She'd only thrown on her nightgown, not even having time to put on what went underneath... She was about to let Fu Zhiyan know, but he walked right in before she could say a word.
In that instant, Cecilia flushed scarlet from head to toe, her eyes sparkling and moist as she blinked at him.
“You… why did you come in?”
The bathroom was still steamy with lingering heat. Fu Zhiyan’s gaze rested on Cecilia as he noticed her leaning against the sink, clutching something in her hand…
The tall man strode up to her, lowered his head, and took the little strawberry-printed underwear from her hand.
“Let me help you. It's uncomfortable to bend over,” he said naturally, crouching down.
Cecilia stood frozen, dumbly watching him work. Even squatting, Fu Zhiyan was nearly half her height. The tiny white strawberry print looked even smaller in his large hands. He glanced up at his unmoving little wife, his heart softening. “Left foot,” he said gently.
Cecilia wore her little shower slippers—white, exposing her small, round toes that curled bashfully, turning a faint pink. Her mind was a muddle, but obediently she lifted her left foot. Fu Zhiyan steadied her as she stood, then said, “Right foot.”
“…Fu Zhiyan, I… I can do it myself.”
Fu Zhiyan just smiled. He pulled up the strawberry underwear for her, his hand brushing occasionally against her skin beneath the pale lavender nightgown, sending her into gentle shivers.
He gave her round tummy, where their baby was, an affectionate rub before standing up. Then, wrapping her hair in a towel, he planted a kiss on the corner of her forehead.
"I know—you can do everything yourself, our Cecilia is wonderful."
"Then… why are you still helping me wear..."
Her cheeks flushed so red they seemed about to drip blood, her little hands clenched into shy fists, not daring to look at him.
"Hmm, I just want to help you that much."
If his injuries weren't still healing, he'd want to carry Cecilia everywhere himself, never letting her get tired or uncomfortable for even a moment.
He gently dried her hair, wiping away every last bead of water.
"Come on, let's dry your hair in the other room."
Cecilia sat by the bedside, a warm feeling blooming in her heart, hugging her small belly under her nightgown. Maybe it was the comfort of the bath, but their baby was lively and moving inside, clearly happy too.
Fu Zhiyan blew her hair dry, just like he'd always done before.
Cecilia felt a sudden daze, as if these last six months had been impossibly long—a whole, cold winter apart. A winter without each other.
Now, the sun had finally come out. Would things always be this good from now on?
A strange sadness flickered across Cecilia's face. When life feels too beautiful, you can't help but fear losing it.
“What’s wrong?”
He set down the hair dryer and sat in front of her, a hint of worry in his eyes at her sudden melancholy.
Cecilia sniffled, then looped her arms around his neck, burying her face against him. “Zhiyan, we’re not going to fight anymore... right?”
“We’ll always be this good… won’t we?”
Fu Zhiyan hugged her closer, sensing her unease, gently caressing her hair.
“Why do you let your thoughts run wild? I promise, things will always be this good.”
The little head in his arms nodded, then nestled closer.
“I just feel so happy… I have my big brother, Mom, Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers, and you, and our baby. Why am I so lucky?”
This was a kind of happiness Cecilia had never experienced—something she’d wished for countless times since she was young, finally coming true.
Fu Zhiyan pressed a tender kiss to the side of her face—his Cecilia deserved the best the world had to offer.
Since Grandma Rivers's last hospital visit, Fu Zhiyan had read many books on pregnancy and even asked the doctor how to take the best care of expectant mothers. He knew Cecilia was sensitive and prone to feeling insecure or blue. He vowed to always be by her side.
He ruffled her hair, and finding it almost dry, released her, his usually cold face softened by a gentle smile.
“There, get some sleep, okay?”
Cecilia nodded shyly. Lately, her thoughts always seemed to wander. She supposed it was because she was so happy, she’d started to fear losing it all.
Fu Zhiyan helped her out of her slippers, and Cecilia burrowed under the covers, reaching out to tug at his sleeve.
“Sleep with me.”
She looked like a little white bunny, her small rosy face peeking out, skin pale and lovely, voice as soft as fluff, glassy eyes gazing up at him.
“Alright, I’ll just go change.”
He kissed the little bunny's forehead, then stood up to change his clothes.
With his injuries, bathing was still inconvenient—every night he could only wipe down.
Zhiyan took off his suit jacket, revealing a black shirt underneath. His slender, strong fingers undid the buttons one by one, exposing his lightly muscled chest. Gauze still covered his injury, and the family doctor, who lived in the house next door, came by each day to change his bandages.
Half undressed, he grabbed his pajamas from the wardrobe.
Cecilia tilted her head, watching him. That sharp jawline, tall nose bridge, cuttingly handsome brows—he was… just so handsome.
As she stared, her face grew hotter, and she silently tugged the quilt up over her cheeks.
When Fu Zhiyan finished changing and saw the adorable bundle hiding under the covers, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
He slipped into bed, inching closer to her side and gently pulling Cecilia into his arms.
“Hmm? Has our Cecilia seen enough?”
“E-enough… No, wait, I wasn’t looking.”
Only then did Cecilia realize he had been teasing her. Flustered, she refused to admit it.
Those doe eyes looked up at him, glistening. Fu Zhiyan couldn’t resist—he lowered his head and kissed her brow, then her eyes.
Her long lashes quivered, and she gently closed her eyes.
Trailing down her dainty nose, he kissed her as though savoring a sweet cake, each touch full of tenderness.
He moved lower and finally found her soft, rosy lips.
Softly savoring, lingering, his lips brushed her teeth, then kissed the plush sweetness of her lips.
Their breaths slowly grew shallow. Tilting her head back, Cecilia let him kiss her, even parting her lips for him, her trust complete.
One large hand encircled her waist. Fu Zhiyan was always careful to avoid her round belly, his hand caressing only her silky skin.
For a long, long time—until even the air under the quilt felt hot and stifling—he finally managed to pull away from the precious girl in his arms.
Cecilia's face was flushed the color of dawn. Her long, curled lashes were damp, a stray lock of hair falling over her cheek.
Fu Zhiyan pressed his nose to hers and murmured hoarsely, "How can our Cecilia be so sweet?"