Da Sen was sent out to buy bubble tea, leaving Chi Chi and Mia Moore leaning close, whispering to each other.
"What’s going on? Fu Zhiyie doesn’t want another kid?"
"Yeah… You know, back when I was in Qingshui Bay, I ended up in the hospital a few times, and giving birth was so painful. I think he just isn’t keen on having a second child now."
Chi Chi sounded a bit disappointed; she really hoped for a daughter. That way, Little Rice Cake wouldn’t grow up lonely, and daughters with big brothers to protect them always seem so lucky.
"Don’t worry, babe—come here, let me teach you something."
Mia Moore pulled her in and whispered conspiratorially in her ear.
Chi Chi’s cheeks grew redder and redder the more she listened. "You… can that really work?"
"Trust me." Mia Moore patted her belly. "How do you think this baby came about?"
"I didn’t exactly plan it either, but after I got pregnant, I thought back and realized there’s definitely some tricks to it…"
"So, when you want another baby, just try what I told you."
Mia Moore snickered. Chi Chi was so easy to tease.
Chi Chi turned and pretended to examine things on the shelf, stammering, "O-okay, got it."
The two of them bought an armful of stuff. When Da Sen came back up, he went to pay, handing Chi Chi and Mia Moore their bubble tea.
"Wow~ This is so good! This is what happiness tastes like!"
Watching her enjoy it, Chi Chi pinched her cheek. "A little is fine, but don’t have too much. I used to sneak ice cream and spicy noodles with Zhiyie, you know."
"Whatever makes you happy is all that matters. Just eat how you feel comfortable," Mia Moore replied, sipping the crunchy pearls noisily and nodding like a happy kid—not even a little bit like someone about to become a mom.
"Is it good?"
A voice came from behind them. Lost in her tea, Mia Moore gave a muffled, contented hum in reply, beaming with satisfaction.
"Anything else you want to eat?"
"Ice cream. Spicy noodles. I want…"
Mia Moore twitched, sensing something off. She glanced at Chi Chi, who was struggling not to laugh, then slowly turned around.
"…Hi, honey. Fancy meeting you here."
Charles Chase regarded her with a half-smile, "Yeah, what a coincidence."
"…What brings you here? Did you sense that I missed you?"
As she turned, she tried to hide her bubble tea behind her back, doing a terrible job of playing innocent.
Da Sen returned with their things, only to receive a fierce glare from Mia Moore.
"Ahem, Miss, why don’t I take you home now? The boss here can take his lady home." Da Sen was ready to bolt.
Chi Chi caught the vibe instantly. "Brother, Yao Yao, I’ll head back first."
"Waaah, Chi Chi, won’t you stay for dinner at my place?"
Mia Moore looked utterly defeated—if Chi Chi stayed, Charles Chase surely wouldn’t scold her.
"No can do! I promised Zhiyie I’d be home for dinner."
Before leaving, she turned to Charles Chase, "Brother, don’t be hard on Yao Yao—she only had a bit!"
Charles Chase nodded. "Alright. Let me know you’re home safe."
"I will! Bye!"
As they watched Chi Chi walk away, Mia Moore frowned and handed over her drink.
"Here, take it—no more for me."
There was barely half left. Charles Chase was thoroughly unimpressed.
She was pregnant, and while she didn’t have quite as rough a time as Chi Chi had, eating out often upset her stomach. Just yesterday, she’d had a stomach ache from drinking iced water.
His face hardened as he tossed the rest of her tea in the trash.
The loud thud made Mia Moore flinch.
"Let’s go home."
He took her hand, but for the first time, didn’t pull her into his arms. Hmm, he was clearly going to lecture her on this one.
Mia Moore let herself be dragged along, clutching her belly. He was silent, unsmiling.
She got grumpy in turn. Hmph! Always so controlling. The bubble tea was hot today, anyway.
She’d finally made time to hang out with Chi Chi, and now she was being hauled home after barely any fun.
And then he wouldn't even let her go to the studio.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She was not going to talk to Charles Chase, not today!