Zhaozhao was settled in a hall near Luochen’s bedchamber. To care for him, Luochen specially assigned four maidservants to attend to him.
The maidservants took great pains to decorate the little Divine Son’s room in a childish manner, the kind most children would adore.
Yet the little Divine Son didn’t even glance at it. His favorite spot was instead a dark corner, where he would often stay for an entire day, neither speaking nor eating.
The maidservants were deeply concerned about this situation, because even though he was a Divine Son without Divine Power, he still needed to eat at regular intervals.
But if the Divine Son refused to eat, they could not force him.
Helpless, the maidservant Duanyu mustered her courage and, due to the little Divine Son’s refusal to eat, went to report to the ever-busy Divine Emperor.
On the high seat in the Divine Hall, Luochen was reviewing memorials. Upon hearing the report, he propped his chin with one hand, his posture casual and elegant, and asked indifferently, “How long has the Divine Son gone without eating?”
Duanyu lowered her eyes, not daring to look at him. “Your Majesty, it has been two days.”
“Is he throwing a tantrum again?”
Luochen recalled the day he brought Zhaozhao back. He had been sulking, refusing to speak to him or eat.
Duanyu did not dare to speculate on the Divine Son’s thoughts, even though he was still young.
She replied honestly, “Your Majesty, this humble servant does not know.”
Luochen’s brow twitched slightly, and he finally set down the book he had been halfway through reading.
In an instant, he arrived at Zhaozhao’s bedchamber. Standing at the entrance, decorated in a very playful and childlike manner, Luochen hesitated for a moment before entering.
Using his Divine Sense to search, he instantly found Zhaozhao in a small corner.
“Zhao.”
Zhaozhao was curled up with his knees hugged to his chest, a posture that conveyed deep insecurity.
Even when Luochen called him, he paid no attention.
Luochen had never comforted a child before. He didn’t know how, nor did he have the energy to do so.
With a cold expression, he firmly picked Zhaozhao up into his arms, intending to take him out for a stroll.
In the past, when he was in a bad mood, what he most wanted to do was to go see the scenery in various places. Assuming Zhaozhao would like it too, he carried him out on his own.
Zhaozhao buried his head against Luochen’s chest, quiet as a soulless doll.
Luochen carried him around for a long while, but seeing that he hadn’t even lifted his eyes, he sighed helplessly.
His handsome face finally lost its usual composure.
Rarely, he softened his voice. “Whatever Zhao wants to do, as long as it’s not excessive, I will try my best to satisfy you.”
Hearing this, Zhaozhao’s dull, lifeless eyes instantly brightened. “Su Su.”
Luochen paused, his fine brows furrowing once more. “No.”
Zhaozhao looked at him with an expression that said “you’re a liar.” His clear golden eyes slowly filled with tears again. Luochen sighed once more. Faced with such a young child, his icy heart felt a rare pang of guilt.
“Choose something else. I will definitely satisfy you.”
But this time, Zhaozhao wasn’t having it. He simply continued to shed tears on his own.
Seeing Zhaozhao’s tears fall entirely onto Luochen’s robe, soaking a patch of the cloud pattern, Duanyu, who had been following nearby, hurriedly offered a handkerchief.
Luochen took it and, with clumsy yet carefully controlled movements, gently wiped Zhaozhao’s tears.
Zhaozhao’s fair, tender face was flushed red from crying. Luochen was truly afraid he would keep crying and coaxed, “Zhao, don’t cry. How about I take you to play with the other Divine Sons?”
Zhaozhao buried his head in Luochen’s chest again, but at least he didn’t refuse. Thinking this, Luochen took it as silent agreement that he wanted to play with other little Divine Sons, and thus ordered someone to summon Divine Officials who had little Divine Sons at home.
“The Divine Sons will arrive shortly. Would you like to have your meal first now?”
Luo Chen used what was perhaps the gentlest tone he had ever mustered in his life. It was hard to imagine that raising a little Divine Son who was prone to mood swings could be so challenging.
Seeing Zhaozhao finally nod in response this time, Luo Chen inexplicably felt a wave of relief. It was strange to think that the Divine Emperor, who usually paid little attention to anyone, was now overjoyed to have received a response from the little Divine Son.
Yes, overjoyed. He realized he was genuinely happy that Zhaozhao was finally willing to acknowledge him.