A mother's intimidating presence

Of course, Xiao Yan had always enjoyed coaxing people.

But whenever she imagined Xavier looking cold and angry,

it really was a thrill tinged with fear, fear tinged with cowardice, and cowardice tinged with excitement.

Still, this was one of Xavier's ways of getting attention.

It was also an important way for him to make Xiao Yan clearly feel how much he cared.

Tossing and turning in bed, savoring Zayne's mature tenderness and Xavier's first displays of alluring possessiveness,

she fell asleep before she knew it.

Early Sunday morning, Zayne got up bright and early, just as he had said he would, and went to the kitchen to give the chef a break.

Zayne was going to make breakfast for her himself for the first time since they had met.

From what he had observed, although Xiao Yan was a young lady of privilege, she neither avoided particular foods nor was picky.

Making breakfast for her was simple. Delicious and nutritious was enough.

As for Xavier, whether it was convenient or not, he would have to prepare a portion for him too... Well, three portions.

Over dinner the night before, Zayne had noticed that Xavier seemed not to know what being full meant. He could just keep eating.

Once everything was ready, Zayne washed his hands, went upstairs, and opened Xiao Yan's bedroom door.

In her haze of sleep, Xiao Yan felt someone stroking her hair.

A low, gentle voice sounded beside her ear. "Time to get up, Little Jasmine."

It was Zayne.

Before she had even woken up, her lips curved in contentment, and she murmured hoarsely, "Sweet Pear..."

"It's me." A soft chuckle rose in Zayne's throat. "Weren't you going to wake Xavier before breakfast? Breakfast is ready now. How much longer are you going to stay in bed?"

"Mmm..." Xiao Yan raised her arms. "I need a hug from Sweet Pear before I can get up~"

"How are you so good at acting spoiled?" Zayne said.

His hands cooperated perfectly, though, scooping Xiao Yan out from under the covers.

Finding that she wore only a thin satin nightdress with spaghetti straps, Zayne felt softness filling his palms, and the tips of his ears grew hot.

He turned and sat on the edge of the bed, settling Xiao Yan on his lap.

Xiao Yan automatically nestled into Zayne's arms, turning to wrap her arms around his neck and rest her head on his shoulder.

Zayne could understand now why Sylus called her Little Tabby in the group chat.

With that lazy, clingy manner, wasn't she just like a kitten?

"When I went downstairs this morning, Uncle Sang said you had sword practice this morning. You shouldn't eat too much at breakfast, then, or exercise will put a strain on your stomach."

Zayne wanted to gradually wake the person in his arms with his voice.

Xiao Yan gave a little mumble. "Mm... My mom insists. She says I need to master all kinds of self-defense and self-rescue skills."

"Mother certainly plans ahead." Zayne recalled the video he had seen of Xiao Yan bravely fighting the fugitive. "I checked the news this morning. Your heroic deeds are trending. Once Mother sees it, she'll probably contact you to ask how you are."

"Oh." Xiao Yan stretched out her arms and began feeling around. "Where's my phone?"

Zayne picked up her phone from beside the pillow and handed it to her.

She unlocked the screen and looked. Sure enough, Xiao Jue had already made three video calls to her.

She had been sound asleep, and her phone had been on do not disturb, so she had missed them.

She called Xiao Jue back right away.

But she was too lazy to hold it herself, so she shoved the phone into Zayne's hand.

Zayne quickly aimed the phone at his own face, and the call connected a moment later.

He smiled first. "Mother."

"You..." Xiao Jue had intended to scold Xiao Yan.

Seeing Zayne instead, she paused, then smiled. "Oh, it's Little Li. Where's Yanyan?"

"She's not fully awake yet." Zayne tilted the camera down, just enough to show Xiao Yan curled back into his arms with her eyes closed, ready to sleep again.

Xiao Jue was visibly delighted. "Did you two just get up? Am I interrupting?"

"No. I got up first, and I've only come back to wake her." Zayne aimed the camera at himself again. "Have you had breakfast, Mother? Are Father and the other dads all well?"

"I have. Everyone's well." Xiao Jue's eyes were full of fondness for Zayne. "I wanted to ask about that news this morning. What was Xavier doing? How did he drag Yanyan into his mission? Yanyan wasn't hurt, was she?"

"My wife is perfectly fine. She wasn't hurt. Xavier..." Zayne did not know how to speak up for him either. After some thought, he said, "He blames himself too. He was looking after my wife all last night and went to bed very late. He isn't up yet. I'll have him call you when he wakes."

"Oh, Mom." Xiao Yan rubbed her eyes and frowned. "Don't give Star a hard time. He didn't drag me into it on purpose. It was just a coincidence. I was shopping with my classmates at the time and happened to run into him catching a fugitive..."

"Just keep defending him!" Xiao Jue sighed helplessly. "Little Li, I don't believe a word of Yanyan's nonsense."

"She's telling the truth," Zayne said.

Xiao Jue thought for a moment. "All right, then. As long as she's fine. But have Xavier contact me later anyway."

"All right." Zayne nodded.

After the call ended, Xiao Yan was fully awake.

She nuzzled into the crook of Zayne's neck, got off his lap, and went to wash up with a yawn.

In the bathroom, she found that her rinsing cup was already filled with warm water, with her toothbrush laid across it and toothpaste squeezed onto the bristles.

She did not normally ask Uncle Sang or the servants to do these things.

One look told her it was Zayne's handiwork.

What a sweet big pear he was~

She happily brushed her teeth, washed her face, and changed her clothes. Zayne had already gone downstairs.

Xiao Yan ran to Xavier's door and knocked, but no one answered.

She turned the handle. The door was unlocked.

Pushing the door open, she saw Xavier lying quietly under the covers, his sleeping face peaceful and his breathing even.

Xiao Yan tiptoed over, sat on the edge of the bed, and watched him with a smile for quite a while.

Only after her gaze had traced his brows and eyes, the bridge of his nose, and the line of his lips in detail did she give in and reach out a finger to gently poke his soft cheek.

Xavier furrowed his brows and rolled onto his side. "Don't bother me..."

"Get up. My mom wants you to video call her." Xiao Yan nudged him.

Xavier was silent for a few seconds before rubbing his eyes and sitting up. "Mother? Is it... because of catching that fugitive yesterday?"

"Come on, let's look affectionate. My mom eats that up." Xiao Yan kicked off her slippers and climbed onto the bed.

She held the phone up in front of them and placed the call.

Xavier had only just woken up. His hair was still a little messy, and he looked dazed and sleepy.

When Xiao Jue's elegant, distinguished face appeared on the screen,

before she could get angry, Xavier tilted his head and gave her a sweet smile. "Good morning, Mother~"

Xiao Jue: "..." She saw Yanyan pressing her cheek against Xavier's, both of them smiling at her so adorably.

"Mother." Xavier dropped his smile again, lowering his eyes in self-reproach. "Yesterday was entirely my fault. I put my wife in danger. No amount of soul-searching could make up for my mistake. If you wish to punish me, I'll go kneel on the gravel in the courtyard in a moment."

Although mothers did have the right to punish their sons-in-law in this world,

But surely it doesn't warrant that? Xiao Jue thought.

And when she had seen Xavier at the husband-selection banquet, he had not seemed this quick-witted and obedient.

Why had he suddenly become so lively today, and rather likable too?

Xiao Yan pouted. "Mom, you can't make him kneel on gravel. If he kneels, I'll kneel too."

Xiao Jue: "...Did I say I was going to punish anyone? I'm only telling you both to be more careful in the future."

"But Mother, I made such a terrible mistake. I deserve to be punished."

Xavier let out a wistful sigh and lowered his head to lean beside Xiao Yan's. "If Mother won't punish me, then my wife should."

"No, there's no need." Xiao Jue actually began to feel sorry for him. "We'll let it go this time. Just be careful in the future. Well... why don't you come home for a meal with Yanyan when you're free? Your father and the other dads would like to see you too."

"Oh." Xavier looked timidly at the camera. "Little Xavier is always free."

He had even brought out "Little Xavier."

Xiao Jue was utterly helpless now. "Then come home soon. You two just woke up and haven't eaten yet, right? Don't keep Little Li waiting too long. Go eat. I'm hanging up."

The moment the call ended, Xavier shifted, sitting upright and putting a little distance between himself and Xiao Yan.

He turned his head and looked at Xiao Yan with aggrieved eyes, mumbling, "Mother seems... not to like me."

"As if!" Xiao Yan reached out and gently pinched his cheek.

She was secretly delighted. That smooth combo of obedient behavior and admitting his mistakes had clearly all but bewitched Xiao Jue~