When Cecilia Ye woke up, there was a warm, fluffy presence by her side. Looking down, she saw it was Zoey Zhang.
Sensing she was awake, Zoey Zhang burrowed closer, as if to please its little mistress.
“Awake?” Xavier Foster picked up a pillow and propped her up so she could sit. “Are you still cold? Uncomfortable?”
“Much better.” Cecilia Ye shook her head and answered softly.
She glanced down at the soft, clean pajamas on her body, then looked up at Xavier Foster.
“Your clothes were soaked, so I changed them for you.”
“Oh…”
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks, making her look far healthier than she had before.
Xavier Foster sat down by the bed and leaned in a bit, pretending not to know, “What’s wrong?”
“N-no, thank you.”
He frowned slightly, displeased with her gratitude, but then his heart softened when he remembered she was still unwell.
“You can’t act like this again. You hurt your foot too, you know. And I would never actually take Zoey Zhang away.”
It wasn’t often that he said this much, and certainly not to a young girl.
Cecilia Ye bit her lip. “Xavier Foster, Zoey Zhang only has me. In the future, you’ll marry Vivian Belle, and she doesn’t like Zoey Zhang. I’ll keep taking care of him.”
As if recognizing its name, the little dog wagged its tail at them, a pink tongue sticking out.
“I won’t give him up. I can apologize to Vivian Belle if needed, but please don’t take Zoey Zhang away, okay?”
Cecilia Ye was scared.
She no longer wanted to fight—though, truthfully, she’d never wanted to fight for anything at all.
She’d signed the divorce papers in less than a minute, making things easy for everyone.
Her cotton rose had already been destroyed, and now it seemed even Zoey Zhang was going to be taken away.
“I won’t take him. He’ll stay with you here.”
Xavier Foster stroked Zoey Zhang’s head. He and his people had searched the whole complex before finding the pup chasing a kitten through the flowerbeds.
Zoey Zhang twisted around to gently nibble on Xavier Foster’s hand.
Cecilia Ye still found it hard to believe. Didn’t Xavier Foster say he had to give Vivian Belle an explanation?
“Really?”
Her voice was tiny and cautious.
“Really. I’ll just compensate Yuzhi with something else.”
Oh—so it’s a different kind of compensation. Her painting had been ruined by Vivian Belle, after all.
Xavier Foster had never thought of compensating her.
Even though she’d told herself not to get attached, Cecilia Ye couldn’t stop her mind from wandering.
“Eat something first, then take your medicine.”
Xavier Foster went out to get her some food.
Cecilia Ye hugged Zoey Zhang and rubbed her cheek against his soft, fragrant fur.
It looked like Xavier Foster had already washed the little pup.
And he’d even changed her clothes. Cecilia Ye felt her cheeks burn again.
They were going to divorce. Why was he still being so nice to her?
A sound from the nightstand caught her attention—it was Xavier Foster’s phone.
Cecilia Ye picked it up and glanced at the screen—Vivian Belle.
Her eyelashes flickered. She lifted Zoey Zhang, grabbed the phone, and went downstairs.
The bandage on her foot stretched long over the cut—a sterile dressing taped in place.
It still hurt a bit, but she could bear it.
She found Xavier Foster in the dining room, ladling porridge out of a thermal container.
His cold, serious face paired with those careful movements looked a little ridiculous.
Seeing her come down, Xavier Foster’s distinguished brow furrowed. He set down the bowl and spoke with chilly concern.
“Why aren’t you wearing a jacket? Don’t move. Stay right there.”
He turned, fetched a small blanket from the couch, and wrapped it around Cecilia Ye.
She handed him the phone. “Vivian Belle called you.”
Xavier Foster acknowledged with a grunt, took Zoey Zhang from her arms and set him on the floor before reaching for the phone.
“Aren’t you going to call her back?”
“Later. Eat first.”
He bent down to lift her up, settled her in the chair by the table.
“Aunt Whitney just brought this chicken and rice porridge—you like this one. Have some first.”
Cecilia Ye took the little spoon and began to eat quietly.
Xavier Foster, seeing her sitting so obediently, walked away to return the call in the living room.
Vivian Belle, waiting and waiting on her end for the explanation she’d demanded, couldn’t stand it and called again.
Cecilia Ye didn’t want to listen, but the half-open layout of the kitchen meant every word from the living room reached her.
“Alright, I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”
“As long as you like it.”
“Okay, I’m hanging up now.”
She spooned another mouthful of porridge. It was just as delicious and familiar as ever.
So Xavier Foster was going out with Vivian Belle tomorrow—for her compensation.
After half a bowl, Cecilia Ye found she couldn’t eat anymore. Looking up, she caught Xavier Foster sitting across from her, watching her eat.
Flustered, she bit her lip.
“You should have some too. There’s plenty left.”
“Okay.” Xavier Foster took her bowl, ladled more porridge into it, and started eating with her spoon.
“…?”
Cecilia Ye was taken aback. When she realized what he’d done, she whispered, “There are clean bowls in the kitchen… I already ate from that one.”
Xavier Foster glanced at her nonchalantly, raising an eyebrow.
“I know.”
Her cheeks turned pink and she stammered, “But, I’m still sick… it might be contagious.”
“It’s fine.” Xavier Foster, seeing her flustered expression, couldn’t help but smile faintly.
After eating, he washed the dishes—much more skilled than last time.
He carried Cecilia Ye back to the bedroom, then went to wash up himself.
Cecilia Ye obediently brushed her teeth, but couldn’t help glancing at Xavier Foster, who was waiting by the bathroom door. It was a bit awkward—she still needed the bathroom later and he was just standing there.
“Xavier Foster, could you go out for a bit? I’ll call you when I’m done.”
Her mouth was filled with white foam, her cheeks puffed up adorably.
So adorable it made people want to tease her.
“Hmm? I’ll just wait here, in case you get dizzy again.”
“I’m alright now. Please, could you step out?”
Xavier Foster didn’t move, so Cecilia Ye spat out the foam and rinsed her mouth.
Clutching her pajamas, she all but buried her head in her neck.
“I… I still need to use the toilet. It’s awkward with you here.”
Xavier Foster paused, his cool expression momentarily cracking.
He’d forgotten his little wife was such a shy girl.
He turned and closed the door behind him. “Alright, just call me when you’re done. I’ll be right outside.”
Cecilia Ye had nothing more to say. Blushing, she finished up and softly called for Xavier Foster to come back in.
After helping her get settled, Xavier Foster went to shower.
By the time he emerged, Cecilia Ye was already asleep, her small face half-buried in the blankets.
He stood by the bed for a long while, feeling somewhat confused.
Most of the time, Cecilia Ye was so well-behaved—one could even say eager to please.
Maybe it was because she’d grown up in an orphanage and then had been adopted, always dependent on the kindness of others, so she’d learned to rely only on herself.
Not being raised by her own parents, she’d never been spoiled.
So, she was sensitive and careful, always trying not to inconvenience anyone.
Today at the café, Cecilia Ye’s actions had genuinely surprised him.
Though he’d been angry at the time, he also found that side of her strangely alive—like a small clam finally showing some of the softness inside.
Xavier Foster reached out to feel her forehead—still a bit warm—then wiped behind her ears with some rubbing alcohol.
Remorse filled his eyes. He shouldn’t have taken Zoey Zhang away without explaining.
He’d thought it was just a puppy. But seeing how desperate Cecilia Ye was earlier—it struck him she probably didn’t want Zoey Zhang to end up abandoned like she had.
He sat at the head of the bed for a while, flipping idly through a book.
But the words just blurred together. With a sigh, he tossed the book aside, climbed under the covers, and held Cecilia Ye gently in his arms.