This was a very spacious room with lavish decor.
On the luxurious double bed, Chu Lingzhi and Chu Junyu sat cross-legged, facing each other, staring at one another.
To an outsider, it might look like the pair, one adult and one child, were meditating.
They had both bathed and changed into the matching pajamas the servants had prepared for them.
Light gray fabric with black cartoon mouse patterns, the kind that was childish and adorable.
Wearing such clothes, Chu Junyu looked exceptionally handsome and cute.
But on Chu Lingzhi, no matter how you looked at it, it seemed ridiculous.
Chu Junyu held back again and again, barely managing not to laugh out loud.
He thought Nangong Yehen was truly thoughtful, even preparing matching parent-child pajamas for them.
"Mommy, you look really pretty tonight." Chu Junyu blinked his bright, gem-like black eyes at Chu Lingzhi and smiled.
"Get lost." Chu Lingzhi rolled her eyes. Did she not know what this kid was thinking?
"Then I'll roll myself back to my room to sleep." With that, Chu Junyu made to get off the bed.
Chu Lingzhi pressed her hands on his legs. "From now on, you have to share a room with me!"
There were plenty of rooms here; Nangong Yehen had prepared one for each of them.
Chu Lingzhi was worried a wolf might sneak in at night, so keeping Chu Junyu with her felt safer.
Chu Junyu leaned forward, bringing his face close to hers, and grinned mischievously. "Mommy, are you afraid Daddy will gobble you up?"
Chu Lingzhi slapped her palm over his face and pushed his head back. "You little brat, asking for a beating."
Seeing through it and saying it out loud—really not a smart move.
"Mommy, don't worry. I believe Daddy isn't that kind of person."
"Don't keep saying 'Daddy, Daddy' so smoothly; it makes me uncomfortable hearing it!"
"He is my daddy; how could I not say it smoothly?"
"You've only spent how much time with him? Acting like you know him completely. What kind of person isn't he?" He was the type who got worked up at the sight of a woman.
"Even if he's a bad guy, my clever mommy has the skills to tame him." Chu Junyu patted her foot, grinning like a little fox. "Mommy, go for it—win over his person and his heart."
"Who wants to win over his person or his heart? Just because he's a king, he thinks he can bully us common folks. How did I ever fall for a man like that at first sight?"
Thinking about how he'd taken Chu Junyu from school without a word, making her worry for half a day, she fumed with anger.
Chu Junyu felt sorry for Nangong Yehen. Sure, he had women around him constantly, but he didn't bully others with his power.
Besides, not using power when you have it—wasn't that just stupid?
Chu Junyu pursed his lips. He didn't believe she didn't love Nangong Yehen; it was just a matter of time.
Nangong Yehen's tall, upright figure appeared at their door, his gaze heavy as he stared at Chu Lingzhi. Clearly, he had heard what she just said.
Feeling his icy stare, Chu Lingzhi looked up at him.
Chu Junyu smiled sweetly and waved at him. "Hello, Daddy."
That "Daddy" struck a chord deep in Nangong Yehen's heart, like something gently bumping the softest part within.
His grim expression softened instantly. This was the first time in five years of being a father that he'd been called "Daddy" by his son.
Those two words felt so warm, so intimate.
So even the coldest, most ruthless man craved this kind of connection deep down.