, Huang Kewei never even considered Gu Yanqing and Kou Kou as someone related to Qiao Wanqing.

He just thought they might be relatives from her or her second uncle’s family.

Seeing that Gu Yanqing seemed decent, but knowing he had a child, he didn’t feel threatened.

Huang Kewei, young as he was, returned to work in his hometown.

Although he wouldn’t stay there for long, he was also not getting any younger and had to start thinking about serious long-term matters.

He was popular at the hospital, but he hadn’t found anyone who caught his eye in his daily life there.

Slowly, he grew disappointed and decided to look for prospects when he returned to the city.

Just then, Qiao Wanqing appeared.

Qiao Wanqing excelled in both appearance and demeanor, and she worked at home.

Although he didn’t understand why she had come back to farming, it seemed like she had returned just for him; it was simply perfect.

Moreover, when he eventually went back to the city, Qiao Wanqing wouldn’t be tied down by her career, making it easy for her to follow him.

Qiao Wanqing felt that something was off in the atmosphere and said, “Okay, I’ll be right back. Wait here for me.”

Gu Yanqing, holding Kou Kou, calmly said, “I’ll come too.”

At this, Huang Kewei squinted slightly.

Qiao Wanqing introduced them at the right moment, saying, “This is my… friend, Gu Yanqing, and this is my baby, Kou Kou. And this is Director Huang.”

Gu Yanqing extended a hand while holding Kou Kou, saying, “Thank you, Director Huang, for taking care of Wanqing and them recently.”

Huang Kewei: “…”

This tangled situation.

Huang Kewei had subtly asked Qiao Wanqing about her status before and knew she was currently single.

He believed she wouldn’t lie to him for no reason.

But now, out of nowhere, Mr. Gu and his son appeared.

Gu Yanqing clearly looked like Kou Kou’s father, and Qiao Wanqing showed no signs of intimacy toward him.

Huang Kewei speculated that Qiao Wanqing might be divorced from Gu Yanqing, or perhaps she had a child out of wedlock before and they had a falling out.

“Taking care of old classmates is what I should do,” Huang Kewei quickly regained his composure and shook hands with Gu Yanqing.

Since Huang Kewei mentioned he had something to discuss with Qiao Wanqing, they walked side by side while Gu Yanqing politely stayed back with Kou Kou.

Huang Kewei’s fleeting thoughts about Qiao Wanqing had mostly dissipated.

Besides some regret, he felt relieved that he hadn’t gotten too involved.

But as they were old classmates, he felt obligated to help where he could.

He said, “A few days ago, a classmate of mine informed me that her uncle might be able to help facilitate this matter. He happens to have connections in this area. I’ll give you his contact information, and you can communicate directly with him.”

“Oh, that’s really kind of you,” Qiao Wanqing had forgotten to decline Huang Kewei’s offer earlier, so now she felt awkward having incurred a favor. “But my friend has already helped me resolve this matter through proper legal channels, so it’s not necessary anymore. I’m sorry for any trouble.”

“Hmm?” Huang Kewei was a bit surprised. “You found someone who could help you?”

“Yes, it was Mr. Gu.”

“Oh? Mr. Gu seems to have quite a background then,” Huang Kewei was surprised, having consulted several friends who had indicated it would be a complicated issue to resolve.

It seemed beyond the ability of ordinary people.

Huang Kewei smiled and said, “I’m glad it got resolved. I was genuinely worried for you. Now you can rest easy.”

Qiao Wanqing nodded in agreement.

Indeed, she had slept soundly last night, and today she felt much better overall.

“We’re approaching the payment counter up ahead. I’m a bit busy right now, so you can go settle the bill first, then get the medicine. I haven’t prescribed much medication, so advise your uncle not to do any strenuous work for now to avoid complications,” Huang Kewei said thoughtfully.

“Alright, I’ll make sure he takes care,” Qiao Wanqing said, knowing Huang Kewei was busy as a director. “Thank you for everything lately. When do you have your next day off? I’d like to treat you to a meal.”

“No need to trouble yourself. I’m just fulfilling my duty as a doctor,” Huang Kewei nodded in acknowledgment to a nurse greeting him as they passed. “Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

Without waiting for Qiao Wanqing to respond, he walked away on his own.

Qiao Wanqing could probably guess the reason behind Huang Kewei’s recent attentiveness towards her.

She had been preoccupied with that matter, and since Huang Kewei had never shown any intention of pursuing her, she hadn’t mentioned the fact that she had a child.

Now, in this situation, would he think she… deceived him?

Lost in her thoughts, Qiao Wanqing completed the payment process as the counter attendant settled her bill.

She had already paid all the necessary fees earlier, so now it was just a matter of adjustments.

After swiftly completing the formalities, Qiao Wanqing gathered her miscellaneous items and was about to leave when she heard the attendant ask, “Hey, don’t you need your health insurance card?”

Gu Yanqing took the card handed through the counter’s glass window, teasingly shaking it a few times. “Wanqing, you forgot your health insurance card.”

Kou Kou imitated his accent, softly saying, “wa, wa.”

He couldn’t pronounce “wan” correctly and could only say “wawa.”

“Oh, I completely forgot,” Qiao Wanqing took the health insurance card and put it into the plastic bag with the rest of her items, laughing softly. “Look at my memory.”

“Little Forgetful Wanqing,” Gu Yanqing teased her.

Qiao Wanqing: “…”