Chapter 29
The afternoon sun shone mercilessly on the garden of the Minamino residence.
The air was so hot it was almost shaking, and the cicadas chirped incessantly.
Sakura lay sprawled on the sofa, sighing listlessly.
Today she was wearing a thin chiffon loungewear dress, her long hair casually tied into a loose bun, and a few stray hairs on her forehead were damp with sweat.
"It's so hot..."
She muttered to herself and reached out to fan herself.
The air conditioning was on, but she still felt unbearably hot.
Her belly, four months pregnant, was already noticeably protruding. She gently touched it and sighed.
"Baby, you must be feeling hot in there, right?"
Sakura said to her belly in a coquettish tone, "I wish Mommy could go swimming in the sea~ That cool feeling must be so comfortable."
She closed her eyes, and the image immediately flashed into her mind—
The azure sea, the sparkling waves, and myself running and laughing on the beach in my beautiful swimsuit.
"Hey~ there's shaved ice too!"
Her voice suddenly brightened, and her eyes reopened, sparkling.
"Strawberry flavor, cantaloupe flavor, and milk condensed milk flavor—ah, I really want some shaved ice!"
As she spoke, she started laughing at herself.
"Summer... should have festivals, yukatas, fireworks, and the beach."
Sakura tilted her head and gently wiggled her toes.
"Now all I can do is stay home in air conditioning, drink warm water, and eat nutritious porridge... It's not summer at all!"
She pouted and lay sprawled on the cushion like a wilted kitten.
Just then, the sound of a car engine came from outside.
Nan Ye Xiu got off work earlier than usual and pushed open the door with a somewhat relaxed gait.
As soon as he entered the living room, he saw that adorable scene—
Sakura lay sprawled on the sofa, her golden hair tinged a soft honey color by the sunlight, her eyes languid, her hand still fanning herself slightly.
He smiled, took off his coat, walked over, and gently patted her head: "What's wrong? Our Sun Princess seems to have melted."
"It's so hot~" Sakura looked up, her voice soft and gentle.
"I feel like I'm about to turn into a roasted fox... uh, no, a pregnant fox mother."
Xiuyi smiled so gently, bent down, and lightly kissed her forehead.
"Silly fox, what do you want to do?"
“I want to go to the beach,” she answered immediately, her eyes sparkling.
"I want to wear a swimsuit, wade in the waves, and eat shaved ice—that's what summer should be all about!"
"Swimsuit?" Shuichi raised an eyebrow and moved slightly closer.
Are you sure you want to wear this at this time?
"Oh dear~ that's not what I meant!" Sakura blushed and quickly hugged the cushion to cover herself.
"I'm just missing the feeling of summer~"
Shuichi suppressed a laugh and gently pinched her cheek: "Then let me 'create' a summery atmosphere for you, okay?"
"Manufacture? How do you plan to do that?"
"It's a secret." He smiled mysteriously and turned to instruct the maid to prepare.
Before long, the dining table was filled with—
Colorful shaved ice, chilled jelly, mint-flavored soda, and a small bowl of shaved ice with condensed milk.
Sakura's eyes lit up instantly.
"Wow~ Shuichi! You're amazing!"
“If we can’t go to the beach, let’s bring summer back.” He smiled gently and put a spoonful of shaved ice on her plate.
"However, you can only eat a little bit."
"You~" Sakura pouted, picked up her small spoon, and smiled with unparalleled happiness.
"Thank you."
"No need for thanks."
He sat down next to her and said softly, "If you're happy, I'll feel cool."
Sakura smiled and scooped up a spoonful of shaved ice to feed him.
"Then let's eat together!"
He paused for a moment, then smiled and accepted the answer.
"sweet."
"Is it the sweetness of the shaved ice?"
No, it's you.
Sakura laughed shyly at his words and gently patted him: "You smooth-talking fox~"
After finishing her shaved ice, Sakura leaned against him, listening to the cicadas chirping outside the window.
"Actually... although it's a bit hot, I think it's quite blissful," she said softly.
"Um?"
"Because you're here."
He was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled softly and reached out to gently stroke her hair.
"Then I'll try my best to keep you cool and happy all summer long."
Sakura looked up, her eyes sparkling with laughter: "Then I'll be looking forward to your 'summer plans'~"
He lowered his head and kissed the corner of her lips: "It's a deal."
As night deepened, the wind outside the window still carried warmth.
But the temperature in this room was just right—
Not because of the air conditioning, not because of the smoothies, but because of the happy atmosphere of summer woven together by the laughter and tenderness of the two people.
The afternoon sun was still dazzling, and the wind outside the window carried waves of heat, making even the air seem to sway.
Shuichi Minamino sat on the sofa in his study, having just finished a video conference, and casually picked up his phone to dial a familiar number.
A gentle laugh quickly came from the other end of the phone—
"Hello? Shuichi? Why are you calling your mother at this hour?"
"mom."
With a hint of helplessness in his voice, Shuichi said with a smile, "I want to ask you a question."
"What's the problem?"
"Regarding pregnant women... is it safe for them to go swimming?"
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a soft laugh.
"Playing in the water? Was it Sakura who asked for that?"
"……Um."
He smiled helplessly, "It's so hot, she's practically melting from the heat. She keeps talking about wanting to go to the beach, wanting to eat shaved ice, and wanting to wear a swimsuit."
"Haha~ Sakura, so cute."
Shihori's gentle voice carried a maternal smile, "You young people are so sweet. Playing in the water is fine, as long as the water temperature isn't too low and the time is kept short so she doesn't get too tired."
"I see."
Shuichi breathed a sigh of relief.
“However, Shihori suddenly changed his tone, with a hint of teasing.
“My daughter-in-law is very precious to me, so don’t take advantage of the excuse of ‘playing in the water with her’ to bully her again.”
"Mom!" Shuichi couldn't help but laugh out loud, then coughed lightly to pretend to be calm. "I'm very serious."
"Oh dear~ Who would believe that?" Shihori chuckled. "You've always been so calm and collected since you were little, only showing patience with Sakura. Mom noticed it long ago; you always dote on her."
"She's pregnant, so of course I have to be careful."
He chuckled and rubbed his temples, but his tone couldn't hide his tenderness. "Besides, she cries whenever she gets angry, and I just can't do anything about it."
"That's good~" Shihori said with satisfaction. "Remember to take lots of pictures to show Mom. Sakura looks really pretty in her swimsuit."
Xiuyi's ears turned slightly red: "Mom, let's just... forget about it."
The laughter on the other end of the phone grew louder: "Oh dear, are you shy~"
After hanging up the phone, Shuichi resumed his calm "president mode".
He pressed the intercom button on the table, his tone calm yet carrying a hint of gentle command:
"Please inform the housekeeper."
"Set the indoor pool temperature in the villa to 30 degrees Celsius, and remember to add a filter and a floating safety mat."
"Yes, Mr. Nanno."
"Also, have the maid prepare a set of lightweight swimwear specifically for pregnant women, in a soft color. It should be comfortable, safe, and not too tight."
"Understood. I will have Mrs. Minamino's swimsuit custom-made."
"in addition--"
Xiu paused, a slight smile playing on her lips, her voice soft and gentle.
"Prepare some of her favorite fruit drinks and shaved ice. She's been craving them lately."
"Okay, I will do as you say."
A gentle evening breeze was blowing as the sun gradually sank in the west.
Sakura had just finished showering and was about to change into her loungewear when she saw the bedroom door being gently pushed open.
"Shuichi? Why are you back so early today?"
"It's nothing." He smiled and approached, as if he were hiding something in his hand.
"I'll take you somewhere."
Where to?
"Didn't you say it was too hot in the summer and you wanted to play in the water?" He bent down and held out his hand. "Let's go."
"Huh?" Sakura blinked, a little surprised. "You're not really taking me to the beach, are you?"
"Safer than the beach, gentler than the sea breeze."
He took her hand and led her to the glass corridor at the back of the villa.
As the automatic door slowly opened, Sakura froze on the spot—
Before you lies a spacious and bright indoor swimming pool.
The water was bathed in a dreamy pale blue light, the temperature was just right, and her favorite white lilies and pink roses were placed all around.
The maid smiled and stepped forward, handing over a swimsuit specially made for pregnant women.
"Madam, this was specially prepared at the master's request."
"On purpose?" Sakura looked at Minamino Shuichi in surprise.
"You...you prepared this for me?"
He nodded slightly, a smile playing on his lips: "Otherwise, for whom?"
"Oh my~" Her eyes instantly curved into a smile, and she gently patted his chest. "You're really... getting better and better at sweet-talking people."
"Of course."
He reached out and gently smoothed her hair, his voice as gentle as the wind.
"Whatever my wife wants, I will of course prepare it for her."
By the pool, Sakura sat on the steps in the shallow end, her toes gently splashing the water.
"Ah~ So comfortable~" she sighed softly, her eyes gentle, her long hair sliding down her shoulders.
Xiuyi sat down next to her, rolled up his trouser legs, and put his feet into the water as well.
"How about it?"
"It's even more comfortable than the beach!" she laughed, water droplets glistening on her fair calves.
"There's also a faint floral scent~ Shuichi, you're so thoughtful."
“This is just the beginning,” he said with a low laugh.
"Next time, I'll prepare a 'mini summer festival' for you."
"A summer festival?" Sakura's eyes lit up. "There have to be takoyaki, shaved ice, and fireworks!"
"I'll do whatever you say."
Sakura couldn't help but laugh out loud and reached out to brush away the water splashed up by him.
"Shuichi~ You really are the most cunning yet gentle fox in the world."
He moved closer and gently kissed her forehead, which was damp with moisture.
"That's because I'm only cunning for you."
The pool lights swayed gently in their reflections.
That summer night—
It was as if even the air itself had been melted by the tenderness and sweetness of the newlyweds.
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