"Good morning, Best Actress Xu, Best Actor Zhao." Chu Yi'an had arrived first. Both siblings were quick to get moving, and Tongtong was a light sleeper. Although the camera crew had been very careful, they had still woken her. Once awake, she simply stayed up, quickly finished her breakfast, and set off.
When they arrived at the airport, dawn was only just breaking. There were only the two of them, sitting on chairs, their figures looking a little forlorn. After a while, they reached an agreement and started playing rock-paper-scissors.
When the others arrived at the airport, Chu Yi'an was still playing rock-paper-scissors with Tongtong. Spotting them out of the corner of his eye, he stood up and greeted them with a smile.
He looked every bit a sunny, outgoing young man. Tongtong was not shy either. She lifted her head and puffed out her chest. "Good morning, Uncle Zhao and Auntie Xu. My name is Chu Yuetong, and I'm five years old. You can call me Tongtong."
Xu Xiashi and Zhao Chengyu smiled and nodded, calling her Tongtong. Tongtong immediately broke into a happy smile.
"Mi Tu, say hello to big brother and big sister." Xu Xiashi gently nudged her daughter's back.
Zhao Chengyu also tugged on Xiaolin's hand, signaling for him to greet them.
The two children obediently said hello.
"Good morning to you too, Mi Tu and Xiaolin."
After speaking, Tongtong looked at them curiously. Mi Tu and Xiaolin also looked over with curiosity. Their gazes met, and Tongtong smiled at them. "Uncle Zhao, Auntie Xu, can I play with the little ones?"
"Of course. Mi Tu, go play with big sister."
"Big sister wants to play with you, Xiaolin. Would you like that?"
Xiaolin pressed his lips together at that, then gave a small nod after a moment.
Seeing that the younger boy had agreed, Tongtong went up, took one child by each hand, and led them behind the chairs.
[The three little darlings have met!]
The three adults watched their little retreating figures with tender expressions.
Xu Xiashi turned to Chu Yi'an, her red lips curving upward as she said with a smile, "Yi'an, I didn't expect you to get here so early. I thought Mi Tu and I were early enough."
Chu Yi'an sighed helplessly and spread his hands. "Couldn't help it. We live pretty far away."
"Won't Tongtong be sleepy after getting up so early?" Zhao Chengyu asked, looking at the energetic Tongtong.
"Tongtong went to bed too early last night. Besides, she's a light sleeper, and once she wakes up, she doesn't want to go back to sleep."
"We can rest easy with Tongtong keeping them company."
"Tongtong has always wanted to be a big sister. Now she's gotten her wish."
The three exchanged smiles.
Jiang Yu set off alone. The production team was picking up the Su Family's young master, so they would only meet once they reached their destination.
After his earlier bad start, he did not plan to pull any more stunts. The variety show would be filming for quite a while. He had time.
Now he presented himself to the camera. Earlier, he had packed his luggage methodically, folding his clothes into neat stacks, which earned him a few points with some viewers who were still on the fence. He said a few green-tea lines and never mentioned the earlier trending topic, acting like an innocent victim who knew nothing about it. Viewers were easily swayed to begin with, and they believed him.
He sneaked a look at his phone and saw Li Jie's message saying his image was gradually recovering. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. Not wanting to talk anymore, he found an excuse and closed his eyes to rest.
"Here it is, here it is. Hurry up and eat." Gu Wancheng put breakfast on the table and called to Bo Yizhou.
"Have you had enough to eat?" Bo Yizhou asked.
Gu Wancheng nodded and told him to eat by himself and have someone take the dishes away afterward. He was leaving. If he delayed any longer, he would probably end up making the final entrance, which was not what he wanted.
Bo Yizhou silently watched him head out. He suddenly felt abandoned, utterly desolate inside. Even the warm porridge in his hands could not warm his heart, unless Gu Wancheng turned back right now.
But Gu Wancheng left without looking back. He was still angry. Although he had been the one to initiate it, Bo Yizhou could forget about getting a pleasant look from him. He was like a dog.
"Mr. Gu, your luggage and the young master's are ready. You can leave right away." Butler Chen and Chaochao were waiting for him downstairs, with two suitcases at their feet, one large and one small.
"All right, let's go."
Gu Wancheng took Chaochao by the hand and walked toward the door, while a household servant carried the luggage.
After the luggage was loaded into the car and Chaochao climbed in, he waved excitedly at Butler Chen.
"Goodbye, Grandpa Butler!"
Gu Wancheng also waved and said goodbye.
"Have fun, Mr. Gu and young master." Butler Chen smiled as he said goodbye, lightly dabbing the corners of his eyes with a handkerchief.
Gu Wancheng was speechless. There was no need for that. We're only leaving for a while.
Faced with the emotional Butler Chen, Gu Wancheng helplessly pressed a hand to his forehead.
After their farewells, the car drove out of the villa.
On the shore of Sanhai in Sheng'an City, the sea breeze brushed their cheeks with its damp, salty air, making them shiver. Chu Yi'an and the other five strolled along the shore, listening to the waves and feeling a sense of relaxation.
It had been so long since they had walked so peacefully. All this time, they had been busy with one thing after another, with little time to spend with the children. They still remembered how happy the children were every time they came home, how eagerly they hoped they could stay longer. They themselves could never relax either.
They already had both fame and fortune. They should give themselves a chance to unwind and stop exhausting themselves so much in the future. They should spend more time with the children. Time flew by, and the children only had one childhood. Once missed, it would never come again.
"Look, the sunrise!"
Tongtong's voice roused them. They stopped and looked over.
On the distant horizon, the sun slowly rose. Its rays pierced the clouds and mist, announcing to the world that she was awakening. When the first ray of sunlight spilled across the sea, it was like the golden flames of life burning, breathtakingly beautiful.
For an instant, they forgot to breathe. When they came back to their senses, they could still faintly feel that tranquility and awe within them.
[So beautiful!]
[I really want to watch a sunrise by the sea, but I don't have time.]
[Of course you do. Take a spontaneous trip.]
[Leave yourself some beautiful memories.]
[I want to live for myself for once.]
Zhao Chengyu sighed. "It's been so long since I've seen a view like this."
Chu Yi'an nodded and sighed. "Come to think of it, I've never even been to the seaside. I've only seen all kinds of seas online."
Xu Xiashi's eyes shifted, and the sunlight on her face softened her forceful air, adding a touch of gentleness. She said softly, "While we're still young, we should get out and see more."
"Xiashi is right."
While the three adults reflected on life, the children had long since finished watching the sunrise and gone off to play in the sand.
[Everyone has regrets, but if there's something you can do about some of yours, go do it.]
[Anyone from Sheng'an? Want to get a group together to go to the seaside?]
[Count me in. Fuck my brain-dead boss.]
[I'm going too.]
[Huh? Can people who aren't from Sheng'an come?]
[Yes, yes, yes.]
"Hi, good morning, everyone!"
An energetic voice came from behind them. They turned to look. It was him.
Jian Yue was carrying Zuozuo as though he were a weightless doll, waving at them with his other hand.
As for Jiang Yu beside him, his presence was far too weak.
Seeing Zuozuo looking like a corpse, they were utterly baffled.
Chu Yi'an fell silent for a moment. "Uh... good morning. Your little brother..."