âItâs nothing, I just called you.â Xu Chaomu giggled as if she had done something bad, continuously hiding into Shen Chiâs arms.
âYou little rascal.â He laughed too, patting her head lightly.
At this moment, time seemed to slow down a lot.
Suddenly, they were back in time, five years earlier, or perhaps even before that.
In those days, she always loved to tease him, cheer him up, and would chuckle to herself in triumph after each successful prank. Back then, he would always call her âlittle rascalâ with a smile.
He didnât know when it started, but he fell for this little rascal, this mischievous troublemaker who always complicated his life.
He truly didnât know what it was about her that he liked, not even now, he still didnât know.
But once you fall in love, youâre in loveâno reason needed.
Xu Chaomu also enjoyed these moments, it had been five years since she last called out âFourth Brotherâ.
In Paris, she resented him for deceiving her, but she couldnât let go of him no matter what.
She had tried many ways to forget him, but even after five years of effort, she still couldnât do it.
In the tangle of love and hate, she often struggled with sleepless nights. Those nights were exceptionally long, with the hazy moonlight casting shadows on the floral curtains, her tears dampening the pillowcase.
She still remembered, in the dead of night, she would grip the edge of the blanket tightly, crying out for âFourth Brotherâ in agonyâ¦
The room was filled with a faint scent of sawdust as Shen Chi lifted her horizontally and stood up.
âMumu, letâs go home.â
âHmm.â Xu Chaomu hooked her arms around his neck and didnât let go.
When leaving the room, Shen Chi checked the room without seeing any ropes, nor any other suspicious items.
He recalled the photo the kidnapper sent herâXu Chaomu was bound with ropes and motionless.
He frowned deeply and pondered for a moment, recalling the details of the photo. Yes, the photo was staged.
The ropes were tied around Xu Chaomu, but they werenât tight, and Xu Chaomu had just passed out.
Shen Chiâs hand holding Xu Chaomu paused; five years later, Shen Shihan had not hurt Chaomu again.
His goal was merely to force Shen Chi to back down; once achieved, he released Xu Chaomu.
So, it wasnât hard to explain the keys on the door and Xu Chaomuâs unharmed state.
âXiaoshen, what are you thinking about?â Xu Chaomu asked curiously when she saw him lost in thought.
âIâm thinking that if you donât agree to call me âhubbyâ, I might just leave you here.â
âI wonât call it, leave me here.â Xu Chaomu blinked, becoming a little naughty herself.
Shen Chi was helpless, of course he wasnât seriously going to leave her here.
On their way out of the room, Xu Chaomu saw her bag and the carry bag with medicine.
She quickly pointed, âMy stuff is still here, can you get it for me?â
Shen Chi deliberately refused; he looked at her, âSay something nice, and Iâll consider it.â
Her things were essential to her, yet she couldnât jump down from his strong arms which continued to hold her.
Left with no choice, Xu Chaomu blinked and reluctantly puckered her lips.
âNot talking? Hmm?â
Seeing that she had no intention of speaking, Shen Chi started walking out with her, ignoring her belongings.
âDonât go, my bag! My things!â Xu Chaomu panicked, patting his chest.
Shen Chi remained silent, his face stern as he kicked open the door and kept walking.
âHubby, hubby, could you please get my things, youâre the best man.â Xu Chaomu became desperate, pleading with him in a pitiful tone.
Thatâs just how it was, he loved to be haughty in front of her, doing it on purpose!
âHmm? What did you say?â Shen Chi looked down at her innocently.
Xu Chaomu was gritting her teeth, she had called him âhubbyâ and complimented him, yet he pretended not to acknowledge it!
It was very quiet in the hallway at that moment; her voice had been loud, how could he have not heard it.
Shen Chi looked at her seriously, halting his steps, waiting for her to speak again.
Xu Chaomu, feeling his gaze, became even more embarrassed, her face turning red.
But she had no choice, if she didnât say it, he wouldnât carry her things. She believed he was absolutely capable of doing that.
âHubby.â She called out pitifully, âYou are the best man I have ever metâkind-hearted, down-to-earth, not snobby, not haughty, with no temper, and a good attitude. You are the male god in my heart, hubbyâ¦â
As she looked into his bright eyes, she said words that went against her feelings.
If lying made oneâs nose grow, by tomorrow, sheâd be Pinocchio.
âYou could be a bit more fake.â
Even Shen Chi himself didnât believe the words she had said.
However, when she sweetly called him âhubbyâ, he really enjoyed it.
âGet my bag!â Xu Chaomu pointed.
âKiss me first.â Shen Chi said earnestly.
âYouâre going too far!â Xu Chaomu, holding onto his neck, was unhappy.
âNo kiss? Well, forget it, letâs go home.â
âPut me down, I donât need your help, I have hands, I can take it myself!â Xu Chaomu struggled.
Shen Chi held her tight despite her struggles, refusing to let go.
His wound on the arm was aching due to the movement, but he ignored it.
Just as Xu Chaomu was fussing to be put down, Shen Chi lowered his head and kissed her cheek.
Xu Chaomu was caught off guard and flustered, blinking repeatedly only to realize a moment later that she had been kissed stealthily.
âYou bastard!â Xu Chaomu huffed.
Her cheeks flared with heat; it was just a regular kiss, but she felt incredibly shy.
Shen Chi was fond of Xu Chaomu when she blushed, though it seemed like he liked her no matter the expression she wore.
Shen Chi curved his lips in satisfaction, gazing at her flushed face.
âGo get my stuff.â Xu Chaomu said.
âHmm.â Shen Chi was content, willingly going to get her bag.
But when he touched the carry bag, his brow furrowed slightly, taking a glance inside.
âWhatâs this?â he inquired.
âNothing, give it to me!â Xu Chaomu stretched out a hand to grab the bag.
Shen Chi, not wanting her to fall, didnât fight over it and let her take the carry bag.
He vaguely saw that it seemed to be filled with medicine.
âLetâs go.â Xu Chaomu wrapped her arms around his neck again.
âWait a moment.â
Shen Chi, with sharp eyes, suddenly saw Xu Chaomuâs phone in a corner.
Apparently, the kidnapper had already been here before him.
Shen Chi set Xu Chaomu down and picked up the phone from the ground.
The roomâs light was too dim, flickering, causing a dizzying effect.
âHow did my phone end up on the floor.â Xu Chaomu was curious.
She recalled that last night, around seven or eight oâclock, she went to Nie Chenglangâs neighborhood to find him. Just as she entered the complex, she was knocked out by someoneâ¦
After that⦠She couldnât remember what happened afterward; she had slept really well, a sound sleep without hearing any noise.