Over half a year later, in the CEO's office of the Gu Corporation.
Gu Chengyu was no longer the young master Gu, but President Gu.
He was sitting behind his desk, handling documents.
Compared to a few years ago, the arrogance and haughtiness between his brows had settled considerably, replaced by a steady and restrained authority.
On the office carpet, a soft safety gate enclosed an area with play mats and scattered various exquisite infant toys.
A little baby dressed in a blue dinosaur onesie was nestled in a nearby crib, sleeping soundly.
This was the precious young master of the Gu family, Gu Musu, nicknamed Nuonuo.
The little one was ten months old now, living up to his name, with a fair, delicate, and chubby appearance.
His little face was plump and adorable, with fine features that made anyone who saw him want to pinch his cheeks.
Especially his eyes—when open, just as Gu Chengyu had once hoped, they were remarkably like Su Qianqian's. His long, curly eyelashes framed dark, grape-like pupils that always seemed dewy. When he looked at you, his gaze was pure and innocent enough to melt your heart.
After finishing a batch of documents, Gu Chengyu rubbed the space between his brows and glanced over at Nuonuo.
He stood up, walked over quietly, and readjusted the small blanket that had slipped off his son. His fingertips brushed the soft, tender cheek, and his heart melted completely.
This was his son, the baby Qianqian had given birth to prematurely, enduring immense hardship.
Just looking at him was enough to make his heart swell with tenderness.
Just then, Nuonuo's eyelashes fluttered, and his little mouth smacked a couple of times, showing signs of waking up.
Gu Chengyu immediately knelt down, patiently waiting beside him so Nuonuo would see him upon opening his eyes.
The little one slowly opened his eyes, his big eyes still misty with sleep. He blinked in confusion, then saw his father before him.
He immediately broke into a sweet, gummy smile, stretched out his chubby little arms, and uttered two syllables in a milky voice:
"Da... da... up~"
Gu Chengyu was stunned.
Although Nuonuo had been babbling for a while and could make the "ba" sound, this was the first time he had called him "Daddy" so clearly.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Gu Chengyu picked up his son's soft, sweet-smelling little body and held him tightly in his arms, coaxing him, "Nuonuo, say it again? Call me Daddy?"
Held securely in his father's arms, Nuonuo happily kicked his chubby little legs, grabbed Gu Chengyu's expensive shirt collar with his small hand, and called out again, even more clearly and affectionately: "Daddy~"
This call was clearer and louder than the last, filled with intimacy.
Gu Chengyu's heart melted completely. He couldn't help but lower his head and plant several firm kisses on his son's milky-scented cheek, making Nuonuo giggle.
"Good boy!" Gu Chengyu carried his son over to the desk.
He turned on the computer, pulled up a photo of Su Qianqian, and coaxed his baby to call for Mommy: "Nuonuo, say Mommy..."
"We'll give Mommy a surprise when we go home, okay?"
Nuonuo blinked his big eyes, looking at Mommy's photo. His little mouth moved, making a few sounds: "Ma... ah..."
Although he couldn't say "Mommy" clearly yet, his adorable expression was utterly heart-melting.
Gu Chengyu chuckled softly, shook his head, and carried his son back to the sofa. He prepared a bottle of formula, tested the temperature, and fed him.
Nuonuo nestled obediently in his father's arms, clutching the bottle and drinking with satisfied little gulps, his big eyes squinting contentedly.
Gu Chengyu looked down at this miniature version of himself in his arms, who also carried traces of Qianqian, his heart full of softness.
Only...
Nuonuo was, after all, the baby Qianqian had carried with great difficulty for over eight months and given birth to. He needed to learn to call for Mommy first.
Gu Chengyu secretly resolved that once the little one was fed and content, he would continue teaching him to say "Mommy" until he got it right.
As for work and other matters, they could go to hell for now.
Poor little Nuonuo had no idea just how stubborn his father could be, or how much he would come to dislike that particular trait.
