Back home, Little Rice Cake was already sound asleep, so the child was carefully returned to his room.

Chi Chi slipped into the bathroom for a shower, while Xavier Foster sat thoughtfully on the edge of the bed. He glanced at his sleeping son and muttered to himself.

"Little Rice Cake, do you think Mommy sees Daddy as a poor man?"

"It's all Daddy's fault for not spending enough on Mommy in the past. When you grow up, you need to work hard, earn money, and buy lots and lots of things for Mommy."

After talking to himself for a bit, Xavier Foster left his son and picked up his phone.

He sent Henry Hart a message:

[Calculate all my assets tomorrow.]

Putting down his phone, Xavier Foster listened to the sound of running water from the bathroom, then slowly approached.

Chi Chi was luxuriating in the hot water with her eyes closed, thoughts still lingering on tonight’s date. No wonder girls loved romance—she really enjoyed it too.

But what she loved even more was being cherished by Zhiye like this...

The bathroom door clicked open. Chi Chi looked up to see a man in a white shirt and suit pants.

He was bowing his head, unfastening his watch, a playful and alluring smile tugging at his lips.

"Baby, I want to shower too."

"...I'm not done yet," she replied softly.

Setting his watch on the marble counter, Xavier Foster reached up and slowly started unbuttoning his shirt.

"Mmm, our bathtub was made for two—no need to waste it."

Chi Chi was momentarily speechless; she’d called him wasteful earlier, but now she had no ground to argue!

Her deer-like eyes watched the man before her. His hands were pale and slender, his motions slow and elegant as he unbuttoned his shirt with practiced grace.

Chi Chi swallowed... Her face was burning red.

She slid further into the water, hoping the foam might hide her.

Admittedly, when she was pregnant, Zhiye would bathe her, but that was different—those were special circumstances.

Now, it was quite obvious that... what he wanted was something a little more... intimate.

Lowering her gaze, she tried to avoid looking, but her eyes landed right on his feet as he tugged down the slate-grey suit pants...

"Why do you look like a little peach?" Xavier Foster teased, seeing she had nowhere to hide.

Blushing all over, it was hard to tell if she was flushed from the hot water or sheer embarrassment. Her hands, folded in front of her, were as pink as her cheeks.

He bent down, drew nearer, and gently lifted her head.

"Baby, may I kiss you?"

As if he’d really listen if she refused, Chi Chi glared at him.

Her glassy eyes, foggy with steam, shimmered like rippling water, making Xavier Foster’s heart skip a beat.

The way he leaned in—the line from neck to shoulder to arm—was smooth and strong, muscles taut beneath fair skin. His well-defined abs and the faint V-line disappeared into places she shouldn’t look.

Chi Chi’s words came out in a stutter, "If... if you want to shower, then hurry up and do it."

Xavier Foster chuckled low in his throat—the sound sent tingles down her spine.

"As you wish. I’ll shower right after a kiss."

Suddenly, the cool woody scent of his cologne drew near, and her lips were covered by a tender kiss.

The heat rose in the room; as Xavier Foster kissed her, Chi Chi’s little hands let go and clung to his arm.

Water splashed from the tub, her ink-black hair tangled across the surface, mixing with her pale skin.

Xavier Foster’s hoarse voice coaxed in her ear, as rich and inviting as a spell: "Baby, relax."

Chi Chi’s bright, pure eyes fluttered shut, long curled lashes trembling; even the corners of her eyes were tinged red.

Night deepened, the air almost feverish, drawing them both into its thrall.

Neither of them slept the entire night.

——

Elsewhere, in another house, Charles Chase was also up all night.

Earlier, Chi Chi had called, reassuring him to give Mia Moore some space—she was dealing with something and just needed some time. There was nothing else to worry about.

Charles Chase waited all afternoon. Every message he sent vanished into the void, but he didn’t dare send too many, for fear of irritating the girl.

The diamond ring in his palm was warmed by his grip. He lit a cigarette and stood by the window, sleep nowhere in sight.

——

Morning sunlight streamed through the window. The couple in bed were still fast asleep.

In his crib, Little Rice Cake was wide-eyed and alert, quietly playing with his own chubby feet.

He stuffed one hand in his mouth and sucked away, behaving himself so Mom and Dad could rest.

"Why aren't Mommy and Daddy up yet? I’m being good—I won’t wake them," he thought.

On the bed, Chi Chi was curled tightly in Xavier Foster’s arms, the bare curve of her shoulder still marked with little red spots.

The first to wake, Xavier Foster pulled the blanket over her shoulders, kissing and caressing his wife before reluctantly slipping out of bed to check on his son.

"Awake already, Little Rice Cake?" Xavier Foster whispered, smiling at his son.

Little Rice Cake, delighted by Daddy’s attention, waved his hands and feet with a bright giggle.

Scooping his son into his arms, Xavier Foster praised him, "So well-behaved today. Didn't wake Mommy at all—you really are Daddy’s good boy."

He carried the boy out of the room, down the stairs, changed his diaper, and made him a bottle.

Little Rice Cake, starving from waiting, gulped his milk, big round eyes following Daddy.

Once the boy was fed and settled in his stroller, Xavier Foster glanced at the clock—half past nine already...

Since he was late for work anyway, he figured he might as well take the day off. With that, Big Boss Fu happily headed for the kitchen.

He expertly whipped up red date soy milk and, feeling quite cheerful, fried eggs and toasted bread for Chi Chi.

Back upstairs, as Chi Chi turned over to snuggle up to her husband, she immediately noticed the empty space beside her.

Opening her eyes and not finding Xavier Foster or their son, she guessed they’d gone downstairs.

Stretching out her arm, she paused, noticing little marks on her skin...

All she remembered was Zhiye carrying her back to bed last night; she had no recollection of when her hair was dried.

Thinking of the bath, the sink...

Her face instantly flushed. Sitting up in a panic, she slumped back down, her waist limp from exhaustion. Ugh, so tired.

After a moment to recover, she crawled out of bed, quickly dressed, and hurried to the bathroom.

…Inside, everything was spotless—thankfully, Zhiye had cleaned up. But the trash was full of used…

From now on—absolutely—she could never let him do as he pleased again!