"Don't you see?" Wang Zheng smirked, his lips curling upwards. "Just imagine, if everyone in this world looked exactly the same, with identical faces and the same height. Even their habits, words, and actions were all exactly the same. Could you still distinguish who is who?"

Gu Zechen thought for a moment before shaking his head again.

"Yeah, it's precisely because we need to clarify who is who, which one is Zechen, and which one is Mei'er, that heaven has bestowed different characteristics upon each of us," Wang Zheng said, raising his hand to touch Gu Zechen's neck gently.

"Some people are tall, some people are short, some people are beautiful, some people are ugly. There are also some people who cannot speak, some people who cannot see, some people who cannot walk. Everyone has things they can do and things they cannot do. This is the world that we see, isn't it?"

Wang Zheng looked at Gu Zechen, unabashedly meeting his gaze. The corners of his smiling lips curved in a beautiful arc, as he gently ruffled Gu Zechen's hair with a playful expression. "Zechen, can you understand what Dad means?"

Gu Zechen remained silent for a while, then lightly shook his head before nodding. As he looked into Wang Zheng's eyes, they went from confusion to clarity, resembling a clear spring, pure, and transparent.

If there is anything in this world that is purest, it would be the innocent gaze of a child. Untouched by worldly possessions, untainted by the joys and sorrows of this world, it remains pure and delicate, evoking a sense of tenderness in those who behold it.

Gu Zechen looked at Wang Zheng, his pitch-black pupils sparkling like stars, the crystal-clear color leaving Wang Zheng moved. He reached out and pulled Gu Zechen into his arms, burying his face deeply in the crook of Gu Zechen's neck and shoulder, tears soaking through their clothes, causing Gu Zechen intense pain.

Once upon a time, he was also pure and innocent. Once upon a time, he thought he would spend his life lovingly with Lin Xiuxian. Once upon a time, he believed he could have a house full of children and grandchildren and live a peaceful and contented old age.

However, the world is unpredictable, and fate is capricious. How many things in this world can people truly foresee? And how many of those things can one truly accept with equanimity?

Gu Zechen didn't know why Wang Zheng was holding onto him like this, why he was silently choking back tears. However, the desolate aura emanating from Wang Zheng's entire being touched Gu Zechen, making his heart ache.

Wang Zheng sniffled, unexpectedly finding himself losing composure in front of a child. With a slight apologetic release of Gu Zechen, his smile at the corners of his mouth was forced and bitter.

"Zechen, you must remember that your existence is unique. Even if the whole world abandons you, your father won't, your mother won't, little Mo won't, and you mustn't give up either, understand?"

Gu Zechen nodded as if he understood but didn't really understand. After all these years, this was his first time encountering such things. It felt fresh, yet he couldn't help but feel confused.

"You are no worse than anyone else, on the contrary, you are stronger than others. As long as you don't give up on yourself, there is no one in this world who is qualified to give up on you."

Wang Zheng stood up and touched Gu Zechen's head, sighing with a profound meaning, "The things dad said, you may not understand now, but you will eventually understand. You are Zechen, my Zechen, the one and only Gu Zechen. Remember that, okay?"

Gu Zechen nodded vigorously, his eyes becoming moist. Unbeknownst to him, as his understanding grew, the deep-rooted insecurity hidden within his bones and blood gradually unraveled, layer by layer, loosening the shackles that had bound him. Over the course of the following years, it slowly dissipated, melting away...

Many years later, whenever Gu Zechen reminisced about the scene from today, and every word Wang Zheng had said to him, tears welled up in his eyes.

What Wang Zheng gave him was not only physical care, not only the warmth of a home, but also solace for his soul. It was a touch and integration of a newfound understanding that he had never experienced before.

Gu Zechen knew that if it weren't for Wang Zheng's words back then, he wouldn't be the person he is today.

At least in his own heart, he would not live so contentedly and generously. He would not turn a blind eye to his hidden illness, nor would he disregard the cold mockery and sarcastic remarks from others. He would merely smile faintly and let it go with a gentle shrug.

Whenever he thought about this period of time, Gu Zechen couldn't help but feel nostalgic for Wang Zheng. Without the Wang Zheng from back then, there wouldn't be the Gu Zechen he became later on.

It can be said that his biological father gave him his first life, but also took away his life. It was Wang Zheng, this slender yet resilient man, who gave him a second life. Life continues, longing persists, life never rests, gratitude never ceases.

And at this moment, although Gu Zechen didn't completely understand every word Wang Zheng said, deep down inside, he knew that everything Wang Zheng said was right, and all of it was correct.

These words were like a sharp blade, splitting open the hazy gray sky that had been enveloping me. The sunlight poured down, illuminating not only the path but also the hearts and the future.

Yi Mo watched as Wang Zheng and Gu Zechen came out, and went straight to greet them: "Brother Chen, why are you crying?"

Upon hearing Yi Mo's words, Gu Zechen finally realized that he had just cried. He quickly wiped his eyes and smiled, shaking his head at Yi Mo. "It's nothing, Brother Chen is fine. I'm just happy thinking about being able to go to school!"

"Brother Chen, I have a gift for you. Come with me!" Gu Zechen followed the mysteriously smiling Yi Mo to a small table in the living room, with a look of confusion. Before he even had a chance to look, Yi Mo grabbed his hand and said, "Brother Chen, close your eyes first!"

Gu Zechen helplessly smiled and stopped in his tracks, closing his eyes. It wasn't until he felt an object placed in his palm and heard Yi Mo's excited voice saying, "Brother Chen, you can open your eyes now!" that he finally opened his eyes.

.

In the palm of his hand, there was a round object. Gu Zechen gave it a squeeze, and it seemed to be made of cloth. It was difficult to discern what it was, but it was just a small, round ball.

Gu Zechen looked at it back and forth a few times, but still couldn't determine what it was. He shook his head at Yi Mo and looked at her helplessly, waiting for an answer.

"Chen Gege is so silly, I made this. Look, my fingers are all injured." Yi Mo extended her index finger in front of Gu Zechen's eyes, wiggled it, and wrinkled her pitiful little face.

Gu Zechen looked at the fingers extended in front of him. Apart from a slight redness at the fingertip, there was nothing else to be seen. Nevertheless, he smiled and put Yimo's finger into his mouth, just like he had done every time before, comforting the injured Yimo in his own way.

"Hihi!" Yi Mo smiled and said, "Okay, Mo'er is not in pain anymore. Thank you, Cheng Gege!"

Gu Zechen smiled and then noticed there was a string on the sphere in his hand. He pulled it and it hung around his neck. He bent down to hug Yi Mo and then let go, saying, "Thank you, Mo'er. Unfortunately, Gege didn't prepare a gift for you. I'm sorry."

"It's okay!" Yi Mo shook her hand generously, saying, "Mo'er doesn't need gifts, Mo'er only wants Chen Gege to accompany Mo'er forever."