Chapter 46
The Tokyo sun was bright and intense.
A faint hint of summer is in the air.
The Minamino family's limousine came to a smooth stop in front of the airport exit.
Shuichi Minamino was wearing a light gray shirt, pulling a suitcase with his left hand and holding his wife, who was wearing a light dress, by the hand with his right.
Sakura is wearing a mint green sleeveless dress today.
The neckline features a slightly gathered, pleated design, and the waist is gently cinched with a light-colored ribbon.
It beautifully accentuated her still slender figure after childbirth.
Sunlight streamed through her flowing skirt, dappling her calves, paired with white woven sandals.
She looked like a fairy who had stepped out of a summer fairy tale.
She held her husband's hand tightly, a serene smile on her face.
As the car slowly drove away from the airport, Sakura turned her head to look at the familiar city street scene outside the window.
She sighed softly, "I wonder if Huiyi misses us..."
Her tone was gentle and smiling, with a rising tone at the end of her sentences like a feather.
Hearing this, Minamino Hideichi, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but lower his head and chuckle softly.
"I think he definitely didn't,"
As he spoke, he suddenly let go of her hand.
The next second, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.
In the calm airflow inside the carriage, he leaned down and kissed her lips.
That kiss, neither long nor short, carried the warmth of returning from a journey and a deep longing.
Sakura was somewhat surprised, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks.
"...Why did you suddenly kiss me?"
"Because you're talking about your son, but not about me at all."
Minamino Shuichi looked jealous.
Don't you miss me?
Sakura chuckled and leaned on his shoulder.
"What else could I possibly want with you by my side? But I really do miss Huiyi."
Minamino Shuichi also stopped joking and gently ruffled her hair.
"Mom said she picked Huiyi up early this morning."
She said we're being taken care of by a maid at home. She told us we just got off the plane and should go back to our room to rest, and not to worry.
"Wow~ Mom is so thoughtful." Sakura's eyes lit up.
"I'm a little nervous. I don't know if Huiyi will be shy around strangers."
You're worrying too much.
Shuichi looked at her, his gaze deep and gentle.
Even if he cries, we'll come back and hug him right away.
Our son is definitely very smart.
Sakura couldn't help but laugh.
"You praise your son more than you praise me now."
"Because he looks like you."
“Your eyes are like mine, everything else is like yours,” she retorted softly.
"Isn't that perfect?" he smiled slightly.
As the car smoothly entered the courtyard of the Minamino family's villa, Sakura turned her head to look at the familiar porch outside the window.
A hint of longing and tenderness quietly surfaced in her eyes.
"I'm back," she said softly.
As soon as the door opened, a familiar maid stood in the doorway, smiling as she took the luggage.
"Welcome back, young master and madam. Young master, Huiyi just woke up and is drinking milk in the living room. He's doing very well."
"Huh?" Sakura exclaimed in surprise as she changed her shoes and rushed to the living room.
But Minamino Shuichi grabbed him.
"Slow down, you're wearing sandals, be careful not to fall."
He frowned indulgently, his fingers tightening around her hand.
The two walked quietly into the living room.
From afar, you could see a maid wiping Xiaohui's mouth beside the white crib.
That little face was wrinkled, but its eyes were bright and alert. The moment it opened its eyes, it saw the two people at the door.
"Mother……"
That childish yet clear voice seemed to strike the softest spot in Sakura's heart.
"Kiichi!" Sakura rushed over, knelt beside the crib, and excitedly reached out to pick up the baby.
Hui leaned against her, his little hands clutching her clothes tightly, his eyes filled with familiarity and dependence.
"Son, did you call me 'Mom'? Did you just call me 'Mom'?"
Sakura's voice trembled almost as she looked on with delight.
Huiyi let out another "ee-ya" sound, his eyes crinkling with laughter.
That smile looked exactly like a picture of his father when he was a child.
Shuichi Minamino walked over, bent down behind her, and put his arms around her shoulders.
Looking into Huiyi's beautiful eyes, her gaze softened as well.
"It seems I missed his first time calling me 'Mom'."
"I almost missed it too..." Sakura's eyes were filled with tears.
"But thankfully we're back."
Shuichi kissed the top of her head and whispered:
"This is just the beginning. We will be there for him as he grows up."
She nodded and hugged Huiyi even tighter.
Huiyi let out a giggle.
It's as if they're saying, "Welcome home, Mom and Dad."
As evening fell, the living room of the Minamino residence was bathed in a soft orange glow from the sunset.
Sakura sat on the sofa, holding Kiichi, who had just finished drinking milk and was fast asleep, in her arms.
On the coffee table lay a thick, hardcover photo album—a selection of photos from her honeymoon with Minamino Shuichi during their trip to Paris.
"Mom, Dad, come and see this."
Sakura smiled and waved to her parents, her eyes full of pride.
"I took this on the Champs-Élysées. The one behind it is the Eiffel Tower at night, and here is the Louvre."
Yuji Hoshino sat at the other end of the sofa, took out his reading glasses and put them on.
As she looked at the photos, her lips twitched. "Tsk... your husband is in every single one of them."
Why are you always clinging to me in every picture? Are kissing and hugging a standard pose for taking photos?
"He glued it over himself."
Sakura turned to the next page with a grin.
“I didn’t initiate it. He asked for photos at every tourist spot, saying it was to ‘record my wife.’”
"I only did it because I was very cooperative..." Her tone was a little playful, but her eyes held a gentle look.
“…Tsk.” Hoshino Yuuji shook his head slightly.
"It seems they've been thoroughly abducted."
"That's why I told Dad, you need to see clearly, your daughter married very well."
Sakura raised her chin and leaned proudly against her husband's shoulder.
Shuichi Minamino smiled gently beside him, offering no further explanation.
He simply put his arm around her shoulder and whispered, "It's true that I'm the one who's clinging to you."
Lily covered her mouth and laughed, "Xiaoying has always been hard to pursue since she was little. Your dad and I were worried that she would never get married. But she ended up marrying you, a clingy person. It's a good match."
"I'd love to." Shuichi's answer was crisp and clear, even a little smug.
Huiyi rolled over in Sakura's arms and let out a soft "Mmm~".
It was as if she was echoing her father's words.
"Oh dear, Huiyi's awake." Sakura gently patted his back.
"Mommy's here to lull you to sleep."
She stood up, said goodnight to her parents,
"I'm taking Huiyi back to his room. Shuichi, why don't you talk to your dad?"
"Mm." Xiu nodded, watching her carry the child slowly upstairs.
My eyes followed that familiar figure until she disappeared around the corner of the stairs.
—
It was late at night.
In the master bedroom of the Minamino residence, the curtains were half-drawn, and the starlight outside was scattered.
Under the soft light of the bedside lamp, Sakura sat in a rocking chair, gently rocking Keiichi in her arms.
She hummed softly the melody her mother had taught her when she was a child.
Her voice was soft and warm, like the fragrance of flowers carried on the night breeze.
"ねんねんころりよ… おころりよ…
Mother's Breasts and Night Breeze
梦の中ではパパもそばに…”
Hui squinted, his little hands still fidgeting with his mother's clothes.
Gradually, his breathing became long and even, and he fell peacefully asleep in her arms.
Sakura bent down and kissed her son's forehead.
Her eyes were filled with maternal tenderness.
"Huiyi, Mom is very happy."
She said softly, "I used to think that applause during a performance was the best affirmation."
Only now do I realize that your smile and your father's embrace are the stages I cherish most.
She stood up, gently placed Huiyi into the crib, and covered him with a soft, thin blanket.
A slight sound came from the doorway.
She turned her head and saw Minamino Shuichi leaning against the door frame, holding a spare thin blanket in his arms.
Her figure appeared slender and graceful in the dim light.
"Why didn't you knock?" she whispered reproachfully.
"I'm afraid of disturbing you while you're comforting Huiyi."
He came in and draped the blanket over her shoulders.
"I heard you singing at the door, it was so beautiful."
Sakura gave a soft hum and pulled him toward the balcony.
The night breeze was gentle, and the moonlight that fell was as smooth as milk.
She leaned against his chest.
"Don't you think that Huiyi is starting to look more and more like you?"
“She looks like me,” he said, lowering his head to kiss the top of her head.
"But his eyes are like yours, and his voice is like your laughter."
Sakura bit her lip and laughed out loud, "You really know how to talk."
"I'm very serious." He squeezed her hand.
"Like now, I thank you very sincerely."
Thank you for becoming my wife, thank you for making this family whole.
She glanced back at him, her eyes as gentle as starlight.
"Then remember to always pamper me like this."
"I swear."
His voice was firm and deep, and his kiss landed on her forehead, as if stamping a vow.
Under the moonlight, they stood embracing on the balcony.
The baby's even breathing came from the crib inside the room.
This happiness called "family" quietly took root and sprouted in the night.
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