Chapter 4: Finding a Powerful Godfather
Gu Yanbin felt a twinge of suspicion, but he didn’t dare say anything before figuring things out.
But Lin Tongtong was sharp.
She could tell at a glance that something was off.
Sure enough, her guess was right.
Scumbag Dad really had a problem.
Hmph!
The more Tongtong thought about it, the angrier she got, clenching her little fists, her rosy cheeks puffing up in frustration.
But… her darting eyes returned to Gu Yanbin.
This uncle was good-looking! He had a strong presence! And he was a high-ranking official!
He was a hundred times better than Scumbag Dad!
Most importantly, he was kind to her and her mom.
After confirming these details, the little girl instantly switched to “super sweet” mode.
Her short legs waddled over to Gu Yanbin’s side, and she tilted her little face up, her big eyes blinking like tiny stars, soft and adorable.
“Uncle! You’re so good-looking!”
Gu Yanbin: …
Hmm, the little dumpling who looked so much like Wanqin was actually complimenting him!
His stern features softened unconsciously.
He gave a reserved “Mm.”
Tongtong continued her charm offensive: “Uncle, you look even better when you smile! And your voice is so gentle, mmm… it sounds so nice!”
Xiao Zhou, the guard driving in front, nearly lost control and drove the car into a ditch.
Their Division Commander, smiling? And gentle?
Ha! That was scarier than a horror movie!
Gu Yanbin seemed to sense something and shot Xiao Zhou a glare. When he turned back to the little girl, his gaze softened again.
He scooped her up onto his lap with his big hands, his voice softening as well.
“Who taught you to flatter people like that?”
Without a second thought, Tongtong puffed out her little chest proudly: “My mom!”
Yu Wanqin blushed with embarrassment, feeling a bit awkward: “This child just likes to talk nonsense, Chief, please don’t mind her.”
“Tongtong! Come over here, stop fooling around!”
But Gu Yanbin laughed heartily, waving his hand dismissively: “I think it’s fine. Children should be lively like this.”
Unlike the two brats at home, each more foul-tempered than the other.
All they knew was how to annoy him!
Gu Yanbin adored the little girl to no end.
Sitting beside them, Si Muchen rolled his eyes and snorted.
Little flatterer!
But his gaze couldn’t help lingering on the adorable little one.
Tongtong noticed his look, her dark, sparkling eyes turning to him, tilting her head as she studied him curiously.
Si Muchen quickly looked away.
Tongtong didn’t mind and turned back, gathering her courage to continue: “Uncle! You’re even gentler than my dad… mmm! Well, not exactly. Tongtong has never seen her dad since she was little!”
She looked up with her round, chubby face, a pitiful expression on it: “Uncle, Tongtong really wants a dad.”
“Can you be Tongtong’s godfather?”
“They say the military and civilians are one family. Tongtong wants a godfather as amazing as you to protect Mom! Can you?”
Her soft little face was full of pleading, her big eyes bright and filled with anticipation.
Gu Yanbin: “!”
Who could resist that!
Those little eyes struck right at the softest spot in his heart.
Especially this face, this face that looked so much like Yu Wanqin!
His gaze unconsciously drifted to Yu Wanqin, sitting quietly nearby.
Distant memories flooded back.
Even if she didn’t remember him… so be it!
“Hahaha! Good! What a good girl!” Gu Yanbin laughed, rubbing his chin against her soft little cheek, his voice full of bold confidence: “From now on, you’re my god-daughter. In the Military District, your godfather will watch over you!”
“From now on, if anyone bullies you, just tell them your godfather’s name!”
Lin Tongtong’s eyes immediately sparkled like stars.
Wow! Success!
A powerful backer—got it! Oh yeah!
“Then from now on, you’re my big brother, right?” Tongtong smiled and looked at Si Muchen, her eyes twinkling with little stars.
“That’s right! From now on, this brat is your brother! I have another brat at home too, I’ll introduce you to him another day! They’re both your brothers, and they’ll both protect you!”
Tongtong squinted her eyes happily.
She called out again: “Big brother~”
Si Muchen snorted coldly, awkwardly turning his head away.
“Big brother~”
“Big brother~”
“Big brother, big brother, big brother…”
Si Muchen was so annoyed he finally responded in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s: “What?”
Hmph, he must have only agreed because he was annoyed and had no choice!
That must be it!
Si Muchen convinced himself.
But when he turned and saw the little girl covering her mouth and giggling secretly, her dark, sparkling eyes full of triumph, he couldn’t help but let the corners of his mouth lift.
It seemed… not so annoying after all?
Just a little.
Yu Wanqin felt somewhat helpless.
Her daughter had found herself a godfather in the blink of an eye, and she hadn’t even had time to stop it.
Ah! Her daughter was growing up, with her own ideas, and she couldn’t control her anymore!
She turned to look out the window, her expression calm, completely unaware of the complex gaze Gu Yanbin was directing at her.
The car came to a steady stop at the Military District compound.
Yu Wanqin carried her daughter out of the car, thanked Gu Yanbin, and originally intended to part ways there.
But as she turned, the smile on her face froze.
She saw her husband, Lin Zhiguo, and her sister-in-law, Shen Wei, returning from grocery shopping outside, chatting and laughing.
Shen Wei was wearing a clean and respectable Lenin Suit, with neat ear-length short hair, looking tidy and well-kept, her eyes and brows filled with a happy smile.
In contrast, she and Tongtong were covered in the dust of the journey, wearing faded, worn-out clothes, carrying bundles on their backs, looking like two refugees.
Shen Wei’s twins, Lin Jiaojiao and Lin Ruihu, held Lin Zhiguo’s hands on either side, calling him “Daddy” one after another, as intimate as a family.
“Daddy! I want new dance shoes, the red silk ones!”
“Daddy, I want a new slingshot, made of iron!”
Lin Zhiguo smiled broadly, agreeing repeatedly: “Alright, alright, alright! I’ll buy them! I’ll buy them all!”
Shen Wei chided him affectionately: “You spoil them too much.”
Lin Zhiguo smiled gently: “They’re my children, I’m happy to spoil them.”
Thud!
The bundle Yu Wanqin was carrying fell to the ground.
Her heart felt shattered. She bit her lip hard, tears welling up in her eyes, her voice trembling: “…Sister-in-law?”
Her voice wasn’t low, drawing countless eyes toward them, the gossipy spirit instantly burning fiercely.
Oh my! There’s drama!
The smile on Shen Wei’s face instantly froze, her eyes panicked.
Lin Zhiguo was so frightened he pushed away the person in his arms, his face turning pale in an instant.
In this dead silence—
“Daddy—!!!”
Lin Tongtong’s clear, loud cry, filled with surprise and grievance, echoed throughout the entire Military District compound.
The soft, chubby little girl shot toward Lin Zhiguo like a small cannonball.
But just as she was about to reach him, she suddenly stopped.
Her big eyes blinked, shedding two crystal-clear teardrops.
Deliberately using a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, she asked loudly: “Daddy! Why are they calling you Daddy too?”
She tilted her little head, using the softest, cutest voice to ask the most fatal question.
“Does Daddy have two wives? One is Mommy, and one is Auntie?”
“But… but… Auntie is also Uncle’s wife, isn’t she?”