Chi Chi changed into something comfortable and stepped out of the bathroom just as her phone vibrated on the table.

[Are you home? Make sure you eat a good lunch.]

Before she finished reading the first message, a second one popped up.

[Miss you.]

Her delicate, fair fingers traced over the two words, 'miss you,' her heart caught by threads of sweet longing.

A faint smile bloomed across her doll-like features. Without hesitation, she replied:

[I'm home. Yao Yao is coming over for lunch. I miss you too.]

She typed and deleted those last four words over and over before finally pressing send, her cheeks taking on a rosy blush.

Before now, they had never exchanged such openly affectionate texts. It felt impossibly sweet.

Lao San brought in lunch, only to find the usually disinterested CEO glancing at his phone and—shockingly—smiling in a way that was almost scary.

Standing at the foot of the bed, Lao San shook his head, silently analyzing his boss's mental state.

Xavier Foster looked up at him coldly. "What, you want to eat with me?"

Lao San shook his head furiously. "No, no, sir, you go ahead. Madam said I have to make sure you eat properly."

"Hm," Xavier Foster, for once in a good mood, grunted and dismissed him with a wave.

…

When Mia Moore came in with Shi, Chi Chi had just finished changing and was coming downstairs.

The moment they saw each other, Mia Moore strode forward without a hint of hesitation and pulled Chi Chi into a big bear hug.

"Wahhh, Chi Chi darling, I missed you so much! Is my goddaughter behaving herself?"

Mia Moore reached out and patted Chi Chi's belly. Her once-cropped hair now flowed in soft waves to her waist, making her already-beautiful face even more striking.

"She's very good, so obedient. But when did my godson become a goddaughter again?"

"Hehe, lately I like sweet little girls. But honestly, anything you give birth to, I love."

Chi Chi shook her head helplessly and pulled Mia Moore to the sofa, where the two curled up together, chatting.

"So what are your plans? Will you go back to the Fu family, or…?"

"Hmm, first I'll bring my mom home, then wait for him to come pick me up…"

Ye Chi Chi’s voice trembled with uncertainty. "Yao Yao, I can’t lie to myself anymore. I want to be with him again—he said… he said I was the one giving him a second chance."

"But really, I'm giving myself and the baby a chance too."

"Do you think I’m being stupid…?"

Mia Moore sighed softly. No matter what Chi Chi did, she'd support her. After all, Chi Chi was her dearest friend—so kind and gentle.

"How could I think you’re stupid? Of course I worry you’ll get hurt again," she said, hugging her. "But you know, I’ll stand by you no matter what you decide."

Chi Chi was touched. Whether it was her brother or Yao Yao, they always supported her, making her feel like she had nothing to fear.

As they were talking, the front door opened and Charles Chase walked in, immaculate in his suit and holding a stack of documents.

"Chi Chi, your friend is here?"

"Mm-hm, this is my friend Yao Yao."

Mia Moore, with her back to the door, turned at the sound of his voice.

She’d already heard that Chi Chi had gained a brother, but had no idea it was the same man she’d seen that day on the second floor.

Sitting on the sofa, Mia Moore tilted her head up as the man walked toward her. The light in the hall fell across his face, and she was struck dumb.

"It’s you!!" she blurted out.

Charles Chase quirked an eyebrow, giving her a closer look. She did look familiar.

Mia Moore’s face overlapped with someone in his memory.

A few months earlier, in Y City, at a bar…

Charles Chase had been dragged to a bar by his friend. A few drinks in, he slipped through the rowdy crowd to find the restroom.

He’d never liked noisy places like this, but he’d just signed a new contract and was in a decent mood—plus, he couldn’t refuse his friend’s enthusiasm. So he went, more out of courtesy than anything.

Compared to the blaring music outside, the restroom was an oasis of calm. He just wanted to wash up and head home.

From the hallway outside came the sounds of an all-too-common bar scene: someone, probably a girl, getting harassed. Two men’s voices, plus a girl’s.

Charles Chase dried his hands, shrugged, and headed for the door—this sort of thing wasn’t his business.

But when he glanced over his shoulder, he saw a strikingly pretty Asian girl: red-eyed, probably tipsy, giving her a look of intoxicated allure. In the dim light, her red lips were hard to miss.

No wonder those two foreigners couldn’t help themselves—an Asian beauty like that was rare.

Mia Moore was dizzy from the alcohol. She’d just come with two friends to blow off steam, but the crowd swallowed them up and they got separated on the dance floor.

Dazed, she tried to find her way out, but ended up by the restrooms by mistake.

Those two guys had just come out too, blocking her in. Their mouths were full of lewd taunts, and when she tried to leave, they grabbed her. Panic flickered inside her.

It was her own fault for being careless—her brother’s bodyguards were still back at the hotel, and no one else would come to her rescue.

Seeing she was alone, the men boldly reached for her. She snapped, twisting away and cursing, "Bastards! You creeps!"

Charles Chase paused, then turned back and grabbed the two men. With a quick twist, he dumped them both onto the floor.

They were just a couple of drunken guys, more bark than bite. He barely had to try.

Stunned, the two foreigners nursed their bruised egos and slunk out, glaring up at the much taller Charles Chase.

He turned to see the girl behind him staring, dumbstruck.

"They're gone. You should get back inside," he said.

Mia Moore shook herself, tipsiness making her bold. Without warning, she grabbed his dark-blue collar.

With a tug, her delicate body pressed against his. Charles Chase, never used to being held by a woman, froze up completely.

A hint of sweet perfume mixed with spirits clung to her. The girl in his arms looked up, the colored lights above sparkling like gems in her eyes.

He meant to push her away, but she spoke up first. "Thanks, handsome."

Then Mia Moore yanked on his collar and, standing on tiptoe, landed a sweet, fleeting kiss on his lips.

Charles Chase's eyes widened in shock. The kiss was soft, warm, and over in a flash.

She had no idea what she was doing. Maybe it was the drink, or maybe being in a strange place had made her crave the feeling of safety.

And really, he was good-looking—giving him a quick kiss wasn’t a loss at all.

As for what happened after, Mia Moore couldn’t recall. Later the bodyguards said someone had taken her home.

…