Chapter 17: The Battle Between Mother and Son

"Alright!" A rare smile appeared on Gu Yao's usually stony face. "I'd like to see what else this designer can do."

Mu Anhan smiled slyly. When she designed the Rubik's cube, she made it at an intermediate level that was quite tough to solve. Even teenagers had a hard time with it.

But her son was a prodigy!

Of course, she would increase the difficulty level step by step to lure Gu Yao into her trap! They would naturally get closer as he came back for more. She internally rubbed her hands together with glee.

It seemed that she would soon repair her relationship with her son. 

Although her son was challenging her, the designer behind the scenes, the true test was of endurance and patience, not just a battle of intelligence.

Although her smile was fleeting, Gu Xiaozhan's observant eyes caught every little thing.

In the past, this woman had often been the twins' biggest bully because of her hatred for him, and she took it out on them.

Now, she was actually trying to please her son?

The world must have turned on its axis. Did the sun suddenly rise from the west?

Gu Yu burst into the room and interrupted Gu Xiaozhan's thoughts.

"Daddy, you didn't eat the birthday cake with me and Brother last night..." Gu Yu pouted her little mouth, her face peevish. "I only turn three once in my life, okay? Why did you not accompany me?"

A saying goes that a man's daughter was his lover in a past life, referring to the special bond between fathers and daughters. This saying could definitely apply to Gu Xiaozhan.

Gu Xiaozhan was known to be impartial and ruthless, but before his little love, his frown evaporated, and conversely, tenderness settled.

The little girl stretched out her lotus flower-like white arms, wanting to leap into his embrace.

When she saw Mu Anhan already in her father's arms, she immediately frowned and stopped in her tracks. Her beautiful big eyes filled with fear of Mu Anhan.

"Daddy, I want a hug!" Gu Yu pleaded cutely. Her father belonged to her alone!

"Hubby, I'm in so much pain..." Mu Anhan mirrored her daughter and acted childishly. She was villainously curious to see who this man would choose and what course of action he would take.

Yet another saying could be applied; that a man's wife was also his eldest daughter. Gu Xiaozhan would never, in a million years, imagine that Mu Anhan would squabble with Gu Yu for his favor.

If Gu Yu wanted to monopolize her father, Mu Anhan would take advantage of their intimacy last night to gain some ground.

His wife and daughter both wanted him to hold them. Gu Xiaozhan was not annoyed at all. On the contrary, the sight gave him a warm, fuzzy feeling that spread through his heart.

Gu Yu looked at Mu Anhan in disbelief. How did her mother, who had never looked her in the eye, manage to snatch her father from her?

"Daddy is mine!" Gu Yu tugged at Gu Xiaozhan's arm and stomped her feet anxiously. "Go to your own father!" She dictated precociously.

Mu Anhan saw the little girl's anxiety and found it adorable, so she smiled. She deliberately kissed Gu Xiaozhan on the cheek. "He is my husband. My husband belongs to me!"

"Waa!" Gu Yu burst into tears, her pitiful sobs ringing in the room.

Gu Xiaozhan glanced at Mu Anhan in absurdity, who stuck out her tongue playfully and shrugged.

At a loss, he helplessly carried Gu Yu and walked out. Gu Yu peered over Gu Xiaozhan's shoulder, and when they reached the door, she stretched out her fingers and made a victory sign at Mu Anhan.

She was a sly little snake!

Mu Anhan had not known her daughter's personality, but she finally saw it today. They were very much alike.

"Little Yao..." Mu Anhan called out to her son when she saw he was about to leave. "Come and give mommy a kiss. I'll give you two games to solve in return!"

Gu Yao frowned. Although the child no longer had his guard up, he was still not yet willing to be close to her. She had done too many bad things to them for too long for the residual fear and dislike to disappear overnight.

"Choose something else!"

"Come and give mommy a hug, then!" Mu Anhan said.

She felt better about her future now that her son was willing to compromise with her.

She casually skimmed over the fact that she had bought him with bribery.

Mu Anhan could tell he was still hesitant, so she said, "Come and hug mommy. Mommy will give you three challenges instead! It's a global limited edition, the only of its kind, and no other child has it."

Gu Yao contemplated her offer, weighing his options.

Mu Anhan smiled smugly. Gu Xiaozhan had a daughter on his side, and she had a son. She wasn't sure when it had turned into a competition, but this would be a fair battle!

Just then, Gu Xiaozhan stopped in his tracks just outside the door after hearing their absurd banter and said in a deep, commanding voice, "Gu Yao, come out!"