McDull, with his innocent appearance, melted Song Zhen's heart.
He feigned a sudden realization, just to go along with his beloved son, "My goodness!
So your mommy likes these things?
No wonder I could never coax her effectively!
I'll have someone buy them right away, lots and lots of them, and pile them in front of her!"
McDull's dark pupils filled with surprise. He smiled broadly and nodded repeatedly, "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm!"
Seeing the child's happy expression, Song Zhen took the opportunity to hug him and place him on his lap.
In his arms.
Kissing him over and over.
In the face of McDull's childlike innocence, Song Zhen felt a heavy guilt in his heart.
He could understand Gu Xinzhou's feelings.
Between them, it wasn't just those years that they had missed.
They had also lost a Dabao, as lovable as McDull.
This mix of surprise and sorrow tormented Song Zhen.
It also constantly motivated him: from now on, his days would be dedicated to his son and his mother.
He promised McDull tenderly, "In a couple of days, I'll rent out the whole amusement park!
I'll take you and mommy, just the three of us, to have fun.
I'll have someone prepare chicken wings, strawberry yogurt cake, and all the other things your mommy loves to eat.
You'll have to speak well of me, okay?"
McDull hadn't expected Song Zhen to be so nice.
He smiled throughout, his bright eyes fixed on Song Zhen.
There was both delighted joy and baffled loss.
Holding back again and again, McDull finally asked, struggling with his words, "Why… why didn't you want me before?"
Song Zhen's eyelashes became wet in an instant.
He turned McDull around to face him, sitting with foreheads touching, and said in a soft voice, "Because Daddy didn't know there was a you in this world before.
Daddy found out just yesterday that your mommy gave birth to you in Italy.
But, Baobao, you must believe Daddy.
Daddy will never leave you again from now on.
Because Daddy really really loves mommy so much, and also really really loves you!"
McDull pursed his lips, his big eyes, like black grapes, sparkling with joy.
Hearing Daddy's confession, his tender little face turned pink.
A little embarrassed.
And a little hopeful.
He stretched out his tender little hand and cupped Song Zhen's cheek, "I want to believe you. But please, don't lie to me, okay?"
Song Zhen's tears swirled in his eyes.
He couldn't imagine how Gu Xinzhou had spent the last five years washing his face with tears, day and night.
Did she suffer from morning sickness during pregnancy?
Did her body swell up?
Did she feel miserable with fever?
Or maybe, did she get to have her confinement period?
...
And Cassie, by Gu Xinzhou's side, was reliable in every way, tenderly protecting mother and son for so many years, yet she still had not accepted Cassie.
What a wonderful woman she was.
How had Song Zhen been so blind to misjudge people?
Song Zhen tilted his neck, resting his head lightly on McDull's shoulder.
The man who had for many years never shed a tear in his solitary struggles, now silently let his tears seep into his son's shoulder.
Perhaps it was a natural father-son bond.
McDull stayed quietly in his embrace.
Not fussy or noisy.
Without a sound.
Even when Song Zhen was at his most vulnerable, McDull reached out his little hand to stroke the back of Song Zhen's head.
A child...
Has a heart made of crystal.
Suddenly remembering something, Song Zhen lifted his head, taking McDull to the small bar outside.
Gu Xinzhou had already devoured two-thirds of a large piece of chestnut cake.
Seeing Song Zhen coming out with the child, she showed little expression on her face.
But when Song Zhen sat down opposite her.
His reddened eyes caught hers.
Her heart instantly felt a sting!