The words spoken caused everyone in the cave to freeze for nearly half a moment.
After a long pause, they finally came back to their senses. Disbelief filled their eyes as they secretly glanced at Gu Qianying.
If little Yi Hao called Bai Yufeng "Daddy," then their relationship would be… difficult to explain.
Gu Qianying, startled, fumbled with her hands and waved them frantically, "What nonsense are you talking about!"
Before the birth of little Yi Hao, and even after his birth, Bai Yufeng had never been present in Gu Qianying's life! This was absolutely impossible.
Bai Yufeng blinked in surprise. After a long moment of thought, he pointed at himself, "You're calling me Daddy?"
"When did I ever have a son like you?"
Little Yi Hao's expression was incredibly serious. He blinked his innocent eyes, "But you are my Daddy."
The others were shocked again, their emotions in turmoil.
Gu Qianying anxiously went to inquire about the reason, "What is going on? You've never said this before."
Little Yi Hao scratched the back of his head, unable to figure it out. He said with a hint of grievance, "But I just don't know, I just call him Daddy."
Gu Qianying frowned.
Those behind them took a deep breath. Ouyang Qinglin's expression grew increasingly pained. He had been by little Yi Hao's side for many years, yet the child had never called him "godfather." Now, after knowing Bai Yufeng for only half a month, he was calling him "Daddy." Was he truly unwilling to accept this?
Seeing the child's pale face, Gu Qianying felt pity and couldn't press the matter further. She could only pat little Yi Hao's fluffy hair. "Alright, rest well!"
Bai Yufeng's gaze deepened, "This!"
Gu Qianying pleaded with Bai Yufeng, "He's only just woken up, his mind might not be quite clear yet. He'll be fine in a few days, please don't hold it against him."
Bai Yufeng's expression was peculiar. He didn't know what to think, but a sliver of secret joy inexplicably bloomed in his heart.
After the commotion, everyone present was ravenously hungry, their stomachs rumbling. Gu Qianying offered them wild fruits she had found in the jungle. The situation was complicated, and having something to eat was already fortunate; they dared not hope for delicacies.
Several people sat on the ground in a daze, gnawing on the wild fruits one by one. Since little Yi Hao had regained his senses, he no longer showed any of his previous aversion. Instead, he clung to Bai Yufeng, calling him "Daddy" with every bite. He offered a wild fruit, "Daddy, this place is nothing compared to the fine food you have. But don't worry, my mother is very capable. Your Sacred Feather family is nothing. Once we get out, you can live a good life again."
Bai Yufeng chuckled for the first time. He tossed the wild fruit into the air. "What? Are you trying to get me to marry into your family now?"
Little Yi Hao grinned innocently, "If you want to understand it that way, then it's fine. My mother doesn't mind, right! Daddy!"
Bai Yufeng mused, then saw Gu Qianying's blushing face and let out a meaningful sneer. "I'm afraid even if I agree, some people might not."
Gu Qianying, biting into the sour wild fruit, her expression shifting from green to white, looked remarkably expressive. Even after losing his spiritual power, Bai Yufeng's infuriating temperament remained unchanged. Gu Qianying suppressed her anger, clenched the wild fruit, and spoke word by word, "You are our savior, and you are my son's father. Of course, I must protect you well." She emphasized the words "father" with a heavy tone.
Bai Yufeng laughed again, finding it amusing, "Then in the future, you'll have to bear with me more, don't dislike me!"
Gu Qianying was speechless and threw a few more wild fruits at him. "Even food can't shut your mouths!"
While the three of them were lively, Ouyang Qinglin sat alone in a corner. He took only one bite of the wild fruit, tasted it, and then set it aside. He inexplicably felt that the three of them together looked like a family of three. But he hated himself for thinking this. Why? He had stayed by Gu Qianying's side for years; by all rights, that position should have been his. The thought brought an unconcealable look of dejection to his eyes, leaving only a cold glint.
Gu Qianying happened to turn her head and saw Ouyang Qinglin's somewhat distant expression. When their eyes met, Ouyang Qinglin quickly averted his gaze and turned his head away. Gu Qianying had known him for many years. When he wore such an expression, she knew something was wrong. Gu Qianying quickly brushed the dust off her clothes, pushed aside the two people engrossed in each other, and sat down in front of Ouyang Qinglin. She tilted her head with a smile, "Young Master Ouyang! Your expression today is truly worrying. What has happened? Tell me about it."
Ouyang Qinglin was still upset and feeling lonely. He found it difficult to speak. He merely glanced at Gu Qianying and turned away again. A slightly bitter voice emerged, "Why are you here with me? Go accompany your son's beloved father!"
Gu Qianying chuckled. So it was because of this. She had thought something serious had happened! Gu Qianying coughed lightly again, "Oh dear! I thought my good friend would understand my distress, but I didn't expect you to be angry with me!"
Ouyang Qinglin felt even more dejected. Gu Qianying wasn't distressed at all; she was clearly reveling in it. Her cheerful demeanor showed no unhappiness whatsoever! "Who else would I be angry with if not you! I traveled thousands of miles to save you, and you, this fair-weather friend, have forgotten the old for the new!"
Gu Qianying sighed and quickly grabbed his shoulders, acting spoiled. "Are you still my friend! How could you say such harsh words to me?"
Ouyang Qinglin was most susceptible to Gu Qianying's charm. In fact, he had already stopped being angry from the moment she arrived. Feeling himself being shaken, Ouyang Qinglin surrendered helplessly, raising his hands. "Alright, alright! I'm not angry with you. Don't bother me anymore."
Gu Qianying grinned. "I knew you were the most generous!"
Ouyang Qinglin looked at Gu Qianying. Although she appeared outwardly calm, his heart was a turbulent mess. From this moment on, he knew with even greater certainty that he was destined to fall in this cave and never get up. But what did it matter? He was deeply content.
In the time that followed, the atmosphere became strangely quiet. The others did not know how hostile little Yi Hao and Duan Xifeng had been towards Bai Yufeng. So, seeing little Yi Hao acting spoiled towards Bai Yufeng, they were merely surprised and confused.