254— Visiting City A (3)

"Watching her lose her soul nine years ago was awful. It looked like she would never smile again, and my heart ached every single time, wishing I could take away her pain."

Turning to Li Chuanmo, Director Zhou said, "You don't know how relieved I am to know that my daughter is in safe hands. I thank you very much."

Li Chuanmo dried his hands, "Mother, it should be me thanking you. Meeting Yueran is frankly the best thing that has ever happened to me. I probably need her more than she needs me.

"Her smile makes me glad, and I would do all I can to preserve it. Don't worry about us Mother, I'll do my best to stand by Yueran's side. I will always be there for my wife."

His firm words echoed with determination, making Director Zhou nod heavily. One more word and she would probably burst into tears.

Even without him saying anything, she could see his sincerity from his actions.

They finished kitchen duty in that companionable mood and then parted ways.

When Li Chuanmo entered the room, Pei Yueran was already asleep, the book in her hand almost falling off. Li Chuanmo looked at her indulgently before taking the book away and putting it on top of the bedside drawer.

He got into bed and took her into his arms. In her sleep, she turned and adjusted her posture until she was comfortable, making him smile.

Then her face scrunched up a bit. Thinking she could be in pain, he slipped a hand into her gown and placed his warm palm against her abdomen.

Seeing her face relax as she unconsciously tried to move closer to his palm, Li Chuanmo felt he was right. Then making slow, circular motions, he rubbed her abdomen soothingly.

With the little bit of discomfort she felt disappearing, Pei Yueran fell back into a comfortable sleep and didn't rouse until a couple of hours later.

She stretched a bit, opened her eyes— and locked eyes with Li Chuanmo. She looked at him blankly with sleepy eyes, before she proceeded to smile at him.

Opening her mouth to say something, she noticed the burst of warm movement on her abdomen. After looking down to see the outline of a big hand underneath her clothes, her slightly confused gaze swung back to his face.

That adorable expression made Li Chuanmo's heart move, but alas, he couldn't do anything. Giving her abdomen one last rub, he took his hand away.

She belatedly realized that he was the one making her stomach comfortable and thanked him with a slightly pink face.

"I only get a word of thanks for a job of more than two hours? Isn't that stingy of you, dear Wife?"

When his lazy voice sounded, Pei Yueran's gratitude almost evaporated on the spot. She wanted to shove him, but on second thought she remembered that she really enjoyed her nap due to his help, so she changed her mind.

Still, she refused to be tricked into asking him what he wanted. She hadn't even fulfilled the request he had from last time, she refused to add another debt to it.

What was worse was that his requests were always difficult to fulfill ah.

So she hugged him closer and dropped a kiss on his moist pink lips before saying again, "Thank you."

The feel of two soft peaks brushing against his chest, coupled with the feel of her lips on his further ignited Li Chuanmo's hunger instead of quenching it.

Everything about her was soft, as if the whole person was made of water.

His hand had just subconsciously moved to grab when an excited voice sounded from the living room. The speaker was so loud that the words carried straight into their room.

"I had so much fun Grandma! Yichen's friends are so fun to play with. They even made a paper boat for me. We've decided to play together again tomorrow! Where is Dad and My Goddess?"

Hearing the sound of footsteps, Pei Yueran got up quickly, making Li Chuanmo's hand catch air.

"Let's go out before he comes in," she said and walked out without sparing her husband a glance.

Li Chuanmo, this 'hungry husband', narrowed his eyes.

Director Zhou had just gotten up to make dinner when Pei Yueran came out of the room, so she spoke, "That's right Ran'er, what would you like to eat?"

"Let's go together Mum." Pei Yueran moved to hold her.

"No it's fine, I can handle it. I don't want your husband to say I'm overworking you." Director Zhou teased, making her blush.

Li Chuanmo, who had just walked out said with a smile, "Of course I won't say that Mother, but she really needs to rest. She was also sick a while ago, so I don't want her stressed."

Director Zhou looked concerned, "When was this Baobei? How are you?"

Pei Yueran rolled her eyes mentally. What illness? The one that she had recovered from almost a month ago?

Whether she had recovered or not, didn't he know well?

To her mother, she said, "That was a while ago. I'm fine now Mum."

Li Chuanmo conceded, "That may be true, but I have a point, don't I?"

"Fine. But I don't want her to cook alone. Should we order takeout?"

Li Chuanmo shook his head, "Just leave the matter of dinner to the men, we'll handle it."

Han Yichen and Li Yuchen, these underage 'men' looked at him in surprise for a bit. Then they felt it sounded fun and nodded.

Director Zhou smiled and then said, "Since you've decided, I'll thank you in advance. Just something light will do."

Pei Yueran also nodded. She wanted to go with them into the kitchen, but Li Chuanmo didn't allow her, "Just go and sit down, it will be ready soon."

Director Zhou's fridge was stocked full with fresh ingredients, so Li Chuanmo had ample chance to show off.

Rolling their sleeves, the three of them got to work, while Pei Yueran and Director Zhou sat in the living room drinking tea and chatting.

Thirty minutes later, dinner was ready. Three dishes and one soup, dinner was full of the home cooked flavor. Even Pei Yueran was surprised. She had tasted his cooking before, but he usually made porridge, pasta or fried rice.

Shredded pork and green pepper, tofu and mushroom stir fry and half and half chicken were served, paired with warm rice and a bowl of the pork bone soup Director Zhou had in her freezer.

Li Chuanmo had reheated it and added some ginger, scallions and radish.