Chi Chi’s cheeks burned scarlet with embarrassment, her whole body turning soft and pliant. She kept her eyes firmly shut.
Her tiny hand still clung to Fu Zhiyie’s shirt as she whispered, "I’m sleepy. I want to take a nap."
One look and Fu Zhiyie could tell she was making excuses, but he simply gathered her into his arms and gently patted her back. "Go to sleep. I’ll wake you up in a bit."
"Mm." Soothed by him, Chi Chi soon drifted off, lulled to sleep by his coaxing.
Fu Zhiyie brushed her cheek, tugged the blanket a bit higher, and closed his own eyes.
…
It was past three in the afternoon when the person who’d promised to wake her finally stirred.
Chi Chi was already awake in his embrace, her head buried and mumbling something under her breath.
"Mhm mhm mhm, Mommy thinks so too… Maybe Daddy really is a pig."
"Right, right, so from now on we shouldn't sleep so late. Baby has to be a hardworking little one."
"Mmm, I want to eat ice cream. I really do, but cold food isn’t allowed right now…"
"Now I want strawberry mousse. Ah, Mommy wants it too…"
…
Fu Zhiyie listened closely, then couldn't help but chuckle. "Craving strawberry mousse?"
Chi Chi froze at the muffled sound of laughter rumbling from his chest right by her ear.
It was just… well, she’d gotten in the habit of talking to the baby in her belly while spending time alone in the studio.
With no one else to talk to, she often chatted away to her baby in the evenings.
Just now when she woke up and saw Fu Zhiyie was still sleeping, she hadn’t wanted to disturb him—especially since he was still recovering—so she’d started chatting to her baby again…
How was she supposed to know he’d wake up? Flustered, she covered her face and pretended as if nothing happened.
"You’re awake?"
"Yeah."
That nap had left Fu Zhiyie more relaxed than ever, the warm little person in his chest making him sleep straight through.
Glancing at the time, he nodded in satisfaction. Good, he hadn’t missed his video conference this afternoon—twenty minutes to go.
"Babe, I have to get up. Henry Hart’s waiting for me to start the meeting. I’ll be quick."
Chi Chi let go of his shirt and looked up. "Ah, then hurry and get up!"
Fu Zhiyie sat up and changed clothes. When he turned back, Chi Chi had also sat up, hugging the blanket and looking adorably flushed from sleep.
He slung a blue tie around his neck, swiftly put on his suit jacket, then leaned down toward her. "Will you tie my tie for me?"
Chi Chi nodded and reached out her small hands to help him.
Fu Zhiyie watched her closely the whole time, letting her do her thing, and gently smoothed her slightly messy hair.
"All done!"
Once the tie was done, Chi Chi looked up. Fu Zhiyie brushed a light kiss across her lips—just a peck.
"I’m off to the study. Take your time getting up."
"Alright."
He went out, then headed downstairs to ask Aunt Whitney to make strawberry mousse for Chi Chi. As for ice cream—maybe when the weather was a bit warmer.
Chi Chi spent a few minutes longer in bed before climbing out. Laughter and voices drifted up from the garden below.
She poked her head out the window to look. The April sun was just right, casting a golden glow over the garden and filling it with warmth.
Her grandfather and grandmother were basking in the sunlight, and her mother was there too. A housekeeper was watering the flowers, and the spray from the hose made a rainbow in the sunlight, sparking delighted exclamations.
Grandpa Rivers tapped his cane on the ground, his voice stern: "Keep it down, Chi Chi’s still sleeping."
The housekeepers all nodded and smiled. Most had worked in the Fu household since childhood, sometimes going back generations.
Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers never put on airs and always treated everyone kindly, so things in the house were relaxed and warm.
Chi Chi smiled when she heard her grandfather. She called out, "Grandpa Rivers, I’m awake! I’m not sleeping anymore."
Everyone looked up at her voice. "You're up? You could’ve slept a bit longer," someone said.
Grandpa Rivers squinted into the sun, turning in her direction.
"I’ve had enough sleep," Chi Chi replied, pulling her head back and heading downstairs after changing.
When she stepped into the yard, the flowers were freshly watered and their fragrance filled the air.
The hibiscus was in bloom, clusters of beautiful blossoms everywhere.
As Chi Chi steadied herself, Ye Jing came to support her and helped her over to a chair to bask in the sun together.
A moment later, the sound of a car drifted in from the gate. Everyone looked—Chi Chi’s eyes lit up.
It was Da Sen, a tall, burly man nearly two meters high, carrying the fluffy ball of Zaobao in his arms.
Since Chi Chi had been in the hospital, Xiao Mu helped take care of Zaobao for her. This morning, in her grogginess, she’d actually forgotten to bring Zaobao back.
Da Sen approached; Zaobao squirmed in his arms, eager to dash over to Chi Chi, so he bent down to set the little dog free.
"Zaobao!" Chi Chi crouched down with effort. "Oh dear, I actually forgot you this morning."
Zaobao wagged its tail and whimpered, sounding most displeased at being forgotten.
"Miss, the boss asked us to bring Zaobao over to you."
Da Sen scratched his head and greeted everyone.
"Thank you, Da Sen! And my thanks to Xiao Mu too—she took such good care of Zaobao. He’s even chubbier now."
Da Sen grinned. "Xiao Mu’s really attentive."
"Well, Zaobao’s all yours now, Miss. I’ll head back."
"Alright, come over for dinner when you have time!"
"Absolutely."
Zaobao trotted around Chi Chi, then over to Grandpa Rivers, and then off to circle Grandma Rivers.
"Hey, looks like little Zaobao knows who’s who now!"
Grandpa Rivers rapped his cane, making everyone laugh.
The sun gradually dipped behind the hills, and the breeze turned cool. Everyone headed indoors.
With Grandma Rivers and Mom flanking her, Chi Chi felt sweetly content with her family all around.
Zaobao ambled clumsily behind the group, tail wagging away.
Though she’d had a hearty lunch, Chi Chi felt hungry again. Rubbing her belly, she walked into the hall just as Aunt Whitney came out holding a plate of strawberry mousse.
"Aunt Whitney, did you make strawberry mousse? Can I have a piece?"
She blinked up at Aunt Whitney, gaze pleading and eager. Aunt Whitney’s heart melted instantly.
"It’s for you! Young Master just requested it for you. I made it not too sweet."
"Really? Thank you, Aunt Whitney!" Chi Chi took the dainty porcelain plate, delighted.
The pink strawberry mousse was topped with white cream and several large, glossy red strawberries sprinkled with powdered sugar, the sweet scent making her mouth water.
Grandma Rivers patted Chi Chi’s hair with a smile. "Feeling hungry? Sit and eat, dear."
Chi Chi’s cheeks flushed pink. She smiled, "Grandma Rivers, I want to share it with Zhiyie."
Cradling the mousse, she went upstairs—it looked so sweet and tempting, she could hardly wait to taste it.
Outside the study door, she hesitated, not sure if Zhiyie’s meeting was over, but she remembered he'd said he’d be quick. He should be done by now, or maybe just reading some documents.