Chapter 589: 589: Waiting for Her Baby to Be Born

Stripped of his indifference and alienation, his facial features gradually softened. Especially when he looked down and fiddled with the puppy’s paws, there was a unique tenderness emanating from the man.

Although he still didn’t smile much, Xu Chaomu particularly liked watching him like this.

At first, the puppy kept avoiding Shen Chi, constantly trying to jump out of his embrace.

But Shen Chi’s touch was gentle; after he stroked its fur a couple of times, it settled down, snuggling securely into his chest.

“Mumu, how do you raise it? Does it often go hungry following you?” Shen Chi said.

“Not at all, it eats better than I do,” Xu Chaomu rebutted, “Wealth, right?”

Xu Chaomu flicked Wealth’s little ear with her finger, and the dog barked several times in response.

“It’s quite loyal to you.”

“Of course, I was the one who picked it up from the street.”

Shen Chi hooked the corner of his mouth, smiling.

Back in the day, he was the one who picked Xu Chaomu up from the orphanage, yet he never saw her this loyal to him.

“Let’s go inside,” Shen Chi said, carrying the puppy into the living room.

Xu Chaomu nodded and followed behind him up the steps…

From behind, Shen Chi’s way of holding the puppy looked practiced; this was the first time she had seen such a tender side of him.

The gentleness and elegance he exhibited at this moment were especially mesmerizing to her.

She suddenly thought, if she ever had a baby, would he hold it the same way?

But the thought was fleeting, and she quickly hid it away in her heart.

Once inside the house, Shen Chi put Wealth down.

Freed, the small dog ran around the living room, thoroughly enjoying its playtime.

Shen Chi stood in front of Xu Chaomu; her face bore a melancholic expression, and he knew her inner turmoil hadn’t entirely subsided.

He threaded his fingers through her hair, gently stroking, feeling the smoothness of her locks.

“Mumu, as long as I’m here, I won’t let anyone bully you,” Shen Chi declared.

“The only one who bullies others is me. Who dares to bully me?” Xu Chaomu cracked a smile.

“So, do you still dare to bully me now?”

“When have I ever bullied you?”

“In bed.”

“…” Xu Chaomu glared at him, “President Shen, it’s a pity you don’t go into stand-up comedy.”

As they were talking, a servant ran in, speaking in a low voice, “Fourth Young Master…”

“What is it?” Shen Chi frowned.

The servant tiptoed and whispered in Shen Chi’s ear, “Madam Zhou is here.”

Shen Chi’s sharp eyes immediately grew stern, “I know, you go first.”

“Yes.” The servant carefully withdrew.

Xu Chaomu hadn’t heard their conversation, and Shen Chi then told her, “Go upstairs and take a shower. I have something to do; I’ll be back soon.”

Xu Chaomu nodded obediently and walked upstairs.

Wealth followed Xu Chaomu up, and Shen Chi watched her until she was out of sight.

Xu Chaomu leading the way with Wealth bouncing behind her created an exceptionally warm scene.

It wasn’t until Xu Chaomu was upstairs that Shen Chi left the living room.

Coming out, indeed, he saw his mother’s car parked outside the Waterside Pavilion.

Because the staff stopped her, Zhou Ran didn’t make it inside.

Shen Chi hadn’t walked over yet when Zhou Ran got out of the car.

“Achi, have everyone around the villa stand down,” Zhou Ran got straight to the point, her tone laced with considerable dissatisfaction.

“Impossible,” Shen Chi’s stance was resolutely firm.

“Achi, is this how you treat your father? Is it worth it to fall out with your father over a Xu Chaomu?” Zhou Ran’s face showed unease.

“Mother, since when did you start considering father’s feelings?”

“I’m not considering his feelings. I just don’t want to see you and your father turn against each other!”

“Dad and I get along quite harmoniously. How did it turn into enmity? I just thought since dad has difficulty walking, having more people to look after him would be good, am I wrong?”

“That’s not care, that’s house arrest!”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Call off your people. We can talk about the power of attorney; I’ll speak with your father.”

Disdain was written across Shen Chi’s face as he mockingly sneered, “The power of attorney is but a nominal thing; let him clutch it if he wants. And in the future, don’t try to use such things to threaten Chaomu!”

Zhou Ran was momentarily taken aback, it seems that the girl had told Shen Chi everything.

Their schemes might deceive Xu Chaomu, but they could never fool Shen Chi.

“Achi, are you really willing to give up everything for Xu Chaomu?”

“If I’m left with only one choice, I would definitely choose her.”

“Your father is in poor health; do you realize how much you’ve disappointed him this time?” Zhou Ran pressed.

“I’m just making my stance clear,” Shen Chi responded, “Aside, mother, when did you start caring for father at the summer villa? Even if you do visit, don’t you pick a time when Liu Rumei isn’t there?”

Shen Chi’s words hit Zhou Ran right in the heart, and her complexion shifted instantly.

But having seen much of the world, Zhou Ran regained her composure after a few seconds.

Still, there was an odd feeling in her chest.

“Achi, no matter what, he is your father.”

“I didn’t stop treating him as my father. I just hope he doesn’t go too far!” Shen Chi spoke with a sharp tone, a cloud of gloom shadowing his face.

“Regardless of how much resentment there is between your father and me, at least on some matters, I stand with him,” Zhou Ran stood unyielding.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Shen Chi naturally understood the “some matters” she referred to, and his irritation grew as he frowned.

“It’s getting late; you should leave,” Shen Chi said impatiently.

“So, she’s living with you now?” Zhou Ran inquired.

“My relationship with her is none of your concern,” Shen Chi cut her off firmly, “Also, in the future, you should avoid seeing her.”

Shen Chi knew his mother was a clever person; having said so much, she surely understood.

Zhou Ran’s lips moved, the corners lifting in a cold sneer.

“Are you afraid she’ll see me and be reminded of her mother?” Zhou Ran said unmercifully.

“Enough,” Shen Chi barked coldly, “I don’t want to dredge up the old grievances between you and Xu Mengxi thirteen years ago. I may cover for you, but that doesn’t mean I condone your actions.”

She was his mother, and no matter how much Xu Chaomu couldn’t forget that enmity, he ultimately lacked the courage to send his own mother to prison.

After all, he was biased.

“Achi, think it through. Can Xu Chaomu be with you, content and happy?” Zhou Ran pressed on.

Shen Chi’s face darkened at Zhou Ran’s words, which reminded him of Xu Chaomu’s breakdown at the Shen Family house the night before last.

“If she could be with me, content and happy, then she would be the most heartless of all,” Zhou Ran continued, her words laced with mockery.