Seeing Zhou Chiyu being ostracized, a trace of heartache and worry flashed in Gu Lao’s eyes. He was about to reprimand Shen Yuxiao and the others when Zhou Chiyu unhurriedly reached his chubby little hand behind his back, tilted his little head, and said: “You’re just a scaredy-cat.”
Shen Yuxiao hated being called cowardly the most and whirled around furiously: “What did you say?”
Zhou Chiyu pouted his little mouth: “You don’t dare compete with me.”
Shen Yuxiao trembled with anger, then suddenly had an idea.
“Hey, didn’t you say you’re strong? Unless you can get—”
He smiled mysteriously: “Gu Yuan to come shout with us and play.”
“Who’s Gu Yuan?” Zhou Chiyu’s bright black eyes filled with curiosity: “Another good friend I don’t know yet?”
“Tch, he won’t be friends with you.” Mentioning Gu Yuan made Shen Yuxiao angry. They were cousins and should have been close, but Gu Yuan’s temperament had always been unpredictable since childhood, and with his chronic illness leaving him bedridden and weak, he was someone no one in the Gu Family dared provoke.
His maternal grandfather doted on Gu Yuan immensely, always presenting the best things to him first. He was jealous and envious, desperately craving that favoritism. Even his own parents warned him not to upset Gu Yuan and to yield to him in everything.
Because Gu Yuan might not live to eighteen.
“His bedroom is on the fifth floor.”
With the exact location, Zhou Chiyu lifted his chubby little hand and deftly packed his schoolbag. Since it was a new friend, naturally Gu Yuan should get a share of the cookies and medals.
To show off his handsome flair, he decided to make a dazzling entrance on his electric scooter in front of Gu Yuan.
“Dad, this—” Bai Wenran hesitated, “Little Yuan’s mood wasn’t good today; it took half the morning to coax him into taking his medicine. I’m afraid Little Fish…”
“It’s fine, we can follow quietly.”
Gu Cheng took Bai Wenran’s hand, his gentle gaze falling on Zhou Chiyu’s chubby little face: “I have a feeling Little Yuan will really like Little Fish.”
Gu Lao nodded along: “That would be ideal.”
The elevator doors opened quietly, and the scooter’s little wheels rolled slowly over the wool carpet. Though Zhou Chiyu was a bit chubby, he moved very agilely with strong balance; his kindergarten physical test scores were the best.
His sneakers were custom-made by his mom, shaped like a pair of little pandas—soft, comfortable, and very warm.
He liked pandas; on his third birthday, Dad had adopted two wild giant pandas in his name, named Kai Kai and Xin Xin.
“Ding ling ling! Gu Yuan little friend, your delivery has arrived!”
Zhou Chiyu pressed the little horn on the front of the scooter and came to a steady stop at the bedroom door. Like a little gentleman, he elegantly straightened his clothes in front of the brown wooden door, then knocked.
Gu Cheng chuckled lightly, finding the child very amusing: “Little Fish really isn’t shy at all.”
The one who opened the door was Doctor Chen, who cared for Gu Yuan. Seeing the fair glutinous rice dumpling before her, she took an immediate liking: “Baby, who are you looking for?”
Zhou Chiyu said seriously: “I’m looking for Gu Yuan.”
Doctor Chen saw Gu Cheng and Bai Wenran standing behind Zhou Chiyu, and her eyes softened: “Please come in.”
Zhou Chiyu took two steps with his short little legs. When he leaned in and slowly glimpsed the person on the bed, his round eyes widened slightly, and his breathing quickened in that instant.
Lying on the bed was a beautiful “little girl”. (TL: Teasing misgendering by child narrator for delicate beauty.)*
Or rather, “beautiful” wasn’t enough; Zhou Chiyu couldn’t think of a more fitting word to perfectly describe this “little princess’s” beauty. He only knew that the person before him was even prettier than a Disney Princess.
This “little princess” seemed unhappy, her eyes tightly closed, and her pale lips hinting at poor health.
He remembered kindergarten kids looking like that when they had a fever.
He rubbed his meaty little hands, momentarily unsure how to speak, worried he’d leave a bad impression on his beloved “little princess.”
“Little Yuan? A new friend came to the house; he’s here to play with you.” Bai Wenran spoke softly, forcing a smile.
The person on the bed didn’t seem fully asleep and weakly opened his eyes.
Only then did Zhou Chiyu notice that the “little princess” was much taller than him, even with slightly shorter hair.
“Mommy hug you up, okay?”
“Or should we adjust the bed directly?”
Though the bed was custom-made for Gu Yuan, he hated being treated like a patient. If he could sit up himself, he firmly refused help.
“I… can.”
Gu Yuan’s voice was very soft, so soft Zhou Chiyu didn’t catch it.
“Okay.”
Bai Wenran held back her emotions and offered Gu Yuan an arm.
Gu Yuan coughed once, then supported himself on Bai Wenran’s arm to sit up alone before noticing the unfamiliar child standing by the bed.
Their eyes met, and Zhou Chiyu’s clear, lake-like big eyes trembled slightly.
The other’s eyes were as beautifully enchanting as a Disney Princess’s, but they faintly conveyed resistance and indifference.
Was he not handsome enough?
Even so, he decided to give it a try.
“Little Yuan, this is Little Fish, your future new good friend.”
Gu Cheng beckoned to Zhou Chiyu, gently indicating: “From now on, someone will play with you, okay?”
Gu Yuan turned his head, glanced at Zhou Chiyu for merely two seconds, then coldly withdrew his gaze, expressing refusal through silence.
Gu Cheng and Bai Wenran exchanged a look, about to persuade further, when Zhou Chiyu suddenly lifted his short leg, bravely stepped forward, and extended his hand: “Dear little princess, may I have the honor of inviting you to take a ride on my scooter for a spin?”
Everyone froze at “little princess.” Especially Gu Yuan—his distant little face suddenly showed bewilderment, his faint brows nearly furrowing together, his tense lips even trembling slightly.
Seeing Gu Yuan clench his little fists, seeming on the verge of anger, Zhou Chiyu sensed trouble. He lowered his little head, secretly fidgeted with his foot, and decided to deploy his ultimate teacher-charming move!
“You know, Sleeping Beauty is pretty, but she’s still a bit off!”
Zhou Chiyu ingratiatingly lifted his chubby face: “A bit less pretty than you~”
