With her soft little body pressed to his chest, Fu Zhiyé’s hands couldn’t stop trembling. After everything they had been through, they were finally close enough to hold each other again.
“Fu Zhiyé, I’m so angry.”
Her eyes were rimmed red, tears soaking into his shoulder as she spoke in a small, aggrieved voice.
“What are you upset about?”
Fu Zhiyé listened patiently, letting Chi Chi speak at her own pace—she almost never voiced her grievances. This time, she truly trusted him, and that realization made his heart melt like it was dipped in honey.
Chi Chi wiped her tears on his shoulder, her voice plaintive: “You were so slow. If only you’d come faster, and told me sooner. I waited so long for you.”
“I thought you’d changed your mind—that you regretted coming to save me, regretted getting hurt so badly, even almost dying.”
She was truly terrified; even now, her body trembled as she spoke.
“Blame me, I was foolish. I made you wait for so long—will you punish me?”
His cheek brushed lightly against Chi Chi’s hair—a silent comfort, a gentle intimacy.
Chi Chi reached out, carefully placing her small hand on his chest. Through the thin hospital gown, she could feel the folds of the gauze beneath.
She sniffed, her whole small face wet with tears. “You lost so much blood that day. I tried everything but couldn’t stop it. I was so scared you’d die.”
“If you died, what would I do? What about our baby...?”
She muttered, trying to pour all the fear and insecurity of the past few days into the person she trusted the most—like a kitten finally willing to show its soft underbelly.
“It’s all okay now, Chi Chi. I can hold you, I can walk around—I’m really getting better, aren’t I?”
His voice was steady and assured, somehow soothing her anxious heart.
Fu Zhiyé gently steadied her by the shoulders, pulling back a little—he hated to let go, but this position was probably uncomfortable for her.
Meeting her tear-reddened eyes, he leaned down, pressing his forehead to hers. “Don’t cry, baby.”
Her porcelain face blushed a delicate pink, and she leaned back into her chair, suddenly a little shy.
“Don’t call me baby.”
Her puffy red face, red eyes, and cheeks streaked with tears—she looked just like a bullied little bunny. There wasn’t an ounce of threat in her protest.
Fu Zhiyé found himself loving this tender, dependent side of her even more—soft and lovable, she made him want to tease her.
“Why not?”
She glared at him with watery eyes and tapped her round belly with her delicate finger. “He’s the baby.”
“Alright, alright—he’s the little baby, you’re the big baby.”
Almost as if he knew they were talking about him, the baby kicked, making Chi Chi gasp by surprise.
Fu Zhiyé looked up at her. “Are you uncomfortable? Can I... touch our little one?”
Chi Chi wrapped her hands protectively over her belly and shook her head. “No.”
“…Such a little stingy one. Why not?”
“Because I’m still mad at you.”
Fu Zhiyé chuckled—his Chi Chi was shy and adorable.
He stood up, ignoring his numb legs, fetched some tissues from the bedside, and carefully wiped the tear stains lingering on her cheeks.
Chi Chi tilted her head up to watch him, sunlight narrowing her eyes and making her long lashes tremble.
She pressed her lips together, then softly asked, “Fu Zhiyé, do you really mean everything you say?”
Her cautious look made his heart ache. He hesitated for a second, then dropped the lightest kiss on her forehead.
Looking straight into her eyes, he answered solemnly, “I’m serious. I’ve never been more serious in my life.”
“Am I being naggy, asking the same thing over and over?” Her brows drew together worriedly.
“You’re not. If you ask, I’ll answer, every time—one, a hundred, a thousand times. Always.”
He stroked her cheek, his voice gentle. “How about a nap, sweetheart? You haven’t slept at all today.”
Chi Chi nodded. The sun was warm, and after crying so hard, she finally felt at ease—the warmth of his care filling her up, pushing away all her worries. Drowsiness settled quickly over her.
Fu Zhiyé helped her up and guided her toward the door.
Halfway there, Chi Chi suddenly stopped and tugged on his shirt hem.
“What’s wrong?” he asked gently, turning back.
She bit her lip and blinked her big eyes. “Are my eyes red?”
Thinking of the crowd of bodyguards outside, she absolutely didn’t want Third Brother and the others to see her like this.
Fu Zhiyé drew her in close, resting his hand on her head so she could hide against him.
“There. Now no one can see.”
Even through the thin fabric, she could feel Fu Zhiyé’s warmth—the blush crept up to her ears.
With an arm around her, Fu Zhiyé led her outside.
As soon as the door opened, Da Sen jumped back a meter, rubbing his ear where he’d been pressed against the door, startled.
Then his eyes fell on the pair’s intimate posture.
...
That’s it. She’s been thoroughly whisked away.
Wiping away tears, Da Sen pulled out his pink phone to report to the boss with a dramatic wail.
On the other side, Third Brother grinned ear to ear, waving for the other bodyguards to look away. “Tsk, nice going, President. Didn’t expect anything less from you.”
Fu Zhiyé shot him a glare, and Third Brother immediately straightened up and turned away.
Like a little ostrich, Chi Chi ducked her head and scurried back to her room, herded by Fu Zhiyé. He helped her lie down on the bed and pulled a small quilt over her.
Chi Chi closed her eyes, her heart still pounding—she could sense he hadn’t left the bedside.
With her eyes shut tight, she mumbled, “Don’t look at me.”
Fu Zhiyé held back a laugh. “How do you know I’m looking if your eyes are closed?”
She opened her eyes and found him smiling down at her—the sight made her heart flutter all over again.
Realizing she was getting lovestruck again, Chi Chi gave her head a little shake.
Fu Zhiyé reached out to smooth her tousled hair and took her small hand in his. “Go to sleep. I’ll just watch you for a bit, and I’ll leave once you’re asleep.”
Chi Chi, finally giving in, closed her eyes. With his gentle hand holding hers, she felt inexplicably safe—and soon drifted off to sleep.