The evening sky over Jiang Cheng slowly darkened as the sun disappeared behind the distant buildings, leaving behind a soft golden glow that gradually faded into deep blue, and the lights of the Gu family villa quietly turned on one by one, illuminating the large garden and marble pathways like a peaceful palace resting in the calm of the night.
Inside the villa, the atmosphere was warm and lively.
The Liu family had arrived in the afternoon, and after a long and relaxed conversation between the two families, Liu Zhengyuan had decided that Liu Ruyan would stay overnight at the Gu family villa for the first time, partly because it was already late and partly because the two children were unusually calm when they were together.
In the spacious living room, soft lights filled the air while servants quietly prepared dinner in the background, and Gu Wen sat in his baby chair near the sofa, calmly watching the small girl sitting beside him on a soft blanket.
Liu Ruyan was holding onto his sleeve again.
Her small fingers wrapped tightly around the fabric as if it was the most important thing in the world, and even though she was surrounded by new furniture, unfamiliar rooms, and unfamiliar servants, she showed no fear or discomfort at all.
Because he was there.
Gu Wen quietly observed her behavior.
The Perfect Life System slowly activated in his mind.
[Target: Liu Ruyan][Affection Level: 30][Status: Stable Dependence][Emotional Stability: High when near host]
The system paused for a moment before releasing a new message.
[New Objective Released]
[Stage Two: Emotional Anchor]
[Task: Allow Liu Ruyan to sleep peacefully in unfamiliar environment]
[Reward: Emotional Resonance Ability]
Gu Wen blinked slowly.
So this was the next step.
He turned his gaze toward Liu Ruyan again.
She looked calm now, quietly leaning beside him, but occasionally her eyes wandered around the unfamiliar room, and her small fingers tightened slightly around his sleeve whenever she heard unfamiliar sounds in the distance.
This was her first time staying here.
Even if she felt safe beside him, the unfamiliar environment would naturally make her uneasy.
Night came quickly.
After dinner, the servants gently prepared a temporary nursery room for Liu Ruyan next to Gu Wen's room, making sure everything was soft, warm, and comfortable, while Mrs. Liu carefully placed her daughter onto the small bed.
At first, Liu Ruyan looked calm.
Her small eyes blinked slowly as she stared at the unfamiliar ceiling.
The room was quiet.
The lights were soft.
Everything seemed peaceful.
But after a few minutes, her expression slowly changed.
Her small fingers moved slightly.
Her eyes began searching around the room.
Gu Wen was not there.
The warmth was gone.
Her breathing became uneven.
A soft uneasy sound escaped her lips.
"Ah…"
Mrs. Liu gently patted her.
"It's okay, Ruyan, Mama is here."
But Liu Ruyan's eyes became moist.
She turned her head again and again, searching desperately for the familiar presence that made her feel safe.
The system interface suddenly flashed in Gu Wen's mind from the next room.
[Target Emotional Instability Detected]
[Task in progress]
Without hesitation, Gu Wen slowly moved in his cradle and made a small sound.
It was not loud.
But it was enough.
The servant immediately noticed.
"Young Master is awake."
Soon, Gu Wen was carefully carried into Liu Ruyan's room.
The moment Liu Ruyan heard the familiar presence, her restless breathing slowed.
Her tearful eyes turned toward the door.
And when she saw him—
She stopped crying instantly.
Her small hands reached forward.
The system confirmed.
[Emotional Anchor successful]
Gu Wen was gently placed in a small cradle beside her bed.
The distance between them was less than half a meter.
Liu Ruyan stared at him quietly.
Her breathing slowly became steady.
Her small hand stretched out, touching the edge of his blanket.
Warm.
Safe.
Her eyes slowly closed.
Within a few minutes, she fell asleep peacefully.
The room became silent again.
The system voice echoed softly in Gu Wen's mind.
[Task Completed]
[Reward: Emotional Resonance Ability Unlocked]
A warm light suddenly surrounded his consciousness.
For a brief moment, Gu Wen felt himself entering a strange space.
It was dark and quiet, like a dream.
Then slowly, a small light appeared in the distance.
Inside the light, he saw Liu Ruyan.
She was standing in a small white space, looking confused and innocent, like a lost child in a dream.
She looked around quietly.
Then she noticed him.
Her face lit up with a gentle smile.
She walked toward him slowly.
In this strange dream-like world, she spoke for the first time.
"Warm…"
Her voice was soft and childish.
She reached out her small hand.
Gu Wen felt a strange connection forming between them, like an invisible thread linking their emotions together.
The system explained quietly.
[Emotional Resonance: Allows host to sense target's emotions in subconscious state]
The white space slowly faded.
Gu Wen returned to reality.
The nursery was silent.
Liu Ruyan was sleeping peacefully beside him, her small hand still lightly touching his blanket.
Her breathing was calm.
Her expression was relaxed.
Outside the window, the moonlight quietly covered Jiang Cheng, and the peaceful night slowly passed by.
Gu Wen looked at her quietly.
For the first time, he could clearly feel her emotions.
Warm.
Safe.
Trust.
He slowly closed his eyes.
The connection between them had become deeper.
And somewhere in the quiet night, their small worlds were slowly beginning to merge into one.