Although Zhou Fuguang looked gentle and easygoing on the surface, he was still the head of the household.
When his expression darkened, the pressure in the dining room immediately dropped.
Little Zhou Jingrui, who was just about to put down his chopsticks, was very good at reading the atmosphere.
He instantly hugged his bowl, lowered his head, scooped up a bite of rice, and pretended that he wasn’t full yet.
Qin Baozhu, however, sensed nothing.
She simply wiped her mouth with a napkin and said, “I’m full. You guys go ahead.”
Then she stood up, pushed aside her chair, and lightly walked away.
Her slow, unhurried footsteps echoed up the stairs.
She genuinely didn’t know how to read the room, and just… left.
At the table, Aunt Feng and Zhou Jingrui exchanged a look.
Aunt Feng hurriedly fed Lusheng a spoonful of vegetables and said anxiously, “Baozhu ate too many snacks this afternoon, I think she’s not hungry now. I gave her too much rice.”
Zhou Fuguang didn’t respond.
But because he had grown up frugal and mindful of food, his expression still didn’t look good.
He reached out, took Qin Baozhu’s half-uneaten bowl of rice, and poured it into his own bowl, eating her leftovers.
Zhou Jingrui bit down on his chopsticks, full of envy.
He also wanted to give his rice to Daddy to eat…
In the end, it was Aunt Feng who helped him finish some of his food.
After dinner, his little belly round and full, Zhou Jingrui happily ran to Zhou Fuguang.
“Daddy, can I go upstairs to see Mama now? I want to watch TV.”
Zhou Fuguang looked at the rice stuck to his son’s cheek and lifted his chin slightly.
“Wash your face with Lusheng first.”
“Then after I wash, can I go find Mama?”
“I’ll go talk to her now.”
Only after getting his father’s promise did Zhou Jingrui relax.
He went to find Lusheng so they could wash their faces and soak their feet together.
Watching the two little ones chatting and giggling on their stools, Zhou Fuguang slowly withdrew his gaze and headed upstairs.
At that moment, Qin Baozhu was washing her face in the bathroom.
She heard his footsteps approaching.
In the mirror, the tall and slender figure of the man appeared behind her, his deep and composed eyes watching her reflection.
Qin Baozhu asked while looking at him through the mirror, “What?”
He looked like he had something to say.
Zhou Fuguang said calmly, “Ruirui wants to watch some TV tonight. Do you agree?”
“If he wants to watch, then let him,” Qin Baozhu said as she wrung out her towel and dried her hands. “Why ask me?”
“You’re his mother. He wanted me to ask whether you agree or not.”
“…”
Qin Baozhu moved her lips slightly.
Thinking of that shy little kid in front of her earlier, she pursed her lips and thought—fine.
“You don’t need to ask me about small things like this. Just arrange it yourself in the future.”
She poured out the water and walked back into the bedroom.
Qin Baozhu had just arranged the bed, set the air-conditioning, and finished soaking her feet when Zhou Jingrui poked his head in through the door.
His little face was lit up with a smile.
“Mama, Daddy said I can come watch TV. Can I come in now?”
Qin Baozhu lifted the blanket and patted the bed.
“Sit.”
Seeing her soft, clean, nice-smelling bed, he felt shy.
“Mama, I can watch TV from the sofa…”
“That’s troublesome.”
With tiny hesitation, Zhou Jingrui climbed onto the bed.
He was clearly embarrassed.
Qin Baozhu handed him the remote control so he could pick what he wanted to watch.
She changed into her pajamas while he was already leaning against the headboard, fully absorbed in the cartoon The Adventures of Sanmao the Orphan.
She had watched it as a child too.
Sanmao was too pitiful, so she never had much attachment to the story.
Zhou Fuguang came up later than usual tonight.
Jiang Canran had brought over the accounting books from the chicken farm, and the two of them had checked through everything downstairs.
By the time they finished, it was almost eleven.
After seeing him out, Zhou Fuguang closed the door and went upstairs with Aunt Feng, who had just finished the evening chores.
Soft “ding ding dong dong” sounds drifted from the bedroom TV.
Zhou Fuguang pushed open the door and saw the mother-and-child pair leaning against the headboard, asleep.
Their heads were resting together.
There were dried tear tracks by the corner of Zhou Jingrui’s eyes, but he slept peacefully.
Aunt Feng, seeing the warm scene, whispered, “Why don’t we let Ruirui sleep with Baozhu tonight?”
Zhou Fuguang shook his head.
He walked over, turned off the TV, and gently lifted the sleeping little boy.
Sensing movement, the child blinked awake, sniffled, wrapped his chubby arms around his father’s neck, and mumbled, “Daddy…”
Zhou Fuguang patted his head, carried him to the children’s room, and placed him beside the already-sleeping Lusheng.
Aunt Feng came in to tuck the blanket around him and said to Zhou Fuguang, “It’s late, Xiao Zhou. You should rest too.”
Zhou Fuguang glanced at her, pinched the bridge of his nose, and said, “Aunt Feng.”
His tone told her he had something to say.
Nervously, she answered, “Yes?”
“Keep an eye on their snacking from now on. Those junk foods aren’t good for them when eaten too much.”
After saying that, he couldn’t help sighing deeply in his heart.
He hadn’t expected that becoming Ruirui’s father was one thing…
But he also had to act as Qin Baozhu’s “father.”
Even these little things, he had to manage.
When she had mental issues before, it was whatever.
But now that she was lucid, he still had to oversee what she ate.
Aunt Feng quickly nodded.
“I know, it’s my fault today. I saw how happily Baozhu was eating the snacks and couldn’t help buying more for her. From now on, I’ll only give her a little bit each day—she definitely won’t overeat again!”
Zhou Fuguang nodded.
“Get some rest.”
Then he left.
The bedroom was quiet.
Because the air conditioning was set high, it felt a little stuffy.
Zhou Fuguang walked in, lowered the temperature, took off his coat, and sat on the edge of the bed, staring at Qin Baozhu’s sleeping face.
Under the warm light, her fair, delicate features glowed softly—like a pearl, a treasure too precious to look away from.
His gaze lingered on her face for a long time before he gently lifted his hand and stroked her warm cheek.
Perhaps his fingertips were too cold, for she instinctively shrank away in her sleep.
But he didn’t withdraw his hand.
His rough fingertips glided slowly over her soft skin.
Every inch of her was the result of the comfortable, pampered life he provided for her.
She was… the gift fate had given him.
Ever since he found her at Jiangcheng train station six years ago…
He had never planned to let her go.
By his side, she could do whatever she wanted.
He would provide anything she desired—food, clothing, anything.
After all, the money he’d earned over the years was more than enough to support one Qin Baozhu.
There was only one thing she couldn’t do—leave.
Leaning against the headboard, he lifted his gaze to the soft yellow glow of the ceiling light.
The scattered light fell across his sharp brows and deep eyes, making the darkness in them even heavier.
Thinking about Qin Baozhu’s recent behavior, his expression gradually deepened.