Chi Chi entered the room to find everyone inside seemed to be waiting for her.

With a subtle lift of his cool, angular chin, Xavier Foster gestured toward the small bed and gently said, “Go to sleep.”

Cecilia Ye didn’t even glance his way. Hugging her little pillow, she padded over to the small bed, set the pillow down, then curled up under the covers with her back to Xavier Foster.

Once she’d settled in, Xavier Foster reached out and switched off the overhead light, leaving just the soft glow of the bedside lamp.

Outside, neon lights flickered. Every so often, a colorful beam would sweep into the hospital room, brushing briefly across Cecilia Ye’s eyes.

She held her belly, feeling the baby’s little feet kicking and tumbling, as if playing inside her. She reached down and rubbed a small bump where the tiny foot pressed out.

In the deep stillness of the night, every sensation seemed magnified.\nThough the room smelled distinctly of antiseptic, for some reason she caught a hint of the faint woody scent that belonged to Xavier Foster.

The ward was silent. After a couple of minutes, she heard Xavier Foster’s deep, gentle voice.

“Chi Chi.”

Her heart gave a hard thump. Clutching the covers, she squeezed her eyes shut and answered softly, “Mm.”

Xavier Foster watched her curled up so small, thinking of how tiny she was, carrying his child in her belly, both of them right before his eyes. His heart melted into a puddle.

“It’s nothing. Goodnight.”

There was something magical about the way he said it—once those words left his lips, Chi Chi really did fall asleep right away.

...

Just like that, Chi Chi spent another five or six days in the hospital. She was actually well enough to go home, but couldn’t stop worrying. Her older brother had suggested she return to recover, but after that, he let her be.

Xavier Foster’s wound was healing well, though every day when the doctor came to check, he’d make Chi Chi step out. When she returned, she would see beads of sweat on his forehead. She couldn’t imagine what it felt like to have a hole in your body, but she was sure it must hurt terribly.

During these five days, the two of them got along... peacefully. Xavier Foster never brought up anything about their relationship, as if everything was just distant and casual. Yet his gaze lingered on her constantly. Every night, she slept in this room, and as always, Xavier Foster would say a soft goodnight.

Getting shot was not something you could keep from the family elders. The very next day, Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers came to the hospital.

Both were shocked by the news, but thankfully, things had already stabilized by the time they heard.

The old man flew into a rage. That Bai scoundrel had some nerve—he could rot in prison for all he cared. As for the others involved, the Fu family would pursue every last one of them.

A whole floor of the hospital was cleared out. Grandpa Rivers’s brows were drawn into a tight line, his cane tapping a brisk rhythm against the floor. But his face wasn’t the usual mask of anger—it was full of worry and impatience, not just for Xavier Foster, but for Chi Chi as well.

“Oh, old man! Walk faster, would you? You’re so slow—I’m not waiting up!” Grandma Rivers called ahead, carrying a small black bag, her composure replaced entirely by anxious concern.

Bodyguards flanked them all the way, leading them to the hospital room. “Sir, this is madam’s room, and that one is the CEO’s,” one reported respectfully.

Knowing Xavier Foster was out of surgery and recuperating, the couple’s real concern was for Chi Chi. They carefully opened the door to her room—only to find it empty.

The third son, seeing the two elders, hurried over. “Sir, madam is in the CEO’s room.”

Madam had been staying in the CEO’s room these past days—such devotion, truly touching.

The elders went next door and entered.

The door made a faint sound as it opened. Cecilia Ye rose from the little sofa to see who it was.

“Oh, my dear Chi Chi, Grandma Rivers has missed you so much!”

Grandma Rivers’s eyes instantly turned red. She rushed over to hug the granddaughter she hadn’t seen in months, her heart wrung tight with emotion.

Nestled in Grandma Rivers’s arms, Chi Chi bit her lip and blinked back tears. She softly patted Grandma Rivers’s back, forcing a smile. “Grandma Rivers, I’ve missed you too.”

So much had happened lately. She’d planned to wait until the baby was born before bringing it home for Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers to see—otherwise, being pregnant out here alone, they’d only worry. And then her brother and mom’s situation—she’d never had a chance to explain any of it to them.

“Grandma Rivers, I’ve never gone so long without seeing you.”

Grandma Rivers sniffed, looking at her obedient granddaughter-in-law, her heart aching and sorrowful all at once.

“Now, don’t you start crying, or Grandpa Rivers will make fun of you!” Chi Chi coaxed, steering Grandma Rivers over to the sofa and pulling a handkerchief from her bag to wipe away her tears.

“He wouldn’t dare,” Grandma Rivers huffed.

Grandpa Rivers asked a few questions from the doorway, then finally came in and fussed over Chi Chi as well.

With both elders doting on her, they nearly forgot about the one still lying in bed. Xavier Foster, meanwhile, couldn’t have looked more content, watching the three of them with a lazy squint.

Cecilia Ye was deeply moved. Her grandparents really loved her; she felt selfish for not realizing it sooner.

She hugged Grandma Rivers close, lowering her head to whisper in her ear, “Grandma Rivers, I have a baby! I’m almost five months along.”\nShe blushed with shyness as soon as she said it.

For the first time, Grandma Rivers’s gaze drifted to Chi Chi’s rounded belly, her delicate features a picture of disbelief.\n“Ah, you’re pregnant—this is... this is...”

Her hand reached out to gently touch Chi Chi’s stomach. It was still small, but the little one inside seemed to sense that this was Grandma Rivers and gave a little kick in greeting.

Xavier Foster watched Grandma Rivers’s hand on Chi Chi’s belly, burning up with envy. He wished more than anything it could be him again—he hadn’t had the chance since the day he got hurt.

Grandpa Rivers craned his neck to look as well, his eyes going wide at the news.

“Since when? How long have you known?”

Cecilia Ye looked at both elders, knowing all they felt was concern. “I found out just before New Year’s. I’m sorry I didn’t tell—”

Before she could finish, Grandma Rivers cut her off. “Too much! Zhiye, how could you be so careless?”

Grandma Rivers turned a fierce glare on Xavier Foster, giving the patient a thorough scolding before turning back to Chi Chi, unwilling to let go of her belly.

It felt a little strange—the first time being pregnant, letting Grandma Rivers touch her stomach like this—but mostly she just felt shy. Sensing her discomfort, Grandma Rivers let go, taking Chi Chi’s small hand in hers instead.

“Chi Chi, we know—it’s mostly Zhiye’s fault. I’m not making excuses for him. Honestly, with things like this, he deserves it!”\nGrandma Rivers dabbed at her eyes. She ached for Xavier Foster, but she hurt for Chi Chi even more. After all, they were both her family.