Chapter 18
The afternoon sunlight, soft as polished golden threads, streamed into the Minamino family's living room through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The air was filled with the delicate fragrance of freshly washed cotton fabrics and floral tea.
Sakura was held in Minamino Shuichi's arms, quietly nestled on the sofa. She leaned against him, her arms wrapped around his neck, her soft blonde hair cascading down his chest, her sea-blue eyes revealing a hint of affection and mischief.
"Shuichi~" she called his name softly.
"Hmm?" He lowered his head, his gaze gently fixed on her face.
She pursed her lips, then snuggled closer to him in a coquettish manner, nuzzling against his neck, her voice soft and sweet: "Can you take me shopping? I want to go for a walk~"
Nanno Shuichi was slightly taken aback, then laughed and reached out to pinch her cheek: "You just got married yesterday, and you want to run away today?"
"Getting married isn't like being locked up," Sakura tilted her head, her eyes sparkling. "I'm pregnant, not a patient!"
As soon as she finished speaking, he gently pulled her into his arms and lowered his head to plant a kiss on her lips. The kiss was tender yet firm, tinged with a hint of helplessness, but also filled with doting affection.
"I just can't do anything with you." He sighed, his forehead pressed against hers. "Alright, if my wife wants to go out, of course her husband has to accompany her."
Sakura blinked and smiled like cherry blossoms in spring: "That's more like it."
Minamino Shuichi stood up, picked her up, and carried her away from the sofa: "Since we're going out, we need to change our clothes first."
"Are you planning to carry me upstairs?" She smiled, surprised and shy.
“Of course.” He said calmly and matter-of-factly, “My wife is pregnant, so I can handle dangerous things like climbing stairs.”
Sakura couldn't help but chuckle, wrapping her arms around his neck: "Then you'd better hold on tight~"
"I held on very tightly the whole time."
He walked upstairs in a deep voice and with steady steps.
Inside the bedroom, soft sunlight streamed onto the pristine white curtains.
Minamino Shuichi gently placed Sakura on the sofa beside the bed and took out a loose, off-white long dress for her. The dress was soft, with a ribbon at the waist, specially made for pregnant women, yet it still accentuated her elegant curves.
"This one looks nice." He handed it over.
Sakura laughed and replied, "I thought you would pick my tight-fitting ones."
"Do you think I'd be willing to do that?" He looked at her slightly protruding belly, his tone revealing a silent tenderness.
"I like whatever you wear as long as you're comfortable."
Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she gently stroked her belly and suddenly chuckled softly, "After the baby is born, I'm going to wear my beautiful bodycon dress again and make you stare at me."
“You’re staring at me now too.” He stepped closer, lifted her chin with his fingers, and gently kissed her.
In that instant, time seemed to stand still.
Soon after, Minamino Shuichi, dressed in a shirt and light gray trousers, exuded a gentle and refined yet handsome and mature aura. He carried his car keys in one hand and led Sakura downstairs with the other.
"No high heels allowed today."
"Okay~" Sakura obediently stuck out her tongue and changed into white flat shoes.
"I'll drive, you sit in the back." He opened the car door and reached out to protect her head.
"You seem to have really become more attentive, Shuichi."
"Because right now, you are my most important passenger."
The engine started gently, and the scenery outside the car window flowed slowly by.
Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns inside the car. Sakura leaned back in the passenger seat, her hands clasped in front of her stomach, quietly watching Minamino Shuichi driving.
She chuckled softly, "I never imagined I would have such a peaceful and happy day."
“There will be many more days.” He glanced at her sideways, his tone resolute. “From now on, all you need to do is smile. Leave everything else to me.”
Sakura smiled and gently took his hand that was resting on the gear shift lever.
"Well... you can take me to waste time today, honey."
"The time wasted on you is always the most worthwhile."
As the car entered the city center's commercial district, cherry blossoms blooming on both sides of the street drifted down in the breeze. Sunlight flowed across their clasped hands, as if bathing the newlyweds in a gentle glow.
This was their first date after marriage, and the beginning of their happy life together.
The afternoon sun gently streamed into the mall lobby, and the natural light shining through the glass dome filled the entire space with a warm atmosphere.
Shuichi Minamino held Sakura Minamino's hand, their steps neither hurried nor slow.
Sakura wore a beige maternity dress, with a ribbon tied gently into a bow at the waist, and a small pearl hair clip adorning her hair. Even without heavy makeup, she was still as beautiful as a painting.
Passersby frequently turned to look at him.
"Are they filming a commercial?" a girl whispered to her companion.
"That girl is so pretty, and has such a gentle demeanor!"
Sakura heard this and couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Shuichi, they seem to think we're celebrities."
"You're already more dazzling than any celebrity." He smiled faintly, his tone calm yet sincere.
"With such a sweet tongue, aren't you afraid of getting cavities?" She gently patted his chest.
"Even if it causes cavities, it's worth it."
His words were so natural that Sakura blushed instantly, her fingers gripping his palm tightly.
They first went to the baby products section of the mall.
When the female shop assistant saw the two enter, she immediately greeted them with a smile: "Hello, are you looking for maternity products or baby clothes?"
Sakura smiled a little shyly and patted her lower abdomen: "Actually, it's still early... I just want to take a look first."
“Madam, it’s easier to prepare early,” Minamino Hideichi replied with a smile for her.
He wrapped one arm around her waist and picked up the small baby hat with the other, his fingertips lightly touching the soft fabric.
"It's so small... will it really fit?"
“Of course, the baby was very small when he was born.” Sakura reached out and took the hat, gently placing it in her palm, her eyes suddenly softening.
"So cute..."
As Shuichi looked at her profile, a soft spot in his heart was gently touched.
At that moment, a clear thought suddenly occurred to him—
His life is finally complete.
After buying baby supplies, Sakura was taken by Shuichi to the dessert section of the mall.
Rows of exquisite cakes were displayed in the shop window, and Sakura's eyes lit up instantly.
"Shuichi~ Can I have just a small bite?" she asked, tugging at his sleeve in a coquettish manner.
"The doctor said I can't eat too many sweets."
"Then I'll just try a tiny bit~ just a tiny bit!" She blinked, her expression like a kitten waiting to be coaxed.
Looking at her like that, Minamino Shuichi finally sighed and gently stroked her head: "Alright, just one bite."
"yeah!"
Sakura happily forked a small piece of strawberry cake, took a bite, and her cheeks puffed out.
"It's delicious~" she said with a smile, holding it to his lips. "You should try a bite too."
Shuichi Minamino lowered his head and took a bite of the cake.
Their lips almost brushed against each other for a fleeting moment.
He coughed lightly, his gaze sweeping over her lips smeared with cream.
“…Sakura.”
"Um?"
"The corner of the mouth."
He reached out and gently wiped away the speck of cream with his fingertips. Sakura paused, about to say thank you, when she noticed him suddenly put his fingertips to his lips.
"The taste is indeed very good."
Sakura's face turned bright red instantly, even the tips of her ears turned pink: "You...you're so bad."
"I was just testing the sweetness."
"That's a lie."
She muttered to herself, but her eyes were filled with a smile.
Passing customers cast envious glances their way.
As evening approached, the two took the mall's sightseeing elevator.
Outside the elevator's transparent glass, the sky was ablaze with the colors of sunset, bathing the entire city in a warm orange-red hue.
Sakura leaned on Shuichi's shoulder, holding several shopping bags in her hands—baby clothes, maternity dresses, and hair accessories he had secretly bought for her.
"Did you have fun today?" he asked softly.
"Mmm." She looked up, her smile bright as light. "It's been so long since I've felt this relaxed."
“From then on, we went out once a week.”
"Really?"
"I never go back on my word."
As the elevator ascended to the top floor, the lights cast their shadows—one tall and one short, nestled close together.
"Shuichi."
"Um?"
"I feel so happy."
"Then let's continue to be happy."
The moment the elevator doors opened, the last rays of sunlight fell upon them, as gentle as an eternal blessing.
As night fell, the car drove away from the mall.
In the back seat, Sakura leaned against the window, holding the tiny baby hat in her arms.
"I can't wait to see him."
“Me too.” Xiuyi smiled and reached out to place her hand over his.
"When he is born, you must tell me what his first words are."
"Hmm...maybe it's because 'Mom is the most beautiful'."
"And what about Dad?"
"Dad's only responsibility is to keep Mom laughing."
Soft laughter echoed inside the car.
Outside the window, neon lights lit up one after another, and the night gently enveloped the car, as well as their newly begun happy married life.
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