Chapter 19
As evening fell, the car slowly drove into the Minamino family mansion. The fountain reflected an amber glow in the setting sun, and the fragrance of the rose garden wafted on the breeze. Minamino Shuichi smoothly parked the car, turned to the side to unbuckle the passenger seatbelt, and leaned down to kiss the soft hair on the forehead of the girl beside him.
"Be careful, we're here." His voice was low and gentle, yet it carried a hint of doting command.
"Hmm..." Sakura responded softly. Just as she was about to get out of the car, Minamino Shuichi had already come around from the car door, put one arm around her slender waist, and easily picked her up horizontally.
"Hey, Shuichi... I can walk by myself..." Sakura's cheeks flushed, and she hugged his neck tightly with both hands, protesting softly.
“You’ve been shopping for so long today, and I even bought you some snacks. I’ve carried you several times. I’m afraid your calves will cramp up if you walk any further.” He spoke matter-of-factly, but his eyes were filled with a smile as he looked down at her in his arms.
She bit her lip and whispered, "...You spoil me too much."
He chuckled softly in her ear, "Isn't this what should be done?"
The maids were already lined up neatly to welcome them home. As Minamino Shuichi carried Sakura into the mansion, he instructed the maids:
"Take all the bags and boxes from the trunk and back seat to the master bedroom. Hang up the clothes, and put the cosmetics and snacks on the dressing table, but remember not to touch the dessert bags inside."
"Yes, Mr. Minamino." The maids responded respectfully, their movements swift and efficient as they went about fetching the items.
"Dinner can be prepared now," Minamino Shuichi continued. "Today, we'll make it a little lighter. Sakura has eaten too many sweets; her stomach needs time to recover."
"Understood, Mr. Minamino." The head maid bowed and quickly went to the kitchen to make arrangements.
His steady footsteps and her soft breathing echoed in the corridor. Sakura leaned against his chest, feeling secure and safe in his embrace. She smelled the faint woody scent on his body, her eyes gentle, just like a little rose held in the palm of his hand.
Minamino Shuichi carried her up the stairs, gracefully and calmly closing the French windows to keep out the wind as they passed the balcony. He kicked open the master bedroom door, gently placed Sakura on the soft bed, tucked her hair in, and kissed her forehead.
"Rest for a bit, I'll call you for dinner later."
"Aren't you being a little too considerate..." She gave him a coquettish look, but her tone was full of sweetness.
He smiled and lowered his head to kiss her lips: "I'm being considerate because you deserve it."
As night deepened, the crystal chandelier in the Minamino House lit up, its light filtering through the amber glass shade, filling the entire dining room with a soft, warm glow.
When the maids served dinner, they specially changed to low-oil and low-salt dishes: fresh vegetable soup, pan-fried salmon, stewed burdock ribs, and sweet fruit pudding that Minamino Shuichi specially prepared for Sakura.
"Madam, the dishes for tonight's meal were specially requested by Mr. Minamino," the maid said with a smile.
Sakura looked up at Shuichi sitting opposite her, a slight smile playing on her lips: "You even manage the menu?"
“Of course,” he replied gently. “You are not only my wife now, but also the mother of my future children. I have to be responsible for both of you.”
She gently stirred the vegetables in the soup bowl with a spoon, her smile gentle and slightly coquettish: "You're becoming more and more like a doctor."
"The doctor is your father." He smiled faintly. "I'm just an overly serious husband."
"Hmph... I remember a man once said he didn't want to get married, he just wanted to live freely."
That was before I met you.
"And now?"
Shuichi Minamino put down his knife and fork, slowly stood up, and walked towards her from the other side of the table.
He bent down slightly beside her, his hand gently resting on her shoulder, his gaze so tender it could melt the night: "Right now, all I want is to exchange my freedom for you."
The moment those words landed, Sakura paused, her fingertips tightening around the spoon in her hand.
He reached out and scooped a spoonful of soup for her, bringing it to her lips: "Here, I'll feed you."
"I'm not a child." She chuckled, but still opened her mouth and drank it down.
Looking at her expression, he couldn't help but smile slightly.
At that moment, he felt she was more dazzling than any diamond at a banquet.
After dinner, Sakura sat on the living room sofa as the maids cleared the table. The flickering firelight from the fireplace softly illuminated her profile.
She leaned against a cushion, gently touching her slightly protruding belly.
"The baby should be full by now," she murmured.
“The baby eats more than you.” Minamino Shuichi sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms. “You’ve only eaten a few bites.”
"I really can't eat anymore~" She reached out and tugged at the front of his shirt, her voice soft and sweet.
He didn't say anything, but leaned down and kissed her forehead: "Then get some rest."
Do you want to come along?
"certainly."
The bedroom lighting was softer than the living room lighting, the bedside nightlight had a warm white hue, and a faint floral fragrance filled the air.
Shuichi Minamino changed out of his coat, sat on the edge of the bed, and gently untied her necklace and removed her earrings.
You look really beautiful today.
Is it because the wedding just ended?
“No,” he looked down at her, his gaze tender and sincere, “it’s because you are my wife.”
Sakura's cheeks flushed slightly as she leaned against him and chuckled softly, "Then you have to say the same thing when you see me without makeup tomorrow morning."
“I would say—my wife is prettier than Meng even without makeup.”
She chuckled and lightly punched him: "When did you become so good at sweet talk?"
"It starts with learning to love you."
He gently helped her lie down, pulled the thin blanket up for her, and his palm slid down her hair, finally stopping on her lower abdomen.
Are you alright?
"Hmm... I'm a little tired, but I feel at peace."
"That's good."
He leaned against her, his fingertips gently caressing her hand.
The night was quiet, with only each other's breath remaining.
Half-asleep, Sakura murmured softly, "Shuichi... will you stop loving me after the baby is born...?"
He chuckled softly, leaned down, and whispered in her ear, "My love for you began when you were alone. The child is our continuation, but the one I loved first and foremost will always be you."
Sakura's lips curved slightly, revealing a relieved smile.
"...Then I need to work hard to gain weight, otherwise you'll complain that I'm too thin again."
"I like anything as long as it's you."
The candlelight flickered, and a gentle breeze drifted in from the window, brushing past the curtains and the two figures.
Shuichi Minamino reached out and turned off the bedside lamp, plunging the world into soft darkness.
He gently embraced her, pulled her into his arms, and left a tender kiss on her hair.
Goodnight, my wife.
Goodnight... my Shuichi.
The air in the room was as still as a dream.
Their married life has just begun.
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