All the way home, Chi Chi sat in the backseat with her mom, their hands tightly clasped together. The heavy mood from earlier had already lifted.

A faint smile lingered on Chi Chi's lips. How lucky she was—she had her big brother now, and her mother, too.

Since Ye Jing had just recovered her health, the family arranged for a home nurse to help take care of things.

Truth be told, there was little real connection between them and Charles Chase, yet he had stepped in time and again to help them.

Neither Ye Jing nor Chi Chi knew how to properly thank him. After dinner, Ye Jing went back to her room to rest.

Chi Chi stayed to chat for a while, and only left when she saw her mom had drifted off to sleep.

She glanced around, searching for Charles Chase. Xiao Mu came up from the stairs.

"Miss, who are you looking for?"

"Ah, where's my brother?"

Xiao Mu pointed toward the study. "The young master is in the study."

"Okay," Chi Chi replied, setting off in that direction.

She knocked softly on the study door. Inside, Charles Chase glanced at the papers in his hand and called out without looking up, "Come in."

"Brother..."

He'd thought it was a housekeeper, but seeing it was Chi Chi, and judging from her expression, she clearly had something on her mind. He put down his paperwork.

"What's wrong? You’re not asleep yet?"

Cecilia Ye shook her head and walked over to the desk. "Am I bothering you?"

"Not at all. I was just looking through some things."

A gentle smile tugged at his lips. "So, what does my little sister want to talk to her big brother about?"

"Thank you, brother. Thank you for everything—for helping both me and my mom. Thank you so much."

Chi Chi's soft words were barely above a whisper, her big eyes looking up at him like a bewildered little bunny. It was disarming.

She felt as if her entire first half of life had been marred by hardships, yet now, everyone she met truly cared for her.

She cherished it, and was deeply grateful.

Across the desk, Charles Chase reached out to ruffle her hair. "You’re already calling me brother; there’s no need for thanks. Didn’t I say? From now on, your troubles are my troubles. We’re family."

"Not just me—my mom, too. We both love having you as a part of our family."

"Actually, my mom will be coming back for a while, too. She’s lived abroad for so long that she doesn’t really have friends here. When she returns, she and Aunt Ye can keep each other company. The Chen house has felt too quiet these last few years, but now, with you two around… and perhaps when you have a little one of your own, my mom might be so happy she’ll never want to leave the country again."

Charles Chase’s tone was light. He knew that Chi Chi was cautious and sensitive by nature, but that only made her seem all the more innocent and kind to him.

To be honest, he’d always wanted a little sister. Now he even had a little nephew. How wonderful.

Of course, Xavier Foster could be a handful, but just thinking about how that proud guy would have to call him "big brother-in-law" made him secretly delighted.

The thought brought a quiet, satisfied grin to his face.

Chi Chi was caught off guard. What was her brother grinning about, all by himself?

"Ahem…" Realizing his momentary lapse, Charles Chase cleared his throat. "Alright, don’t overthink it. It’s getting late—go on, get some rest."

Chi Chi nodded. Her brother’s words filled her with warmth and comfort, and she promised herself she would always treat him and Aunt Chen well.

"You too, brother. Rest early."

She slipped out of the study and returned to her room.

Picking up her phone, she saw that Xavier Foster had already left her a message, sent half an hour ago:

[Are you asleep, Chi Chi?]

She replied:

[Not yet.]

As soon as she sent her message, a video call came through. Chi Chi couldn’t help but wonder if Xavier Foster had been waiting, watching his phone the whole time.

"Chi Chi," Xavier Foster had just showered—his hair was still damp.

"Why did you take a shower? What about your injury?"

"Don’t worry, I didn’t shower. I just wiped down and washed my hair."

Thinking of how inconvenient that must have been for him alone, Chi Chi frowned in concern.

"You should have Old Third help you. Don’t touch the wound."

Xavier Foster only smiled, drying his hair with a towel. "No way. Only my wife gets to touch me."

"…"

Chi Chi was speechless. Xavier Foster was so different from before. He said the strangest things now—hmph.

"By the way, I got the pajamas Old Third delivered this morning. I picked them all out myself. Can I see you wearing them?" He leaned closer to the camera, his cool face intent.

Chi Chi’s cheeks burned red. She sat on the bed, fumbling for a change of topic.

"We brought my mom home today."

Xavier Foster already knew; he had people at the hospital keeping him updated.

"Xavier Foster, so this is what it feels like—to have a mom," Chi Chi’s eyes reddened a little, "She’s been so good to me, so gentle… She even hugged me."

Seeing her expression, Xavier Foster’s heart twisted with sympathy.

"Of course she missed you. Who wouldn’t want to hug someone as wonderful as you, my Chi Chi?" His tone was like coaxing a small child—patient and warm.

Xavier Foster had never imagined himself talking like this, but with Chi Chi, it just felt natural.

"I’m really happy, Xavier Foster."

"I know."

"In a few days… when you’re better, could you come and meet her?" Chi Chi wanted her mother to meet Xavier Foster, and the baby, too. Tonight her mom had gone to bed early, so she hadn’t mentioned the baby or Xavier Foster yet.

Xavier Foster couldn’t help but smile, aching to hold her in his arms. He gripped his phone and replied softly, "Of course I will. She’s my mom too now, isn’t she?"

Chi Chi’s eyes lit up, and a happy little smile tugged at her lips.

They chatted a while longer, before Xavier Foster coaxed her off to bed.

After hanging up, Chi Chi took a shower and changed into the pajamas Xavier Foster had sent. Xiao Mu had already washed them for her during the day—a soft lavender lace nightdress, smooth and faintly sun-scented.

It felt just like having Xavier Foster there, right by her side.

——

The next morning, Chi Chi woke to find her brother had already left for work.

Her mom was seated on the sofa downstairs, and when she saw Chi Chi come down, she welcomed her with a gentle smile.

Ye Jing was a gentle soul. After all that time recuperating in the hospital, she looked much healthier—her complexion noticeably improved.

It had only been a month, and once released on medical parole, she’d spent another month at the hospital. With the efforts of both the Fu and Chen families, her days behind bars had truly ended.

"You’re awake."

"Mm. Mom, did you have breakfast yet?"

Ye Jing stood and took Chi Chi’s hand, leading her toward the dining room. "Not yet. I was waiting to eat with you."

They ate breakfast together. Still, Chi Chi felt nauseous and had to rush to the bathroom. The sight of it made Ye Jing’s heart ache.

Chi Chi wiped her mouth and cast her mother a reassuring look. "It’s nothing. I don’t get sick often anymore."

Ye Jing had never met Chi Chi’s husband, nor did she want to pry—she was afraid to touch on anything that might upset her daughter.

Yet looking at her daughter’s growing belly, Ye Jing couldn’t help but feel both worried and protective.

Chi Chi pulled her mom beside her on the sofa. She realized it was finally time to talk to her about the baby.

Luckily, things were good now—no more need for secrets.

Just as they began the conversation, the sound of the front door opening interrupted them.

The door swung open, and Chi Chi looked up—only to see the person she’d been missing since last night.

Xavier Foster, dressed in a light grey suit and wearing a faint smile, stepped in from outside.