Chapter 481: Should Be Carefree

As for Gu Zifan, even when he spotted familiar faces in the crowd, he didn’t say a word.

He had long since grown used to his older brother arranging people to protect him. As long as he could be with Shen Nian, he didn’t mind at all.

"Sister, over here, over here."

Gu Zifan pulled Shen Nian forward. He had already asked her what she needed to buy, and his big eyes darted around, searching for the items his sister wanted.

"You’re doing great, Fanfan!"

Thanks to their combined efforts, Shen Nian quickly bought everything she needed. Checking the time, she saw there was still a while before she was supposed to meet Gu Hengzhi.

"Fanfan, have you seen anything you like?"

At Shen Nian’s words, Gu Zifan’s eyes instantly lit up.

"Is Sister going to buy Fanfan a gift?"

Ever since he was little, Gu Zifan had received plenty of gifts from family and outsiders alike. But this was the first time he had ever been so incredibly excited about getting a present.

Because this gift was from his sister—his favorite sister!

"Mhm. Fanfan has been so good, and you kept me company for so long today. I want to get you a little gift. What do you like?"

"As long as it’s from Sister, Fanfan will love it!"

’He was so happy! Sister was getting him a gift!’

"Hmm, let me see then."

After she spoke, Shen Nian took Gu Zifan’s hand and led him along, searching for the perfect gift for him.

As she searched, her gaze was suddenly drawn to a small doll in a display window up ahead.

"Fanfan, look! Doesn’t that doll look just like you?"

’It really does look like him; they’re both so cute!’ A chubby face, big eyes. As Shen Nian spoke, she led Gu Zifan toward the shop.

"Do you like it, Fanfan?"

Shen Nian had a store employee take the doll down and hand it to Gu Zifan.

"Mhm, I like it."

Gu Zifan hugged the doll to his chest and nodded at Shen Nian, his face beaming.

Seeing how much Gu Zifan liked it, Shen Nian bought it without hesitation, even though it wasn’t cheap.

Watching Gu Zifan laugh happily as he played with the small doll, seeing the sweet smile on his face, Shen Nian felt a sudden surge of protectiveness.

She hoped that little Gu Zifan could always keep the smile he had on his face right now.

The two of them continued to browse until Gu Hengzhi arrived to pick them up. Gu Hengzhi drove Shen Nian straight to the Security Group’s residential compound before leaving with Gu Zifan.

Watching Gu Zifan in the car, tightly clutching the small doll to his chest with a smile still on his face, Gu Hengzhi was momentarily lost in thought.

’It felt like it had been a long, long time since he’d seen Gu Zifan this happy.’

’And at his age, Gu Zifan should be this carefree all the time.’

His gaze shifted in the direction of the Security Group, and his expression gradually darkened.

*

For a few days after being berated by Chu Yunze, Chu Lingxiu remained unusually quiet.

She was so quiet that even Father Chu and Mother Chu began to worry. ’Could this confinement be breaking her spirit?’

But whenever they remembered what had happened, they felt that Chu Lingxiu needed to be taught a lesson. Only then would she realize she had truly been wrong and make amends.

Then one day, the perpetually silent Chu Lingxiu suddenly requested to see Chu Yunze.

"Brother..."

Looking at Chu Yunze, Chu Lingxiu’s eyes began to redden as soon as she called out to him.

Still remembering what happened last time, Chu Yunze worried his sister was about to do something foolish again and tried to remain stern. But the moment he saw Chu Lingxiu start to cry, he instantly panicked.