Chapter 13
The afternoon sun shone on the hospital entrance, and the air was filled with the faint scent of cherry blossoms.
Sakura Minamino changed into a light beige maternity dress that Shuichi Minamino had personally chosen for her. The dress flowed gracefully, and her figure still looked slender. Her long golden hair shimmered softly in the light.
"Let's go home," Minamino Shuichi said softly, standing beside her.
He supported her lower back with one hand and held her duffel bag with the other, his movements as natural as if he had been taking care of her for a long time.
Sakura stood in front of the hospital and glanced back at the familiar white door.
She smiled.
"Yes, let's go home."
The car is a custom-made sedan with extra space, and the suspension and shock absorption have been specially tuned for pregnant women.
As soon as Sakura sat down, Minamino Shuichi immediately handed her a cushion and a blanket, and adjusted the air conditioner speed.
Are you cold?
"It's not cold."
"Would you like something to eat? The low-sugar cake that just arrived is still warm."
"Hmm...you can have a small piece." She smiled and took the cake.
“You just need to say the word, and the entire dessert shop can be moved here.” He gently took her hand.
"You look like you're holding some fragile porcelain doll."
"Aren't you the little porcelain doll I hold in my palm?" He raised an eyebrow, his green eyes gentle.
Sakura couldn't help but laugh: "With you like this, how could I dare to be angry?"
"I go crazy when you get angry."
"Heh." A smirk played on her lips. "Aren't you regretting not wearing it that night—"
"Ahem." Minamino Shuichi coughed lightly to interrupt, "I only regret one thing right now."
"What?"
"I regret not marrying you sooner," he whispered in her ear.
Sakura's ears turned red, she glared at him, but didn't say anything more.
The car slowly drove into the Minamino family's villa.
As soon as she got off the bus, Sakura was stunned by what she saw.
Colorful flags were planted on both sides of the steps in front of the porch, ribbons were tied to the railings, and a sign stood at the entrance:
Welcome home Mrs. Minamino!
She was taken aback and looked up at the man beside her.
"...You're making it sound like I'm some princess returning from abroad."
“You are the queen of my family.” He took her hand, his tone serious, “Official, the kind that is legally recognized.”
As he spoke, he reached out and gently lifted her back, saying, "Watch your step, don't miss it."
She let him lead her into that familiar yet rearranged space.
Inside the living room, the coffee table next to the sofa was filled with her favorite snacks and low-sugar desserts, as well as welcome signs and bouquets arranged by the maids, and a pink cushion that read "Wee Home, Baby Mama".
"...Did you use your entire team of subordinates to arrange this?" She couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Of course." He didn't hide anything. "My wife is being discharged from the hospital and coming home, so of course we have to make arrangements."
"That's an exaggeration."
“There are even more outrageous ones.”
"Um?"
He didn't say much, but simply took her hand and slowly walked up to the second floor.
The door at the end of the corridor was gently pushed open.
A faint minty scent permeated the air.
The interior features pink and white walls, a delicately patterned crib, a light blue rocking chair in front of the French windows, and neatly folded animal-patterned blankets. Sunlight falls on the windowsill, creating a clean and gentle ambiance.
She was stunned.
"This is……"
"The nursery."
Minamino Shuichi walked behind her and gently wrapped his arms around her waist: "The night you fainted, I immediately started decorating this room."
"...You're all ready?" Her voice was soft, as if she was afraid that if she exerted any force, she would force out her tears.
"Not quite ready yet." He lowered his head and kissed her ear.
"Only when you and the baby move in together will this room be truly complete."
She nestled into his arms, her fingers resting on the baby rocking chair.
Her eyes finally softened like water.
"Welcome home, Mrs. Minami."
He whispered in her ear.
She smiled.
"Yes, I'm back."
As night fell, the kitchen lights in the Nanye family home shone a warm, yellow glow.
Outside the living room window, the wind rustled through the shadows of the trees in the courtyard, and the night was so quiet that it seemed as if only this villa was shining in the whole world.
"You should eat something."
Minamino Shuichi was wearing a dark gray lounge shirt with the cuffs rolled up. He held a tray in his left hand and carefully wrapped his right arm around the person in his arms.
Sakura Hoshino leaned against him, wearing a loose cotton loungewear dress, barefoot, her cheeks flushed, like a soft dumpling being carried to be sacrificed.
“I didn’t say I wasn’t hungry,” she retorted softly, without struggling.
“Of course I know.” He smirked. “But you’d better finish eating, or I’ll suspect you’ve been secretly setting up some kind of little base upstairs.”
"Hmph..." she scoffed.
After being carried to sit on a high stool in the kitchen, Sakura watched as he skillfully opened the tray lid, and a rich milky aroma immediately wafted out.
Low-sugar condensed milk mini cakes, served with freshly brewed honey lemon warm water, and a mini bowl containing smooth milk custard.
These are all the "quota" foods that she used to secretly eat but is now allowed to eat.
Minamino Shuichi scooped up a spoonful of steamed egg, blew on it to cool it down, and then brought it to her lips.
"ah--"
"Do you think I'm a child?" She pouted slightly, but still obediently opened her mouth and ate.
He sat beside her, his eyes so tender they could melt your heart.
She lowered her head, took a sip of lemonade, and ate quietly. After a few bites, she suddenly and gently put down her spoon.
"...I'm full."
Nanno Shuichi paused, turned his head to look at her, and his gaze immediately softened.
"Are you eating too fast?" he asked softly. "Are you feeling unwell?"
She shook her head.
"The taste isn't to your liking?" he asked worriedly.
She shook her head again, her voice soft, as if suppressing a sense of loss that she herself couldn't quite explain:
"It's not that it's not tasty... it's just..." She paused, then lowered her head, "I haven't seemed to have any desire for desserts lately."
He was unable to speak.
As if sensing his emotions, she forced a smile:
"Maybe... I just don't have an appetite."
There was a moment of silence.
He suddenly stood up, walked from behind her to her, squatted down, and gently took her hand.
"sorry."
His voice carried a hint of self-reproach and tenderness, "I was too strict with you before, making you afraid to even look forward to your favorite desserts, right?"
Sakura was startled, and her eyelashes trembled.
“I didn’t mean to,” he said in an even lower voice. “I was just too concerned about you, too worried about problems in the early stages of your pregnancy. But I forgot… you’re not someone who would easily indulge yourself.”
"You just want to be willful once in a while and enjoy a little something sweet occasionally."
He looked up at her, his eyes filled with intense seriousness.
“Sakura, if you’ve lost your appetite and don’t even like desserts anymore—it must be because I haven’t done something right.”
“It’s not your fault…” she said softly, “It’s just that my body is becoming strange now, my emotions are easily swayed, and my sense of taste has changed.”
"I know." He squeezed her hand and gently pulled her into his arms.
"Then don't force yourself to eat."
"If you don't want to eat, I won't force you anymore."
"Just tell me—if you're unhappy right now, is it because I said something wrong again, or because I made you feel like I'm too focused on the baby in your belly and neglecting you?"
"I will change, I will change everything."
Sakura paused for a moment, then reached out and hugged him.
She pressed herself against his chest and whispered, "...You've become a little bit gentler."
"Yes, you taught me."
She smiled, her voice filled with sleepiness and peace of mind.
"I want to sleep now."
"Okay." He picked her up.
"I ate half a cake and three bites of steamed egg. Wasn't that a great quota for today?"
"I'll give you extra points." He lowered his head and kissed her forehead.
Good night.
Goodnight, my little fox.
The kitchen lights gradually dimmed.
The remaining bowl of steamed eggs sat quietly on the table, its aroma still lingering.
Minamino Shuichi carried her upstairs, a barely concealed smile on his lips.
She said she had no desire for desserts—but he knew that as long as he was there, her heart would still be sweet.
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