A gentle voice made Cecilia so embarrassed she grasped his shirt, hiding her face. It was just a simple endearment, but for some reason, her heart felt a little sore.
"Honey, will you love me, really, really love me?"
"Mm, I love you so, so much."
"That person said... you only love me because of the baby."
She knew that wasn’t true, yet Cecilia suddenly wanted to tattle and act spoiled.
A large hand rested on her belly, stroking it softly. Fu Zhiyie looked at her with gentle, open eyes, focusing on her so earnestly.
"I love you whether or not there’s a baby. Because I love you, I also love our baby."
"Don’t worry, and don’t be afraid. I’ll always love you the most."
Fu Zhiyie brushed a light kiss on the tip of her nose. Cecilia lifted her little head, pale-pink lips parting ever so slightly—clearly hoping for a kiss.
Her soft lips were caught, and Fu Zhiyie lowered his head to savor the sweetness of her mouth.
Tender but assertive, his kiss brimmed with overwhelming love.
Her small hands crept around his neck. Worried she might be uncomfortable, Fu Zhiyie supported her bottom with his palm, holding her carefully.
Their breathing grew unsteady, and when their lips finally parted, Cecilia’s eyes shimmered with tears, her body limp and relaxed.
Neither of them noticed exactly when the car had stopped. Lao San, sensibly, didn’t disturb the CEO and his wife.
He did a quick calculation—was Madam settling scores after the fact? Best to hold a moment of silence.
After some time, the door opened. Fu Zhiyie stepped out first, reaching back to help Cecilia out.
He draped his suit jacket over her shoulders, then bent down and scooped her into his arms.
Cecilia snuggled into his embrace, tugging the jacket tight. She must be blushing! There was no way she’d let anyone see her like this.
Fu Zhiyie carried her straight inside. Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers were already asleep, but Ye Jing was still up, watching TV in the living room while waiting for them.
Noticing them come in, Ye Jing got up. Cecilia immediately squeezed her eyes Shut and pretended to sleep.
Ye Jing glanced at the girl resting in Fu Zhiyie’s arms and lowered her voice. "Already fast asleep—was today tiring?"
Fu Zhiyie noticed her eyelashes fluttering and had to stifle a laugh. "She got sleepy in the car. Mom, I’ll take Cecilia up to bed first. You should rest soon, too."
"Of course, of course," Ye Jing quickly stepped aside, letting him carry Cecilia upstairs.
——
The bedroom door opened and the little one was laid gently onto the bed.
"Sweetheart, you haven’t had a bath yet."
"But I’m so tired, I really don’t want to get up." Pretending at first, Cecilia was now genuinely drowsy, reluctant even to move.
Fu Zhiyie braced his arms on either side of her, leaning over to kiss her hair. "Shall I help you bathe, then?"
……
Maybe because he’d just kissed her, Cecilia felt clingy and pouted, "Mm, will you help me?"
She turned over, opened her eyes, and looked obediently at Fu Zhiyie.
"I’ll go run the water."
Fu Zhiyie headed for the bathroom, pleased with how docile Cecilia was today.
Left alone, she hugged his shirt, inhaling its faint scent of pine.
She really, really loved it. Recently, she’d felt again and again just how wonderful mutual affection could be—so happy, so blissful.
By the time Fu Zhiyie finished preparing the bath, Cecilia was sitting up in bed, still clutching his clothes.
"Come here," he said, bending over to scoop her up and carry her to the bathroom.
Inside, the round double bathtub was filled with water at just the right temperature. He helped her stand, then started unbuttoning her clothes.
Cecilia was still a little hazy. Her white knit sweater was placed aside before she realized what she’d agreed to—letting Zhiyie bathe her.
!!!
What on earth had she been thinking just now?
Her tiny hand pressed on his, "I—I mean, I could bathe myself."
"But didn’t you want my help? I’ll bathe you from now on. Otherwise, I’ll worry waiting outside."
Her light-green dress slipped off as well. Cecilia’s whole face flushed a deep red, like a ripe peach.
"Let me do it myself…"
Fu Zhiyie paused, worried she’d actually faint from embarrassment. She was already pregnant—so why was his little Cecilia still so shy?
Her pale, slender hands fumbled awkwardly at her bra clasp, but with Fu Zhiyie watching, her movements faltered. She just couldn’t unhook it.
Worried she’d lose her balance, Fu Zhiyie pulled her into his arms. "See? You need my help."
Finally in the tub, Cecilia felt like her brain had turned to mush.
At least the tub was full of white frothy bubbles; she could hide a little, though her round tummy still peeked above the surface.
A little bump poked through, revealing her cute belly button.
Fu Zhiyie crouched by the side of the tub, washing her long hair.
The baby inside her seemed to love soaking in warm water, always wriggling energetically during baths, making her belly pop up in little peaks.
"Hiss—" A sudden kick made Cecilia suck in a breath.
"What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable?" Fu Zhiyie asked, fingers gently massaging her hair, worry in his tone.
"It’s nothing, just the baby being naughty. Maybe it really is a mischievous little boy."
Dr. Song had asked whether they wanted to know if the baby was a boy or girl, but Cecilia thought it would be more fun to find out when the baby was born.
"If he keeps being naughty in your belly, I’ll spank his little bottom after he’s born," Fu Zhiyie threatened playfully, scolding their unborn child.
His fingers worked soothingly through her hair and Cecilia’s eyes fluttered shut, growing sleepy.
"Almost done," he said, rinsing away the foam. But before he’d finished bathing her, his own clothes were already soaked.
"Thank you, honey," Cecilia mumbled, hugging her belly through a fog of sleepiness.
Fu Zhiyie suddenly recalled the first time he brought Cecilia home from the bar, how he’d bathed her then, too—and how, that night, their baby had been conceived.
Worried she’d catch cold, he sped up a bit, scooping her out of the water and wrapping her in a towel.
"All done. Be good—let’s dry your hair, then you can sleep."
Cecilia rested against his shoulder, nodding, "Mm-hmm."
With her soft, warm body in his arms, Fu Zhiyie didn’t know how much willpower it took to keep his mind from wandering.
After drying her hair and tucking her into bed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief before going to tend to himself.