SFBF CH56

The exquisite small paper bag was only about the size of half an A4 sheet. Shen Qing took the bag and asked, “What’s this?”

“It’s the photos of the babies you sent me this morning.”

A reserved smile appeared on Xu Yujie’s handsome face. “I had them developed and brought a copy for you.”

Shen Qing took them out to take a look, and sure enough, they were.

He didn’t feel much about collecting photos himself, as he rarely took pictures and had never gone out of his way to develop and save photos before.

He was simply the type of person who lacked a sense of ceremony in life.

However, the cubs’ growth definitely needed to be recorded with these photos. Xu Yujie’s action reminded him that he should create a growth album for the cubs.

Perhaps their biological parents had made an album for them once… but given their displaced lives afterward, it felt like it would be very difficult to find it now.

Thinking about it this way, it was a bit of a pity.

Shen Qing was also an orphan from a young age. Before being taken back by his grandparents, he had moved around several places. Many times, he felt like a bird without a place to land, and even some of his memories were blank.

Looking back on his childhood after growing up, it felt as if a piece was missing.

Thinking about it now, if there had been photos, things would have been very different.

He looked down at the thick stack of photos in his hand. The first one was of the little dinosaur Ao-Zai lying on the floor, being dragged by his little shark and little rabbit brothers…

He suddenly felt deeply moved.

Although the cubs’ past photos were lost, since he would be raising Duoduo and Ao-Zai from now on, he could start building an album right now. It shouldn’t be too late.

Besides, with such interesting childhood memories, when the cubs grew up and saw them, they would probably miss their little dad a lot, and in turn, provide for him in his old age…

Setting everything else aside, just looking at the IQ Duoduo was showing now, and Ao-Zai’s personality and domineering aura, as long as the two of them didn’t turn to the dark side, take the wrong path, or hate him in the future, he figured that buying a luxury cruise ship to travel the world or buying an island for a free vacation in his later years was totally achievable.

Hahaha!

Having imagined all this, Shen Qing felt very grateful to Xu Yujie again.

…It wasn’t that the photos themselves were so precious; he had a color printer at home and could print photos anytime. What was precious was the inspiration and reminder Mr. Xu had brought him. Before this, Shen Qing hadn’t thought about photos at all.

Thinking of this, he immediately revealed an incredibly bright and somewhat excited smile. Shen Qing carefully placed the photos back into the bag, almost hugged the bag to his chest, and said cherishingly, “Thanks.”

His smile was so radiant that Xu Yujie, upon seeing it, couldn’t help but show a somewhat shy, reserved smile and nodded. “As long as you like it.”

Shen Qing didn’t hide his happiness at all. “I like it a lot. Thank you so much.”

“Ah.”

Xu Yujie hadn’t expected that just by conveniently printing an extra set of photos, he would receive such great approval from Mr. Shen. He couldn’t help but feel a bit flattered.

Upstairs.

Gu Huaiyu narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the paper bag hugged in Shen Qing’s arms. He asked the people beside him in a low, slow voice, “What is the implied meaning of gifting photos?”

Tian Yi and Li Hong exchanged a glance. This they truly didn’t understand—what era was it? It wasn’t the film era anymore. Photos nowadays were printed casually; they really couldn’t think of any implied meaning.

They understood even less why Madam would like that stack of photos gifted by Xu Yujie so much!

Li Hong thought carefully and said, “…This, maybe it just means he wanted to give them to Madam for a collection? After all, Young Master Xu said those are all photos of the little young masters.”

Hearing this, Gu Huaiyu furrowed his brows slightly.

Li Hong forced another explanation: “As for why Madam likes them so much, it should also be because they are photos of the little young masters!”

…Even though he himself felt this explanation was far-fetched.

Madam was holding that stack of photos way too tightly!

Those were really just photos that the printer in his office could spit out!

Madam, you’d better let go quickly, Boss Gu is…

Assistant Li felt like he could hardly breathe.

Tian Yi beside him also felt the atmosphere was extremely oppressive, yet he still expressed his disapproval: “Where does that guy surnamed Xu get off printing our little young masters’ photos?”

Towards the frivolous Fourth Young Master of the Xu family downstairs, who had caused him to suffer Boss Gu’s death stare during the day, Assistant Tian consistently harbored hostility.

He stated, “Besides, where did he get photos of our little young masters?”

Gu Huaiyu: …

Li Hong: “…”

Li Hong glanced at Tian Yi next to him, surprised that after following Boss Gu for so long, he was still so blunt—where else could they come from? They could only have been given by Madam!

If Madam hadn’t given them, it would be truly weird for him to suddenly give photos of the little young masters to Madam!

Moreover, this proved that Madam’s relationship with the Xu family’s Fourth Young Master was already quite good.

But they had only known each other for half a day, and already…

The most crucial point was that Boss Gu was already quite wary of that playboy Fourth Young Master Xu.

Now that Old Tian brought it up like this…

Old Tian, did you think Boss Gu couldn’t think of this layer?

You really have a knack for bringing up the worst possible topics!

Li Hong peeked at his boss’s complexion. However, standing to the side and slightly behind Boss Gu, he could only see half of Boss Gu’s dark side profile, and from that angle, an expression that looked extremely gloomy and cold…

Old Tian, you’re done for again!

In front of the two assistants, Gu Huaiyu had already furrowed his brows heavily.

He had known early on that Shen Qing sent the photos to Xu Yujie, so he wouldn’t really pursue what Tian Yi had said.

Right now, silently repeating “photos” and “collection” in his heart, Gu Huaiyu suddenly said, “At noon, when Shen Qing showed me these photos, it didn’t cross my mind to print them out for a collection.”

“?”

The two assistants behind him exchanged another look—why did Boss Gu suddenly say this?

…But it seemed that Madam hadn’t just sent the photos to the Fourth Young Master Xu, but also showed them to their Boss Gu… Did that mean Madam and Boss Gu’s relationship was still as intimate as ever?

Even though those photos were of the little young masters, Boss Gu would be interested in seeing them.

But if it were anyone else, they probably wouldn’t dare take them out to share with Boss Gu…

After all, the impression Boss Gu gave was that he never participated in discussing private topics.

Putting himself in those shoes, if Li Hong had taken a photo with the little young masters, and it turned out beautifully, he definitely wouldn’t dare bring it in front of Boss Gu to show him.

…From this, it was clear that Madam’s relationship with Boss Gu was just different!

And it was a good thing it was like this; at least Boss Gu wouldn’t get angry because Young Master Xu also had the photos.

So what Boss Gu was conflicted about was probably that he hadn’t thought to print the photos out…

On this point, Fourth Young Master Xu was indeed more romantic.

But every profession has its specialty.

Li Hong tried to comfort his boss: “…It’s normal that you wouldn’t think of photos and collecting, after all, you don’t like taking pictures.”

There wasn’t even a single photo or picture frame in his house.

The Gu family’s old residence, however, was filled with photos—Li Hong had accompanied Boss Gu there before, and what left a deep impression was that the walls of that old-style villa were covered with picture frames.

In the frames, everyone in the photos wore a smile.

But among all those photos, not a single one was of Boss Gu.

…There were absolutely no such things in Boss Gu’s life, how could anyone expect him to think of it?!

Gu Huaiyu fell silent after hearing Li Hong’s words.

No one knew what he was thinking.

He just continued to look down at the ground floor.

Downstairs, Mingbao, who was about to leave, was still reluctantly saying goodbye to Duoduo and Ao-Zai. Children spoke with wild imaginations and were a bit noisy, making it impossible to hear what Shen Qing and Xu Yujie were saying.

The only thing certain was that they were conversing, making eye contact, and smiling at each other.

When the conversation got exciting, Shen Qing even bent over laughing.

The aegyo sal under his eyes was prominent, the corners of his eyes were alluring, and his gaze was magnetic.

Even without looking closely, one would know what kind of charm he possessed when he bent over laughing.

…

Gu Huaiyu quietly watched this scene below.

The two assistants standing behind him braved their boss’s low air pressure and silently exchanged a look—

Tian Yi: Boss Gu, really, he should just go downstairs directly and stand by Madam’s side. Let’s see if that Young Master Xu would still dare to smile at Madam like that and chat so happily.

Li Hong somewhat agreed with Tian Yi’s viewpoint, but not entirely.

After all, having followed Boss Gu for longer, he knew better than anyone that Boss Gu watching from upstairs like this was already quite abnormal, exceptionally abnormal.

The former Boss Gu would never pay attention to these things.

He wouldn’t even leave his office!

Furthermore, taking ten thousand steps back, Boss Gu had his own dignity and rules to maintain!…

Just at that moment, Gu Huaiyu suddenly maneuvered his wheelchair, leaving the railing area on the edge of the third floor.

Li Hong: ?

A bewildered Li Hong: “Boss Gu, where are you going?…”

His voice was a bit loud, directly catching the attention of the people downstairs. Even Shen Qing subconsciously looked up.

However, a moment later, there was no need to look anymore—the elevator doors opened, and Gu Huaiyu’s figure had already appeared on the first floor.

“…Boss Gu?” Xu Yujie froze, subconsciously calling out.

He had never met Gu Huaiyu before.

He had only heard that this person used a wheelchair.

…Even without such a signature wheelchair, just based on the aura alone, one could guess this wasn’t an ordinary person, and pairing it with the wheelchair made it very obvious.

…

Xu Yujie hadn’t expected to meet Gu Huaiyu.

In the morning, when his sister-in-law temporarily asked him to bring Mingbao over to play, his old man, hearing he was coming to the Gu residence, specifically gave him a call.

It wasn’t to tell him to find a way to curry favor with Gu Huaiyu.

Instead, it was to instruct and exhort him thousands of times absolutely not to provoke this Boss Gu…

Although Xu Yujie couldn’t understand it—he wasn’t some rebellious delinquent, so why was his old man worried he would offend Boss Gu?

But now, looking at Gu Huaiyu’s pale, expressionless face, as well as his rarely seen sharp, domineering, yet cold and iron-like gaze…

Xu Yujie suddenly understood—

Perhaps his old man wasn’t originally worried that he would easily cause trouble.

But because once Gu Huaiyu was offended, the price and consequences could be too terrifying, so the old man had warned him so repeatedly…

He had to admit, after being swept by Gu Huaiyu’s gaze and stared at intently for a few seconds, Xu Yujie felt his entire spine stiffen, becoming somewhat unable to move.

Yet the other party clearly hadn’t done anything, only steadily approaching this side at a moderate pace.

…He was even sitting in a wheelchair!

So where on earth did that aura come from?

Xu Yujie stood there foolishly.

His eyes looked somewhat panickedly at Shen Qing opposite him, almost as a subconscious plea for help.

Then, Xu Yujie watched helplessly as Shen Qing looked back, turning to welcome Gu Huaiyu right as he approached, asking in a casual tone, “Why did you come down?”

Only then did Gu Huaiyu move his gaze away from intensely staring at Xu Yujie. He lifted his eyelids to look at the young man close at hand and said unhurriedly, “I came down to say goodbye to Mingbao.”

“Uncle Gu!”

Mingbao, who had just been saying goodbye to Duoduo and Ao-Zai, turned his head and looked at him. He immediately ran over pitter-patter and grabbed onto Gu Huaiyu’s knees.

“Uncle Gu, Mingbao is leaving now!”

With the brief tutoring interaction just now, Mingbao wasn’t afraid of Uncle Gu at all anymore.

Just like he could loudly smack a kiss on Uncle Shen’s cheek, little Xu Weiming didn’t think there was anything wrong with grabbing Uncle Gu’s knees.

Of course, Shen Qing also didn’t think there was any problem.

But the other people present, or rather, almost everyone else, had their hearts skip a beat.

Li Hong and Tian Yi, who had followed Gu Huaiyu down, simultaneously halted their steps. Li Hong even clutched his heart, almost choking on air.

Gu Duo next to Mingbao: “…”

His complexion, which had finally eased, started to show the gloomy expression again that had appeared just now because Mingbao loudly kissed Shen Qing’s cheek.

But compared to the gloomy face, when Gu Duo looked at Xu Weiming’s hands grabbing his youngest uncle, the change in his eyes was even more obvious.

At first, it was stunned and full of disbelief.

Later, it turned into a fiercely suppressed and hidden envy.

It was just that Gu Duo kept his head half-lowered all along, so no one noticed this change in him.

The one with the strongest reaction was Xu Yujie on the side.

Xu Yujie: “??? …Mingbao!”

Initially intimidated by Gu Huaiyu’s aura, Xu Yujie’s reaction was a few beats slow.

By the time he recovered and saw Mingbao’s little fleshy paws already grabbing onto Boss Gu’s exquisite suit pants, he subconsciously cried out.

Hearing his cry, Mingbao turned his head in confusion to look at his little uncle, his watery eyes holding some bewilderment and innocence.

Xu Yujie opened his mouth but didn’t have time to say anything else.

Because Boss Gu had already replied with a low, “Mhm.”

Hearing this deep, hoarse, and textured voice, Mingbao immediately turned his head back and looked at Uncle Gu.

“Uncle Shen said Mingbao can come play again in a few days. Uncle Gu, you have to remember Mingbao, oh.”

“…”

Gu Huaiyu’s fingertips, resting on the armrest of the wheelchair, lifted and trembled slightly, but hesitated to fall.

His eyes flickered rarely; he seemed not to know what to say either. After a long while, he still nodded, “Mhm.”

Shen Qing, on the side, knew that Boss Gu’s problem of not knowing how to interact with children was acting up again… It seemed that Gu Huaiyu’s words would only increase when there was serious business to discuss or when tutoring the cubs with their homework.

Shen Qing had even suspected, was this some kind of cute-cub-phobia?

Because normally, Duoduo and Ao-Zai were more restrained than the other in front of their big dad, and would never proactively run over for hugs and cuddles, so this point wasn’t obvious.

But now, encountering the soft, cute, enthusiastic, and straightforward little dumpling Mingbao, Boss Gu’s problem was thoroughly exposed.

It seemed everyone had weaknesses.

Even the cold and iron-hard Boss Gu had an Achilles’ heel.

Realizing that Boss Gu’s whole body was stiff, his back straighter than ever, and his usually expressionless face was extremely tense to maintain normalcy…

Shen Qing chuckled secretly, quite unkindly.

But seeing Gu Huaiyu forcing himself so much yet still not refusing Mingbao hugging his thigh, Shen Qing’s conscience kicked in. He stepped forward, took Mingbao’s hand, and acting as a middleman, expanded the big shot’s “Mhm” into a full sentence: “Uncle Gu won’t forget Mingbao. Mingbao must come play again next time.”

“Okay!”

Mingbao replied. He had changed into his down jacket for a while now; any longer and he would sweat. Shen Qing touched his little forehead and said, “Then Mingbao should go back with Little Uncle first.”

Xu Yujie hurriedly took Mingbao’s hand, not daring to delay any longer. After saying goodbye, he pulled the cub out the door, not forgetting to take the little rabbit onesie Gu Duo had given Mingbao in his hand.

Back in the car, having settled Mingbao in his seat, Xu Yujie said, “You nearly scared your uncle to death just now.”

“Hm?” Mingbao swung his little legs, not knowing what happened.

“That uncle, I mean Uncle Gu, how could you go touch him!”

Xu Yujie tried his best to lower his voice to avoid scaring little Mingbao, but still couldn’t help shouting: “And touching his legs no less…!”

Considering that Gu Huaiyu had ended up in a wheelchair at such a young age, putting himself in his shoes, whose mentality wouldn’t collapse if they could only use a wheelchair in their twenties!

If it were him, being in a wheelchair and having someone touch his legs, Xu Yujie would feel very uncomfortable…

Luckily, the big shot didn’t hold it against Mingbao this time.

Xu Yujie warned with lingering fear: “Next time you are not allowed to hug that uncle’s thigh, nor are you allowed to grab his knees, understand?”

“Hm?”

Mingbao, restricted by the seatbelt, continued to tilt his head, “Why?”

—Having spent an afternoon with Ao-Zai and constantly hearing that cub tilt his head and ask “Why?” while his brother was tutoring him, Mingbao had automatically learned this pattern: “Why?”

Mingbao truly didn’t understand!

Even though since Mingbao’s last birthday, his dad and grandpa had started mentioning Uncle Gu all the time, saying it was because of Uncle Gu that he could continue playing with Gu Duo, Mingbao still didn’t understand these things.

He only knew Uncle Gu was very amazing.

Grandpa and Dad both seemed afraid of him.

And Grandpa, Dad, and Mom all instructed him that he must definitely not make Uncle Gu angry.

Mingbao remembered all of this.

But he didn’t make Uncle Gu angry!

Mingbao just hugged Uncle’s thigh.

Moreover, Uncle didn’t look angry at all.

“…You’d better let your grandpa explain this question to you when we get back.”

As someone who had similarly been warned not to provoke Gu Huaiyu, Xu Yujie suddenly realized that in his old man’s heart, he was actually on the same level as Mingbao…

.

Inside the villa, after sending Mingbao off, Shen Qing turned back to look at Gu Huaiyu.

He wanted to say that the big shot actually liked Mingbao quite a bit; although he acted tsundere, he still came down to see Mingbao off in the end… Then, catching a glimpse of the two cubs beside him from the corner of his eye, his thoughts jumped, and Shen Qing thought of something else.

“Since you’ve already come down, boss, let’s take a group photo!”

He had just decided to create a photo album for the cubs, but how could a photo album lack a group photo?

Shen Qing immediately proposed taking a picture together.

“Take a photo?”

As soon as Shen Qing’s words fell, the one adult and two children beside him all looked at him.

Gu Duo had no objections to taking a photo, but at the thought of taking it with the adults… he nervously pinched his hands.

Ao-Zai hadn’t realized anything yet; he just tilted his big head to express his confusion: “Why taking pic-pics again?”

They had clearly already taken a lot in the morning.

Even though Ao-Zai liked it very much, it didn’t stop him from asking.

“This time we are taking it together as a family.”

Shen Qing patiently explained to him, “It’s different. You’ll know in a bit.”

Saying so, he looked at the silent Gu Huaiyu again. The big shot was still sitting there with his shoulders slightly sunk and his back straight, his posture very upright.

Only his eyes were a bit strange, holding a rare hesitation that Shen Qing had never seen in Boss Gu before.

But he wasn’t repulsed by it either.

Therefore, Shen Qing let loose and said to him, “Come on, it’s perfect timing since you’re dressed so handsomely, boss.”

No one came for a meeting today, but Boss Gu was still dressed relatively formally.

Although he was thin, he was tall and had a large frame. Perhaps he was that kind of natural clothes hanger.

In addition, the big shot was probably a person of great taste; his clothes were not ordinary goods, and he looked handsome wearing them casually.

Speaking of which, Shen Qing remembered that when he first transmigrated here, the big shot was still sickly and wore pajamas every day.

Now he did indeed look much more energetic.

Feeling that Gu Huaiyu looking like this was very suitable for taking pictures, Shen Qing felt there was no time like the present.

“Besides, today is the day the adoption procedures were officially finalized. It has so much commemorative value.”

Smiling, he raised his hand and waved for Assistant Li and Assistant Tian in the back to come over.

Handing them the paper bag containing the photos and then offering his own phone, Shen Qing said, “Please help us take a family portrait.”

Upon hearing “family portrait,” Gu Huaiyu in the wheelchair subconsciously raised his eyebrows, and his fingers twitched along with it.

He maintained that eyebrow-raised expression. A moment later, looking a bit surprised and helpless, he slowly nodded…

Surprised, helpless.

But he nodded.

Both assistants saw it.

It shocked Tian Yi into looking directly at Li Hong: Oh my god, Boss Gu spoils him too much! This feeling was simply, if Madam says shoot, then we shoot!

Li Hong actually also had a little tremble, the kind of trembling heart from shipping them so hard! As well as a tiny bit of excitement—

Rather than saying Boss Gu agreed to cooperate with Madam’s photo taking, it was more like Boss Gu himself really wanted to take it…

He had just returned from completing the adoption procedures in the afternoon; today was indeed a day with great commemorative value.

Moreover, after all these years, Boss Gu also had a childhood, also had a family.

Yet he had never participated in taking a family portrait…

Even though Boss Gu himself didn’t seem to care for those kinds of family portraits.

But Li Hong felt that this current home was different from Boss Gu’s past home.

The atmosphere was clearly different.

Here there was laughter, harmony, friendliness, kind fathers and filial sons, and brotherly love.

Not only was the atmosphere different, but the meaning was even more different—In this home, there were people of flesh and blood who knew how to be grateful and deserved to be better taken care of.

…Madam and the little young masters were the ones worthy of protection, Boss Gu’s true family.

Not those ungrateful wretches of the Gu family.

Boss Gu had finally protected the people he wanted to protect this time, so this family portrait was even more meaningful.

In short, just slightly projecting himself into Boss Gu’s experiences made Li Hong feel his heart beating incredibly fast.

Out of being moved.

And that sense of comfort…

“Madam, I have a camera. How about I go fetch it?”

Li Hong’s hobby was photography, and he happened to have a professional camera in his office. The photos taken would be much better than a phone’s.

“That works too,” Shen Qing said.

Taking advantage of Assistant Li going to get the camera, he tidied up Duoduo and Ao-Zai’s clothes again.

The two cubs had also changed out of their pajamas by this time.

Because Young Master Duo believed wearing pajamas would make people lazy.

So shortly after starting to study, he changed back into his long-sleeved hoodie and casual pants.

Ao-Zai just wore whatever his brother wore. Even though in the afternoon, when Mingbao couldn’t hold on and tossed and turned during his nap, Ao-Zai hadn’t missed out on a nap either.

But he had long since changed out of his pajamas and was now wearing a small white sweatshirt and gray children’s wide-leg pants.

Both were quite cute; they didn’t need to deliberately change clothes, just a little tidying up and they’d be camera-ready.

As for Shen Qing himself…

Not to brag.

He looked good on camera no matter what he wore, okay!

Li Hong jogged all the way and quickly brought back the camera.

Besides the camera and tripod, he actually brought out a Polaroid camera as well. Even Tian Yi was shocked: “How come you have so many of these things in your office area?”

Li Hong: “Cough, cough.”

The truth was that the office Boss Gu allocated to him was huge and had a dedicated parking spot, and since the boss never went to his office to inspect or drink tea, it resulted in him basically treating the place as a warehouse.

But of course, Li Hong wouldn’t admit this was the fact.

Assistant Li said solemnly: “As a qualified assistant, of course we must be able to promptly provide whatever the boss needs.”

Tian Yi: “…”

Shen Qing had already taken the one adult and two children to find a good spot.

It was right in front of the spiral staircase in the first-floor lobby. In some wealthy family dramas he had watched, family portraits seemed to always be taken here.

Li Hong raised the camera to check the lighting and said this spot worked.

In fact, the feng shui of the entire villa was excellent; taking photos anywhere would be quite suitable.

In front of the retro European-style spiral staircase, there was no doubt that Boss Gu, as the family’s economic pillar, was right in the middle.

The initial positioning was Shen Qing grabbing a stool to sit on the big shot’s left, with the two cubs standing on the right.

But after taking two shots, Shen Qing felt it wasn’t tightly-knit enough; it didn’t look like a family portrait at all.

So he adjusted the positions. This time, Duoduo stood alone on Gu Huaiyu’s right, while he held Ao-Zai, letting Ao-Zai stand in front of him.

Although the newly imaged photo looked more compact, there was still a problem somewhere…

It was too stiff.

A family of four, apart from him smiling, the other three people had no expressions.

Ao-Zai simply had no idea what they were doing the whole time. The two shots captured just happened to be when he was looking around, possibly contemplating his cub life, making his little expression look very serious.

As for the other adult and child, it was as if they simply had no intention of smiling.

Shen Qing felt this still wouldn’t do; it lacked feeling, and it wasn’t intimate enough.

He stood up, pulled Gu Duo’s hand from behind, and made him hook his arm through Gu Huaiyu’s.

At first, Gu Duo didn’t know what he was doing. When his hand passed through his youngest uncle’s elbow, Gu Duo was visibly startled, and half of his body stiffened.

Sensing his stiffness, Shen Qing said with a gentle voice, “Don’t be nervous. This is your big dad, what is there to be shy about?”

Gu Duo: …

He pursed his lips.

His face, which had gained back a bit of baby fat, was tense, but he didn’t show any shyness.

He just looked even more serious.

Completely uncontrollably so.

After that, Shen Qing went to call Ao-Zai: “Little Aow-Aow, come here.”

“Aow?”

Ao-Zai very cooperatively ran over, bypassing his big dad. Shen Qing had him stand in front of Gu Huaiyu and Gu Duo, close to Boss Gu’s thigh, but without blocking his brother’s face.

However, Ao-Zai’s camera-showing-off syndrome acted up again. He didn’t know Uncle Li wasn’t taking pictures right now; he just saw something resembling a lens and started frantically striking poses. Left with no choice, Shen Qing had to catch him first to give him a talking-to.

Meanwhile, Gu Duo maintained the posture of lightly resting his hand in the crook of his youngest uncle’s arm, not daring to move.

He didn’t pull his hand away to leave.

Nor did he take a step closer to do anything else…

Gu Duo couldn’t quite figure it out; why could Xu Weiming so easily kiss his little dad’s cheek and grab onto his big dad’s thigh…

Why couldn’t he himself do it?

He would probably never be able to be like Xu Weiming, expressing his feelings of affection without any burden and getting close to the adults he liked and respected…

Gu Duo felt very disappointed in himself.

At this time, Shen Qing, who had finally settled Ao-Zai down, also returned to pose. A refreshing strawberry scent drilled into his nasal cavity once again, and Gu Duo suddenly felt himself enveloped in an embrace.

A very familiar feeling.

The last time he was sick, it was also this kind of embrace.

In the next moment, the adult with the very warm embrace suddenly raised his arm, pushing him closer in the direction of his big dad.

The force was quite sudden. Gu Duo stumbled, and then suddenly a hand steadied him.

…It was his big dad.

Gu Duo subconsciously looked up, catching his dad’s eyes looking right over…

He remembered a nanny who took care of him when he was little once telling him that the Gu family members generally had a pair of phoenix eyes, fickle, icy, and bitterly sarcastic. Thank goodness you don’t have them, Duoduo.

But looking at his big dad’s eyes, at least in this moment, Gu Duo didn’t see any iciness, not a single bit.

He seemed to see a kind of concern… Gu Duo couldn’t really describe it either.

Anyway, in this moment, looking at his big dad from up close, feeling his other little dad’s hand resting on his shoulder, Gu Duo felt as if he had received immense encouragement, and his heart involuntarily settled.

Behind him, Shen Qing’s voice rang out right on cue: “Alright, focus a bit, we’re going to start shooting.”

Gu Duo reacted and quickly looked at the camera.

Because Ao-Zai was constantly acting restless, Shen Qing pinned him beside Gu Huaiyu’s wheelchair, placing one of his little hands on his big dad’s leg, telling him he wasn’t allowed to move.

“A qualified little actor can control his own limbs. Only then will the shooting effect be good, oh.” Shen Qing spoke serious nonsense.

Anyway, Ao-Zai believed it.

At first, Ao-Zai was also very shy about leaning on his big dad’s thigh. Furthermore, as an independent, confident, and destined-to-be-aloof human cub of the new era, Ao-Zai consistently refused hugs and cuddles.

Even with the closest people around him, he had to control it appropriately.

But Shen Qing said they were taking photos now, that it was “work,” and once Ao-Zai understood this, it went to his head.

Told not to move, he truly didn’t move.

So the final pose struck was little Ao-Zai half-leaning on Big Dad’s leg, with one of Duoduo’s hands resting on his little brother’s shoulder in front of him. His left hand hugged Big Dad’s arm, and one of Little Dad’s hands rested on his right shoulder.

And as the final step to close the loop, right before Assistant Li pressed the shutter, Shen Qing raised his other hand and rested it on the big shot’s shoulder.

He bent down, lowering his head, his exquisite jaw resting perfectly on Gu Huaiyu’s broad shoulder.

Everyone smelled a fresh strawberry scent.

A few clicks.

Li Hong and Tian Yi, one using the camera and the other using the Polaroid, directly recorded this scene.

In the photo, although only Shen Qing was smiling radiantly, a light was reflected in the depths of everyone’s eyes.

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