"Thank you, mother," Ruyi murmured, her heart swelling with gratitude as she and Lu Zhi Hao ascended the short flight of steps leading towards the master suite.
He kept his arm firmly around her waist, pressing a brief kiss to her temple as they walked down the quiet hallway lined with modern Chinese ink paintings framed in dark rosewood.
"Welcome home," he whispered lowly, his voice a deep rumble only she could hear.
Her lips curved into a soft smile as her heart echoed the words back silently:
Home.
LU MANSION – MASTER SUITE – MID MORNING
The cool hush of the air conditioning mingled with faint birdsong outside the tinted windows.
Though bright spring light gleamed beyond the glass, the intelligent tinting system darkened the room into a peaceful twilight, perfect for exhausted bodies recovering from the long flight.
Wan Ruyi emerged from the ensuite bathroom, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders, framing her delicate, slightly flushed face.
She wore a loose cream maternity robe tied softly above her small but visible bump.
Moving slowly, she perched at the edge of the king-sized bed, a quiet sigh leaving her lips as she cradled her belly instinctively.
Lu Zhi Hao walked in behind her, having changed into a relaxed black cotton shirt and drawstring pants. His freshly showered hair clung slightly to his forehead, highlighting his handsome, softened features.
"Come," he murmured, his deep voice vibrating with gentle authority as he approached her, "Lie down for a while... Your feet must be swollen again."
She obeyed, shifting to lie down fully on her side, her robe parting slightly to reveal her slender legs and the faint swelling at her ankles.
He knelt by the bed, his large hands lifting her calf gently onto his thigh. His brows furrowed with worry as his thumb pressed lightly against the tender spots behind her knee before gliding down to her ankles.
"You always swell after long flights…" he said quietly, his voice tinged with guilt.
"It's normal…" she murmured, her eyes fluttering shut as his strong, rhythmic kneading eased the deep ache in her calves. "It's just… the pregnancy makes it worse."
His hands paused momentarily before continuing, this time with deeper care, massaging the arches of her feet and rolling each ankle in soothing circles, "I should have insisted on a private medical attendant onboard."
She chuckled softly, her lashes brushing her cheeks, "Don't be silly. I had you and that's enough."
"Hehe... But I'm not a doctor...."
He leaned forward to press a warm kiss against her knee, his breath feathering across her skin, "After this… after you have rested… let's go away for a while."
"Hmm?" she hummed softly, sleepiness lacing her voice.
"A honeymoon," he murmured against her skin, his lips curving into a faint smile. "We never had one… I want to take you away. Somewhere beautiful, quiet, just us and our baby."
Her eyes fluttered open, hazy with love as she gazed down at him, "Where… do you want to go?"
Her heart swelled with quiet joy, tears shimmering at the corners of her eyes, "Then… let's go to Wuyuan. I want to walk through the endless yellow rapeseed flower fields with you… pick tea leaves from the old terraces… and take pictures with our baby bump."
Lu Zhi Hao's eyes softened, a faint smile curving his lips as he brushed his thumb tenderly across her cheek. "Wuyuan… It's beautiful in spring. The flowers will be blooming fully by the time we get there."
"Mn," she murmured with a small, shy smile, "I just want somewhere peaceful… somewhere where it's only us… and the blossoms."