Chapter 1536: Chapter 1536: Happiness is the Most Beautiful Answer (Part 1)
Shen Chi carefully tucked Xiaobao in, then said to Xu Chaomu, “He’s asleep.”
Xu Chaomu walked over to Shen Chi’s side, bent down, and whispered, “Hubby, you’re getting better and better at soothing kids!”
“How could I not be? I’ve been soothing you since you were little,” Shen Chi replied.
“More like yelling at me while I grew up,” Xu Chaomu snorted.
The two of them each slept on one side, with Xiaobao in the middle.
The little guy was already in dreamland, his small hand tightly clutching the corner of the blanket, sleeping soundly.
The night was deep, silence blanketed everything. When the curtains were drawn, a glowing full moon imprinted softly upon them, casting a faint silhouette.
As soon as Xu Chaomu lay down, she cuddled the little one, her face full of satisfaction and happiness.
Shen Chi looked at them, then reached out to turn off the bedside lamp.
In the summer night breeze, fireflies flitted back and forth like tiny lanterns dancing amongst the flower bushes outside the villa.
The wind carried the fragrance of flowers, spreading it far and wide, enveloping the serene night sky.
Moonlight filtered through the entwined leaves, casting shadowy patterns onto the ground, each shadow weaving beauty anew.
The quiet chirping of summer insects leapt across the shadows, as if playing a rhythmic game.
…
A week later, Shen Chi and Xu Chaomu packed their luggage, preparing to head to Greece for their honeymoon.
They didn’t bring anyone along—just the two of them.
Xiaobao thought they were abandoning him and clung onto their suitcase, refusing to let go.
“Mommy, Daddy, are you not taking me and my little brother? It’s fine if you don’t want me, but you can’t leave Erbao behind; he’s such a good boy.” Xiaobao clutched the suitcase tight, and even shot a look over at Erbao, who was crawling on the bed.
Perhaps seeing Xiaobao pouting, Erbao also pouted in confusion, looking equally aggrieved.
“Mommy and Daddy are just going away for a honeymoon—for one week,” Xu Chaomu coaxed.
“Then why can’t you take me and my little brother?” Xiaobao grumbled unhappily.
“Alright, let Daddy explain what a honeymoon is to you,” Shen Chi said seriously. “It’s when Mommy and Daddy, after just getting married, need to go traveling alone to nurture their relationship. Got it?”
“You two still need to nurture your relationship…?” Xiaobao didn’t buy it.
These two were glued to each other every day; how much more nurturing could they need?
“We’ll bring back a little sister for you,” Shen Chi added hastily.
“Really?” Xiaobao’s mood brightened. “Now that’s okay then.”
Erbao had no idea what they were talking about; he simply burst into tears with a loud “wah.”
Shen Chi felt his head spin; he had just finished consoling one of them and now had to soothe the other.
Xu Chaomu quickly scooped up Erbao. “Don’t cry, baby. What’s wrong? Are you hungry?”
“Mama, Mama…” Erbao grabbed Xu Chaomu’s hair, calling out pitifully.
“Mommy’s right here, sweetheart,” Xu Chaomu comforted him warmly.
She looked at Shen Chi with slight frustration, her expression reading, “Should we just stay instead?”
Shen Chi, sensing her thoughts, steeled himself and said, “If we don’t leave now, our plane will take off without us.”
Xiaobao walked up to Erbao and said earnestly, “Little brother, don’t cry. When Mommy and Daddy come back from their trip, we’ll have a little sister.”
Xu Chaomu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry; look at the tall tale Shen Chi spun.
Although Xiaobao and Erbao were very close, when the elder mentioned this, the younger seemed to understand and instantly stopped crying.
Shen Chi glanced at his watch and said, “My parents will be here soon to look after these two little rascals.”
Xu Chaomu was still reluctant to part and kissed Erbao on the cheek. “Be good, Mommy will bring you delicious snacks and presents.”
“What about me? What about me? Mommy, you can’t be biased!” Xiaobao shouted, bouncing up and down.
“You’ll get yours too,” Xu Chaomu replied with a smile.
“But Mommy, you didn’t give me a kiss.” Xiaobao pouted adorably.
Left without a choice, Xu Chaomu bent down and pecked Xiaobao on the cheek.
Shen Chi then instructed Xiaobao, “At home, don’t make your little brother cry, don’t teach him bad things, and behave while bonding with Grandpa, Grandma, and Grandpa from Mommy’s side. They’ll take you to fun places.”
“Got it, got it,” Xiaobao said dismissively. “Grandpa, Grandma, and Mommy’s Dad are way more fun than you, old Shen.”
After giving his instructions, Shen Chi finally took Xu Chaomu’s hand and led her downstairs.
Xu Chaomu still couldn’t bear to leave, glancing back at Xiaobao and Erbao one last time.
Shen Chi held her hand tightly and reassured her, “It’s just one week.”
Originally, they had agreed on ten days. But later, Xu Chaomu said ten days was too long…
Shen Chi had no choice but to shorten it to one week.
As they reached the door, Shen Cexian and Zhou Ran arrived just in time to greet them, and then Xiaogao drove Shen Chi and Xu Chaomu to the airport.
…
After nearly ten hours of flight, Shen Chi and Xu Chaomu finally arrived at a villa near the Aegean Sea.
The sky was a dazzling blue, the sea a deep sapphire, and even the gulls in the distance seemed bathed in a layer of blue light.
“Mr. Shen, Mrs. Shen.”
The villa staff were already waiting to greet them, taking their luggage.
Their bedroom faced the ocean directly, offering a panoramic view of endless waves.
Sea breezes carrying a salty sweetness gently stirred the sheer curtains. Time moved here like a slow, warm caress.
Xu Chaomu took off her sunglasses and stood by the window, admiring the breathtaking ocean view as the sea wind tousled her long hair. She was delighted.
Shen Chi unpacked their luggage from the suitcase. Looking up, his eyes landed on her figure by the window as she faced the ocean breeze.
Perhaps simply gazing out the window wasn’t enough for her. She kicked off her shoes and ran barefoot out of the bedroom.
The wooden planks outside were damp with sea water, while waves rolled in rhythmically, roaring softly one after another.
“Watch out, don’t slip,” Shen Chi called out to her.
“I know!” Xu Chaomu shouted back excitedly.
Shen Chi finished unpacking and stood at the window, watching his wife.
He remembered the last time he brought her to the seaside—three years ago. Back then, she hadn’t been this joyful and carefree.
Finally, his Mumu was back—the one from before. He had promised her he’d stay by her side till they grew old.
In this lifetime, happiness was the most beautiful answer.
Xu Chaomu wore a flowing Bohemian-style white dress. As the wind lifted her skirt, she looked like a graceful little fairy dancing.
Leaning by the window, Shen Chi thought to himself, even if they didn’t end up having a daughter, it was okay—he already had his princess right here.
Just as he became mesmerized, Xu Chaomu turned toward him and playfully beckoned with her finger, “Hubby, come here, come here.”
“Let me change my clothes first,” Shen Chi replied.
Xu Chaomu ran barefoot across the wooden boards, then headed to the beach.
Though they had been tired from the journey, seeing the sea recharged her completely.
Taking a deep breath, the salty scent of seawater filled her senses.
Shen Chi silently approached her from behind and gently covered her eyes with his hands.
“Hubby, I know it’s you,” Xu Chaomu said knowingly.
“Good guess. You get a reward,” Shen Chi said as he released his hold.
“…” Xu Chaomu sighed. Did this even need guessing?
Shen Chi lowered his head and leaned around her neck, planting a soft kiss on her lips.
“You’re just taking advantage of me,” Xu Chaomu huffed.
“Don’t like it? If you don’t like it, I can offer other rewards,” Shen Chi teased, his gaze warming as he looked at her.