Watching the car start up and drive away, Zaizai ran back to Jiayi’s side and proudly said, "See, I told you it was a small case."

"Mm-hmm, my little Baozi is the best." Jiayi didn’t linger either, pushing Zaizai onto the Mini and driving away in a flash.

Back at Green Island Garden, Jiayi led Zaizai out of the car, into the house, ready to take Zaizai upstairs before heading out again.

"Zaizai, you’ll have dinner with Aunt Anya tonight. Mommy will come back later to keep you company, okay? Don’t pester Aunt Anya, did you hear? Aunt Anya has a little baby in her belly now—"

Seeing his mommy’s stance on leaving, Zaizai guessed a bit of what was happening.

He had already been suspicious of why his mommy had suddenly wanted to send away Lawyer Yang’s people today. He had just been interrupted by his mommy.

Now, he was finally certain that mommy was definitely up to something naughty.

Seeing Jiayi preparing to change shoes, Zaizai did not hesitate, clutched his stomach, and bent over, "Ouch~"

Jiayi’s steps halted, and she quickly crouched down: "What’s wrong?"

Zaizai rubbed his little stomach: "It hurts."

"How can your stomach suddenly hurt for no reason?" Jiayi hurriedly massaged it for him.

Zaizai’s little face was almost wrinkled into a dried cauliflower, lying on his mommy’s shoulder: "It just hurts..."

She didn’t quite believe him, scaring him, "Then shall we go to the hospital to check it out?"

Tears suddenly squeezed out of Zaizai’s eyes, actually scared by the mention of going to the hospital, but it happened to work well, more dramatically convincing: "Maybe I ate something bad."

After saying that, he quickly ran into the bathroom and slammed the door shut.

Jiayi waited outside for a long time but still did not see him come out. She knocked on the bathroom door, "Are you done?"

"No!"

After a long while, Zaizai finally came out, barely sat down for a moment before he went back in again.

With this trouble, he went back and forth into the bathroom several times.

The last time, Zaizai came out with his little chubby legs soft.

Seeing him like this, whether true or feigned, Jiayi had no peace of mind to leave. She called Nie Yixiao.

As soon as the call connected, Nie Yixiao’s voice came through: "Jiayi, have you left yet?"

Having agreed but standing someone up made Jiayi very embarrassed: "Brother Yixiao, Zaizai isn’t feeling well today. I don’t feel at ease leaving him at home."

Nie Yixiao’s voice held a faint smile, but he immediately said, "Do you want to go to the hospital to check it out?"

"No need," she glanced at Little Baozi, "I guess he just ate something bad, but he’s feeling a little better now."

"You take good care of Zaizai at home." Nie Yixiao’s voice was gentle, no rise or fall detectable.

"But didn’t you say you had something to celebrate today... "

"No problem. It’s just a small matter. We can have dinner any time."

*

After hanging up the phone, silence filled the grand and elegant private room in Haitian Pavilion.

The uncorked red wine shimmered with a lustrous shine under the crystal chandelier, glamorous yet tinged with solitude.

With a creak, a servant came in pushing an antique trolley.

On the trolley was a silver tray holding a snow-white cream cake, with "Happy Anniversary" outlined on it in icing.

Beside the cream cake was a small satin red box.

That red box looked somewhat old, certainly not new.

"Mr. Nie, are the guests about to arrive?"

Nie Yixiao’s gaze fell softly on the tray as he picked up the red box, caressing the velvet with his neat, clean fingers.

Today was the anniversary of the day he and she had committed to each other.

Inside the box was the ring he had bought after they confirmed their relationship, preparing to propose to her.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t had the chance to slip the ring onto her finger when an order came from above, sending him to investigate the Xuan Family’s case.

He had to put aside the proposal with a heavy heart.

Since then, he secretly kept the proposal ring he never got to give her, always hoping to someday place it on her finger himself.

Upon learning that she had married Huo Zhenyang and decided to get along well with that man, Nie Yixiao had quietly taken the ring back.

But now, she was divorced.

The man no longer wanted her, had broken her heart, and he couldn’t help but take out the long-sealed ring once again.

He wanted to keep the promise he couldn’t fulfill in his youth, to take care of her for a lifetime.

He had booked a spot at Haitian Pavilion a month before their anniversary.

He planned to bring out the ring tonight and reveal his feelings.

He hadn’t expected... 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

It didn’t matter.

They had lost too much time together; he had the patience to wait.

Nie Yixiao stood up, his tone calm and unruffled:

"She’s not coming. Put it away for now."

*

Green Island Garden.

Seeing Mommy hang up the phone, Zaizai exhaled in relief.

Sorry, Uncle Nie, though you’re very handsome, kind, and considerate to my mommy, and even willing to buy me toys, I already have a daddy. Don’t blame me!

After tossing and turning for most of the night, he was put to bed early by Mommy.

It was late into the night, but Zaizai turned over and over, unable to sleep.

Daddy was not here, and Uncle Nie was getting closer and closer to Mommy...

Stopping them today wouldn’t stop them tomorrow!

So, it was up to him to protect Mommy’s rights in Daddy’s place!

He tiptoed out of bed, slipping off his shoes, and sneakily made his way to Liang Anya’s room.

Liang Anya was about to turn off the light to sleep when the door was pushed open.

Zaizai, in his cartoon pajamas, slipped in.

"Zaizai, what are you doing up so late?"

"Aunt Anya, you haven’t forgotten what you promised me, have you?"

"Ah, what was it?" Liang Anya feigned ignorance, understanding what Little Baozi intended.

"Mommy’s gone to sleep—I want to video call Daddy. Here, this is my daddy’s private mobile number," Zaizai insisted, handing her a piece of paper without giving her a chance to pretend.

Liang Anya sighed, conceding that she couldn’t break a promise to a child.

She had to keep her promise, dialing Huo Zhenyang’s number on her phone, and passing it to Zaizai while whispering, "Don’t let your mommy know, or she’ll scold me."

"Don’t worry, Mommy’s fast asleep. I’ll give you back the phone after I talk to Daddy." Zaizai happily took Liang Anya’s phone and left.

In the living room, Zaizai sat on the couch, watching the phone intently. The moment the video call connected, he saw Daddy.

It seemed to be afternoon on the other side of the screen.

The evening sun cast a splendid glow on the broad shoulders of the handsome and stout man, making him look radiant and majestic.

Although there was a hint of weariness between those thick brows, it didn’t diminish his striking handsomeness.

"Daddy~" Little Baozi called out softly.

Seeing Daddy still so handsome made Zaizai feel at ease.

At least, Uncle Nie couldn’t outshine him, could he?

At the sight of Little Baozi, a rare gentle light flickered across Huo Zhenyang’s handsome face: "Why are you still up so late? Are you being disobedient again because Daddy’s not there?"

Zaizai felt a bit wronged and couldn’t hold back any longer, pouring out the truth: "No! I’m guarding Mommy."

Upon hearing her name, Huo Zhenyang’s expression tightened slightly, his tone becoming stern: "What happened?"