Charles Chase brought over dinner made by Xiao Mu. He cooked just like Aunt Whitney, and Chi Chi always loved it.
There was steamed cod, chicken soup, vegetables and fruit—so much care in every dish. There was even a small box of millet porridge, specially for Fu Zhiyie.
Of course, Third Brother would never forget a proper meal. Chi Chi knew her brother prepared all this as a way to thank Fu Zhiyie for saving her. He was always all talk but soft-hearted at the core.
"Bro, have you eaten?"
She cupped the chicken soup in her hands, sipping gently. The rich flavor made her eyes squint in contentment.
"Mm, I ate at home. You go ahead."
Charles Chase watched Chi Chi behaving so sweetly, his gaze falling unconsciously to her belly. He often wondered—if only he'd known he had a little sister earlier, if only he'd found Chi Chi sooner.
He would have protected her. He wouldn’t have let her marry or have a child so young. He would have made sure her life was free and easy.
But some things in life truly do seem destined.
Thinking of Uncle Chen, he frowned and spoke. "Chi Chi, Uncle Chen has already been sent to the police station."
"Bai Yu accepted money from Uncle Chen. It’s all my fault—I should have noticed sooner."
Chi Chi paused, put down the chicken soup and gave him a gentle smile.
"Bro, don't blame yourself. You’re so good to me. I feel lucky—having such a wonderful big brother."
Her words came from the heart. She felt a bit shy right after, but her eyes sparkled with sincerity.
Charles Chase’s heart melted. He reached out and ruffled her hair, clearing his throat.
"Ahem. I'll go give this to Fu Zhiyie."
He picked up the food container and left. Watching his retreating back, Chi Chi suddenly wondered—was her brother a little embarrassed?
Fu Zhiyie was resting with his eyes closed when the door opened. He glanced up at the sound, saw it was Charles Chase, and lazily shut his eyes again.
Seeing that indifferent attitude, Charles Chase slammed the food container on the table, ready to storm out.
"Did Chi Chi eat yet?"
"Hmph, of course."
Charles Chase frowned. "Just eat your food so Chi Chi doesn’t come nagging me again."
Fu Zhiyie raised an eyebrow, tapping his chest. "Can I eat by myself like this?"
He was cocky and cold—so far from the gentle man he was around Chi Chi.
Charles Chase gritted his teeth. "Hell, you don’t actually expect me to feed you, do you?"
Fu Zhiyie sneered. "You think I’d eat if you fed me?"
…
Out of Chi Chi’s sight, the two men wore totally different faces, trading icy looks. Charles Chase almost lost his temper.
He bent forward, gripping the foot of the bed, glowering behind his glasses. "Fu Zhiyie! Don’t push your luck."
Fu Zhiyie cocked a brow, just about to retort, when the door opened again.
"Bro, you…"
Charles Chase straightened up and forced a smile, whispering through gritted teeth. "Just a little exercise for digestion!"
He even stretched and bent theatrically.
The man in the bed, hearing Chi Chi’s voice, instantly played weak—frowning softly at her with gentle eyes.
"I’ve eaten. Mm, let me feed him. He can't move because of his injuries."
Chi Chi glanced at the man in bed, ready to fetch the food container.
Charles Chase pulled her aside. "No need. Stop worrying so much about him. He’s got plenty of lackeys sitting around. I’ll call one over."
Hearing him say that, Chi Chi didn’t insist further. She’d just eaten—and was feeling a little nauseous, a bit uncomfortable.
Half a minute later, Third Brother followed Charles Chase into the room, nervous and on edge.
Why was he dragged into this family mess…
"Feed him."
…
Third Brother glanced from Charles Chase—who looked intimidating enough, being the boss’s brother-in-law—not exactly the best choice for bedside care. Then to the petite Mrs. Fu, hugging her belly on the sofa—she really shouldn’t be troubled with this.
Last, his eyes landed on his own boss, Fu Zhiyie, who scowled but didn’t object. Well, after all those surgeries, there was no way he could eat on his own.
Great. Looks like Third Brother really was the chosen one—it fell to him to feed the boss, at least that saved him a trip to fetch more food.
Seeing that Third Brother was feeding the "cripple," Charles Chase let Chi Chi know he was leaving and headed out.
He even reminded her to return to her own room soon, and not to worry constantly about Fu Zhiyie.
Chi Chi nodded.
"Ah, Boss, open your mouth."
The spoon looked tiny in Third Brother’s huge hand, and he tried to shovel a brimming spoonful of porridge toward Fu Zhiyie.
…
Fu Zhiyie eyed the steaming porridge straight from the container—was this guy trying to burn him?
He glared coldly at Third Brother. "Just put it down. I’ll eat myself."
Not quite sure what he’d done wrong, Third Brother put down the food, sulking.
Bodyguard, nanny—getting paid for one job and doing two, and still getting scolded. In the end, he still put on a brave face, raising a fist.
"Boss, you got this!"
Putting the food aside and offering him the spoon, Third Brother sensibly exited the room.
Chi Chi couldn’t help but laugh at Third Brother’s antics, her eyes curling into crescents, the tiny beauty mark on her nose lifting as she grinned.
It had been so long since Fu Zhiyie saw Chi Chi smile like that—his bottled-up misery vanished in an instant.
He picked up the spoon, ready to eat—but the food container was just out of reach on the nightstand.
A fair, delicate hand took the spoon from him. Chi Chi sat by the bed, whispering softly.
"Let me feed you."
The millet porridge simmered by Xiao Mu was soft and fragrant, perhaps with a hint of sugar.
She scooped a spoonful, blowing gently to cool it. Under the light, her long lashes cast a faint shadow, her pale fingers delicately gripping the silver spoon, so focused.
Fu Zhiyie felt like taking that bullet was worth it. As long as he could have Chi Chi by his side every day, nothing else mattered.
Chi Chi looked up, catching his open gaze. She blinked, pretending not to notice, and gently fed him the porridge. Fu Zhiyie swallowed—it really was delicious.
"The doctor said there’s a lot you can't eat—just stick to light, soft foods for now."
"Mm." Fu Zhiyie answered quietly, thinking, If you fed me poison, I’d still eat it without blinking.
Halfway through, Chi Chi set down the spoon. "That’s enough. You shouldn’t eat too much."
"Okay."
"Then… I’m going to rest now." She packed up the food and stood up.
Fu Zhiyie really wanted to say, Why not sleep here?
He'd already told Third Brother to redo the cot with a soft mattress and a new quilt, just like the ones at home—much cozier than the cold beds in the other hospital rooms.
He thought about it then said honestly, "Chi Chi, stay here tonight. It’ll be more comfortable."
Chi Chi looked over at the cot. It was different from yesterday; the bedding was even in her favorite shade of pale purple.
"…No, that’s alright."
She hugged the food container, wishing she could be braver. But Fu Zhiyie still hadn't said a word about her moving back in with the Fu family. Their relationship right now made her feel oddly self-conscious.
"Don’t overthink it. I just want you to rest well. The mattress and quilt are from home—you’re used to them. It’ll be more comfortable for you and the baby."
Fu Zhiyie kept his tone level, as if he really only wanted her and the baby to sleep well.
Chi Chi pursed her lips, looking at the fluffy bedding. It did look so comfortable, and she’d barely slept last night. After struggling with herself, she nodded. "Okay, I’ll go wash up first…"
As she left, the man behind her couldn’t help but smile. If he could move, he’d have loved to hug Chi Chi—if she’d let him.
After she left, Third Brother took the food container from her.
"Ma'am, let me take care of that. I’ll handle it."
Watching him hand the container off to a guard, Chi Chi thanked him.
Back in her room, she washed her face and brushed her teeth. In the mirror, her cheeks were a little flushed.
After washing up, she dawdled around her room for a while.
Her hair was messy—she fixed it. The bedding looked untidy—she straightened it.
Finally, once there was nothing left to do, she hugged her pillow and slunk out the door. Da Sen stood outside with a puzzled look. "Miss?"
"Ah, I’m just going to take care of him for a bit…"
She ducked her head, embarrassed, and headed next door.
Da Sen scratched his head—take care of him? Why with a pillow?
He fished a pink phone from his pocket and opened Weibo.
[Help! Boss’s little sister is about to be tricked away by a man! Should I tell the boss? Urgent—waiting online!!!]