When Chi Chi finally woke up, it was already past ten.
The room was quiet, blanketed with the sterile scent of disinfectant. No other sounds—only her hand, tightly grasped in someone else’s warm, broad palm. She knew it was Xavier Foster.
Her eyelashes fluttered. She tried to open her eyes, but her lids felt so heavy, her head still dizzy. Yechi Chi’s heart raced with worry—she wanted to know if the baby was alright.
A warm hand gently covered her eyes, and a familiar voice sounded in her ear. “Don’t worry, Chi Chi. Everything’s fine. The baby is fine.”
Xavier Foster had been watching her the whole time, watching her stir, his brow furrowed, and as soon as he saw signs she was coming to, he reassured her in a low voice.
The lashes beneath his palm trembled slightly. He moved his hand away and met those bright, deer-like eyes that were finally open.
“The baby—” Yechi Chi’s first word was for the baby, her voice scratchy with thirst.
Xavier Foster reached out to gently stroke her cheek, his voice soft. “The baby’s okay. Still here, staying put and behaving in your belly.”
He got up and poured her a bit of warm water, carefully helping her drink, one sip at a time.
Her dry throat eased a little with the water, and she felt much better. Gathering a bit of strength, Yechi Chi placed a hand lightly on her lower abdomen, feeling the soft, little bulge there. Her eyes reddened as she finally believed the baby was still safe.
A crystal tear slipped down and soaked into the pillow, leaving a watery stain.
Thank goodness the baby was alright. She had been so frightened. If anything had happened to the baby, she didn’t know what she would have done.
Xavier Foster hurried to hand her a tissue, wiping away her tears. “Don’t cry, Chi Chi. The baby’s okay. Please don’t cry anymore, alright?”
But Yechi Chi seemed lost in her fear, tears streaming down silently.
“Please stop crying. It breaks my heart to see you like this.” He leaned over and carefully pulled her into his arms, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair. Only now did it feel like he’d come back to life himself.
“The doctor said, no more crying, no getting worked up—it’s not good for the baby.” Seeing she still wouldn’t stop, Xavier Foster could only quote the doctor’s orders.
Sure enough, buried in his shoulder, she sniffled and tried to force her tears back. “I was so scared. I thought—” Her voice trembled, “I thought the baby was gone.”
“There was so much blood, it’s my fault…I didn’t take good enough care of the baby.”
Xavier Foster cradled her small face in his hands, gazing into her tear-filled—but obediently restrained—eyes.
“It’s not your fault. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. It’s all my fault. When you’re better, you can hit me or yell at me—anything, just don’t cry.”
Gently, he wiped away the tears from her cheeks, then pressed the call button for the doctor.
Dr. Zhao came in, gave her a thorough check, and, seeing her teary eyes, smiled kindly. “Everything’s okay now. There’s no need to worry. But you must stay in bed for a while, don’t get up, and make sure to get proper nutrition.”
Yechi Chi nodded obediently, her small hand on her belly. “There’s still a little pain.”
She dared not relax for an instant now. Though the pain wasn’t as bad as yesterday, there was still a dull ache there.
Hearing her mention pain, Xavier Foster’s brow furrowed again.
“It’s nothing serious. Some pain is normal. Things will stabilize in another couple of days, as long as it doesn’t get too intense.”
“Okay.” Hearing this, Yechi Chi finally felt reassured.
“Mr. Fu, Miss Ye shouldn’t be left alone. If you need, the hospital can arrange a nurse to help.”
Dr. Zhao addressed the cold, intimidating man. So this was the CEO of the Fu Group from the capital—no wonder his demeanor was so imposing.
Unlike Master Jiang, who seemed gentle, or the gentleman from last time, who looked refined, Xavier Foster was all icy reserve and sparing with his words.
Xavier Foster shook his head. “No need. I’ll stay right here.”
After seeing the doctor out, Xavier Foster went back to her bedside, taking her hand again. The room was so quiet; only the two of them, gazes meeting.
The air suddenly grew a little awkward.
Yechi Chi hadn’t expected he’d find out about the baby so suddenly. She’d thought that if she just ignored him, he’d get tired and leave on his own.
But Xavier Foster was far more persistent than she thought. Night after night, he waited downstairs, becoming a stranger to her in his determination.
She hadn’t forgotten his words before she passed out, his anxiety and worry not faked in the slightest.
She didn’t know what to do. She’d never seen Xavier Foster like this.
Is this what it’s like—someone always appearing when you’re in danger? So comforting, it makes you greedy for more.
Biting her cherry-red lip, Yechi Chi tried to pull her hand away.
Xavier Foster watched her, seeing she was lost in thought, and said nothing.
When the little hand in his palm tried to withdraw, his heart tightened, and he instinctively held on a little tighter.
“Let me warm you up. Your hands are cold.”
Unable to get her hand back, Yechi Chi could only pretend not to notice.
“Thank you for bringing me to the hospital,” she said quietly. After a pause, she added, “I…didn’t tell you about the baby…”
“I know. It’s because I haven’t been a good person—so you didn’t want to tell the baby he had such an awful dad. You were right, Chi Chi. This is my fault.”
Her apologies felt like one slap after another across his face.
Xavier Foster cut her off, looking at her with a seriousness and gentleness she’d never seen before.
Yechi Chi’s heart gave a little jolt. Was Xavier Foster…admitting his mistakes? Was it for the baby’s sake?
“Chi Chi, let me take care of you. I’ll look after you and the baby. I won’t let you get hurt again.”
He said it all in one breath, those deep, ink-black eyes never leaving her face.
For the second time. This was the second time Xavier Foster had said so.
For a moment, a voice inside Yechi Chi nearly told her to agree. She blinked slowly, almost thinking she’d misheard.
She shook her head, her pale lips pressed tight in struggle, doubt plain on her face.
Xavier Foster reached out, brushing aside a stray lock of hair, his large hand cupping her little face—her whole face could fit in his palm.
“It’s alright. I know you don’t trust me, but I won’t leave. No matter what you say, I won’t leave you.”
He managed a smile, some sorrow in his eyes quickly masked as he changed the subject.
“Does your belly still hurt? The doctor says you should eat something.”
Yechi Chi gently touched her belly, a sour warmth filling her heart. “It’s alright. Just a little ache.”
She listened to the doctor completely now, even though she had no appetite at all, bracing herself to try and sit up.
“Don’t move,” Xavier Foster said, supporting her, pressing the bed’s controls to adjust the headrest until she was comfortable.
He pulled over the bed’s meal tray, opening the thermal container with food carefully prepared by the hospital.
He checked it—it was delicate, nutritious, and well balanced. “Want to eat this, or should I have Aunt Whitney make something and bring it over?”
Watching him fuss, Yechi Chi still wasn’t used to this side of Xavier Foster. “This is fine.”
She couldn’t eat much anyway; the thermal box held a little bowl of soft millet porridge.
Xavier Foster sat by the bed, spoon in hand, feeding her tiny mouthfuls. After two bites, Yechi Chi had had enough.
“Xavier Foster, I can eat by myself.”
“I know.”
“Then give me the spoon.”
“You don’t have the strength. Let me feed you.”
…
He slipped another spoonful into her mouth. Yechi Chi puffed her cheeks out, grumpily chewing the porridge.