Chapter 6: Most Important
The air froze awkwardly for a few seconds.
Gu Tang kicked his legs, trying to signal the male lead’s father to put him down.
The moment he moved, Young Master Gu’s gaze became even colder.
Only then did Gu Tang realize that the other party wasn’t glaring at him, but at Gu Quan—the one holding him up.
The housekeeper was the first to recover and broke the silence.
“Sir, you’re back? The one you’re holding is the obedient child. The young master is here!”
But it would have been better if he hadn’t spoken at all—once he did, the atmosphere became even more awkward.
Gu Quan looked at the soft little toddler in his hands, then at the cold-faced toddler in the housekeeper’s arms nearby—
Tsk. The latter really did look more like his own bloodline.
Mistaking one’s own son…
Gu Quan had dominated the business world for years, yet this was the first time he felt completely at a loss.
Gu Qinian, however, withdrew his guarded gaze the moment he heard the housekeeper address the man.
Coming downstairs, he had seen a strange man lifting the milk dumpling in the air while the toddler struggled.
He had thought another kidnapper had arrived.
Turns out it was his cheap father.
At that moment, the system finally caught up with the host’s chaotic manipulation of the plot and hurriedly whispered in Gu Tang’s mind:
[Quick, call him Dad!]
Gu Tang: “?”
Is that appropriate?
[When the fake young master first met Gu Quan, he called him Dad. From then on he was doted on by the head of the Gu family. This is a key plot point! If you don’t say it, you’ll be locked again! Hurry!]
The moment he heard that his precious health bar might be sealed again—
Gu Tang closed his eyes.
“Dada!”
[Ding—]
[Key plot point “Calling Dad” completed. The fake young master storyline has successfully begun. Reward: Plot Coin ×1.]
A golden coin rolled out with a clink.
After bouncing a few times, it dropped neatly into a small wallet beside the life value bar.
Huh?
When did that wallet appear?
Before Gu Tang could study it further, Gu Quan cleared his throat and said,
“Sorry, the obedient one called me Dad first. That’s why I mistook him.”
Gu Tang: “?”
Gu Tang: “???”
You really understand the importance of order.
He had thought randomly calling someone “Dad” was already shameless enough. He hadn’t expected the male lead’s father to throw his dignity straight onto the floor.
In that case—
Don’t blame him.
Gu Tang pressed his lips into a smile.
The round-faced toddler looked extremely cute when he smiled. Gu Quan was completely unguarded against it.
But the moment Gu Qinian saw that expression on the milk dumpling, he knew trouble was coming and slightly raised his eyebrows.
Sure enough, Gu Tang opened his mouth and loudly began singing:
“Dada, dada, little trumpet!”
Gu Quan: “?”
Housekeeper: “Pff—”
Gu Qinian: suppressing laughter to maintain character, do not disturb.
The head of the Gu family commanded storms in the outside world, yet at home he was being played around by a tiny toddler.
But what could he do?
Perhaps this was simply the joy of family life.
Gu Quan accepted it happily and even seemed to enjoy it a little.
Even the housekeeper noticed:
The master had not laughed so freely in a very long time.
—
After the small misunderstanding, dinner was finally about to begin.
Gu Tang became happy the moment he heard there was food.
His little feet swung back and forth.
He looked completely carefree.
But in reality, the system was desperately stuffing information into his brain.
[Pay attention! Host, do you see the small wallet next to the life value bar?]
Gu Tang: “I see it!”
[That wallet is the additional reward called “External Possessions.” Once it appears, the host can earn Plot Coins by completing storyline tasks. One Plot Coin equals 10,000 yuan in the real world. Please use them wisely.]
The more Gu Tang listened, the brighter his eyes became.
There was such a good thing?!
Come on—that was real money!
[Furthermore, completing hidden side plots may grant special rewards. However, those require the host to discover them on your own.]
No problem!
Even if he didn’t know what the hidden plots were, “special rewards” sounded very valuable.
Gu Tang clenched his little fist.
“I’ll work hard!”
The host’s enthusiasm made the system very satisfied.
[Then the next storyline task is issued: seize the male lead’s most important possession and humiliate him!]
The task still had the same flavor—
As twisted as ever.
“Wait!”
Gu Tang suddenly stopped swinging his feet. His little brows knitted together.
“This task is wrong!!”
The child-swapping chapter was already over. What did bullying the young male lead have to do with him now, the cannon-fodder fake young master?
That was clearly something the male lead experienced at the orphanage!
He had read the original novel.
Don’t try to trick him.
The system had already expected that its troublemaking host would not obediently follow the plot, so it was fully prepared and answered immediately.
[Originally, during the male lead’s childhood in the orphanage, he suffered repeated bullying. But since the host changed the storyline, the male lead is no longer going to the orphanage. Therefore this part of the plot pressure can only be transferred to you.]
Ah, well…
Gu Tang couldn’t refuse. He pouted unhappily.
In his mind, he threw a couple of imaginary punches at the system.
“Soon.”
Just as he was sulking, Gu Tang suddenly heard a low, milky voice.
The other party spoke sparingly, only two words.
When Gu Tang looked over, Young Master Gu slightly lifted his chin toward the kitchen. Only then did Gu Tang realize what he meant.
Dinner would be ready soon.
Gu Qinian hadn’t really wanted to speak, but he had seen the toddler muttering to himself for quite a while, then pouting with a very aggrieved expression. He had thought the milk dumpling was hungry.
Now it seemed… that wasn’t the case?
Young Master Gu felt he had meddled unnecessarily and simply closed his mouth, deciding not to speak again.
Before his rebirth, the car accident had happened while he was on the way to being brought back to the Gu family. So in truth, he had never really interacted with his biological father and didn’t know what kind of person Gu Quan was.
But one thing was certain.
To become the head of the Gu family, ruthless methods were a given.
Would Gu Quan keep the milk dumpling?
If not, where would this toddler be sent?
That black-hearted orphanage he had once stayed in during his previous life?
Looking at the small dumpling in front of him, soft like a cube of milk tofu, Gu Qinian’s expression gradually grew serious.
Gu Tang tilted his head, not understanding why Young Master Gu’s expression had suddenly turned gloomy again.
But then again, he was the male lead.
People like that usually had some personality quirks.
Gu Tang understood very well. He stretched out his little foot and gently bumped the other boy’s foot.
“Little brother, be happy!”
He used his foot because both of his hands were busy playing with a small rattle drum.
Touching feet was basically the same as good brothers patting each other on the shoulder.
“You are the younger brother.”
Young Master Gu suddenly turned his head and looked seriously into Gu Tang’s eyes, teaching him word by word.
Gu Tang blinked.
He repeated, “You are the younger brother!”
Young Master Gu shook his head. “Like this. Repeat after me— I. Am. The. Younger. Brother.”
Right, that’s correct!
Gu Tang said loudly and confidently, “You are the younger brother!”
Gu Qinian: “……”
Forget it. This brat should just be thrown away.
The system had only gone off to slack for a short while. When it came back, it discovered the host had quietly completed half the task.
[Host actually insulted the male lead by calling him younger brother and trampling on his pride! Amazing!!!]
Gu Tang: ???
That was not his intention!
—
When Su Mei heard that her stepson had suddenly returned home, she immediately told the kitchen to add more dishes, so dinner was delayed slightly.
As the head of the Gu family, Gu Quan sat at the main seat.
Wealthy families had many rules. Normally, no one could start eating until the family head picked up his chopsticks.
But today was an exception—
“Glug glug glug glug—”
The toddler across the table seemed quite hungry, holding a milk bottle and drinking enthusiastically.
Watching the little brat eat made one feel hungry as well.
Gu Quan kept watching until his own stomach began to feel hungry too. He gave the order:
“Let’s eat.”
Su Mei picked up her chopsticks, then put them down again. Watching the toddler trying so hard to drink milk made her heart ache.
Her biological grandson was safe now, but what about the obedient child?
“Brother, what do you plan to do with the obedient one?”
Gu Lin asked the question Su Mei wanted to ask.
Because of her stepmother identity, Su Mei spoke more cautiously to her stepson.
“Aquan, that child is your son’s lucky star. If he hadn’t been there, the consequences would have been unimaginable…”
Not far away, Gu Qinian sat in his baby chair holding a milk bottle, but he hadn’t taken a single sip.
He had been listening to the adults’ conversation the whole time.
At this moment, Young Master Gu’s gaze settled on his father’s face, trying to read Gu Quan’s attitude through subtle expressions.
Keep him, or not?
Gu Quan slowly took a sip of soup. When he raised his eyes, he realized everyone in the family was waiting for him to speak.
…Well, except one.
The obedient toddler at the center of the conversation was still holding his milk bottle and drinking enthusiastically, as if even the sky collapsing would not be as important as finishing his meal.
Honestly.
Children should be like this to be adorable.
Unlike his son…
Not calling him father was one thing, but even glaring at him.
Look—he’s glaring again!
Gu Quan put down his spoon.
“What are you all thinking? Do you think I would throw the child out?”
Everyone still held their breath.
Afraid the whole family might suffocate, Gu Quan decided to speak plainly.
“I heard this child has a weak constitution. Fortunately our family conditions aren’t bad. We can raise him plump and healthy. Let him stay. In a few days we’ll hold a joint one-year-old catch ceremony for both children.”
For the Gu family of Jiang City, their conditions were far more than “not bad.”
Gu Quan had only been making a small joke, but apparently no one understood it.
How boring.
Watching the little toddler drink milk was much more interesting.
The dining room fell silent for a moment.
Gu Lin was the first to react, cheering loudly.
“Woo! Big brother is keeping the obedient one!!”
Su Mei slowly let out a sigh of relief.
Gu Qinian’s brows relaxed, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
Only Gu Tang looked completely different from everyone else.
He had already finished his milk and was lazily slumped in his baby chair, too full even to swing his feet.
[Host, don’t forget the task ‘Seize the male lead’s most important possession’! Only after you complete it can I get off work, wuu…]
The system’s pitiful voice reminded him inside his mind.
“Got it.”
Gu Tang patted his round little belly and sighed. Without hesitation, he suddenly snatched the milk bottle from Young Master Gu’s hands—the one he hadn’t even touched—and took a big gulp.
For the current little Gu Qinian, what could be more important than his milk bottle?
Ah, no!
He was too full.
“Burp—”
Gu Tang couldn’t hold it back and let out a loud burp.
His little mouth opened and a bubble of milk floated out. The bubble drifted lazily through the air and burst right in front of Young Master Gu’s eyes with a pop.
Gu Qinian: “!”
Young Master Gu’s germaphobia instantly flared up. His previously relaxed brows immediately knitted tightly again.
[Host is amazing! Task completed! I’m off work now—hey-baza-hey!]
Along with the system’s cheerful electronic voice, two golden plot coins clinked into the little wallet.
However, perhaps because he had eaten too much, although the reward added 20 life points this time, another 5 points were deducted.
Gu Tang: “……”
Earning this money was really difficult.
After finally swallowing the milk that was almost rising to his throat, Gu Tang turned his head—and, unsurprisingly, ran straight into Young Master Gu’s freezing glare.
Gu Tang was already used to it.
Without changing his expression, he stuffed the milk bottle back into Young Master Gu’s hands and patted his shoulder.
“Little brother, drink. Not hot!”
Gu Qinian: “……”
In the eyes of others, the two toddlers simply appeared to be looking at each other warmly, like affectionate brothers.
Gu Quan felt very pleased seeing this.
“The obedient one is really a good older brother. He even knows to test the milk temperature for his younger brother.”
But for some reason, the moment the words “older brother and younger brother” were spoken, his biological son shot him a murderous glare.
Gu Quan: ???
***
Author’s Note:
Gu Qinian: I am the older brother!
Tang Tang: No, you’re not.
