Watching Sophie Foster move with agility yet a bit clumsily, Nicholas Croft rubbed his forehead in resignation. His wife... Sigh, still couldn’t shed the nature of a child.

Sophie Foster approached the little model, reaching out to touch the beautiful floral dress. Her little round face showed satisfaction, "Uncle, come quickly, should we buy this floral dress for the baby?"

Seeing Sophie’s excited expression, Nicholas really didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm. Considering the style of the dress, it was meant for a five or six-year-old girl, yet their baby was only due next year.

He rubbed his temple, gave a response, and walked over in big strides, with a doting yet helpless tone, "Sure, if you like it, we’ll buy it."

"Salesperson, please wrap this up for me!" Sophie shouted with raised volume, then dragged Nicholas to look at other children’s clothing.

In a certain brand’s storefront, Hannah Hargrave stood at the entrance facing the baby section, her watery eyes slightly squinted, and her pink lips tightened, with her hand clutching the coat in front of her subconsciously.

The assistant, Harry Zachary, who was beside her, also looked at the baby section, with his thick brows tightly furrowed together.

Nicholas was pulled into the counter by Sophie. Hannah withdrew her gaze, lifted her chin, took a breath as if suppressing something, then turned her face back, expressionless on her delicately made-up face.

"How’s the task I assigned you coming along?"

Harry also withdrew his gaze, slightly bowed his head and said, "Everything’s arranged, just waiting for your instructions."

Hannah turned back, expressionless, and said, "Start taking action tomorrow, I refuse to believe she’ll never go out alone."

After saying that, she turned around, lifted her chin arrogantly, and walked in the opposite direction of the baby section.

"Yes," Harry replied with a slight bow, took another look at the direction of the baby section, then turned and quickly followed her. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

After shopping in the mall for over two hours, Sophie had quite a haul—baby hats, bottles, diapers, clothes from newborns to floral dresses for older kids. After leaving the home’s address, she was satisfied to leave with Nicholas. On the way back, she remembered an "important" thing, "Uncle, we forgot to buy little undies for the baby. Girls can’t be bare-bottomed."

Nicholas found it amusing, thinking so far ahead when the baby hadn’t even been born yet. Not wanting to dampen Sophie’s enthusiasm, he said good-naturedly, "It’s okay, we can buy them next time."

"Alright then, next time," Sophie said, a little disappointed.

After New Year’s Day, people began to get busy again. This year’s Chinese New Year wasn’t particularly late, coming in early February. Everyone seemed busier than usual.

Nicholas was no different. Besides his regular work, he had to attend media events, sometimes coming home at midnight.

This time of year was always when Sophie was most active—shopping, buying New Year’s goods. Even when she lived abroad alone, it was the same.

On Wednesday, with less than a month to go before the New Year, Sophie put on a down jacket and took the little nanny with her.

Seeing her mistress going out, Panda Eyes wagged its tail, circling around her, looking up and seemingly wanting to go out together.

Before leaving, Sophie patted Panda Eyes on the head, "Be good, look after the house well. I’m heading out."

Panda Eyes, seemingly understanding its mistress, dashed out of the house and then crouched at the door, watching the street outside the door.