Thirty-two-year-old Gu Changsheng wrapped his warm, steady arm around twelve-year-old Gu Nian’s shoulders, pulling his eldest biological son in close against his side. Meanwhile, His other hand rested on the heads of Ye Xiao, Su Nuannuan, Jiang Tuntun, and Little Fifth.
“A mother always knows her boy, Nian’er,” Gu Changsheng said softly, his voice as warm and certain as the kitchen hearth behind them. “Even if you grow ten feet tall and your voice turns as deep as thunder, the very second she opens her eyes and looks at your face, she’ll recognize her little boy.
Because you have her exact eyes and my stubborn eyebrows. And when she sees what a kind, protective big brother you’ve been to Xiao’er, Nuannuan, Tuntun, and Little Fifth, she’s going to be the proudest mother in all the heavens.”
Twelve-year-old Gu Nian’s shoulders relaxed completely. Wiping a tiny, happy tear from the corner of his eye with the back of his yellow bunny-apron sleeve, the boy nodded firmly:
“Okay, Dad! Tomorrow, I’ll carry Mom’s lunchbox right to the front of the line!”
“And Little Fifth will hold Mama’s left hand, Nuannuan and Tuntun will hold Mama’s right hand, and Second Brother will carry Mama’s bags!” three-year-old Ao Xing planned out happily on his chubby fingers, making everyone on the porch smile.
