Chapter 1399: 1398 can't replace it
Chapter 1399: 1398 can’t replace it
“Put it on yourself, I’m not cold.”
Bai Yiyi instinctively shook her head. She felt that if Gu Kai wasn’t wearing a coat, he would definitely be cold.
“I’m holding Tongtong, I’m not cold. You put it on. It wouldn’t be good if you caught a cold.” Gu Kai seemed to see through her thoughts and stepped back, placing the coat on her shoulders.
Bai Yiyi’s expression shifted slightly. She pressed her lips together but didn’t refuse.
Seeing Gu Kai put the coat on Bai Yiyi, Tongtong immediately shouted happily, “Daddy, you’re the best!”
After shouting, she leaned over and planted a loud kiss on Gu Kai’s cheek.
When they reached the door, Bai Yiyi extended her hand to take Tongtong from him. “You can head back now; there’s no need to walk Tongtong and me inside.”
“I still have something to talk to you about.”
Gu Kai’s eyes deepened. Standing tall in front of her, he held Tongtong in his arms, not showing any intention of handing her over.
Bai Yiyi’s heart quivered inexplicably, and a slight tension began to creep in.
She remembered the things Gu Kai had said earlier in the day at Ranran’s house. The calm lake of her heart rippled again. “You’re leaving tomorrow and won’t return until the fifth day of the new year. Tonight, let’s have dinner together with Tongtong.”
Gu Kai dropped this statement, ignored Bai Yiyi’s daze, and walked straight into the house.
Bai Yiyi realized she seemed to have no right to refuse. She found that Gu Kai was indeed very domineering. The moment she showed even a hint of kindness, he would push further.
If she acted cold toward him, he would give her the cold shoulder.
Dinner was prepared by Gu Kai. Her fridge was fully stocked with all kinds of ingredients. Although Gu Kai had been ignoring her these days, refusing to even talk to her or come to her place, he always found a way to stuff her fridge full.
The ingredients were all things she and Tongtong liked to eat.
Tongtong hadn’t eaten a meal with both her parents in a long time. Tonight, she was especially happy and unusually well-behaved, taking turns serving food to Gu Kai and Bai Yiyi.
She kept calling “Daddy” and “Mommy” and laughed without a care by herself.
“Let Tongtong go back home with you later.” After dinner, Gu Kai volunteered to handle the cleaning. Bai Yiyi, taking advantage of Tongtong being occupied on the sofa, walked into the kitchen and spoke to Gu Kai.
Gu Kai had just set down a bowl, his hands still damp. He turned his head, his gaze calm as he looked at Bai Yiyi standing before him. “Alright.”
Bai Yiyi’s eyes flashed with surprise at how agreeable he was.
She chuckled lightly, then turned and walked out of the kitchen.
Gu Kai didn’t immediately leave for the living room. Instead, he took out his phone and made a call. “Dad, are you home yet?”
“I’ll be home in just a few minutes.”
“Good, I’ll be bringing Tongtong home shortly.”
Gu Kai’s lips curved slightly as he spoke in a warm tone.
When Gu Yan heard that he was bringing Tongtong home, he became elated. “You’re bringing Tongtong back? I’ll wait for you two here.”
After hanging up, Gu Kai peered through the glass door into the living room. His gaze lingered briefly on Bai Yiyi’s slender figure on the sofa before he pressed his lips together and walked out of the kitchen.
“Let’s go. You drop off Tongtong, and then I’ll bring you back.”
***
It was already nine by the time they arrived at the Gu Family home.
Hearing the sound of the car, Gu Yan ran out of the living room and met them in the courtyard.
“Tongtong, play with Grandpa for a bit. Daddy’s going to take Mommy home and will be back soon.” After speaking to Tongtong, Gu Kai turned to Gu Yan and explained briefly, then gestured for Bai Yiyi to get in the car.
“I can drive myself back. You can just come in the morning to get the car,” Bai Yiyi said, trying to avoid troubling Gu Kai.
Gu Kai gave her a glance but didn’t respond.
The Maybach set off again, quickly blending into the cold winter night.
The enclosed car interior shut out the chill of the winter evening, but the confined space made the air feel somewhat stifling.
Bai Yiyi had no idea what Gu Kai wanted to talk to her about, and she felt a faint, unexplainable tension in her chest. With both hands in her coat pockets, she turned slightly to stare out of the window.
Gu Kai glanced at Bai Yiyi in the passenger seat through the rearview mirror. Her delicate eyebrows and serene gaze made her look especially tranquil, though he couldn’t tell what was on her mind as she watched the scenery pass by.
Unconsciously, his lips curved slightly. He spoke in a gentle voice. “When you go back for the New Year, don’t worry about Tongtong. I’ll stay with her.”
Lost in thought, Bai Yiyi was startled when the rich, low warmth of his voice entered her ears. Her eyes flickered as she turned to look at his handsome profile.
“Don’t give Tongtong overly greasy food. And don’t let her drink too much water before bed. That way, she won’t wake up in the middle of the night.”
“Mm, I know.”
Gu Kai’s tone remained gentle, his steady, focused eyes on the road ahead calm and serene.
Bai Yiyi blinked and suddenly remembered how, during the ten days she had been away previously, Tongtong had been under Gu Kai’s care. During that time, he’d cared for her exceptionally well.
He’d even taught Tongtong things Bai Yiyi hadn’t—like dressing herself, putting on socks and shoes, and picking out fish bones on her own. For a child barely over two years old, these were hardly simple tasks.
“Actually, staying with you might make Tongtong more independent than staying with me.”
Unable to stop herself, Bai Yiyi always wanted to be a little better to Tongtong, better still. Because of this, she often ended up doing things Tongtong should have learned to do by herself.
“Don’t say things like that.”
Gu Kai’s brows furrowed slightly. He clearly didn’t like hearing such comments.
After a moment’s silence, he added, “No matter how good I am to Tongtong, I can’t replace you. And the same goes for you with me.”
“Maybe.”
Bai Yiyi had to admit that, despite all his flaws—and despite how often he infuriated her to the point of gritting her teeth—there were times Gu Kai said things that left her utterly unable to refute him.
Silence fell once more in the car.
Sitting upright, Gu Kai drove with intense focus. But if one looked closely, they might notice his grip on the steering wheel was slightly too firm, and his tightly compressed lips hinted at some inner hesitation.
Bai Yiyi rested her head against the window again, staring blankly into the night. Even she wasn’t sure what messy, fleeting thoughts were running through her mind.
The Maybach eventually came to a stop at the villa entrance. The low, slightly raspy tone of Gu Kai’s voice broke through her distraction, bringing her back to the present.
“Yiyi.”
He only called out her name, leaving the rest unsaid.
It seemed as though he was waiting for her to turn her head and look at him.
When Bai Yiyi met Gu Kai’s gaze, her heart was suddenly gripped tight. His eyes were too deep. Especially in the dim lighting of the car, they seemed dark as ink, profound as a deep pool, and magnetically alluring.
This version of Gu Kai left her stunned at first and then utterly flustered.
Instinctively, she wanted to escape. “Thank you for driving me back.” She threw out the words hastily and turned to open the car door.
“Promise me one thing, will you?”
Gu Kai’s hand twitched slightly toward her but fell back as if he had restrained himself from reaching out.
When Bai Yiyi heard his words, her hand, which had been about to touch the door handle, pulled back. “What is it?” she asked.