If You Could Hear My Heart

The whole day, the room was filled with warmth and laughter.

Sometimes Zhou Ran would take the initiative to talk to Xu Chaomu, but Xu Chaomu still seemed to have some lingering reservations and couldn't fully interact with Zhou Ran naturally.

Shen Cexian didn't talk much, but Xu Chaomu could tell that he was truly happy.

Shen Cexian brought a gift for Erbao—a substantial birth gift.

"I still have some shares in Shen's company. Let this be the gift for this little guy," Shen Cexian said to Xu Chaomu and Shen Chi.

"Dad, the little guy is still too young to understand any of this." Shen Chi tried to refuse.

"It's just transferring it to his name, not yours," Shen Cexian shot him a cold look.

"…" Shen Chi had no choice but to agree.

The little guy didn't seem to like noisy crowds and soon grew restless, crying incessantly.

Only after everyone had left did he finally stop crying.

Xiaobao leaned against the crib and teased his little brother, "Little guy, crybaby."

Xu Chaomu chuckled, "Xiaobao, you were like this when you were little too."

"No way, I definitely didn't cry," Xiaobao denied.

Shen Chi walked over and stroked Xiaobao's head, "Praising yourself as if you were a flower."

"I'm not a flower; I'm way better looking than a flower," Xiaobao retorted.

"…" Shen Chi was left speechless.

He glanced at Xu Chaomu, "Did this thick skin of his come from you?"

Xu Chaomu glared at him, "Obviously, it's from you!"

"Probably from Old Wang next door," Xiaobao muttered.

"Where did you even learn that?" Shen Chi frowned.

"I won't tell you!" Xiaobao stuck his tongue out at Shen Chi. If he said it was from TV, Dad would definitely ban him from watching it.

"You little rascal," Shen Chi rolled his eyes at him.

That evening, Xiaobao, worn out from playing, followed the housekeeper home to sleep.

Erbao cried again at night, and it took Xu Chaomu quite some time to soothe him to sleep.

"Honey… I'm so tired, I'll sleep first, you take care of Erbao," Xu Chaomu tugged his arm and yawned.

"Alright, sleep. I've got it," Shen Chi reassured her.

Xu Chaomu nodded off quickly and fell into a deep sleep.

Shen Chi remained immersed in the joy of becoming a father again. Even though it wasn't his first time, he was still incredibly excited.

The arrival of this son made him feel no regrets at all.

That said, he still couldn't give Xu Chaomu a daughter.

He couldn't bear to let her have another child, so whether or not they'd have a daughter in the future would depend on her wishes.

…

After staying in the hospital for a week, Shen Chi brought Xu Chaomu and the baby home.

Xu Chaomu's body had recovered well, and since she'd just had a baby, she appeared more curvy and radiant.

"Honey, I think the previous nickname is too girly," Xu Chaomu said, holding Erbao in her arms.

"Hmm? Manman? Yeah, it's a bit girlish," Shen Chi replied.

"Should we just call him Baby Ake or Erbao from now on?" Xu Chaomu suggested.

"Alright," Shen Chi nodded, "Whatever you want."

"Honey, don't you think Erbao is much quieter than Xiaobao?" Xu Chaomu remarked, gazing at the tender little one.

"Maybe it's because when we conceived Erbao, neither of us had been drinking," Shen Chi said with a meaningful glance at Xu Chaomu.

"…" Xu Chaomu held her forehead. Drinking is dangerous indeed!

Erbao felt hungry and soon grabbed Xu Chaomu's clothes, furrowing his tiny brow.

"This little guy's frown looks exactly like yours," Xu Chaomu said with a laugh.

"He's just hungry," Shen Chi replied.

Xu Chaomu cast him a glance, "Go out; I need to nurse him."

"…" Shen Chi gave her a long look, "Why should I leave?"

"Shameless."

Shen Chi leaned closer to her and whispered ambiguously, "I've seen every inch of you, haven't I?"

Xu Chaomu couldn't handle Shen Chi's boldness and quickly started feeding the baby, afraid Erbao would stay hungry.

The little guy seemed so content; once full, he stopped crying and even stopped frowning, quietly amusing himself.

His big, clear eyes were as beautiful as black grapes.

"Big Sis said she planned to visit in a few days," Shen Chi noted.

"Really?" Xu Chaomu sounded delighted but quickly added, "Though her health isn't great, perhaps she shouldn't come after all."

"Let her decide herself," Shen Chi replied.

"I haven't seen Mr. Xiao in the past few days." Xu Chaomu asked curiously.

She had been in the hospital for a week and nearly everyone came to see her—except Xiao Mo.

"He's on a business trip; I don't expect him back for a few days."

Shen Chi had heard that Xia Chuqing's father was sentenced to four years in prison, and Xiao Mo had seemingly intervened. Otherwise, the sentence wouldn't have been so lenient.

Shen Chi hadn't meddled in the matter, but he was aware of everything.

Each time, Xiao Mo had used business travel as an excuse to visit A City, though Shen Chi never cared to know the details.

"You've offloaded everything onto him; he's really busy. If you don't give him some breathing room, he'll still be single in ten years," Xu Chaomu remarked.

"Is it my fault?"

"Of course it's your fault."

Just as her words fell, Shen Chi's phone rang. Looking down, he saw the caller ID—it was Xiao Mo.

Speak of the devil indeed.

"Hello?" Shen Chi answered.

"Congratulations on becoming a father again, Shen," Xiao Mo said.

"When are you returning?"

"I'm on a flight tomorrow; the congratulatory red envelope is ready."

"Make sure it's not too small," Shen Chi smirked.

"Don't worry, it's not. Anyway, you'll return it to me one day," Xiao Mo quipped.

"Then you better make sure you don't stay single forever."

"Shen, don't you even have a little faith in me?" Xiao Mo grumbled.

"None whatsoever."

"…"

Xiao Mo had long gotten used to Shen Chi's bluntness. Otherwise, after working with him for so many years, he might have been driven to the brink.

"Shen, I've got something to discuss with you tomorrow. After I visit Shen Family, let's meet up somewhere."

"Fine, the usual spot in the pedestrian street near Wanlong Plaza," Shen Chi replied.

"Alright."

…

The next day, as promised, Xiao Mo arrived at Shen's residence. After greeting Xiaobao and Erbao, he chatted with Xu Chaomu for a while.

After having lunch at Shen's, Xiao Mo drove to Wanlong Plaza.

Shen Chi arrived shortly after.

"Just say what's on your mind," Shen Chi said, ordering a coffee.

Xiao Mo ordered a tea in turn, leaning back in his chair, his expression calm: "Shen, I've got word from Singapore—Bai Man has long returned to the country."

"When did this happen?" Shen Chi's gaze sharpened although his expression stayed composed.

"Three months ago."

"And then?" Shen Chi asked coolly.

"I suspect she's likely returned to C City but hasn't shown herself yet," Xiao Mo replied.

"Still searching?"

"Yes, I sent people to track her down. Don't worry, I'll comb through C City and make sure she's found."

"You're in the open, she's in the shadows—it won't be that simple," Shen Chi remarked.

"In the meantime, Shen, please ensure Shen Madam and the young masters are well-protected," Xiao Mo said.

"Alright," Shen Chi sipped his coffee. "But waiting around won't be a good strategy either."