The distance between them felt… unusually close, she could even feel the warmth radiating from him.
Xiang looked down at her, brows slightly furrowed. "Can't even walk properly?" he muttered.
But their moment was cut short before she could even reply. Qin Fen's delighted gasp interrupted everything. "Oh my God!"
Both of them turned.
Everyone was staring at them, smiling. Yun Ai looked one second away from taking photos.
Ruoxi forced out the stiffest smile imaginable but under the table, her heel came down hard on his shoe.
Xiang's brows twitched slightly but still maintained that loving expression perfectly.
Qin Fen looked ready to cry from happiness. "Zhiyu," she whispered to her husband emotionally, "our son has finally matured."
Wu Zhiyu nodded proudly. "Love truly changes a man."
Ruoxi let out a mocking chuckle, while mumbling. "Yep. He owns an entertainment company." She shook her head. "Why am I even surprised?". She muttered the words to herself.
The Next Morning (Zhu Villa).
The soft sound of rain tapping against the windows filled the room. Guo Min stirred beneath the blankets, her brows knitting together slightly before she slowly opened her eyes.
The sky outside was gray, the first rainfall of the year. She blinked a few times before attempting to sit up only to realize she couldn't.
Something, or rather someone was holding her firmly in place. A strong arm was wrapped securely around her waist.
Guo Min looked down, then sighed. "Zihan," she whispered.
No response.
"Zihan!". She called, this time it was loud enough to reach his ears.
A few seconds later, the man behind her finally opened his eyes.
He blinked, trying to clear the remnants of sleep, only then did he loosen his hold.
The moment she was free, Guo Min slipped out of bed and headed straight for the bathroom.
By the time she returned, she was fully refreshed. Her hair was slightly damp, and she had changed into comfortable casual clothes.
She paused at the sight before her. Zihan was still lying in bed. Not working or checking emails and not on a call.
She raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to the office?"
"No." The answer came immediately.
Guo Min blinked. "No?"
"Not today." He shifted slightly under the blankets before glancing toward the rain covered windows before looking at her.
"You don't look like you're going either." Then, to her surprise, he lifted the blanket and patted the empty space beside him. "Come let's sleep."
Guo Min stared. "You want to laze around?... you?".
"Why?" Zihan asked calmly. "I'm human too."
She couldn't help the smile that appeared. "It's nice seeing this side of you." she smiled again as she walked back to bed, he almost looked cute.
She climbed back onto the mattress and the second she settled down two arms immediately wrapped around her firmly.
"Zihan."
"Mm".
"I won't run away, you know," Guo Min teased, lightly poking his arm.
Zihan didn't even lift his head. "Not a chance." His voice was muffled against her shoulder. "I'm not taking your word for it this time."
Guo Min laughed softly.
Outside, rain continued to fall against the windows, creating a soothing rhythm that filled the room.
"Let's sleep," he murmured.
"Okay."
Later That Day 2:00 PM
The rain had slowed to a light drizzle.
Guo Min sat comfortably in the living room with a bowl of popcorn beside her and a glass of red wine in hand as she watched television.
The villa was peaceful. Hearing footsteps, she glanced toward the staircase.
Zihan appeared a moment later, fresh from his shower and dressed in comfortable lounge clothes, his hair was still slightly damp though.
"Slept well?" Guo Min asked.
"Yes."
He walked over and sat beside her. Then rested his head on her shoulder.
"It's amazing that you slept until this time, Zihan." Her fingers automatically found their way into his hair. "You must've been exhausted."
"Mm." His eyes closed slightly as she ruffled his hair.
"So..." she continued. "Hungry?"
"Yes." His arms wrapped around her waist. "My stomach feels empty."
"Then let's move to the dining room."
"Okay, let's go." He stood but didn't release her.
Guo Min stared at the arm around her waist, then at him, then back at the arm. "Zhu Zihan."
"Mm?"
"You have to let go first."
"No."
"Why?"
"Walking like this is fine too."
Guo Min nearly laughed. "You're becoming clingier by the day, Mr. Zhu."
"I learned from my mistakes."
"That has absolutely nothing to do with this."
"It does."
Despite her complaints, the two of them somehow managed to make their way toward the dining room together.
A few moments later, the maids began serving lunch.
Dish after dish was placed elegantly on the table. Sweet and Sour Pork, mapo Tofu, stir fried Garlic Bok Choy, braised Beef with Potatoes, steamed Fish with Ginger and Scallions, egg Fried Rice, hot and Sour Soup and steamed Dumplings
The aroma alone was enough to make anyone hungry.
"Looks good," Guo Min commented.
"Mm." He smiled at her drool, then immediately picked up his chopsticks and seconds later, a piece of fish appeared in Guo Min's bowl, then vegetables, beef, chicken.
Guo Min paused. "Are you trying to raise a pig?"
"You should eat more."
Yufan's penthouse.
Lixi walked out of the bathroom, she was the only one at home and other two maids who after finishing their cleaning duties will leave for their home, her nurse already came and checked on how well she's recovering in the morning and left.
Yufan has been busy for a while now, so he rarely stays home for too long, he did say he would be busy for a while.
She sighed then took out a book to read, she could walk now but the doctor advised resting and Xiang would not even let her come to the office. Everyone just told her to rest like she was handicapped.
She walked down the stairs and settled down, just as her ass hit the chair the door bell rang, curious... she got up and made her way to the entrance.
When she opened the door, she was greeted by a warm smile.
"Hello, my child."
Wen Yiting stood outside holding a food basket.
Lixi smiled politely.
"Hello, Auntie."
Although Wen Yiting was technically her mother in law, they had never truly bonded. She was a kind woman, but they had never spent much time alone together. Their relationship remained cordial and familial and awkward.
"Auntie, Yufan isn't home. He..."
"I came to see you, not Yufan." Wen Yiting cut her off gently before walking inside.
"Oh." Lixi quickly stepped aside and followed her into the living room.
The two women sat down on the couch. "Have you had lunch?" Wen Yiting asked.
"No, Auntie, I..."
Flick.
"Ouch!" Lixi rubbed her forehead where Wen Yiting had lightly flicked her.
Wen Yiting raised an eyebrow. "Auntie?"
Realization dawned on Lixi immediately. "...Mother."
Wen Yiting studied her for a moment. "Mother is still a little formal," she said, "but at least we're getting somewhere." A smile appeared on her face as she opened the basket and began placing containers of food onto the table. "Come." She handed Lixi a pair of chopsticks. "Let's eat."
Between bites, Wen Yiting occasionally glanced at Lixi, eventually, she decided to say what had been on her mind. "You know, when you first married Yufan, I didn't like you very much."
Her words came out blunt, so blunt that Lixi felt her heart pulse slow down, her chopsticks froze midair.
Wen Yiting continued calmly. "Yufan is my son. I know exactly what he's capable of and forcing himself on a woman is not something my son would do." She paused before taking a sip of tea. "I doubted him for a few days when your brother stormed into our home to defend you."
Lixi lowered her gaze.
"But a mother's instincts are usually right," Wen Yiting continued. "So I decided to trust mine."
Silence settled between them and Lixi slowly put down her chopsticks, then she lowered her head. "...I'm sorry, Mother... It was selfish... and childish of me."
"Good." Wen Yiting smiled and reached over to hold her hand. "Then let the bygones be bygones."
Lixi looked up.
She took Lixi's hands in hers. "You worked so hard to pursue what you wanted," Wen Yiting said gently. "Even if your methods were a little questionable." A sigh escaped her. "Now that you've gotten what you wanted, I want you to work on it, but this time... The right way. Hm?".
Lixi felt her eyes sting slightly. "Yes, Mother." Then she smiled. "...Thank you."
"Good." Wen Yiting nodded in satisfaction. "Now finish your food