Chapter 208: Suspicions

Sensing that the atmosphere had gotten a bit heavy, Chu Peipei joked,

“Let’s not talk about this anymore—look how worried we’ve made our Nannan!”

Gu Zhiyu turned to look at An Nan, just in time to see her hurriedly avert her gaze, a little embarrassed as she picked up some food and put it in her mouth.

He smiled and squeezed An Nan’s hand even tighter.

The group ate and chatted for more than three hours before finally getting ready to leave.

Hu Cuilan stood up, looking at Chu Xiaoguai in surprise. “This little girl actually listened to our conversation the whole time?”

Zhao Ping’an was amazed too. “Yeah, most kids would’ve been bored to sleep by now.”

He teased her, “Xiaoguai, did you understand what we were talking about?”

Chu Xiaoguai shook her head. “Nope.”

Gu Zhiyu glanced up at her when he heard this.

Zhao Ping’an patted the little girl’s head. “You didn’t understand, but you still listened so intently?”

Chu Xiaoguai grinned, innocent and adorable. “Because you all look nice!”

Zhao Ping’an burst out laughing and turned to Hu Cuilan. “Mom, I think raising a kid could actually be pretty fun!”

Hu Cuilan scoffed, “You can’t even find a wife, and you’re already thinking about kids?”

Everyone laughed.

Even the usually serious Gu Zhiyu couldn’t help but smile.

Seeing this, Zhao Ping’an immediately called out, “Brother Gu, even you’re making fun of me?”

Gu Zhiyu put his arm around An Nan’s shoulders. “Not at all. I’m just feeling a little smug.”

After all, it’s not easy to find a wife these days.

Especially one as outstanding as An Nan.

Zhao Ping’an: …

An Nan: …

When everyone finally left, still joking and laughing, only An Nan and Gu Zhiyu were left in the house.

The two of them started cleaning up together.

As An Nan collected the dishes, she asked Gu Zhiyu, “That little girl wanted to play with you. Why did you ignore her?”

Gu Zhiyu replied matter-of-factly, “She’s not your child—what’s it got to do with me?”

An Nan: …

No matter what this man says, he always manages to turn it around and tease her.

She rolled her eyes at him. “Shameless. Who said I’d ever have a kid with you?”

With the world in such chaos, she had no intention of having children.

Gu Zhiyu clearly thought of this too and changed his tune. “It’s too dangerous to have kids now, so we won’t. If I ever feel like taking care of a kid, I’ll just take care of you.”

An Nan’s face turned bright red. “Stop talking nonsense!”

Then she circled back to her original question. “Seriously, why were you so cold to Chu Xiaoguai?”

From what she knew of Gu Zhiyu, even if he didn’t like kids much, he’d still be polite. He wouldn’t just ignore someone.

Gu Zhiyu grew serious. “I don’t like the way she acts.”

An Nan was puzzled. “The way she acts?”

He nodded. “She doesn’t have the innocence of a child. It’s like she’s pretending to be naive.”

He’d met plenty of women like that—delicate, cute, but all an act.

But those were grown women. Kids this age were supposed to be naturally adorable.

Girls this age usually tried to act mature, not cute.

After hearing Gu Zhiyu’s words, An Nan couldn’t help but recall the look in that child’s eyes. It really was a bit odd.

She hesitated. “Now that you mention it…”

Gu Zhiyu added, “Her answer to Zhao Ping’an’s question was strange too.”

An Nan asked, “What question?”

Gu Zhiyu said, “He asked if she understood what we were talking about.”

An Nan suddenly understood. “You mean… most kids would pretend to understand, but she pretended not to!”

Gu Zhiyu nodded.

That kid clearly understood everything they were saying.

And she was listening very intently.

An Nan frowned. “How can a little kid have so many thoughts?”

She hadn’t thought anything was off before, assuming Xiaoguai was just trying to make Zhao Ping’an happy.

But after Gu Zhiyu pointed it out, she realized—what kind of child would go to such lengths to please adults?

Seeing her frown, Gu Zhiyu reassured her, “Let’s just keep an eye out. She’s just a kid—no matter how clever she is, she can’t stir up too much trouble.”

An Nan nodded.

With how skinny and frail Chu Xiaoguai was, even Fuguai could knock the wind out of her with one bump.

She was just a little worried about Chu Peipei.

Meanwhile, in 1401—

Chu Xiaoguai was sitting obediently on the sofa, letting Chu Peipei undo her hair.

She patted her round belly. “Mom, people outside can’t even get leftovers to eat. How come we still have meat here?”

Chu Peipei smiled. “Because your Auntie Nannan is capable, that’s why!”

Then she asked, “And how do you know what leftovers are?”

The little girl lowered her eyes. “I ate them for a long time. When I couldn’t get any more, I just ate dirt.”

She looked pitifully out the window. “The rain is poisonous now. Soon I won’t even be able to eat dirt.”

Chu Peipei’s heart ached at her words and she hugged her tight. “Don’t worry, Xiaoguai. With Mommy here, you’ll never have to eat dirt again.”

The little girl snuggled into her arms and acted cute. “Mommy, you’re the best mommy in the world. I love you so much.”

After a while, she asked, “Mommy, can I go play at Auntie Nannan’s house often?”

Chu Peipei tapped her nose. “Auntie is Mommy’s best friend. Do you like her too?”

Chu Xiaoguai nodded. “Auntie isn’t as bad as people say. And there’s also Brother Gu at her house.”

Chu Peipei corrected her, “That’s Uncle Gu.”

Then she asked, “You seem to really like Uncle Gu?”

The little girl nodded shyly. “It’s the first time I’ve seen such a handsome man.”

Chu Peipei was taken aback.

Man?

That was… a pretty accurate description for a kid.

Though it sounded a little odd.

Chu Peipei patted her head. “Xiaoguai, you’re very pretty too.”

The little girl perked up excitedly. “Really?”

Then she drooped again. “But I’m too skinny.”

Chu Peipei laughed. “Kids don’t need to worry about being skinny or chubby. Once things get better, you’ll fill out.”

In 1402—

An Nan and Gu Zhiyu were curled up on the sofa, playing with the game console Chu Peipei had given them.

As he played, Gu Zhiyu asked, “You think Zhao Ping’an is handsome?”

An Nan was caught off guard. “Huh?”

Gu Zhiyu said, “Didn’t you say he’s a rare good-looking guy?”

An Nan: …

No wonder this guy kept giving her food earlier—he was jealous for no reason!

She replied irritably, “You’re more handsome. You’re the most handsome!”

Gu Zhiyu smiled.

The game, which had been neck-and-neck, suddenly showed An Nan as the winner.

She raised an eyebrow. “You let me win on purpose?”

Gu Zhiyu smirked. “You won fair and square.”

An Nan rolled her eyes. “Childish!”

After playing for more than two hours, An Nan yawned. “That’s enough for today. I’m going to bed.”

She got up and headed to the bedroom.

Behind her, Gu Zhiyu followed closely.

An Nan turned around warily. “What are you doing?”"