Fu Zhiyan checked out of the hospital early that morning. He was always in good health—after half a month under medical care, his wound only needed rest at home, provided he didn’t overexert himself.

Without Cecilia by his side, he simply couldn't bear staying another day.

Heaven knows how torturous it was watching her through a screen, being able to see but not hold her. He was nearly going crazy.

After all, this was Cecilia’s mother—Fu Zhiyan was taking this seriously.

Back when he tried to help Cecilia find her birth family and she refused, Fu Zhiyan had understood that she simply feared facing the pain of having been abandoned. Now that she knew her mother hadn't left her on purpose, she must be truly happy.

His Cecilia was just too kind—her wants were few and simple. He was determined to make it up to her double, to return everything she’d ever lost.

Just thinking of Cecilia softened his usually cold and stern features.

For once, he actually felt a little nervous at the thought of meeting Ye Jing. His mother had passed when he was young, so he had little experience handling elders.

Still, as the imperious president of the Fu Group, he had seen every kind of occasion; outwardly, he remained perfectly composed.

Lao San tactfully stationed himself outside the front gate. His fierce appearance would not do—he couldn't risk making a bad first impression on the future mother-in-law.

Before he could say anything, Cecilia had already hopped up from her seat and hurried to greet him. Tugging on Fu Zhiyan’s sleeve, she looked at him anxiously. "Why did you leave the hospital so soon? Did the doctor really say it was okay?"

Fu Zhiyan ruffled her hair. Cecilia, dressed in a soft blue dress, was beautiful as ever. "Mm, the doctor said it’s fine for me to recover at home."

Cecilia scrunched her delicate brows, as if not entirely convinced.

From just outside, Lao San poked his head in with three fingers raised in a scout’s salute. "Madam, I can vouch for the boss—he’s clear for discharge!"

Now, the skeptical gaze shifted to Lao San. Fu Zhiyan couldn’t help but smile—when had his Cecilia become such a little nurse?

His hand gently cupped her face, thumb tracing lightly across her cheek.

Ye Jing stood up from the sofa, watching their exchange. She could pretty much guess that this must be Cecilia’s husband.

This... this young man seemed a bit aloof at first glance, but he was so tall and handsome, and the way he looked at Cecilia was meltingly gentle.

"Cecilia... and this is...?"

The moment he saw Cecilia, Fu Zhiyan’s entire focus was on her. Now he turned to Ye Jing and gave a polite nod. "Mom, I’m Cecilia’s husband. My name is Fu Zhiyan."

"I’m sorry I couldn’t pick you up these past few days. I’d been in the hospital."

He spoke with a proper, sincere tone, and with those good looks and earnest manner, Ye Jing instantly warmed to him.

"Why were you in the hospital? Are you feeling better now?"

She bore a strong resemblance to Cecilia—gentle, beautiful, though Cecilia was just a bit more refined and endearing.

Cecilia came to sit beside her mom, pulling her down next to her.

"Mom, Zhiyan got hurt—he was protecting me... I just didn’t want you to worry, so I never mentioned it."

Remembering Fu Zhiyan’s injury brought a tremor of fear to her heart even now.

Ye Jing looked from her daughter to Fu Zhiyan. It was clear at a glance that he came from wealth.

Cecilia rarely spoke about her life after leaving the orphanage. Ye Jing knew there must have been hardships that her daughter kept from her for fear of making her worry.

Clearly, these two young people had been through a lot, but at least now, they had started trusting each other again. That was what truly mattered. She patted her daughter’s small hand affectionately.

Fu Zhiyan regarded the two of them together. "Mom, I did a lot of things wrong before. I made Cecilia sad. Now that she’s willing to give me another chance, I promise I’ll take care of her and the baby. I won’t ever let her get hurt again."

He'd rehearsed these words before arriving, wanting Ye Jing to hear them, and more importantly, for Cecilia to hear them. His tone was sincere and resolute.

Ye Jing looked up at the tall man—at least 1.8 meters, handsome, with a deeply regretful look on his face.

All she ever wanted was for Cecilia to be loved and cared for. If she could be with the one she loved forever, that would be happiness enough.

"Fu... Zhiyan, may I call you that? I owe Cecilia a lot after all these years, not being there by her side."

"But the moment I saw Cecilia, I knew she was a kind-hearted girl. She’s well-behaved. As long as you two are happy, I’ll be at ease."

"I believe you’ll take good care of her."

Ye Jing’s gentle tone made Fu Zhiyan think of his own mother. In his memory, at the very start, his mother had been just like this—warm, soft-spoken, patient, always with a quiet smile.

Cecilia watched their heartfelt conversation, her eyes stinging a little. She noticed Fu Zhiyan still standing. She worried for his injury. "Zhiyan, come sit down."

"Yes, yes, come sit, don’t just stand there!" Ye Jing urged.

Fu Zhiyan sat down on the single-seater sofa nearby. "Oh, by the way, Mom, I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I brought you a few gifts."

"Lao San," he called sideways toward the door.

Lao San waved, signaling two men to bring in the gifts President Foster had prepared: jewelry, health supplements, premium teas, silks from Jiangnan, even a few bottles of fine liquor.

In a flash, the center table was piled high. Ye Jing watched in surprise as people came and went. "Goodness, there’s no need for so many things. I live alone—I can’t possibly use all this, and you shouldn’t waste your money!"

She had always been an ordinary woman of a small town and had never seen anyone deliver half a carload of gifts—especially such obvious luxury.

"Not at all. If Mom likes something, just let me know next time."

Cecilia glanced at Fu Zhiyan—so attentive, almost a different person entirely. Her heart warmed and softened.

Aside from her grandparents, she’d never seen Fu Zhiyan treat anyone with this kind of care. She knew it was because he loved her, and so he’d come to love her mother too.

"Really, Mom, as long as you’re happy, Zhiyan’s happy."

She smiled, breaking up her mother’s protest.

"Alright, alright, I like whatever you give, it all makes me happy," Ye Jing remarked with a genuine smile. What pleased her most was seeing that the man before her truly cherished Cecilia.

They chatted for a while longer, bringing up Cecilia’s grandparents. They discussed visiting them some day—since the Fu family estate was only a short ten-minute drive away, it would be convenient.

After a time, Ye Jing glanced at her daughter, then at Fu Zhiyan—catching the two of them exchanging shy glances under her nose.

She laughed, declaring she was tired and headed upstairs to rest.

Suddenly the living room was empty except for Fu Zhiyan and Cecilia. He stood, strode over with his long legs, and sat down right next to her, pulling her into his arms.

He’d wanted nothing more than to hold Cecilia these last few days; only his self-control had kept him from it just now.

Now, seeing her right in front of him, her smile so close, he was tortured by longing.

Wrapped up in his embrace, Cecilia poked his shoulder gently, her cheeks flushed. Who knew if a maid might walk in any second?

"Zhiyan... are you sure the doctor genuinely cleared you for discharge?"

In her mind, such injuries usually required at least two months’ stay in the hospital.

Fu Zhiyan bent his head to look at her, his face openly content. "Yes—I promise, I’m really fine."

His serious answer grudgingly convinced her.

Then he leaned down, kissed her softly on the ear, and inhaled deeply. "I missed you so much, Cecilia."

Cecilia scooted back a little, gazing up at him with tender eyes. "I missed you, too."

With that, she hid her blushing face in his shoulder, her careful movements gentle, afraid of touching his wound.