Chapter 149: The child of you and Madam is destined for supreme nobility.

Xu Qichen gave a faint nod, slowly withdrew his gaze, and sat down on the sofa nearby.

Inside the bathroom, the little fellow puffed out his cheeks and looked at Wen Zhixia.

Wen Zhixia crouched down halfway, straightened his clothes, and poked his chubby, milk-scented cheek. "What is it? Pouting like that, you could hang a teapot on it."

With a soft smack, the little fellow unexpectedly kissed Wen Zhixia right on the forehead, landing precisely over the spot Xu Qichen had kissed just moments before.

Wen Zhixia was startled at first, then chuckled softly. "Such a little rascal."

When the adult and child came out, the smile was still lingering on Wen Zhixia's face. Xu Qichen turned his head toward the sound of footsteps.

Wen Zhixia asked someone to take the little fellow for a walk around first, but Gu Youzhi gripped her hand tightly and shook his head, looking pitiful like a frightened little beast afraid of being abandoned.

"I'll come find you in a little while. Go play with auntie for a bit first, be a good boy."

Some things certainly could not be said in front of a child, especially since Gu Youzhi, despite his young age, was very intelligent. Wen Zhixia did not want any words to accidentally hurt him.

After the maid led away Gu Youzhi, who kept looking back every few steps, Wen Zhixia finally explained the situation about the child to Xu Qichen. "This child... belongs to Gu Yusheng. He's been running into some trouble lately. Tuanzi has autism and doesn't like getting close to others, so... he was sent here."

Even to Wen Zhixia's own ears, such an explanation sounded rather far-fetched, but it was indeed the truth. She had even considered sending Gu Youzhi back to Lanhu Commandery.

However, she had just received a call informing her that Aunt Zhao was in the hospital while Aunt Wang was taking care of her, making it clearly unsafe for Gu Youzhi to remain alone at Lanhu Commandery.

"Xia, you two have already broken up." Xu Qichen stroked her hair, saying nothing else, merely stating a fact.

Since they had broken up, in Xu Qichen's view, she ought not to meddle in anything related to Gu Yusheng.

"Are you... angry?" Wen Zhixia looked at him cautiously.

Xu Qichen fell silent for a few seconds before letting out a low sigh. "No. A little child—there's no harm if you want to take care of him for a couple of days. It's just that... as you said yourself, this child is quite attached to you. Won't things like this happen frequently in the future?"

Wen Zhixia pressed her lips together and lowered her gaze, unable to answer this question for the time being.

"Xia, if you like children, we can have our own." The unspoken implication was that she had no obligation to care for someone else's child.

Similar words had once been spoken to her by Gu Yusheng in the past, except what Gu Yusheng had said was—If you really like children that much, then I'll find someone else to have them for you.

"Let him stay for a couple of days. I'll send him back."

Xu Qichen did not push her too hard. He reached out and pulled her into an embrace. "Just do whatever you decide."

That evening, perhaps because it was her first time entering an unfamiliar environment, Gu Youzhi clung even more tightly to Wen Zhixia. Once night fell, he refused to let anyone other than Wen Zhixia get close to him, completely lacking any sense of security.

With no other choice, Wen Zhixia had to take care of him personally, which finally allowed the little fellow to relax a little.

Xu Qichen wanted to step forward and help, but Gu Youzhi hid behind Wen Zhixia, watching him timidly.

"I'll do it. You've been traveling in the car all day, go get some rest," Wen Zhixia said upon seeing this.

When Xu Qichen reached the doorway of the bathroom, he glanced back. The little fellow, who had been so timid just moments before, was now wearing a bright smile, blowing soapy bubbles onto Wen Zhixia and letting out crisp, clear laughter.

Wen Zhixia looked at the little fellow in the center of the basin with doting eyes, splashing a bit of water onto him. The two of them were as close as mother and son.

"Sir, does Madam know the child's identity?" Hearing the laughter from inside, Jin Mao asked in a low voice after Xu Qichen came out.

Xu Qichen pinched his fingers. "... Not yet."

"Even without knowing the truth, Madam is already showing such deep affection for this child. If she finds out one day..." Jin Mao pressed his lips together. "No wonder everyone says this Gu Yusheng is no ordinary person. It truly seems that way now; his mind is so profound that ordinary people cannot fathom it. He probably anticipated today's situation long ago."

Seeing that Xu Qichen remained silent, Jin Mao continued, "No matter what, Sir should still have a child of your own as soon as possible. No matter how much affection Madam holds for this child now, after all, he wasn't born from her own ten months of pregnancy, nor have they spent much time together. Naturally, their bond cannot compare, and there is a distinction between close and distant. A child belonging to you and Madam would be incomparably precious, and it would also sever any improper thoughts others might harbor."

Xu Qichen cast a sideways glance at him. "You've been talking a lot more lately."

Jin Mao bowed his head. "This subordinate spoke out of turn."

Xu Qichen turned and walked back to the bedroom. Watching his indulgent demeanor, Jin Mao could not help feeling a secret surge of anxiety.

After coaxing Gu Youzhi to sleep, Wen Zhixia finally stepped out of the guest room. Descending the stairs to get a drink of water, she caught sight of Xu Qichen drinking in the living room out of the corner of her eye.

The moonlight outside the window spilled over his shoulders, as if the two had melted seamlessly into one.

"Why haven't you gone to sleep yet?" she asked, walking over.

Xu Qichen beckoned to her, signaling her to sit down beside him. He gently draped his arm over her shoulder, letting her lean against him. "Seeing you take care of that child today, I was thinking that if one day we have a child of our own, you will surely make a wonderful mother."

Wen Zhixia paused for a moment before uttering a soft, "Mn."

Taking a sip of wine, Xu Qichen lifted her chin and slowly pressed his lips to hers.

His lips were slightly cool, a completely different type from Gu Yusheng's perpetual warmth. When he tried to part her lips and pass the wine over, Wen Zhixia suddenly pulled away.

Swallowing the red wine, Xu Qichen maintained the posture of being pushed away and lowered his gaze, making it impossible to read the emotions in his eyes.

Wen Zhixia could sense that he was somewhat displeased.

In Wen Zhixia's memory, Xu Qichen had always been gentle, refined, and scholarly. Yet no matter how cultured a man might be, being rejected by his own woman would presumably bring some degree of displeasure.

The atmosphere between them froze for a fraction of a second.

"I... I'm sorry," Wen Zhixia said in a low voice.

It had been a purely subconscious reaction; she had done so before she even fully realized it.

"I forgot that you don't like drinking." Seeing her filled with guilt, Xu Qichen smiled gently and stroked her cheek. "Between you and me, there is no need for apologies. I said before, whatever you do, I will never be angry."

He granted her the utmost tolerance and understanding, which only made Wen Zhixia feel even more guilty.

"It's getting late. We should rest," Xu Qichen said softly, taking her hand.