By the time Chi Chi and Xavier Foster were ready to return home, over half a month had already passed.

Xavier Foster’s leg was still far from recovered. The injury was right at his knee and pretty troublesome—he couldn’t bend his leg, couldn’t walk, and had to hobble everywhere on crutches.

The two of them had stayed in the hospital the whole time. The night before heading home, Chi Chi was so excited she couldn’t sleep.

She missed her baby terribly. When they’d left for Country Y, she never imagined she’d be separated from Little Rice Cake for so long.

The VIP hospital room was as big as a hotel suite, with a king-sized bed in the center.

Of course, Xavier Foster wanted to sleep with Chi Chi. He pulled her—who was still tossing and turning—into his arms, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair.

"Still not sleepy? We have to get up early tomorrow to catch the flight," he murmured.

Chi Chi shook her head. "I just can’t sleep… I’m so happy, just thinking I’ll see Little Rice Cake tomorrow. I really, really missed him."

"Yeah. I missed him too."

Even though he always complained when their son monopolized Chi Chi’s affection, Xavier Foster found himself missing the little guy after so much time apart.

"Do you think… he won’t recognize me anymore?"

"Heh. Not a chance. Would he dare?"

"And, um, did you pack the little tiger bottle I bought for him?"

"Yeah, it’s packed."

"Mmm… What about the plush puppy?"

"All packed…"

"Oh…"

For every question, Xavier Foster answered her patiently.

Her voice got softer and softer, until the little lady finally drifted off.

Just before sleep took her, she mumbled, "I really want Aunt Whitney’s spicy crayfish…"

Xavier Foster chuckled, grabbed his phone, and sent Grandma Rivers a message—telling her there was a greedy kitten at home craving crayfish.

…

Nine hours later, their plane landed in Newbridge.

Compared to the cool ten degrees in Country Y, July in Newbridge was muggy and hot, the heat hitting them the moment they stepped out of the airport.

Henry Hart was waiting at the VIP arrival gate. He greeted them warmly, "President, Madam."

At last they were back. And since he was already here to pick them up, he planned to have the President sign some urgent documents on the way, and give a quick report.

Chi Chi and Xavier Foster climbed into the back seat, Lao San was driving, and the car headed straight for the old residence.

"President, those companies from last time—their affairs have been submitted. Two have gone to auction, one has declared bankruptcy, but they’re mostly pushing the blame onto shareholders and lower-level staff."

"I’ve submitted additional information. Right now, only HYI’s chairman is in custody; the other two are still under investigation."

Xavier Foster frowned. "I see."

"Ahem, and here’s a stack of documents. If you could review and sign them, I’ll come collect them from the old house in a few days," Henry Hart said, patting the hefty stack on his lap that had built up over the past two weeks.

"…Alright." Xavier Foster’s temple twitched.

Their top priority on arriving home was obviously to see their son. Chi Chi had missed Little Rice Cake desperately.

Grandma Rivers said the little guy could call for his mom now—though not very clearly. Whenever he missed her, he’d call out.

Just imagining it made Chi Chi’s heart ache; she hadn’t been there for her baby’s first “mommy.”

The car rolled up right in front of the house for Xavier Foster’s convenience.

Leaning on his crutch, his tall figure somehow looked handsome, even with the limp…

The whole family was waiting at the door, gazing down the drive, anticipation written all over their faces.

Little Rice Cake was cradled in Ye Jing’s arms. His big round eyes stared at the car, and when Chi Chi got out, he tilted his head, stared, and stared again—then stretched out his chubby arms, wrists turning as he begged to be held. "Da… ma-ma, ma…"

His words were jumbled and unclear, but Chi Chi’s heart swelled and melted at the same time.

"Baby, Rice Cake, Mommy’s here." She took her son—the one she hadn’t seen in half a month—from Ye Jing. Hearing him call out made her eyes go red.

"Mommy missed you so much, baby." She leaned in and kissed him, making Little Rice Cake giggle.

"Ma, ma…"

"Mm, baby."

Every time he said “Ma,” Chi Chi kissed his nose. The little one was dazed at first, then shyly covered his face with his tiny hands and squeezed his eyes shut.

"Come on, let’s get inside—the heat’s terrible out here," Grandma Rivers said, tugging Chi Chi inside. "Aiyo, finally, you’ve both been gone so long."

"Mmm, thank you so much for looking after him, Grandma Rivers."

"Oh, don’t mention it—it’s not hard. We just missed you; you’ve been away so long."

The whole family crowded around Chi Chi and Little Rice Cake and headed inside.

…

Xavier Foster and Henry Hart exchanged helpless glances outside…

"I mean, I’m still a patient, you know. Has my place in this family really fallen this far?"

He glanced sidelong at Henry Hart, shook his head and sighed.

Henry Hart coughed, trying not to laugh. "President, you’ll get used to it. Really."

He then offered up the towering stack of paperwork, noticing how awkwardly Xavier Foster gripped his crutch—a little pitiful, actually.

"Should I help you inside…?"

"No need." Sighing, Xavier Foster accepted the stack, limping determinedly into the house—wounded but unbowed.

Chi Chi was pulled onto the sofa. She turned, about to ask where Xavier Foster was, when she caught sight of him entering, and smiled.

"Hey, Grandma Rivers, am I really your grandson or not?"

Xavier Foster set the paperwork down on the table and sat next to Chi Chi.

Grandma Rivers shot him an exasperated look. "Tsk. Isn’t your leg mostly fine already?"

But her tone softened: "Aunt Whitney made bone broth for you—make sure you have a few bowls."

"Alright, thank you!" Xavier Foster smiled, shaking his head, and reached to pick up Little Rice Cake. "Come here, son—let Daddy hold you."

Little Rice Cake eyed his hands warily, furrowing his brows, and reluctantly let Xavier Foster take him.

"Careful! Don’t let him kick your leg," Chi Chi fussed.

"Don’t worry, I’ll be fine."

Dinner included bone broth and garlicky crayfish.

"Aunt Whitney, you’re incredible! I was just craving crayfish and you already made it," Chi Chi beamed. After half a month of Western food, she’d missed homemade cooking desperately.

Grandma Rivers gave her a knowing smile. "It wasn’t me—it’s because Zhiye mentioned yesterday you were craving it."

"He did? But I never said… I only thought about it," Chi Chi blinked, looking at Xavier Foster. "How did you know?"

"Your husband knows everything, okay? Now eat up."

He placed the peeled crayfish into her bowl, arching an eyebrow with a smug little flourish.

His wife was a bit scatterbrained and sleepily adorable.

After dinner, the two settled Little Rice Cake in to help him get used to the time zone again.

They hadn’t seen Zoey Zhang—apparently she’d gone over to Yaoyao’s place, running wild around the old Chen house next door with Er Dou.

Perfect excuse to visit Yaoyao and fetch her back sometime.

…

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Mia Moore had to coax and plead for ages before Charles Chase finally agreed she could wash her hair.

No way was she seeing anyone tomorrow with her hair a mess like that!

Their daughter’s name was Nina Chase, but her nickname—so she’d match Little Rice Cake—was Little Tangyuan (Little Rice Ball).

After all, Little Rice Ball was destined to be Little Rice Cake’s little sister.