After coaxing her to sleep, Xavier Fosterno held her tightly, arms strong and protective, never loosening his grip for even a moment.
He didn't dare leave to make a phone call, so he just took out his phone and messaged Lao San.
He sent Lao San the time Chi Chi would arrive at the exhibition in the morning, along with information about that woman.
Fortunately, Lao San had already picked up on something. Five people sat in a row in front of computer monitors, checking the surveillance cameras with impressive efficiency.
That woman really was suspicious—caught on several cameras, at different times of day, lingering around the exhibition for two days in a row. Every time she saw Chi Chi, she stared unblinkingly.
After receiving Xavier Fosterno's call, Lao San was almost certain this woman was Theodore Zane’s mother.
He checked in with the men who'd been assigned to keep watch in the countryside. The guy sounded nervous and stammered that a few nights ago, she’d slipped away. They hadn't dared report it, but were searching—she'd already made it to the capital.
Furious, Lao San immediately ordered them to get back.
He updated Xavier Fosterno with the basics and got to work finding her.
Xavier Fosterno didn't have to worry about the rest now. What obsessed him was Chi Chi’s wellbeing.
These memories were ever her nightmare, haunting the corners of her mind.
He made up his mind to arrange a psychologist for Chi Chi, of course, intending to talk to his little one about it after she woke up tomorrow.
——
Chi Chi woke up early the next morning, just as dawn broke. Outside, the world was buried under snow and ice, but inside the room was toasty warm. The person holding her had his chin pressed gently to her forehead.
She reached out, lightly stroked his face, and her fingers were immediately kissed.
The moment Chi Chi moved, Xavier Fosterno woke as well. “Baby.”
His morning voice was a little hoarse as he pressed his forehead to hers. He’d checked her temperature twice during the night—her fever had finally broken.
“Still feeling unwell?”
Chi Chi nodded. The bed was hot and cozy. She wriggled her little hand out from under the quilt, but he put it right back in.
“I don’t feel good. Too warm…”
“Just sweat it out. You’ll feel better soon.”
“Zhiyeno... today’s the last day of the art exhibition...”
Xavier Fosterno sighed. “Absolutely not. You’re still not well. There’ll be others there to take care of things.”
“Alright,” Chi Chi knew she wasn’t fit to go out, “I wonder how much my paintings will sell for... But no matter what, each one is full of my love.”
“Mm, I’m sure they’ll sell very well,” Xavier Fosterno smiled—he’d already arranged for Henry Hart to buy them back.
After all, the company was short on art; his ever-busy employees could use a little cultured exposure, to improve their artistic taste.
——
Meanwhile, Lao San had arranged for people to surround the exhibition hall.
Theodore Zane’s mother’s name was Wu Hong. She had been hanging around the exhibition, clearly targeting Madam.
It was the last day of the exhibition—she was certain to appear again.
Sure enough, just past eight, someone by the south entrance spotted Wu Hong.
A few men quickly went up and apprehended her, bringing her to the place Xavier Fosterno had specified.
Wu Hong screamed and shouted, her mind clearly more than a little unhinged.
——
Breakfast was brought up by Ye Jing.
When the little girl finally let go, Xavier Fosterno slipped into the bathroom to tidy up and change his clothes.
His phone rang on the table—it was a text from Lao San.
“Baby, let Mom stay with you a bit, alright? I need to take a call.”
With Ye Jing there, Chi Chi nodded, cheeks rosy. “Go ahead, I’ll have breakfast with Mom.”
“Alright, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Xavier Fosterno took the call in his study.
Ye Jing stroked her daughter’s hair tenderly. “Chi Chi, let’s have a little to eat.”
“Okay, Mom. Was Little Nian Gao good yesterday? Did he cry?”
Chi Chi sat on the bedside while breakfast was set on the table nearby.
She sipped her chicken congee.
Mentioning Little Nian Gao made Ye Jing smile as well. “He was good—very well-behaved. Hardly ever cries, smiles at everyone he meets, and hardly fusses at night. Grandma Rivers and the others say he’s just like Zhiyeno was as a child.”
Chi Chi couldn’t imagine what Xavier Fosterno was like as a boy, but couldn’t help laughing. “Glad to hear it. I was afraid he’d keep you up all night.”
After sharing breakfast, Ye Jing stayed with Chi Chi. Judging by how Xavier Fosterno had just left, it seemed she intended to keep watch over her daughter for a while.
“Mom,” the sick are always extra clingy; Chi Chi snuggled closer, hugging her mother’s arm. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be better in no time.”
“Of course. Only when you’re well can I relax.”
……
After his call with Lao San, Xavier Fosterno made another one to Song Ying, asking her to recommend a trustworthy psychologist, briefly explaining Chi Chi’s situation.
Song Ying, just reaching the hospital herself, immediately contacted a senior she trusted.
Only a few minutes later, Xavier Fosterno got a call back, and they discussed the situation.
“Mr. Fu, from what you described, there’s no need to be overly anxious. Your wife must trust you deeply, so despite everything, she hasn’t been caught up in nightmares too often.”
“Her home environment gives her plenty of security. This episode was simply triggered by a specific event…”
The doctor’s main point was to let Chi Chi decide for herself whether she wanted to face her past. Facing it directly was the best and most effective solution.
If that didn’t work, psychological counseling was still available, though it might take longer.
Xavier Fosterno hung up and returned to the bedroom.
When he entered, Chi Chi was already dressed, ready to go downstairs.
“Zhiyeno, let’s head down. Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers are downstairs, too.”
He fastened her buttons carefully, then bent down to swap her slippers for a warmer pair—something he did so often he didn’t even think twice about it.
Ye Jing, watching from the side, chuckled and picked up her bowl to head downstairs first.
The young couple soon followed.
Little Nian Gao was still sleeping in; Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers were watching TV. Seeing Chi Chi’s spirits lifted, they could finally relax.
Xavier Fosterno wasn’t in a hurry to tell Chi Chi about Wu Hong—not until she’d recovered fully.
That evening, Mia Moore called.
“Chi Chi, sweetheart! Are you feeling any better?”
“Mm, a little bit. Cough—no more fever, at least.”
“Great. Get lots of rest at home, alright? The exhibition ended super smoothly—two-thirds of the works have already sold. The rest will go on our Weibo as planned.”
“No need to come to the studio, I’ll handle everything.”
Mia Moore had just left the exhibition and was sitting in her car.
Charles Chase was driving, and leaned over to add, “Tell Chi Chi to take good care of herself and leave the rest to us.”
Chi Chi had already heard them both—ah, Yao Yao had become her sister-in-law, and what a perfect match for her brother.
“Got it, I’m fine—Zhiyeno is taking care of me.”
“Oh, and about your sales... You know what? Just check Weibo, I won’t spoil it,” Mia Moore laughed, stifling the urge to say more. “I’m home, gotta go now, bye~”
“Bye~”
After hanging up, Chi Chi opened Weibo. When she saw what was trending at the top, she was completely stunned.