The plane touched down in country Y a little after nine in the morning.
While June in the Newbridge capital meant scorching summer heat, country Y greeted them with temperatures barely over ten degrees Celsius. Thankfully, Fu Zhiyao always wore a suit, so he wasn’t cold.
After telling Charles Chase, he’d arranged for someone to meet him at the airport.
As soon as he unlocked his phone, he saw a message from Cecilia, sent early this morning.
[Hubby, I don’t have to speak until tomorrow. I’m planning to hole up in the hotel all day and only go to the exchange event in the evening.]
Maybe because he hadn't replied, she’d sent another message a bit later.
[Don’t work too hard, get some rest!]
Cecilia couldn’t be happier with a day free from social obligations. She ordered breakfast to her room, keeping the curtains drawn.
Curled up on a beanbag, she started a movie, snacking as she watched.
Thanks to Fu Zhiyao upgrading her room, she had her own entertainment suite. It was supremely comfortable.
When the movie finished, she headed out for lunch and wandered around—a little bird told her the plaza nearby was quite lovely.
She hadn’t even bothered to change out of her pajamas, basking in lazy bliss.
But not long after she’d settled in again, the doorbell suddenly rang, catching her off guard.
She didn’t recall ordering anything else, so she set down her sandwich, wiped her hands, threw on a jacket, and went to the door.
"Who is it?" she called.
No response. She opened the door—and before she could react, someone caught her up in a fierce hug.
Startled, she was about to scream, but the familiar woody scent in his hair stopped her short. Looking down in surprise, she blurted, "Zhiyao! What are you..."
Fu Zhiyao swept her off her feet, prompting a small yelp as Cecilia flung her arms around his neck for dear life.
He strode inside, neatly kicked the door shut behind him, and pressed her against the wall. His kiss followed immediately.
His ink-black hair spread out behind her, soft under his hand.
One strong hand gripped beneath her, the other cradled the nape of her neck, lifting her chin up to meet his kiss.
"Mmm..." The soft little sound was swallowed between their lips as Cecilia parted them slightly, only to have him deepen the kiss greedily.
Having missed her for what felt like forever, Fu Zhiyao wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms, wind her up in his embrace, and indulge in the taste of her sweetness.
They kissed until their lips tingled, breath growing heavy. Cecilia finally managed to gently press a hand to his chest, pushing back a little.
Only then did he slowly loosen his hug, lowering her gently to the ground.
He cradled her face tenderly, placing butterfly-light kisses. Their noses touched, and he let out a low, contented laugh.
His deep, slightly hoarse voice rumbled, "Baby, I missed you so much."
Cecilia let him kiss her obediently. Once her breathing had steadied, she finally murmured, "How did you get here? Weren’t you busy?"
"It's all sorted. Nothing to worry about."
By now her robe had slipped to the floor, and the white collar of her pajamas was rather rumpled.
Fu Zhiyao gently straightened her collar, but suddenly his face turned woeful.
"What’s wrong? Did something happen?" Cecilia asked, suddenly concerned.
"Mmm, something major," Fu Zhiyao nodded with grave seriousness. "Looks like I've been a little green around the temples."
"Huh??"
He pulled out his phone, opened his photo album, and handed it over for her to see.
Cecilia glanced at the photo, a flicker of panic flashing in her eyes. "Zhiyao, it’s not what it looks like..."
"I know. Someone’s playing dirty."
"Baby, the company competing with us on the new project couldn’t win, so they’re resorting to sleazy tricks. I just can’t leave you here unwatched."
"So you came all this way? Did you even get any rest?" Cecilia reached up to smooth his messy hair, a trace of worry in her expression.
Fu Zhiyao only grinned, bent to pick up her robe, and led her further inside. "I’m fine. The moment I see you, I’m not tired at all. So, what were you up to just now?"
"Oh, right—I was eating breakfast. Do you want some?"
They entered the entertainment room. There were no windows, just the dim light of a screen; the sandwich and milk were already a little cold.
Cecilia glanced over. "I’ll order you another set."
"No need, I’ll just grab a bite."
Once they’d eaten, Cecilia no longer felt like watching a movie. Fu Zhiyao took a shower, only to be shoved into bed by his little wife.
"Come on, let’s nap and shake off the jet lag. I don’t plan to go out today anyway."
Fu Zhiyao flopped onto the bed, immediately tugging her into his arms, folding her up against him. "Here I thought you missed your husband so much you wanted to do something naughty, but turns out you just wanted to make me nap."
Cecilia blushed, glancing up at him.
She suddenly remembered how he’d begged for a kiss on video the day before. Her pearly teeth bit down on her lip.
"Well... if you want to do something naughty, what do you want to do?"
Fu Zhiyao bent to kiss her again. With a quick movement, he turned her over so she was lying atop him, pulling the downy blanket over both of them.
After giving her quite a hard time at home the day before, he decided to give his wife a break today.
"Mm, this is the only kind of mischief for now."
They cuddled and teased each other for a bit. Cecilia hadn’t slept well the previous night; before she knew it, curled up in his arms, she’d drifted off to sleep with him.
Meanwhile, Old Third in the next room crept out and pressed his muscular body to the door, listening carefully.
But there was no sound. Had Madam not woken up yet?
He gritted his teeth, glancing back three times as he finally walked away. Oh well, Madam did say she wasn’t going out today.
He whipped out his phone and texted the boss:
[All is well! Madam is resting in the hotel and won’t be going out today!]
—
Of course, the two cuddled up inside had no clue about Old Third’s anxiety.
They’d both slept deeply and sweetly.
Fu Zhiyao woke first, looking down at the person in his arms and smiling with contentment.
Sure enough, nothing lulled him to sleep quite like cuddling his soft little wife.
He raised his wrist to check the time; it was already 1 p.m. He poked her nose with a finger.
Cecilia frowned, batting his hand away and burrowing deeper to escape.
His arm held her fast by the waist, not letting her wriggle free. So, she settled down obediently.
Fu Zhiyao had to laugh; he gently traced her lips.
Cecilia glared sleepily, teeth grinding in mock irritation. "Stop bothering me while I’m sleeping."
"Time to eat, it’s already past one o’clock."
As he sat up, he scooped her up with him. She lay on his shoulder like a sticky little rice cake, mumbling, "Still so sleepy..."
"Didn’t sleep well last night? Missed me?"
"Mmm. I missed you."
He gave her bottom a squeeze. "My wife is adorable."
After some snuggling, they finally got out of bed.
When they called for Old Third to come by, he just stared wordlessly at the boss’s magical transformation.
So all that time he’d been worrying, the boss had been napping with Madam instead.
Ugh, the sting of being single.
They went downstairs. Since they’d missed the lunch rush, the restaurant on the second floor was almost empty.
Lunch was a quiet affair—and for Old Third, an ordeal, watching the air fairly crackle between his boss and Madam.
Afterward, Cecilia suggested a stroll around the plaza to walk off their meal.
Fu Zhiyao agreed, buttoning her coat for her. Though the sun shone warmly outside, the wind still held a chill.
Street vendors carried armfuls of colorful balloons, brightening the blue-gray skies.
A street musician played accordion, filling the square with a romantic melody.
White doves fluttered up and down, pecking at breadcrumbs scattered on the ground.
Cecilia’s eyes lingered longingly on an ice cream stand, and of course, Fu Zhiyao bought her one.
Next door, a handmade chocolate shop had a rainbow display in the window, instantly catching her attention.
And so, the two wandered down the whole street. While country Y’s snacks might lack the sizzling, bustling magic of home, their delicate, vibrant treats were irresistible to sweet-toothed girls.
By the end of their stroll, Fu Zhiyao could barely carry all the treasures Cecilia had accumulated.
They had to ask Old Third to make a run back to the hotel with everything first.
The couple exchanged mischievous smiles as Old Third bustled away.
Hand in hand, they savored the rare feeling of free time.
Being in a foreign country made everything feel a little more novel, a little more carefree.
But most important of all, was having each other...