Gu Yuan’s light brown pupils contracted slightly. Once they returned to normal, they were completely filled with Zhou Chiyu’s little heart gesture.
He hesitated, then finally nodded, allowing Butler Uncle to help him into the princess dress for school.
…
At ten in the morning, Zhong 1 Class’s fairy tale play role voting PK wrapped up successfully. Gu Yuan won the Sleeping Beauty role with a whopping 98% of the votes, gaining a horde of admirers.
Watching Gu Yuan surrounded and adored by everyone, the only one who hadn’t voted for him—Abu—stood with hands behind his back, pouty.
He hated Gu Yuan.
Ever since Gu Yuan arrived, Zhou Chiyu never played with him anymore.
The other kids loved Gu Yuan’s outfit—no one mocked him for the girl clothes. Gu Yuan’s embarrassment faded quite a bit.
With one week until the performance, Zhong 1 Class kids prepared busily. Gu Yuan’s health made him tire easily, but luckily, Sleeping Beauty gave him an edge. While others sweated buckets, he had it easiest.
During rehearsals, he lay on the soft little bed, quietly watching Zhou Chiyu. His little head swirled with many thoughts.
Like… he finally understood Zhou Chiyu was being good to him, even if it meant girl clothes.
Like… he actually wanted to be the knight protecting Zhou Chiyu.
The fairy tale showcase kicked off on Friday.
Parents from the whole kindergarten arrived as promised, eager to watch their little ones perform.
Gu Yuan, in his performance costume, sat quietly in his chair.
“My little leather boots are so cool!”
Gu Yuan looked at Zhou Chiyu and found his prince outfit super handsome.
Shiny little leather boots paired with tight pants—Zhou Chiyu stood under the lights, proudly basking in the other kids’ admiration.
What captivated Gu Yuan most was the blue-and-white formal suit. Under the stage lights, Zhou Chiyu’s natural curls bounced like cute springs, making him more exquisite and handsome than the prince in the storybook, paired with the tailcoat.
“Time for us to go on.”
At Teacher Tangtang’s reminder, Zhong 1 Class kids hurried onstage. Zhou Chiyu launched into a three-minute solo monologue.
“Oh no, we forgot to remove the stove.”
Two teachers from Zhong 2 Class whispered.
“Hope no kid bumps into it.”
Gu Yuan lay on his little bed, Zhou Chiyu’s clear, emotional lines ringing in his ears.
Zhou Chiyu was amazing, reciting lines so fluently.
He breathed softly, but a blinding metallic glint from the right front suddenly flashed into his closed eyes.
That was—
He opened his eyes and saw the stove left behind by the previous class right beside him.
“If I am the destined one from the fable, then I shall kiss awake my princess.”
Zhou Chiyu’s voice echoed across the empty stage. Gu Yuan’s stiff body pressed tight against the bed, his breathing quickening.
Zhou Chiyu was running toward him. Per the script, he’d fight the monsters by the bed. Gu Yuan sneaked a glance at the nearby stove, worrying Little Fish might hit it.
Zhou Chiyu was so lively and reckless, and that stove was so sharp…
Gu Yuan recalled the safety picture book Stay Away from Sharp Things, which taught keeping distance from hazards and checking surroundings.
“You monsters won’t stop my resolve to save the princess.”
Zhou Chiyu raised the long sword high, recalling the teacher’s moves to fend off the charging “monsters.”
Just then, he dipped his head in the action, getting closer to the stove. Gu Yuan noticed and quietly lifted his hand to cover the sharpest part.
He remembered the book saying to wrap sharp table corners in soft cloth to prevent injuries. If he did this, Zhou Chiyu shouldn’t get hurt.
“You can’t save the princess!”
With the monsters’ roars, Zhou Chiyu was suddenly “attacked” from behind by a “monster,” his head hurtling straight toward the stove.
Bang. Gu Yuan bit his lip in pain as intense agony surged through his fingers.
Zhou Chiyu had hit his hand.
His bones hurt so much—they felt like they’d break…
Bai Wenran noticed Gu Yuan’s abnormality first. Teacher Tangtang and Teacher Yueyue rushed onstage. Zhou Chiyu, still clueless, saw Gu Yuan’s furrowed brows scrunched in pain and burst into wails.
“Little Yuan!” Bai Wenran scooped him up and told the teachers behind her, “We need to get to the hospital fast—Little Yuan’s bones are fragile!”
The two teachers moved swiftly, whisking Gu Yuan out of the auditorium with Bai Wenran in under a minute.
Zhong 1 Class dissolved into chaos. Zhou Chiyu clutched the sword hilt, sobbing under the lights. Even after the play ended, his tears hadn’t dried. He longed to visit Gu Yuan at the hospital.
At lunch, word came from the hospital: Gu Yuan’s hand was fine, just a simple bruise. Zhou Chiyu wiped his tears and finally ate, though only a third of his usual amount.
Finally, at dismissal, Zhou Chiyu shouldered his schoolbag, eager to rush home and see Gu Yuan. But in the crowd of parents, he spotted his Uncle Grandpa.
Zhou Chiyu was thrilled to see family and kicked his little legs, dashing over fast.
“Uncle Grandpa!”
He nuzzled the elder’s leg in his milky voice.
It had been so long since he’d seen any relatives!
Zhou Hongzheng gently touched Little Fish’s small head and said tenderly, “Little Fish, your dad and mom, as well as Grandpa, have all passed away now. How about coming to live with Uncle Grandpa from now on?”
…
Gu Yuan and Bai Wenran had just returned to the Gu Family when the butler called in a panic to report, “Old Master Gu! Little Fish ran away after learning the news of Old Master Zhou and his son and daughter-in-law’s passing!”
—
Author’s Note:
Dear little angels, here’s a progress report for everyone.
Next up, I plan to use the time-skip technique to fast-forward to around ten years old, followed by their university life.
【Notice】The next chapter will be a 10,000-character mega chapter, so the update will be at midnight on Thursday night~ I’ll send red packets to everyone then! Love you all! [Let me pet Kangkang][Let me pet Kangkang]
