After staying at the old house for more than a month, the family finally voted unanimously: Chi Chi's confinement period was officially over.

Xavier Fostern made a special trip while Chi Chi napped, personally going to buy milk tea from a nearby shop for her. She'd been hinting she wanted it for several days.

When she woke up to sweet milk tea—Spring Tea with thirty percent sugar—her mood instantly brightened.

When Sarah Chase returned, Charles Chase called to invite Chi Chi and Xavier Fostern over for dinner. The reasons: to let mom see how Chi Chi was doing, and with Chi Chi there, Mia Moore wouldn't feel so anxious.

Since the dinner was set for the evening, Chi Chi planned to head out after lunch to find Mia Moore and help her pick out an outfit.

"Baby, I'll drive you over."

Xavier Fostern leaned down to fasten the buttons on her coat. With September rolling in, autumn had arrived, and the breeze in Newbridge was already tinged with chill.

"No need! Don’t you have a meeting this afternoon? I’ll just have the driver take me. Besides, you’re on baby duty with Little Rice Cake this afternoon!"

"Alright then."

Xavier Fostern felt oddly out of sorts. This was his wife's first time leaving the house since giving birth, and he couldn't be the one to take her.

"Zhiyen, hand that to me—I want to leave a little for the baby..."

There was a specially ordered sterilizing cabinet in the room, stocked with all sorts of things for Little Rice Cake.

President Foster couldn't help but shoot her a sly look. "Mm? Hand you what?"

"...Hmph, I’ll get it myself then."

As Chi Chi made a move to get up, Xavier Fostern immediately conceded, "I'll get it, I’ll get it."

He washed and sanitized his hands before fetching the breast pump. Sigh... even Little Rice Cake got a snack, but he himself got nothing.

The awkwardness of using this thing on her sensitive body never really got better—plus, she hadn’t been feeling great lately, which made it even trickier.

After pumping for a while and not getting much, Chi Chi’s cheeks flushed. She shot her husband a helpless look.

"Honey..."

Xavier Fostern stepped forward and took her into his arms. "Hurting again? If it's too uncomfortable, Little Rice Cake can have formula instead; we can buy the very best, most nutritious kind out there."

"But I... I want to feed him a little longer."

"Spoiling him, huh? Hmph."

Grumbling aside, Xavier Fostern helped her with all the patience in the world. Blushing furiously, Chi Chi buried her face against his chest, shutting her eyes tight.

The ache eased little by little, though the sensation still felt a little weird.

After a bit of massaging, a trickle of white finally appeared. Xavier Fostern took the nearly squished breast pump from her small hands, finished up for her, then helped her put her clothes back in order.

"You're so good to me," Chi Chi said, kissing his chin and rubbing against him.

Xavier Fostern sucked in a sharp breath. In the past, he could look but not touch. Now he could touch, but he couldn’t taste.

But... it had been two months since the birth. Maybe it was time to bring up some important matters... President Foster was doing a fair bit of plotting in his mind, all while leaning down to steal a kiss.

"Get ready with Mia Moore. I’ll come pick you up tonight."

"Got it!"

Dressed and ready, Chi Chi gave Little Rice Cake a goodbye kiss and headed for the door. Xavier Fostern hovered nearby, frowning.

He reached out and caught her by the hand. "Why don’t I get a kiss too?"

"..."

With a dramatic 'smooch,' she planted a loud kiss on his cheek. Xavier Fostern reeled her in, arms circling her waist. Hmph, a peck on the cheek was hardly satisfying.

Finally freed, Chi Chi hurried downstairs—he was seriously delaying her outing.

She opened the front door, her face positively beaming.

Freedom! The air outside smelled gloriously of liberty.

The chauffeur brought the car around and opened the door for her. Chi Chi climbed in and headed straight for Mia Moore’s place.

Inside Qinghe Apartments, Mia Moore was sprawled out on the sofa. Aside from the small patch her body occupied, the rest of the couch was buried under piles of stylish, expensive outfits.

"Waaaah, Chi Chi, save me! What am I supposed to wear to meet Charles Chase’s mom?"

As Chi Chi entered, Mia Moore flopped listlessly back on the sofa.

One look at the mountain of clothes had Chi Chi wide-eyed. "Yao Yao... this is a bit much, don’t you think?"

Wasn’t she the one studying design? Putting together an outfit should be easy! Chi Chi dug herself a spot beside her, settling in next to Mia Moore.

"Why so anxious? It’s just a meeting."

"But I want to make a good impression! I mean, I’m not half as gentle and likable as you are." Mia Moore looked genuinely worried.

Chi Chi pinched her cheeks. "Nonsense! You’re adorable, genuine, and kind—who wouldn’t love our Yao Yao?"

Bolstered by Chi Chi’s never-ending stream of compliments, Mia Moore finally perked up. "Really? Am I really that great?"

"Absolutely. And gorgeous too. Plus, you’re an amazing artist."

"Heehee, I knew you were my biggest fan."

Chi Chi hauled her to her feet. "C’mon, let’s pick something out!"

The two of them knelt down among the mountain of clothes, digging through pile after pile for an outfit that would suit Mia Moore—simple and elegant, yet just a touch sexy.

Mia Moore was already stunning; there was no need to pretend to be gentle. Chi Chi firmly believed Chen Aunty would love her authentic self.

They tried outfit after outfit. Finally, Chi Chi pointed to the winner: a black mermaid-cut gown, hugging Mia Moore’s figure with elegance, paired with a cream-colored fuzzy jacket and her chestnut curls. Absolute perfection.

"This is the one—stunning!"

Mia Moore’s face lit up. "I knew I could count on you."

"Wait for me!"

Wearing her fuzzy slippers, Mia Moore shuffled back to her bedroom and soon returned with a laptop, plopping down on the carpet.

Chi Chi sat beside her. "What’s this now?"

"Shh! Look—guides for meeting the parents I found online: 'Red Flags to Avoid,' 'Ultimate Checklist,' '5 Tips to Win Over Your Future Mother-in-law!'"

"Pfft—seriously? You’re actually reading those?" Chi Chi couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

"Of course! Don’t even think about getting away. You’re watching with me, and if I mess up tonight, you have to secretly help me out!"

Mia Moore grabbed a pen from under the sofa, stretching out her hand. "Gotta jot down the important bits!"

Chi Chi let her be. Yao Yao might seem carefree, but when it came to things she cared about, she was this serious and adorable. As her best friend, Chi Chi was happy just to keep her company.

"First tip: Keep smiling, and be sweet..."

Head bent over her notes, Mia Moore read in a tiny voice. Chi Chi really did want to stay awake, but lately, every afternoon demanded a nap. She hadn’t had one today—as Mia Moore read out her notes, Chi Chi nodded off beside her.

Sunlight streamed in from the window, spilling warmth and lazy comfort across the living room.

Two girls, sharing a perfect, peaceful afternoon together...