Chapter 1212: Chapter 1212: Taking Care of Him with a Big Belly

Shen Chi’s voice gradually softened, and after he finished that sentence, he fell into silence.

The nights in California were very quiet, especially in this upscale hotel where, once the window was closed, no external sounds could be heard.

At this moment, Shen Chi felt as though he could hear his own heartbeat.

Neither of them hung up the phone; they just remained silent.

After a very long time, so long it seemed like an entire century, Shen Chi slowly broke the silence, “Mumu, if I have really brought you pressure, then starting from tomorrow, I won’t bother you anymore.”

After he spoke, another lengthy silence ensued.

Shen Chi waited for Xu Chaomu’s response. Xu Chaomu bowed her head, unable to see anything in the darkness, hearing only her own breathing.

“Be sure to do as you say,” Xu Chaomu’s tone was as light as a wisp of cloud, casual and indifferent.

After speaking, she sighed in her heart.

“Mhm,” Shen Chi responded with a sound from his throat.

Xu Chaomu held the phone, and this time, neither of them hung up.

It was later, after an indiscernible amount of time had passed, that he curled his lips into a slight smile and said faintly, “Be good, take care of yourself. I’m going to hang up now.”

Xu Chaomu was silent, and, in the end, it was Shen Chi who hung up the call.

Xiaobao in her arms had grown impatient long ago, wriggling and squirming incessantly in Xu Chaomu’s embrace.

Xu Chaomu leant against the wall, feeling a sudden emptiness in her chest.

“Mama…” In the darkness, Xiaobao called out and began to grab around with his little hands.

He clearly disliked the darkness and couldn’t see anything clearly.

It was only then that Xu Chaomu came back to her senses and carried Xiaobao to a place with light.

“Baby, be good. Is Mama here? Are you hungry?”

“Mama…” Xiaobao called out again in his baby voice.

“Mama is here, Mama is here.”

While speaking, she kissed Xiaobao’s cheek and hugged him tightly, as if fearing someone would take him away.

Xiaobao looked up at Xu Chaomu with wide eyes, wondering why Mama was holding him so tightly; he was struggling to breathe.

Yet, Xu Chaomu still wanted to hold onto Xiaobao, for this baby was her whole world.

“Papa…” Xiaobao called out for his father again.

“Baby, Daddy is on a business trip; he won’t be back for a while.”

“I want Daddy…” Xiaobao called out again.

It had been a long time since he had seen the handsome uncle, and looking around, he couldn’t see anyone as handsome as the uncle.

Xu Chaomu couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and sorrow as she stroked Xiaobao’s hair, “Be good, Daddy will come back.”

Xiaobao fell silent, as if he understood, and bowed his head to play with his fingers.

Xu Chaomu held him as they went upstairs. After this time, her relationship with Shen Chi really had been completely severed.

…

After Shen Chi hung up the phone, his brow was deeply furrowed as the word “selfish” lingered in his mind…

So, that was how she saw him…

If loving someone meant finding everything about them perfect, Xu Chaomu thought so, and there was probably only one answer–she didn’t love him anymore.

He closed his eyes and silently sighed.

All the memories of the past surfaced in his mind like a movie, she had loved him for so many years–how could she say she no longer loved him? He refused to believe it.

He still remembered that time in the cave when she, pregnant, took care of him, weeping as though her life depended on it, terrified he wouldn’t wake up.

Back then, for his sake, she was willing to do anything. Even if it meant losing the child in her womb, she would have saved him.

Indeed, when faced with life or death, they could have been inseparable…

“Mumu…” he called out with his eyes closed, his voice calm and steady.

But all that answered him was the boundless silence surrounding him…

Stars were heavy outside the window, and the entire city melded into the night sky. Lights twinkled, and the river that ran through the city flowed with a gentle murmur.

…

During that time, Shen Chi temporarily set aside domestic affairs and joined forces with Xiao Mo to confront Shen Shihan.

After staking out at the port for several nights, Shen Chi indeed spotted something amiss.

Truck after truck of cargo was transported to the docks, all meant to be shipped back home for trade.

On the dark wharf, a line of people carefully handled the cargo. Fearing detection, the outermost layer of the vehicles was disguised with ordinary paint and coatings, as if conducting a simple foreign trade in painting materials.

“Boss Shen, it’s a bit too far to see clearly,” Xiao Mo said, hiding in an abandoned house.

Shen Chi took his binoculars for a look and confirmed it was too distant to take photos.

“Let’s figure out their route today, and we can worry about taking pictures tomorrow,” Shen Chi commanded.

“Just afraid there won’t be any cargo tomorrow.”

“Then we’ll destroy one of their boxes, and they will naturally have to replenish,” said Shen Chi, unfazed.

“Okay.” Xiao Mo hadn’t thought of that method; Shen Chi was indeed clever.

That night, they watched silently as Xiao Mo noted down their every move.

Just as the cargo ship was about to leave, they sent some local fishermen to inspect the boxes under the pretext of stealing fish. Amidst the fumbling chaos, the fishermen overturned some of the boxes!

Suddenly, the scene became chaotic while Shen Chi and Xiao Mo simply observed.

It wasn’t long before the fishermen completed their mission and returned.

Clearly, the drug lord was displeased, nearly shooting one of the fishermen!

“Boss Shen, Vice President Shen still hasn’t shown up,” Xiao Mo reported.

“As long as he doesn’t show, we must seize the cargo when it reaches the country,” Shen Chi said.

“Yes.”

“Starting now, have someone watch this port. Remember, intercept any cargo that arrives!”

“Understood.”

“You stay on guard here, I’ll head back to the hotel,” Shen Chi stood up.

The port’s wind was strong, and even with Shen Chi and Xiao Mo hiding in the abandoned house, they couldn’t escape the winter chill.

He was only wearing an everyday coat and now his head started to ache.

“…” Xiao Mo’s lips twitched.

“What are you looking at? I’ll give you a raise when we get back,” Shen Chi glanced at him coolly.

“…” Xiao Mo’s forehead creased yet again.

“Keep vigilant, and report to me tomorrow. If there’s any situation, make a decision on your own,” Shen Chi adjusted his coat.

Only with Xiao Mo would he dare to speak such words, as he trusted in Xiao Mo’s ability and intelligence.

“Boss Shen, why don’t you go back to the country?” Xiao Mo said. “It’s enough to have me here.”

After following Shen Chi for so many years, could he not discern Shen Chi’s true thoughts?

These days, Shen Chi was evidently restless, and it probably wasn’t just because of Shen Shihan.

“I will personally oversee Shen Shihan’s case from start to finish,” Shen Chi said with a powerful calm.

“Then I won’t persuade you anymore,” Xiao Mo said.

Wasn’t this man best at saying the opposite of what he felt? Clearly, he wanted to return to the country, yet he sought out a righteous reason to stay.

Shen Chi stood at the window of the abandoned house, dust assaulting his face while the moonlight cast a glow on his tall figure.

He looked up at the moon, steadied his steps, and said lightly, “She and I have no path left to walk together.”