Xavier Fostern left Qingshui Bay in the pale light of dawn. His car sped down the wide road, and the icy wind poured in through the open window. His sharp features were cold as if covered by a layer of frost.

For the first time in decades, he experienced the agony of yearning without fulfillment—a pain like carving flesh from bone, as if something vital had been wrenched straight from his heart.

He went directly to the office. Henry Hart, seeing his frosty demeanor, couldn’t help but hesitate. It was only a bit past seven—wasn’t it much too early for the president to arrive?

"President," Henry Hart said, trailing him despite his confusion.

Xavier Fostern walked straight into his office, shrugged off his coat, and said icily, "Bring me the project documents, and call everyone to a meeting."

Henry Hart hurried off, leaving a group of anxious executives in the meeting room.

……

When Chi Chi finally awoke, it was already nine in the morning. She patted her belly—the baby seemed to still be sleeping, languid and still.

She left her room to find the dining table empty—no one was waiting for her as usual. Instead, there was a sheet of white sketch paper on the table.

"Take care of yourself."

The handwriting was bold and powerful, matching his usual cold demeanor. But beneath the words "Take care of yourself," there were traces of erased pencil marks, as if there were three words she didn’t dare to look at too closely.

She bit her lip and thought: So few words, yet he used such a large sheet. She carefully folded the paper and put it in her bag.

After washing up and enduring another wave of morning nausea, the doorbell rang from downstairs.

Standing at the door was a tall, straight-backed man. Ye Chi Chi went down to open it.

Her face was still pale from just having thrown up. Charles Chase frowned. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Chi Chi shook her head. "It's nothing. Just normal symptoms."

Charles Chase went upstairs to help her bring down her luggage. Ye Chi Chi held little Zao Zao, and the three of them got into the car.

"Breakfast is ready at home. We'll eat once we get back. I haven’t been to the old house in a while—only went by recently to check on things. The butler’s family name is Chen; he's watched over the manor for years. You can just call him Uncle Chen."

"There aren’t many servants, but they’ve all worked for the Chens for a long time. If you need anything else, just let me know."

Ye Chi Chi tried to memorize everything, a little anxious. "Okay."

Seeing her nervous look, Charles Chase smiled reassuringly, as if she were a student taking careful notes. "Don’t be afraid. They’ve been with the family for years; they're all good people."

Hearing this, Chi Chi felt relieved.

Little Zao Zao curled up on her lap, soon falling asleep with soft snores.

The old Chen family estate was actually close to where her grandparents lived—both in Yanghu Yishi district.

The car stopped at the grand entrance. Like the Fu family home, it was huge, but the architecture leaned much more traditional Chinese. Spring had come, and flower buds bloomed throughout the carefully tended gardens.

Following behind Charles Chase, Ye Chi Chi stepped out of the car. Her small suitcase was wheeled along by Charles Chase, while Zao Zao trailed at her side.

Soon, someone emerged from the house—an elderly man walking in front. He wore an indigo Chinese tunic and black cloth shoes. He looked to be in his sixties, sporting a wispy white goatee; his bearing was upright, but his expression was stern.

Charles Chase turned back to whisper, "That's Uncle Chen. He always looks like that."

"Young Master, you’re back. Help get the luggage inside, will you?" Uncle Chen took the suitcase and handed it to a waiting maid.

"This is Chi Chi, my little sister. Please take good care of her," Charles Chase said.

Uncle Chen’s eyes lingered on Chi Chi, a flash of complex emotion passing through his narrow gaze before vanishing.

"Miss," he addressed her formally.

Ye Chi Chi waved shyly, her tone sweet. "You can just call me Chi Chi."

"That won’t do. The Chen household is a place of rules."

In that instant, Chi Chi sensed—was he a bit displeased with her?

Charles Chase frowned. Uncle Chen had been trained by their grandfather. After what happened to his mother, the old butler had grown even more rigid.

The Chen house was indeed a place of rules, but times had changed. Uncle Chen still called him Young Master, an old habit from when Grandpa Rivers was alive. But now that Charles Chase was in charge—and had grown up abroad—he had little patience for such formality.

"Call her whatever's comfortable for Chi Chi," Charles Chase said firmly, gently guiding her inside. "And remember, Chi Chi is pregnant—please take extra care."

Uncle Chen nodded, shaking his head slightly.

Charles Chase sent her to the dining room for breakfast, hovering anxiously as if worried she and her little "bean" might go hungry.

There was red date soy milk on the table—her favorite, specially requested from the kitchen.

"Chi Chi, your mother will need to stay in the special care ward for another week. I’ve arranged a room on the first floor with all the necessary medical equipment; once she’s home, the doctors will come take care of her. Don’t worry."

Ye Chi Chi took a small sip of the soy milk, her big eyes looking at her brother. "Thank you, brother."

"No need to thank me. For the Chase family, this is hardly any trouble. My mother also wanted me to take good care of you."

Looking into Chi Chi’s wide, deer-like eyes, with her cute, earnest expression, Charles Chase thought—who wouldn’t want such an adorable little sister?

"You just stay here and rest. No one will disturb you. If you need anything, ask Uncle Chen. I’ll be busy at the office lately, won’t be home too early."

He didn’t need to say it—the 'no one' was referring to Xavier Fostern.

Business had been busy with overseas projects lately. Several companies were bidding at once; since he’d stopped working with the Fu Corporation, Charles Chase had to rely on his own strengths and overseas contacts.

He’d heard Xavier Fostern was eyeing this project too. Hah, that only meant he’d need to be even more careful.

"Okay. Don’t worry about me, brother. I’ll look after myself."

Right now, all that mattered was taking care of herself and the baby, and waiting for her mother to arrive—nothing else needed doing.

After breakfast, Charles Chase left for work as promised.

A maid carried her suitcase up to her room on the second floor.

The carved mahogany spiral staircase and strong traditional Chinese style made Chi Chi think the Chen home would be very classical.

Her room was on the second floor to the left. When she opened the door, she froze in surprise.

Everything was pink.

Lotus-pink lace curtains, pale pink floral bedsheets, rose-colored carpets, even the makeup table was white with pink trim.

The maid, a girl about her own age named Xiao Mu, had been told by Charles Chase to look after Chi Chi.

With sparkling eyes, Xiao Mu looked at her. To think she’d get to see such a pretty young lady every day—what luck!

"Miss, do you like it? Everything was picked out by Young Master himself! He asked so many of us which shade of pink girls like most. He said every pink is different, and you'd definitely like them all."

Her expectant gaze was glowing, and Ye Chi Chi smiled, nodding. "I do, I like it very much."

Xiao Mu carried her belongings inside and began hanging up Chi Chi’s clothes in the wardrobe. It was already stocked with all sorts of prepared clothes—dresses, pajamas, bath towels—all in shades of pink.

It almost felt like she was seeing the world through rose-colored bubbles.

Her suitcase only had a few simple things; Xiao Mu finished organizing quickly.

"Miss, I’ll leave you to rest. If you need anything, just call for me."

"Alright."

Once alone, Ye Chi Chi finally relaxed her tense nerves and sat on the bed.

Zao Zao darted around the place and, following her scent, soon slipped into the room as well. Chi Chi glanced at Zao Zao.

So…this will be home for both of us from now on, won’t it…