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He called when she was sitting on the sofa, knitting a sweater.
She knitted with undivided attention, knitting earnestly.
These past few days, she had knitted quite a lot; she indeed looked forward to the day she could personally dress her baby in it.
Before, she found children particularly noisy and annoying. But recently, she had taken to watching parent-child shows.
Whenever she saw those adorable children on TV, she couldnât help but wonder if her own baby would be as smart and lively in the future.
Um⦠they certainly would be.
At such times, she eagerly anticipated her baby growing up quickly so she could take them to partake in parent-child activities.
What she wanted had always been simple.
Because of the heat, Xu Chaomu was wearing only a loose white T-shirt as she sat on the sofa; her long hair was tied up carelessly, making her look exceptionally calm.
Shen Chi called around midday, and Xu Chaomu smiled as she looked at the screen.
The words âHusbandâ flashed on the screen, set by him.
She answered the call but didnât know how to start the conversation.
The two-day deadline was up today, and she still hadnât signed her name on the agreement.
Once she signed, he would no longer be her husband.
Although, she never admitted aloud that he was her husband.
âMumu, not seeing me for a few days, donât you miss me?â Shen Chi was the one to speak first.
âMiss you? For what?â Xu Chaomu also smiled, although her smile was somewhat bitter.
âMiss your husbandâs handsome and extraordinary charm, his dashing elegance, and also⦠his ability to warm the bed.â
âIn such hot weather, I donât need you to warm the bed.â
âThen what about the text message you sent a few days ago saying you missed me? What did you miss?â
âSent to the wrong person,â Xu Chaomu replied coolly.
âSent to the wrong person? So, who were you supposed to send it to?â Shen Chi pressed.
âWeiwei.â
âMumu, youâre so disobedient. Wait till I come back and see how Iâll deal with you.â
âYou⦠when are you coming back?â Xu Chaomu asked, her voice tinged with nervousness and hesitation.
âIn a few days, I still have some matters to handle,â Shen Chiâs brow furrowed slightly, âHas the baby been well recently?â
âQuite well.â
Shen Chi couldnât detect any ripples in Xu Chaomuâs tone, as if she was just humoring him.
âWhatâs wrong, not happy?â asked Shen Chi.
When she was unhappy, his mood would also plummet. He hoped that she could be cheerful every day; that was his Chaomu.
âShen Chi, you havenât come back these past days, did you really go to a meeting?â There was no expression on Xu Chaomuâs face.
At her words, Shen Chiâs brows furrowed deeply.
âChaomu, what do you mean by that?â
âNothing, I just donât really believe you went to a meeting.â Her tone carried a trace of mockery.
âXu Chaomu, speak clearly.â
When Shen Chi was in a good mood, he would call her âMumuâ; when upset, he would call her by her full name, âXu Chaomu.â
Xu Chaomu knew that him calling her by her full name meant he was really unhappy.
âItâs nothing.â
âSpeak!â
Shen Chiâs voice carried a sharp command over the phone, causing Xu Chaomuâs heart to tremble.
This man, when tender, could offer you the world, but once he turned harsh, he became the most dangerous.
âDoes attending a meeting take several days?â
âI said itâs an important conference,â Shen Chiâs voice was deep and hoarse.
âSomeone said they saw you mingling with quite a few women.â Xu Chaomu fabricated casually.
âSo, are you jealous?â
âWhy would I be jealous? I just feel like youâre lying to me.â
âXu Chaomu, stop being unreasonable. There are no women in the hotel.â
This sort of thing, he would normally be too lazy to explain. But he thought, sheâs pregnant, perhaps a bit more suspicious than usual, so heâd better clarify.
âSomeoneâ¦â
âStop with the âsomeone said this and thatâ. Unless youâve seen it with your own eyes, donât take it to heart so easily! Xu Chaomu, youâve been with me for no short amount of time, how have you not learned even half of my smarts?â
Xu Chaomuâs mouth twitched; he was shameless, always seeking to feel superior in front of her.
She wasnât as smart as him, but her baby would certainly be smarter than him in the future.
âYou just like to bully me,â Xu Chaomu grumbled.
âIf I donât bully you, then who? Even Dabai is smarter than you.â
Usually, if Shen Chi said this, Xu Chaomu would definitely argue.
She would have argued forcibly, if he bullied her, she would retort.
But today was different, she didnât want to argue about anythingâ¦
Besides, those words just now, they were being unreasonable. How could he go to the hotel to fool around with other women, she trusted him.
At this moment, her mood was extraordinarily downcast, and for a long while, she didnât speak.
Silence, silence.
Finally, she spoke up.
âShen Chi, letâs⦠break up,â she said.
Shen Chiâs face turned ashen on the other end of the line, his deep brows tightly knotted, his face showing impatience.
Plus, with the hot weather, he unbuttoned his shirtâs collar.
âXu Chaomu, say that again!â he demanded, his tone especially dangerous.
Xu Chaomuâs heart raced, like a little rabbit thumping nonstop, as she felt very nervous and even a slight layer of sweat formed on her forehead.
She was never afraid of him, but at this moment, she felt guilty.
âWe⦠should break up,â Xu Chaomu repeated weakly.
âXu Chaomu, you really dare to say that!â Shen Chi burst out.
âIâ¦â
âIâve told you many times, Iâll listen to anything you say, but this is the one thing you must never even consider!â Shen Chi raged.
Xu Chaomu could hear his fury; this man was terrifying when angry.
âShen Chi, after five years, I donât like you that much anymore. Why do you still keep me around? Itâs not good for anyone.â
âAnything Shen Chi wants, he will get, including you!â Shen Chiâs tone was sharp, like the edge of a knife.
âBut I donât like you anymoreâ¦â
âDonât like? Thatâs fine, I have a thousand and one ways to make you like me.â
âIâm serious.â
âIâm serious too,â Shen Chi replied coldly, âDonât think just because Iâm at a hotel, I canât come home and deal with you.â
âYouâ¦â
âYou what?â Shen Chi didnât give Xu Chaomu a chance to speak, in a furious tone, âTell me, who have you taken a liking to? I can make sure he wonât be seeing tonightâs moon!â
âUnreasonable!â Xu Chaomu reproached.
âThereâs no need to be reasonable with an unreasonable woman, Xu Chaomu, am I right?â Shen Chi said, âAs for breaking up or not, the decision is in my hands.â
âI have that right!â
âHmm? Generally, men are better suited to holding the initiative,â Shen Chi countered.
âShen Chi, Iâm serious, after five years, I donât have feelings for you anymore. Sometimes I try to find that old feeling, but all I find is disappointment. Besides, I should have a happy family, a husband, children⦠why would you forcibly interfere?â Xu Chaomu said with a faint voice.