Chapter 1271: Chapter 1271

"Alright, focus properly. Stop bringing up random nonsense." She couldn’t take things seriously and still had the energy to worry about other matters?

Gu Youyou was simply accustomed to discussing serious issues with him while in bed; perhaps this bad habit was beyond fixing.

She winced slightly in pain and said, "Then what should I say?"

He fiercely kissed those incessantly chattering red lips, silencing all her words.

The next morning, she woke up close to noon.

Gu Youyou reached out to feel the empty space beside her and sat up suddenly.

She glanced at the drip timer in the room and, feeling dejected, covered her face with her hands.

He must have left quite a while ago. Although she found overly sentimental farewells distasteful, she didn’t scenario any better—waking up to find him already gone.

After getting dressed, she saw Xiang Chun in the courtyard, holding Jin Xuyao’s little hand, teaching him to walk.

He was just one year old and could already walk by himself. But Xiang Chun always worried that he might fall, never daring to leave him more than three steps away as he walked. Her overly cautious demeanor was both amusing and frustrating to watch.

Gu Youyou said calmly, "You don’t need to protect him like that. He’s wearing such thick clothes—if he falls, it won’t hurt."

Xiang Chun pursed her lips in dismay, feeling bad for the little prince.

She thought that Gu Youyou must be the most cold-hearted mother on earth. Ever since the little prince learned to crawl, Gu Youyou would often leave him on the floor to crawl on his own while she reclined with her legs crossed, snacking on seeds and watching leisurely.

Now that he could walk—what a tiny child!—she still wouldn’t help him herself or ask the maids to assist, simply letting him wander on his own. If he fell, wouldn’t it be heartbreaking?

Gu Youyou furrowed her brow in resignation and walked into the courtyard, saying to Xiang Chun, "You see, he walks perfectly fine, doesn’t he? Relax, it’s no big deal. Go to the kitchen and get me something to eat—I’m starving."

Only then did Xiang Chun snap out of it, realizing that Gu Youyou had just gotten out of bed and hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch yet.

For now, the two meals had to be combined.

"Alright, I’ll go right away, mistress."

Even as she left, Xiang Chun couldn’t help but glance several more times at Jin Xuyao.

Jin Xuyao loved touching Gu Youyou’s soft, silky long hair. When she crouched beside him, he’d wobble over to her, throw himself into her arms, grab her long hair, and rub it against his face.

It wasn’t just Gu Youyou’s hair he adored—anything fluffy or furry was his favorite.

Gu Youyou thought to herself that if he were born in modern times, he’d probably be like a little girl, obsessed with plush toys.

This made her somewhat worried—what if her son grew up to be overly delicate? But then again, neither his mother nor father was like that, so perhaps it wouldn’t be the case.

Before long, Gu Youyou’s lunch arrived, accompanied by Abao.

Although Abao was technically Gu Youyou’s dog, Yue Rujing had been the one taking care of it the most. Since Yue Rujing had gone south earlier in the year, Abao was left to stay with Gu Youyou.

Having just filled his belly, Abao returned, entered the courtyard, and began rubbing himself against Gu Youyou nonstop—using his rump to shove Jin Xuyao, who was also snuggling against Gu Youyou.

This left Gu Youyou laughing and crying at the same time.

Apparently, Abao believed Jin Xuyao was competing with him for attention.

However, Jin Xuyao couldn’t comprehend any of this. Seeing Abao arrive, he was so excited he shouted loudly, drooling all over his face. Regardless of how much Abao resisted, Jin Xuyao remained determined to hug the dog’s leg.

Watching these warm and harmonious scenes finally helped Gu Youyou move past the sadness of Jin Zijin’s departure.