Chapter 38: Dating

Gu Yebai completed the necessary items for the paternity test early that morning.

It was an oral swab sampling.

By gently scraping mucosal cells from the oral cavity with a cotton swab, the entire process took less than twenty seconds, and the DNA extraction was complete.

The samples would be sent to the capital of Dongling Province for testing.

Because Gao Hongzhi had pulled some strings, it was estimated that as soon as the results arrived in the provincial capital, someone would be assigned to monitor them.

The results should be out within the day.

And this was only the beginning.

Aside from the paternity test, there was the transfer of residency, school transfer procedures, and a series of follow-up matters.

As a result, completing daily novel updates on time was no longer a top priority.

Gao Hongzhi’s attitude, however, was exceptionally firm.

Regardless of the paternity test results, Gu Yebai would become a member of the Gao family.

‘Becoming a member of the Gao family…’

The thought had barely settled.

Just after finishing the paternity test, two soft and slender arms quietly closed behind him, gently wrapping around Gu Yebai’s neck.

A warm, soft sensation pressed against his back, carrying an undisguised sense of dependence and closeness.

“Hey, Uncle Bai! Good morning!”

The young girl’s voice was bright and cheerful.

It carried the unique vitality of the early morning.

Gu Yebai turned his head.

Gao Hongyi was standing behind him with an unhidden smile.

That smile was full and flamboyant, like a kind of happiness that was taken for granted.

“I just finished the paternity test.”

“That’s not right.”

Gao Hongyi tilted her head slightly.

Her tone carried a hint of unreasonable seriousness.

“At this moment, you should say this to me:”

“‘You’re early too, dear Xiaoyi.'”

“‘I’m so glad to see you first thing in the morning.'”

Gu Yebai scratched his head and smiled somewhat sheepishly.

He couldn’t help but remark feelingly, “To be honest, I never thought I would actually meet you in the real world.”

When he said this, he subconsciously looked at her.

It was also at this moment that he truly saw Gao Hongyi’s appearance in its full sense.

The closer the distance, the more impossible it was to ignore.

One had to admit that Gao Hongyi’s features were of the type that would make someone realize “danger” at the first glance.

It was a face extremely suited to be set off by intense colors.

The lines were clean and distinct, without any unnecessary softness.

The rise and fall of her brow bone and bridge of her nose were natural yet sharp, giving the entire face a sense of pressure even when she was quiet.

Her eye shape was on the colder side, with the corners slightly upturned, yet it didn’t seem flirtatious; instead, it was like the composure of someone naturally used to looking down at the world from a height.

The red hair did not overpower her.

Quite the opposite.

That flamboyant splash of color seemed like a footnote that existed just for her.

Among Asian faces, red hair was extremely difficult to pull off.

It would not modify the features; it would only amplify their inherent strengths and weaknesses.

If the color grade was even slightly off, it would make the skin look muddy, the contours bloated, and the temperament drift toward being gaudy.

But none of these problems existed on Gao Hongyi.

Her skin was extremely pale, but it didn’t look sickly.

Against the red hair, it looked as clear as cold jade.

The three-dimensional quality of her features was thoroughly emphasized, and the bone structure was clean and sharp, without a hint of sloppiness.

It wasn’t the softness a young girl should have.

It was more like a kind of beauty that had matured early and was already showing its sharp edges.

Gu Yebai even had an illusion.

Standing before him wasn’t a girl who had just started middle school, but someone who was long accustomed to being watched, followed, and placed on high as a matter of course.

The red hair only made all of this visible.

And she was already enough to carry such a color.

“What’s wrong?”

Gao Hongyi tilted her head, looking at the silent Gu Yebai with a beaming smile.

“Nothing…”

“Just… in all my years, it’s the first time I’ve seen a girl as beautiful as you.”

The moment the words left his mouth, Gu Yebai regretted it a bit.

Though it was the truth, it seemed too shallow.

It was as if he were ignoring more parts of her that he hadn’t yet understood.

But Gao Hongyi didn’t show any dissatisfaction.

Instead, her eyes lit up, and she smiled even more happily.

“Hehe, Uncle Bai praised me. I’m really so touched!”

She naturally took his hand.

Without hesitation, and without testing the waters.

Fingers interlaced, as if she were long accustomed to this distance.

“Let’s go, we’re going to have the breakfast buffet first.”

“Dad and Mom are already waiting for us in the restaurant.”

“Ah, Uncle Bai, I’m only holding your hand like this because I’m afraid you’ll get lost, okay?”

“I’m not a child. How could I get lost?”

“That’s hard to say.”

Gao Hongyi paused.

Perhaps the person wouldn’t get lost.

But the heart might.

That’s why she had to hold on firmly and tightly.

The quality of the breakfast was quite good.

Ibis Hotels were known worldwide for their stability, so even in a county town, the food standard was completely acceptable.

During the meal, Gao Hongyi meticulously spread jam on a slice of bread and used a fork to deliver it to Gu Yebai’s plate.

Seeing his glass was empty, she immediately stood up and took light, quick steps to get juice.

After bringing the juice back, she stuck out her tongue.

“Oops, I was in too much of a hurry.”

“What if Uncle Bai doesn’t like drinking juice?”

“In the morning, does Uncle Bai usually drink coffee or soy milk?”

“You have to tell me, okay? I’ll remember it firmly.”

This, in turn, made Gu Yebai feel a bit embarrassed.

“You don’t have to do this, Xiaoyi…”

Moreover, “There’s no need to call me Uncle Bai anymore, right?”

Online, it was because he had faked his identity.

But in reality, they were clearly the same age.

And in terms of temperament, Gu Yebai actually had a baby face.

Standing together, out of ten people, nine would probably think Gao Hongyi was older than Gu Yebai.

“Uncle Bai is Uncle Bai.”

“I won’t change the way I address you in the future, hehe.”

Gao Hongyi stood with her hands on her hips, looking proud.

“Besides, you haven’t answered my question yet.”

“What do you prefer to drink in the morning?”

“If I had to say, coffee.”

“Then I’ll go get another cup of coffee for Uncle Bai.”

“As for the juice, I’ll just drink it then.”

The glass had clearly been used by Gu Yebai.

But Gao Hongyi didn’t seem to care at all about the so-called indirect kiss; she drained it in one go right in front of him.

Gao Hongzhi and Ya Xinyao watched this scene with exceptionally gratified expressions.

It was as if they were seeing shadows of their younger selves.

Although that feeling was nowhere near as intense as it was now, it was equally real and pure.

“By the way, Dad, Mom.”

“I want to take a good look around Linchuan County with Uncle Bai today.”

“Do you guys have other things to be busy with today?”

“Now that you mention it, there is indeed a remote meeting.”

“Be careful on the road.”

“But with Little Gu here, we shouldn’t have to worry too much.”

Gao Hongzhi and Ya Xinyao had a tacit understanding.

They could certainly tell.

Their daughter wanted some time alone.

She wanted a date.

And as parents, they chose to make it happen.

This was going to be an almost perfect family.