The little cradle was covered with a soft quilt, and a cute plush puppy—shaped just like Zao Zao—hung above. Mm, Chi Chi had it all planned: let them get acquainted first. When the baby grew bigger, Chi Chi would let the baby and Zao Zao play happily together.

The days of raising a child seemed to fly by. Other than having to drink plenty of chicken soup and pork trotter soup for nourishment every day, there was nothing that could put Chi Chi in a bad mood.

—

Outside Qinghe Community, Charles Chase sat in his car, waiting for Mia Moore to come down. They'd agreed to visit the old house today to see Chi Chi and the baby—and, of course, to snag a homemade meal.

Ever since Mia Moore and Charles Chase got together, their visits for free dinners had become more frequent. But Chi Chi didn’t mind at all; actually, having Mia Moore drop by now and then gave her some welcome company.

He raised his hand to check his watch. They’d agreed she'd be down in twenty minutes—and two lots of twenty minutes had already passed.

Just as he was about to give up and head upstairs, Mia Moore dashed out from the entrance.

"Wu, I’m sorry, darling," Mia Moore apologized the moment she got in the car, then immediately began complaining. "Er Dou knocked over my perfume, so I gave him a good beating!"

Charles Chase smiled patiently—what was a man to do with a slightly goofy girlfriend except pamper her?

"Why not bring Er Dou up here," he said, adjusting his glasses and starting the engine. "If you bring him up, I’ll help you scold him."

"...Da Hua will come pick him up later and take care of him. I’m so happy—I get to see Little Ricecake again today!"

Mia Moore looked into her bag to double-check. Good, all the gifts for Little Ricecake were ready—perfect!

"You like kids this much? Then let’s just make one of our own when we get back tonight," Charles Chase said bluntly. He liked kids, too, after all.

Mia Moore flushed bright red. Her thick skin was nothing compared to Charles Chase's shamelessness. "Ahem, no way, I don’t want to! If you like kids so much, what if you stop liking me after the baby comes?"

"You are my little one," Charles Chase said seriously, eyes on the road.

He honestly didn’t know how he’d changed. He used to have zero patience—didn’t even care for romance. But ever since he started seeing this little goofball, he could practically win a medal for being the world’s best boyfriend.

"But… Charles Chase, my brother is coming back soon…"

Mia Moore still hadn’t worked up the nerve to tell her brother she was dating Charles Chase. For one, their relationship had only lasted a month so far. For another… well, her brother didn’t even have a girlfriend yet! If she got a boyfriend first, he’d totally lose face!

"Mm? So?"

"...So what? Have you even thought about meeting my brother? What if he doesn't like you? What if he breaks us up? Haven’t you ever seen those TV dramas—the ones where families cruelly separate couples?!"

Mia Moore chattered on, waving her little fists to "threaten" him.

"What’s not to like? I’m great," Charles Chase replied, all confidence.

"..."

Fine—it's official, nobody has more self-confidence than this guy!

"Oh, there’s something I need to tell you too," Charles Chase added, raising an eyebrow. "My mom is coming back in a few days. She’s… pretty enthusiastic, and really wants to meet you."

"!!! Your mom knows you’re seeing someone?"

"What kind of girls does your mom like?"

"Will she like me?"

"We got together so quickly, will she think I’m…?"

Mia Moore’s barrage of questions left Charles Chase caught off guard.

"Relax, babe. My mom’s dated more than I have—you’ve got nothing to worry about..."

Chatting as they drove, they soon reached the Fu family’s old home.

With no more time to fret, they got out, exchanged greetings with Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers, and Mia Moore zipped straight for Chi Chi’s room.

"Little baby, I’m here! Auntie’s here!" Mia Moore’s voice could be heard from down the hall. Chi Chi opened the door and teased her, "Tsk tsk, so you finally recognize yourself as an aunt now, do you?"

Mia Moore made a face and bounced over to the edge of the cradle.

Charles Chase followed her upstairs, and Chi Chi obediently called him, "Brother."

"Mm. Where’s Xavier Foster?"

"In the study, waiting for you," Chi Chi replied.

Earlier that morning, Zhiye had mentioned her brother would stop by—apparently, there was some business to discuss.

Charles Chase headed to the study, while Chi Chi stayed to show Mia Moore the baby.

"Huh? What do you think they’re talking about?" Mia Moore wondered.

Chi Chi shook her head—probably something to do with business, but she wasn’t sure.

Naturally, with two girls together, the conversation shifted to boyfriends and husbands. Mia Moore, frustrated, spilled to Chi Chi what Charles Chase had said in the car.

"What do I do, Chi Chi? I’ve only been dating for a month and I already have to meet his mom—wu wu wu, save me, Little Ricecake, my baby, what should I do?"

What comment could Little Ricecake possibly have? He just blew a little bubble and turned away from Mia Moore.

Chi Chi had never met her brother's mom, either—not even sure what to call her if they did meet. From what she heard her brother mention, she sounded like an easygoing and lively woman.

If it weren’t for her, Chi Chi probably never would have found her own mother—or even gotten to meet her wonderful brother.

"Yao Yao… I haven’t met her, either…"

"Aii—"

And so, one sigh became two.

After mooching off another meal, Mia Moore and Charles Chase left together.

Chi Chi sat on the bed, looking at Little Ricecake in the crib, when Xavier Foster came out of the shower. He saw her deep in thought.

"What’s wrong, baby?"

He tossed his towel aside, warmth and a faint scent still clinging to him from his bath. He climbed onto the bed and pulled her into his arms.

"Yao Yao says your mom is coming home soon."

Xavier Foster had heard about it from Charles Chase that afternoon. He didn’t mind. In fact, he felt grateful to Charles Chase’s mother—for helping to track down Chi Chi’s own mother and even helping to cure her illness.

"So what are you worrying about?"

"I don’t know. It’s not that I’m worried, I just… don’t know how to thank her."

Chi Chi snuggled closer in his arms. Lately, she found herself so dependent on Zhiye; anything that happened, she wanted to tell him, to ask his advice.

"Don’t worry. Leave it to me, alright?"

"Thank you, hubby."

"Hmm? Trying to get punished? You’re still thanking me?"

He kissed her lips, softly laid her into the covers, and let gentle kisses fall—making her forget all the worries she’d just had a moment ago.