The weather was bitterly cold. Snow had fallen steadily all day long.

All of Beijing was transformed into a world of ice and snow, blanketed in white.

The exhibition hall closed every evening at eight. Around half past six, Mia Moore was getting ready to leave.

She slipped into the lounge, quickly switched her heels for sneakers, trying to keep quiet.

Unluckily, she bumped straight into Charles Chase, who had arrived early. His face immediately darkened, eyes frosty.

......

Mia Moore hastily kicked her heels under the sofa and sidled up to him guiltily. "I only wore them for half an hour."

Charles Chase clearly didn’t buy it. Still scowling, he took her by the hand and dragged her off for a lecture.

Once they left, Cecilia and Xavier Foster got ready to head home as well, leaving the night’s wrap-up work to the others.

It was freezing outside the exhibition hall. As soon as they stepped out, the wind cut through them like knives.

Cecilia was only wearing a dress and a coat. Xavier Foster bundled her up in his own coat, but she still shivered from the cold.

Once inside the car, Xavier Foster immediately turned on the heater. "Let’s get you home and into a hot bath first."

"Mhm," Cecilia nodded, thawing her frozen little hands. Her eyes crinkled into a smile. "Seems like the reactions were great today—everyone really loved the gallery."

"Of course. Your work is excellent and truly meaningful. There will always be people who appreciate it."

"Yeah! If there are any pieces left, we plan to put them up for sale on Weibo. So many people messaged, saying they couldn’t make it to the exhibition in Beijing and wish they could’ve seen it in person."

Xavier Foster glanced sideways at her happy face, and just like that, his heart felt warm and content.

---

At eight o’clock, Lao San had someone check all around and confirm every door was secured.

Standing in front of the exhibit hall, he glanced up and noticed a figure hunched over the flowerbeds, sneaking peeks inside the gallery.

Because of the snow, the low shrubs in the flowerbeds were covered in white, making it hard to see clearly.

He jogged down the steps and called out, "Who goes there?"

But that person had already darted off the other way. From the back, it looked like a woman—red cotton jacket, half her face hidden behind a black scarf.

Lao San made a mental note to check again tomorrow, just in case.

---

Cecilia took Xavier Foster’s advice to heart. As soon as they got home, she made a beeline for a piping hot bath.

Xiao Niangao had been taken back to the old house by Aunt Xu for a few days—Cecilia honestly couldn’t look after him right now, and Grandpa Rivers, Grandma Rivers, and Mom had all been missing him.

With just two people left in the house, Cecilia went off to shower while Xavier Foster headed for the kitchen.

He sliced up ginger, added brown sugar, and started making ginger tea for her.

Every motion was smooth, practiced—even though he used to know nothing about household chores, the president of the Fu Group now handled these little things like a pro.

Cecilia finished her bath and felt the chill finally leave her body. She changed into her fuzzy pajamas and padded downstairs.

The pajamas were a surprise from Xavier Foster—he’d slipped them into her wardrobe some day. White velour, with little bunny ears.

The hood had a pair of long, floppy bunny ears, and the pants even had a ridiculously cute fluffy tail right on the backside.

Since no one else was home—Xiao Niangao and Aunt Xu were both gone—Cecilia thought she’d sneakily wear it just for Xavier Foster.

She hopped her way down the stairs, the air sweet and warm with the scent of ginger-sugar tea.

"Honey! Honey!" Cecilia called out, skipping down the last steps and bursting into the semi-open dining room.

To her shock, there were two unfamiliar young men in hotel uniforms unpacking steaming hotpots from thermal boxes.

They paused and looked back at her—completely stunned.

So... so pretty.

The smarter one slapped his friend. "Let’s get out of here, quick!"

Cecilia’s face turned crimson. She dropped into a crouch, yanked the bunny hood down to hide, and buried her face in her knees.

Xavier Foster walked out of the kitchen with the ginger tea, caught sight of the scene, and his expression immediately darkened. He said coldly to the hotel staff, "Leave it, we’ll handle it ourselves."

The two hotel staff grabbed their containers and dashed out like a whirlwind, racing to the elevator.

Even after they’d left, Cecilia stayed curled up on the floor, too embarrassed to move.

Xavier Foster set down the ginger tea and walked over to scoop her up into his arms. Instantly, her little arms wrapped around his neck. "Ugh, I’m so humiliated…"

"Yeah, what a loss—my little baby got seen by someone else." Xavier Foster sighed and pretended to sound heartbroken.

He carried her to a chair at the dining table, then sat down, cradling her in his lap. She was all soft and sweet, tucked inside that enormous fluffy hood.

Those big eyes looked up at him, her flushed little face impossibly cute.

"Baby, this pajama is adorable. I’ll get you more next time."

Cecilia pinched his cheek. "No! That was so embarrassing—I’m never wearing it again!"

Xavier Foster just grinned, picked up the bowl of ginger tea, and blew on it for her. "Drink this first."

"Okay."

Cecilia took the small bowl obediently. She didn't usually like the taste of ginger, but since Xavier Foster had made it, every sip tasted sweet.

Her pale little hands looked extra pretty cradling the porcelain bowl. Xavier Foster couldn’t help thinking he looked like a lovestruck fool—how could his wife be so gorgeous in every way?

When she handed the bowl to his lips, he took a sip as well, and together, they finished the ginger tea, one mouthful at a time.

The hotel had sent over seafood congee. Nestled in Xavier Foster’s lap, Cecilia scooped up gummy rice porridge filled with plump shrimp and sea cucumber, cheeks puffing as she ate.

When she put her bowl down and rubbed her little tummy, she sighed contentedly. "Ahh, I’m stuffed! My belly’s round as a ball."

Xavier Foster leaned close, his voice soft beside her ear. "Let me see."

Cecilia obligingly lifted her little hand and let him touch.

With one deft motion, he tugged up the edge of her pajama top and slipped his hand under to feel the gentle swell of her belly.

"Ah! You…" Cecilia squeaked. She’d only meant for him to touch through the fabric—she was just in pajamas, with nothing but her underwear beneath.

"Zhiye…"

His hand lingered briefly on her stomach, then slid naturally to her waist, gently kneading.

Xavier Foster watched her quietly. Under the crystal chandelier, his deep eyes seemed full of starlight.

He bent his head and kissed her—soft, lingering, warm.

Cecilia sat perched on his lap, the feel of him holding her making her tense and excited. His hand tightened around her slim waist.

"Mmm…"

Her soft little moans and the tickle on her waist sent delicious shivers through her.

With a practiced motion, Xavier Foster spun her around to face him.

Her small hands naturally clung to his neck. Her fluffy slippers slipped off, but she was too distracted to notice.

"Mmm… Zhiye…"

"Mm, little bunny, can I eat you tonight?"

The big bad wolf put on his most gentlemanly tone, but his hands gave her no room to resist.