Chapter 16 Part 1

The entire afternoon, Gu Yuan spent accompanying Zhou Chiyu playing in the water. Although Gu Yuan could not soak in the swimming pool for long periods, when he grew tired, he would quietly sit by the poolside watching Zhou Chiyu or play simple games of throwing and fetching a ball.

Gu Yuan actually felt a bit hesitant. The way of throwing the ball out and having Zhou Chiyu fetch it back resembled the daily activities between an owner and a pet dog. Yet Zhou Chiyu loved playing it. When he topped the ball, he looked like a plump little seal, both cute and clumsy.

At dinnertime, the two exhausted little ones ate on the sofa by the pool. After Doctor Auntie examined Gu Yuan’s body, she was pleasantly surprised. She had thought that such a high level of activity in the afternoon would leave him unwell, but his respiratory condition turned out to be excellent.

“Brother, there’s no nasty dumpling tonight.”

Zhou Chiyu took a bite of the enticingly colored chicken meatball and shook his head in satisfaction. “It’s so delicious.”

Gu Yuan watched him quietly and suddenly asked, “Zhou Chiyu, if that’s the case, do you still miss your mom and dad?”

“Yes.” Zhou Chiyu cradled his bowl of vegetable and wild mushroom chicken porridge and murmured softly, “I think about them every day.”

“Mm.” Gu Yuan said no more. He wrapped the bath towel tighter around himself as his thoughts uncontrollably drifted to that lonely planet.

Zhou Chiyu would surely be heartbroken if he knew.

“I think about you every day too.” Zhou Chiyu scooped up a spoonful of porridge and smiled sweetly and happily. “Every time I wake up, I think of you.”

Gu Yuan turned his head toward him, his light brown eyes filled with confusion. “Think of me?”

“Think of playing with you.” Zhou Chiyu added.

This time, Gu Yuan pondered for a very, very long time. “Zhou Chiyu, why do you like me?”

He bought him a kitten, played with him, spoke up for him…

He could not understand Zhou Chiyu’s motives for doing these things.

“Because you’re good-looking.” Zhou Chiyu said gently. “Brother is the little prince who walked out of a fairy tale picture book.”

Gu Yuan was not entirely satisfied with this answer and drooped his eyes slightly. “So, if there’s another kid prettier than me, you’d like them instead.”

Zhou Chiyu did not think it through and, fully immersed in the delicious dinner, nodded in agreement.

Gu Yuan’s heart cooled by half. After that, he ignored Zhou Chiyu and barely ate any of his dinner.

He did not know how to describe his feelings—perhaps disappointment, or maybe unease.

He feared that if Zhou Chiyu met a prettier playmate, he would stop playing with him.

There were two days left until the Spring Festival. Due to Gu Yuan’s strong opposition, Zhou Chiyu’s weight loss plan was temporarily altered. Gu Lao planned to use a gradual approach to help Zhou Chiyu lose weight bit by bit.

Of course, Zhou Chiyu knew nothing of these twists and turns. Being able to eat little biscuits already made him extremely happy.

Lately, Zhou Chiyu had been talking with his parents on the phone every day. The staff controlling the AI noticed his strong longing and promptly reported it to the Foundation’s person in charge as well as Gu Lao.

Thus, on the day before New Year’s Eve, Zhou Chiyu’s New Year gifts arrived one after another at the Gu residence. To make up for his lack of parental company this year and to cheer him up, the gifts from the Zhou Lao Foundation completely filled the entire Gu Family hall.

It was the first time the servants had seen such a grand display. Upon hearing that all the gifts were for Young Master Zhou, they were dumbfounded.

The Zhou Family’s wealth was indeed formidable.

Gu Lao also felt sorry for Zhou Chiyu. As his temporary guardian, he prepared many New Year gifts too. He specially arranged for the servants to set up a Surprise Room, placing the gifts inside to surprise Zhou Chiyu on New Year’s Eve night.

The warm spring sun had not yet taken firm hold when the temperature plunged.

On New Year’s Eve, the Gu Family buzzed with festive harmony from top to bottom. Two Gilded Kirin Statues were delivered to the entrance for installation. Zhou Chiyu spotted these massive objects first. Being so mischievous, he begged Butler Chen to lift him up so he could sit on the kirin and strike many poses to send to his parents.

After hearing that Gu Yuan felt unwell due to the drop in temperature, he went to visit him right away. As soon as he pushed open the bedroom door, he heard Gu Yuan’s clamoring voice.

“I don’t want to wear this red outfit outside!”

“Take all the food away, quick!”

Wearing red clothes for the New Year was a tradition passed down for thousands of years, and Zhou Chiyu was no exception. Today, he wore a Red Modern Tang Suit embroidered with a Hibiscus Koi Carp Embroidery in kesi silk. Several little koi carps frolicked in the water, their scales and fins rendered lifelike.

When Bai Wenran saw Zhou Chiyu, her eyes lit up with a helpless smile. “Little Fish is here.” Zhou Chiyu looked even more endearing in his red outfit, more lively and cute than the dolls in New Year paintings. Seeing the child before her lifted her mood a bit.

Zhou Chiyu nodded his little head and stealthily observed Gu Yuan’s slightly puffed cheeks. With nimble movements, he climbed onto a chair and called out, “Brother.”

Gu Yuan gritted his teeth, his lips pale.

He glared fiercely at Zhou Chiyu, held back tears welling in his eyes, yanked the blanket over himself, turned away, and refused to come out.

Zhou Chiyu asked, “Auntie, is Brother not feeling well?”

Bai Wenran nodded. “Mm.”

The night before had been chilly, and after Gu Yuan inhaled some cold air, his condition that morning was poor, with all his vital signs suboptimal. Doctor Auntie had just adjusted his medication. If his condition remained bad in the afternoon, he might miss the New Year’s Eve family dinner.

“Young Master’s osteoporosis is still very severe. I recommend regular sun exposure rather than relying solely on supplements.” Doctor Auntie handed the test results to Bai Wenran. “Young Master’s complaints of back pain and joint aches are normal.”

Bai Wenran held back her heartache and gently sat down to tuck Gu Yuan’s blanket properly.

Though Zhou Chiyu understood nothing, he knew Gu Yuan was in pain.

“Auntie, if we give Brother some chocolate, will the pain go away?”

Bai Wenran wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and slowly shook her head.

Zhou Chiyu frowned, jumped down from the chair, and went to Gu Yuan’s side. He behaved very obediently without disturbing Gu Yuan, simply lying gently by the bedside and watching him.