Chapter 1202: Chapter 1202: This is the Only Time to Be Foolish in My Life

“And you see, Xiaobao seems to like me quite a bit, always calling me ‘Dad’. Why don’t you just let me be his father?” Shen Chi said with a brazen face.

“Any man he meets, he calls ‘Dad’. What does he know?” Xu Chaomu countered.

“Really? Is that so?”

“He even calls Chenglang ‘Dad’. By your logic, does that mean whoever he likes, I should let that person be Xiaobao’s dad?”

“…” Shen Chi’s mouth twitched, Xiaobao was so disappointing. Was the word ‘Dad’ something to be thrown around lightly?

“Also… don’t buy things for him anymore. You’ll have your own children in the future, don’t get attached to him.” Xu Chaomu said earnestly, “I don’t want him to get attached to you either. Once feelings develop, it’s hard to turn back without getting hurt.”

Xu Chaomu was very serious. If Xiaobao really became attached to Shen Chi, what would Xiaobao do once Shen Chi had his own children…

She didn’t want such a young child to have any entanglement with Shen Chi.

“Oh? So, you’d be willing to have a child with me?” Shen Chi raised his eyebrow.

“You clearly know what I mean.” Xu Chaomu said, “You, Shen Chi, will get married and have kids in the future.”

“Xu Chaomu, I really want to see what’s inside your head. How can you not understand what I’m saying?”

“It’s not that I don’t understand.”

“Is it that you don’t believe?” continued Shen Chi.

“…” Xu Chaomu fell silent.

“I know you don’t believe anything I say, but it’s okay, time will prove it.” Shen Chi said. “I’ll wait for you.”

“Don’t be silly!” Xu Chaomu frowned and blurted out.

This wasn’t the outcome she wanted. Although she wouldn’t be with him, she didn’t want him to remain unmarried all his life.

“I’ll only be foolish once in my lifetime.” Shen Chi gazed at her, his large hand gently stroking her hair.

He knew she had him in her heart, wanting the best for him, just as he wished for her.

The greatest height of love is wishing for the other’s well-being.

“Shen Chi, you’re the dumbest man I’ve ever met!” Xu Chaomu said bluntly.

“Likewise, you’re the dumbest woman I’ve ever met.”

“…”

“Xiaobao is the dumbest little thing I’ve ever seen,” Shen Chi added.

What kind of child calls every man ‘Dad’? It seems he hadn’t taught him well.

“Shen Chi… it’s getting late, you should go. You’ve already stayed in Jin City for many days,” Xu Chaomu said indifferently, trying to raise her head.

But Shen Chi pressed her head down, preventing her from moving, and said in a deep voice, “What if I refuse to leave?”

“I could sue you for harassment.”

“I could show them our marriage certificate.”

“You…”

“Don’t talk to me about the law. Of course, don’t talk to me about anything else, either. You can’t win against me.” Shen Chi overbearingly said.

“Then I just won’t open my mouth,” Xu Chaomu closed her eyes with a look of disdain.

Shen Chi lowered his head. Seeing her proud little expression, he couldn’t help but kiss her on the cheek.

But, every time he kissed her, he had some trouble controlling the desire within him. Nevertheless, he restrained himself this time. There were still long days ahead, he could wait for the day she was willing. It just meant he had to endure some hardship.

“Don’t touch me,” Xu Chaomu said, half-opening her eyes.

“Mmm…”

“When do you plan to let me go?”

“Depends on my mood.”

“…”

Xu Chaomu simply stopped speaking, enjoying the afternoon sunlight.

The deep autumn was turning cool, but this sunlight was particularly lovely, casting a warmth over one’s body that nearly lulled one to sleep.

Shen Chi’s chest was as warm and broad as ever, and as she clutched his shirt, she slowly started to feel drowsy.

Before long, she had fallen asleep in Shen Chi’s arms.

In her dreams, it seemed time had reverted to the past, back to when she was young and would watch him, handsome in his youth, unable to resist the urge to nestle in his arms.

Back then, he found her quite a nuisance.

At this point in her dream, the corners of her lips slightly curled upward, forming a gentle arc.

Shen Chi watched her sleep, unable to refrain from kissing her cheeks a few times.

In the afternoon sunlight, beneath the shadow of the green trees at the window, everything merged into a beautiful tapestry.

…

No matter how long he stayed in Jin City, he was bound to leave, but during this time, he distinctly felt that Xu Chaomu was not as antagonistic towards him as before.

It might have been his imagination, but he preferred to trust his intuition.

Still, after sharing a roof with her for half a month without even the opportunity to share a bed, he felt … as a man, that he was a failure.

By the time he returned to C City, it was nearly the end of November. Shen Chi had been gone for only a few days when Xu Chaomu celebrated Xiaobao’s birthday.

Xiao Mo said Xiaobao was about the same age as the child she had lost, so … she celebrated Xiaobao’s birthday on that date too.

Although her heart was unavoidably heavy, the sight of Xiaobao bouncing with life allowed her to bury that sadness.

“Baby, are you happy to have a birthday today?” Xu Chaomu held him.

For the evening, it was just the two of them, her and Xiaobao.

She bought Xiaobao a small cake, topped with tempting fruits and chocolate.

Seeing all these colorful things, Xiaobao clapped his hands happily.

“Say ‘Mommy,’ and Mommy will celebrate your birthday,” Xu Chaomu said with a smile.

“Uhm…” Xiaobao stood on Xu Chaomu’s legs, unable to speak.

“Mommy,” Xu Chaomu coached him.

Xiaobao could be quite clever when taught, and he immediately mimicked, “Mommy.”

“Good boy, well done!” Xu Chaomu kissed him and then lit the candles on the cake with a smile.

The flames of the candles flickered, dancing like little sprites.

Xiaobao was even more delighted and reached out to grab the cake.

“Hold on, how about Mommy sings a song for you instead?”

Xu Chaomu turned off the lights and sang a song for Xiaobao.

Candlelight reflected on her face, and when she was with Xiaobao, she wouldn’t think about the child she’d lost, as that wouldn’t be fair to Xiaobao.

A year had passed, and even the greatest pain had slowly eased. Having Xiaobao by her side, she was content.

Yet, she still remembered this day.

Xiaobao was laughing joyfully, jumping up and down on Xu Chaomu’s legs, and then wrapped his little arms around her neck.

“Xiaobao, let Mommy give you a kiss, and then Mommy will feed you some cake.”

Xu Chaomu didn’t wait for Xiaobao’s consent, plunging kisses onto his cheeks; she truly adored this little guy.

The little one laughed even more joyously, and Xu Chaomu too was very happy; their faces, lit by the candlelight, were like blooming flowers.

Xu Chaomu glanced at the time; it was already half past seven in the evening.

Winter nights came early, and after feeding Xiaobao the cake, it was time to put him to bed.

However, as she gazed out at the brightly lit windows, her heart felt an inexplicable sense of loss.

“Mommy…” Xiaobao hugged her, calling out.