Song Qingshu was also taken aback. His attention had been focused on the child, and he had overlooked the man in military uniform.
The man was very tall, half a head taller than him, with a strong yet slender build, and exuded a solemn and imposing aura. He was familiar with this man; he was none other than Battalion Commander Gu, who had been stationed at the research institute to protect them.
No, he should be called Commander Gu now. I heard he got promoted.
"Commander Gu, it's been a long time..." Song Qingshu never expected that he was Niu Niu's new father!
He was speechless for a moment; this was just too much of a coincidence!
Gu Chengfeng opened the door and welcomed him in.
He took half a day off today specifically to wait for Song Qingshu to come to his door.
As soon as Song Qingshu entered, Niu Niu skipped over and hid behind Gu Chengfeng's long legs, peeking out her little head to curiously examine him.
"Niu Niu, call..." Gu Chengfeng was about to say "Dad" when Song Qingshu nervously interrupted, "Call him Uncle!"
Gu Chengfeng raised an eyebrow, looking at him with confusion, but Song Qingshu choked back tears and said with a smile, "My surname is Song, you can call me Uncle Song!"
Gu Chengfeng noticed that he didn't dare to say it, perhaps because he was worried about Niu Niu and afraid that the child wouldn't be able to accept it in time.
So he didn't say much, but squatted down and said to Niu Niu, "Niu Niu, this Uncle Song is Daddy's friend, you should be polite!"
Niu Niu hummed in agreement and said in a soft, sweet voice, "Hello, Uncle Song!"
Song Qingshu's eyes immediately welled up with tears: "Oh, sweetie... Look, this is a gift Uncle Song bought for you. Do you like it?"
He didn't know what the little girl liked, so the shop assistant at the supply and marketing cooperative gave him some ideas. He bought her a pretty little dress, a pair of red leather shoes, a doll, and lots and lots of candy.
When Niu Niu saw all these gifts, she felt like her eyes couldn't take it all in; there were so many things...
"These are all for me?" Niu Niu asked in disbelief.
Song Qingshu raised his hand and patted the child's soft little head: "Yes, it's a gift from your uncle."
Niu Niu was still a little hesitant, but looked up at Gu Chengfeng. Seeing him nod gently, Niu Niu burst into a loud exclamation: "Wow! I love it! Thank you, Uncle..."
At this moment, Shen Sisi came out of the house and was slightly amazed when she saw Song Qingshu for the first time.
As expected, clothes make the man; Song Qingshu looked quite good after tidying himself up.
He has an otherworldly, refined air about him. Although he has been working for a few years, he still looks very scholarly, the kind of college senior that many girls would like.
No wonder Chunyu secretly fell in love with him and couldn't forget him.
"Don't just stand there, come in!" Shen Sisi had already brewed hot tea and prepared a platter of melon seeds, peanuts, and fruit.
Song Qingshu nodded excitedly and reached out his hand to Niu Niu: "Niu Niu, would you please take Uncle Song inside?"
Niu Niu nodded and placed her little hand on his big hand.
Once inside, Niu Niu started unwrapping the gifts, exclaiming "Wow!" every time she opened a package.
Beside her were three pairs of doting eyes.
Song Qingshu was so excited that his whole body was trembling. After Xiao Chunyu passed away, he had planned never to remarry in his lifetime, and he never thought that he would have a child.
But now, his and Chunyu's child is right in front of him, so cute and clever. The thought of his absence causing Xiao Chunyu and Niu Niu so much suffering makes him want to slap himself.
He's a complete bastard!
"Thank you..." Song Qingshu turned around, his knees buckled, and he was about to kneel down in front of them.
Gu Chengfeng reacted quickly and pulled him up: "What are you doing?"
"Thank you for taking such good care of Niu Niu. Otherwise... I'm afraid I would never have had the chance to see her again."
She didn't want to think about the past; those difficult years were over. Fortunately, God had been kind to her, and she was now very happy.
"Actually, this is what I should do. After all, Chunyu died in the ruins to save me. Let alone raising a baby, my life belongs to her!"
“Over the years, Niu Niu has been by my side, which has allowed me to get to where I am today step by step. I have long regarded her as my own daughter…”
Song Qingshu nodded gratefully: "So... I don't plan to take her away for the time being. Moreover, I've made a decision. I'm going back to Kyoto to teach. I'll stay in Jiangcheng to accompany Niu Niu as she grows up..."
After his return, Kyoto University extended an offer to him, inviting him to teach at the university while continuing his studies.
Song Qingshu declined the invitation from Kyoto University and decided to stay at Jiangcheng University instead. He had already found a place to live in a residential area next to the faculty and staff quarters, which was only a five-minute walk from one of the two.
“I know you love Niu Niu very much, and Niu Niu has long regarded you as her parents. I don’t want you to be separated, so… I’ve decided to stay and live in the neighborhood closest to you. I will come to visit Niu Niu every day from now on. As long as you don’t find me bothersome, I can accompany her as she grows up as Uncle Song.”
Chen Sisi and Gu Chengfeng exchanged a glance, speechless with shock.
I never expected Song Qingshu to come up with a solution that satisfies both sides. However, it's too pitiful for him to always accompany her as Uncle Song!
He went to such lengths that Shen Sisi couldn't utter a single "no."
After a long pause, Chen Sisi finally spoke: "This is so unfair to you! You are, after all, her biological father!"
"Being able to see my child again is the greatest blessing God has given me. One shouldn't be too greedy. I am content with what I have now."
He sighed and said, "None of us can make this decision for Niu Niu. Let her choose for herself!"
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