Sometimes Chen Jianguo couldn't quite explain what he was really longing for.

Just like that second aunt he'd never met, Sato Takeru only had to offer him a little enticement before he fell for it. Was it really because of his mother?

And then there's this biological father, whom he both despises and draws closer to, both hates and listens to his incessant chatter.

Perhaps it was because Chen had too few relatives that he envied Xu Laosan for having so many relatives?

Deep down, he also hoped to have a harmonious and prosperous family like the Xu family.

When Xu Laosan was at home, he wished he could stay at the Xu family home 24 hours a day. He loved listening to Grandma Xu's nagging, loved Grandpa Xu calling them "little rascals," loved Yang Chunqin chasing after Xu Laosan with a feather duster at the drop of a hat, loved Xu Yaozu grabbing them by the back of their collars and making them stand as punishment, and loved Xu Xinning's seemingly aloof demeanor while secretly slipping them food when they were being punished. He absolutely adored the Xu family's atmosphere.

Every time he returned to the Chen family from the Xu family, only his grandmother, Old Mrs. Chen, was somewhat normal. She would chase after him, hit him, and scold him, but she would also secretly give him pocket money and secretly slip him the small pastries that his father had bought for her.

Apart from Grandma, everyone else in the house was practically invisible, their presence almost negligible. It was so quiet that not only did Grandma like to peek over the wall to watch the Xu family members come and go, but he also liked to peek over there to watch.

So when he met Wang Ying, who was pretending to be his second aunt, he was really happy, because he realized that he also had other relatives.

His feelings when Sato Takeru appeared were indescribable.

Perhaps deep down he really longed for a lot of love.

So that's how greedy he was.

Chen Jianguo sat on the tree branch listening to Sato Takeru ramble on. He didn't respond to him, but he didn't stop him either.

Sato Takeru was in high spirits, talking about many things from his childhood, his favorite places and foods, the intricate power struggles within his family, and how he planned to mentor Chen Jianguo after they returned to China.

Chen Jianguo listened intently, as if he were listening to a story.

He felt that what Sato Takeru said was far removed from him, so far removed from reality, because he had never thought of leaving Chen Ping or leaving China.

No matter how eloquently Takeru Satoh can speak, his father can only be Chen Ping, the taciturn father who puts him first in everything.

I don't know how much time passed, but it seemed like dawn was about to break.

Chen Jianguo, with his sharp ears, could hear that someone's rooster seemed to be waking up.

He slowly stood up from the branch. His legs seemed a little numb, so he moved slightly, afraid of falling from the tree. He held onto the trunk for a while until his legs were no longer numb, then quickly climbed down from the tree. Without saying a word to Sato Takeru, he walked away without looking back.

When Chen Jianguo climbed down the tree, Sato Takeru followed him down.

Seeing Chen Jianguo's back, he wasn't angry at all; instead, he smiled happily.

He felt that his son was very individualistic and had his own thoughts, and if he was properly nurtured, his achievements would definitely surpass his own.

Takeru Satoh was very satisfied that night.

Although he had impersonated Shao Baiyan for so many years, and Shao Baiyan's three children timidly called him "Dad," he had never truly experienced the joy of being a father. But tonight, even though Chen Jianguo had a sour face and wouldn't speak to him, he genuinely experienced the joy of being a father.

A child you gave birth to is always the best, no matter what; that's the power of bloodline.

He waved to Chen Jianguo's retreating figure, smiling and murmuring, "Son, see you at dawn!"

Chen Jianguo moved very carefully through the courtyard, afraid of being seen.

He quickly arrived at the Mu family's gate and stood there carefully listening to the sounds coming from the courtyard, fearing that someone in the Mu family had gotten up.

The Mu family are all military personnel, and they live very disciplined lives. Whether they are young or old, they all get up early every day to exercise.

After standing at the door for a while to make sure there was no movement, he quietly pushed the door open and entered the yard.

He left the door open when he went out last night, and he even cleverly made a mark on the crack in the door.

He glanced at the mark as he entered, making sure it hadn't been disturbed, before finally stepping inside with peace of mind.

It was quiet all the way in, and he was sure that no one had noticed him when he went out.

Xu Laosan was sleeping soundly, with half of the blanket covering his stomach and the other half hanging over the edge of the bed.

He was sprawled out on the bed, taking up the entire space, his mouth slightly open; his sleeping posture was indescribable.

Chen Jianguo stood by the bed, watching Xu Laosan sleeping soundly.

He was so envious of the carefree Xu Laosan. How could he be so happy and content?

Chen Jianguo mischievously closed Xu Laosan's mouth with his hand, then pinched his nose. Just a few seconds later, Xu Laosan's mouth opened again.

Chen Jianguo kindly closed his mouth again, and then pinched his nose.

He played with Xu Laosan tirelessly like this, feeling that nothing could compare to the joy of this moment.

After playing with him for a while, Xu Laosan seemed to react as well. He swatted Chen Jianguo's hand as if swatting away a fly, and Chen Jianguo finally gave up on teasing him.

He nudged Xu Laosan, moving him to the inside of the bed, and then covered his stomach.

Xu Laosan flipped over, turning his back to Chen Jianguo.

Chen Jianguo smiled and then lay down beside him.

He hoped that he could be brothers with Xu Laosan for life, and that there would be a chance to share a bed again in the future, and occasionally tease Xu Laosan like just now.

Mu Jingheng and Xu Xinning opened their eyes when Chen Jianguo returned.

In fact, neither of them could sleep after Chen Jianguo left.

Mu Jingheng wanted to know if the person who eavesdropped tonight had obtained any useful information, while Xu Xinning had mixed feelings; she was more worried about Chen Jianguo.

She worried that Chen Jianguo would be won over by Sato Takeru, that he would do something that would betray the country and his family, that he would be safe, and that he would be hurt emotionally...

Xu Xinning and Mu Jingheng have different starting points, so they care about different things.

Mu Jingheng knew that Xu Xinning hadn't fallen asleep either, so he pulled her into his arms and gently patted her back, saying, "Sleep a little longer, everything will be alright."

Xu Xinning hugged Mu Jingheng's waist and buried her face in Mu Jingheng's chest.

She was considering whether to talk to Chen Jianguo. If this matter wasn't handled properly and something happened, she was afraid the Chen family wouldn't be able to handle the blow.

Perhaps relieved to know that Chen Jianguo had returned, or perhaps because Mu Jingheng's embrace felt so safe, or most likely because she was just too tired, Xu Xinning fell asleep in a few breaths.

Mu Jingheng rested his chin on the top of Xu Xinning's head and closed his eyes.