The afternoon sunlight slowly spread across the Gu family villa, casting a warm golden glow through the tall glass windows and onto the soft carpet of the living room, where the quiet atmosphere made everything feel calm and peaceful, as if time itself had slowed down inside this luxurious space.
Gu Wen sat steadily in his baby chair near the window, his small body supported by soft cushions while his calm eyes quietly observed the girl sitting beside him.
Liu Ruyan was still holding his hand.
Her small fingers were wrapped around his sleeve as if she was afraid he might suddenly disappear, and even though she did not say a single word, her gentle smile and relaxed expression made it clear that simply being beside him was enough to make her feel safe.
Gu Wen looked at her quietly.
This was not the first time she had shown such attachment, but today it felt slightly different.
Her movements were more natural, her dependence more obvious, and the way she leaned toward him made it seem as if staying close to him had already become an instinct rather than a conscious action.
Inside his mind, the Perfect Life System slowly activated.
A transparent interface appeared, quietly floating in his consciousness like a silent observer.
[Target: Liu Ruyan][Affection Level: 25][Status: Stable Familiarity][Emotional Dependence: Increasing]
Gu Wen remained calm, carefully analyzing the information.
The system had been monitoring Liu Ruyan's affection for months now, and every small interaction had gradually strengthened their connection, but what surprised him was not the increase in affection itself, but the speed at which her emotional dependence was forming.
For a six-month-old child, such strong attachment was unusual.
Most babies relied mainly on their parents for comfort and safety, yet Liu Ruyan seemed to instinctively treat him as the center of her small world.
She leaned slightly closer, her head resting gently against his arm, as if she had already found her most comfortable position.
Her breathing was soft and steady.
She looked completely relaxed.
At that moment, a servant carefully approached with a small toy and gently placed it in front of her.
"Miss Liu, look at this," the servant said softly.
The colorful toy made a gentle sound as it moved, something that would normally attract a baby's attention immediately.
But Liu Ruyan only glanced at it briefly before turning her head away.
Her fingers tightened slightly around Gu Wen's sleeve, and she leaned even closer to him, clearly showing that she was not interested in anything else.
The servant looked slightly embarrassed and quietly stepped back.
Mrs. Liu sighed helplessly from the sofa.
"She has been like this recently," she said softly, watching her daughter with a gentle smile. "She doesn't care about toys anymore. She only wants to stay near Gu Wen."
Liu Zhengyuan chuckled lightly and crossed his arms.
"That just means she trusts him."
Gu Tianhao sat calmly beside them, his expression steady but relaxed as he looked at his son and Liu Ruyan sitting together on the carpet.
"Trust is a good thing," he said in a deep voice. "It means their relationship is growing naturally."
Gu Wen quietly listened to the conversation while continuing to observe Liu Ruyan.
She did not understand what the adults were saying.
She only knew that being close to him felt comfortable.
Her small hand slowly moved and gently held his fingers, as if confirming that he was still there.
The system interface flickered slightly.
[Affection approaching threshold]
[Reminder: Emotional Bond Formation in progress]
Gu Wen blinked slowly.
A faint warmth spread through his body as the system quietly responded to the situation, but his attention remained focused on Liu Ruyan.
Her dependence was simple and pure, without calculation or hidden intentions.
It was just a natural emotional connection.
Suddenly, Mrs. Liu stood up.
"Ruyan, come here for a moment," she said gently as she walked closer.
She carefully picked Liu Ruyan up from the carpet.
The moment Liu Ruyan left Gu Wen's side, her expression changed.
Her small hands moved slightly, and her calm face became uneasy.
She turned her head quickly, looking back at him.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Then she made a soft unhappy sound.
"Ah… ah…"
Her small body leaned forward in her mother's arms, trying to reach him again.
Mrs. Liu tried to comfort her.
"It's okay, Ruyan, Mama is here."
But Liu Ruyan's expression only became more anxious.
Her small hands stretched forward, and her eyes remained fixed on Gu Wen, as if she was afraid of being separated from him.
The system suddenly reacted.
[Emotional Separation Detected]
[Affection fluctuation increasing]
[Recommendation: Restore contact]
Gu Wen quietly watched the scene.
Liu Ruyan's reaction was stronger than expected.
Her small face began to show signs of distress, and her breathing became uneven as if she was about to cry.
She kept reaching toward him.
Her voice grew slightly louder.
"Ah… ah…"
The entire living room became quiet.
Mrs. Liu looked helpless.
"She's going to cry."
Liu Zhengyuan sighed.
"Looks like she really doesn't want to leave him."
Gu Tianhao calmly stood up and walked closer.
"Put her back beside Gu Wen."
Mrs. Liu nodded and gently placed Liu Ruyan back onto the carpet.
The moment her small body touched the ground, she quickly crawled back toward Gu Wen.
Her movements were faster than before, as if she was afraid of losing him again.
When she finally reached him, she grabbed his sleeve tightly and leaned against him.
Her breathing slowly calmed.
Her expression returned to peace.
The system interface flashed.
[Emotional Dependence Confirmed]
[Affection +5]
[Current Affection: 30]
[Stage One Objective Completed]
A warm current instantly flowed through Gu Wen's body, strengthening his muscles and nerves while a faint sense of clarity spread through his mind.
[Reward: Early Growth Boost + Emotional Perception Enhancement]
Gu Wen slowly closed his eyes for a brief moment, calmly accepting the reward.
Beside him, Liu Ruyan leaned quietly against his arm, her small fingers still holding his sleeve as if she would never let go again.
The adults watched the scene silently.
Mrs. Liu sighed with a gentle smile.
"She really feels safe beside him."
Liu Zhengyuan nodded.
"Perhaps this is fate."
Gu Tianhao looked at his son and spoke calmly.
"It seems their bond is already stronger than we expected."
Outside the window, the sunlight continued to shine over Jiang Cheng, and the peaceful afternoon quietly passed by.
Inside the villa, Liu Ruyan remained beside Gu Wen, her small world calm and steady as long as he was near.
And for Gu Wen, the system's first mission had already been completed.
But as he looked at the small girl leaning against him, he slowly realized something.
This relationship was no longer just a mission.
It had quietly become something real.
The system interface slowly faded, and a new message appeared in the depths of his mind.
[Next Stage: Childhood Growth]
[New Objective will be released at age 1]
Gu Wen calmly looked forward, his expression steady and quiet.
The perfect life had only just begun.
And Liu Ruyan was already standing at the center of it.