She curved her lips into a smile. She hadn't yet told Julian Jarvis, and had planned to do so later, but somehow she ended up confiding in Cecilia first.

"Oh my god, really?" Cecilia’s face lit up with delight and envy. "That’s nothing! With so many doctors at the hospital, you’ll be just fine. Congratulations, Yingying!"

"Mm, but I haven’t told Julian Jarvis yet—shh."

She pressed her index finger to her lips. Little Rice Cake imitated Song Ying’s gesture, "Shh, Auntie Yingying, is it a little secret?"

"That's right. Little Rice Cake, you have to help me keep the secret too!"

"Okay." Little Rice Cake nodded seriously, taking the mission to heart.

He took pride in keeping his mom’s secrets; naturally, he would do the same for Auntie Yingying.

After saying goodbye to Song Ying, Cecilia took Little Rice Cake home. The two of them caught a cab.

"Mom, do all the aunties at the hospital with round bellies have babies?"

They’d seen quite a few pregnant women while waiting for their appointment.

"Yes. Babies live in their mommy’s tummies, and when they get big enough, they come out."

"Did Little Rice Cake live in your tummy too?"

"You did! When you were in mommy's tummy, it was this big."

Cecilia held her hands in front of her to show the size. Little Rice Cake tilted his head in thought, sunlight falling softly across his chubby face and soft hair.

"Having a big tummy looks really hard. Thank you, Mom."

His sweet words pierced straight through Cecilia’s heart. He truly was her little angel.

Cecilia bent down and kissed his cheek. "You’re welcome, honey. Mom is so happy to have you."

Little Rice Cake blushed and covered his face with his hands.

...

After sending Cecilia off, Song Ying returned to her office.

She still hesitated—maybe she should wait a little longer before telling Julian Jarvis about the baby.

It was so easy to picture how he’d react if he found out she was pregnant.

That overbearing man would probably insist she stay home and rest immediately.

She sighed and got back to work.

Cecilia and Little Rice Cake returned home, just as dusk was setting in.

After changing into his little slippers, Little Rice Cake rushed out to the balcony to greet Xiao Bai.

"Mom, how come Xiao Bai looks thinner?"

The snow had finally stopped today, and a bit of sunshine had melted some of it away.

Cecilia stepped out to take a look. "It’s alright. It’ll snow again tomorrow, and then Xiao Bai will plump right back up."

Little Rice Cake’s face fell, a little sad. "Okay…"

The second child plan definitely couldn’t be abandoned so easily.

That evening, Cecilia sat in the studio painting. Xavier Foster had just put Little Rice Cake to bed and came downstairs.

He pushed open the studio door, carrying a cup of hot milk for her.

"Baby, drink your milk."

Cecilia obediently cradled the cup in her hands, her bright eyes glancing here and there.

Phase two of her plan: start with kindness, follow up with persuasion.

She’d present all the logical and emo—

He sat down behind her on the little sofa, waiting to take the cup when she finished.

Cecilia got up from her chair and, small as she was, perched herself on his lap.

"Zhiye."

Her glassy eyes blinked up at him, framed by long, fluttering lashes—irresistibly cute.

Xavier Foster looked at her, realizing what his little wife was getting at even before she spoke.

"What is it?"

Setting the glass aside, Cecilia wrapped her arms around his neck, snuggling into his chest.

"Do you love me?"

Xavier Foster, as calm as ever, hid a smile. "I love you."

"Mm. Do you love Little Rice Cake?"

"Of course."

"Then let's have another baby—a little one as cute as Little Rice Cake! What do you think?"

Cecilia sat up straighter, kneeling on either side of him on the sofa, her face full of hope.

Xavier Foster sighed, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Having a baby is so hard—too dangerous. I don’t want you to go through that again."

"Baby, I’m selfish. I love having a child with you, but if I ever had to choose between you and a baby, I’d always choose you."

Cecilia frowned. What’s going on here? This sly fox could talk circles around her!

She bit her lip and pressed on: "I already went to the hospital for a checkup today. Yingying said it’s fine if I want to have another baby. I’m perfectly healthy."

"...You already got checked out?" Xavier Foster was surprised—she was clearly determined.

Cecilia nodded. "Hubby, let’s just have one more, okay? Just one more."

Xavier Foster hesitated. He could never withstand her gentle coaxing.

"How about… we talk about it again in a few days? Let me think on it."

At least it wasn’t an outright refusal. Cecilia grinned happily. "Alright! But think fast!"

Xavier Foster sighed again, pulled her into his arms, and pressed a kiss to her lips.

In the empty studio, only the rustle of kisses filled the air.

...

A few days passed. Cecilia tried hinting, both boldly and less so, but her husband seemed to have completely forgotten.

Clearly, if she wanted a baby, she had to take matters into her own hands.

Cecilia opened her bedside drawer and counted.

Hmm, three per night. Let’s sabotage three to start!

Her cheeks red, she poked tiny holes in the first three before returning them carefully to the box.

"Hmph, if you want something done right, do it yourself!"

She clapped her little hands—mission accomplished.

Xavier Foster never expected his usually well-behaved Cecilia would meddle like this just to give Little Rice Cake a sister.

She went several days without mentioning babies again. Seeing her laugh to herself, he thought maybe she really had let it go, and his heart finally eased.

He did want more children too, but after their scary hospital visits back at Qing Shui Bay, the memories still haunted him.

It was all his fault for not taking better care of Cecilia back then.

One child was enough—he didn't want her to suffer again.

Until one night, half a month later.

As he kissed her into a daze, Xavier Foster reached into the nightstand for protection.

But his fingers touched something wet.

"...?"

"...Baby, why’s this one wet?"

He tossed it in the trash and took out another.

"...Is this box defective?"

Cecilia gritted her teeth... she’d forgotten some came pre-lubricated inside...

This box was supposed to be new...

After she poked holes and put them back, the lubricant started leaking out.

"Um... maybe they're just old. Use another box, okay?"

When she lied, she always blinked, lashes quivering.

Xavier Foster held the wrapper up to the bedside lamp and finally saw the faintest pinpricks.

He leaned over, looking at the girl trying to practically disappear under the covers.

"Hm? Old? It poked holes in itself, did it?"

"Uh... maybe... defective."

Xavier Foster was both annoyed and amused, but in the end, he couldn’t bring himself to scold her. He dumped the entire drawer into the trash.

Then he turned over and went to sleep—completely exasperated.