The phone rang several times without being picked up. Just as she was about to give up, she heard a voice filled with surprise and a hint of joy.
The voice was so cheerful that Xia Liyou momentarily thought she had dialed the wrong number.
But the voice was unmistakably that of Ou Chengtian's.
Xia Liyou looked at the phone before putting it back to her ear. She asked cautiously, "Will you be coming home tonight?"
"I'm in a meeting right now, it might run a bit late," Ou Chengtian, the elegant brows gently unfurrowed, softening his stern look.
If he said it would be late, it meant he would be coming back indeed.
Xia Liyou breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Oh, got it."
"Hmm."
After a simple monosyllabic response, the call ended.
Yet her smile lingered on.
Walking back into the conference room, the previously tense atmosphere was replaced by unusually pleasant camaraderie.
The executives sat in their places glancing at each other, wondering what's up with their CEO.
A moment ago, he was stern-looking and intimidatingly somber, scaring people to silence. Now, merely with a phone call, he had returned with a smile.
Despite their confusion about who made the divine call, it undoubtedly paved the way for a good start to the remainder of the meeting.
Ou Chengtian quickly ended the meeting, went to his office to grab his coat, a smile was gracing his face as he exited his office.
On his way out, he bumped into his secretary, Chris.
She was surprised as the usually reserved and stern-faced CEO had just greeted her with a smile. The thought of it was almost unimaginable.
His smile could easily leave women daydreaming, which left Chris lost in thought for quite some time.
The day was not going smoothly, yet a phone call from her made everything right again.
A hint of a gentle and elegant smile slowly emerged, reflecting in Ou Chengtian's eyes.
A pure black Maserati rushed into the Imperial Mansion estate at high speed.
A sharp brake gripped the tires against the ground, causing a piercing sound until the car finally came to a halt.
She initially thought that he was upset as he drove the car fast, but his enigmatic smile as he exited the car suggested his mood was especially good.
His woman finally did what other women did - she called him when he didn't come home for two days. How could he not be happy?
As soon as he entered the house, the housekeeper's wife went forward to help Ou Chengtian take off his coat.
Impatiently undoing his tie, he asked, "Where is Liyou?"
"Mrs. is in the living room," the housekeeper's wife replied.
Ou Chengtian casually walked into the living room, an advertisement was playing on the LCD screen. He took a quick glance and was stunned.
He heard the tagline echo: want a child? Come to Renhe Hospital.
Was she... watching this?
Could it be, she also wanted a child, just like the slogan said?
Ou Chengtian pursed his lips, feeling a bit uneasy.
He deliberately took another look at the advertisement. At the bottom of the screen in small print, it read, first choice hospital for infertility.
All traces of Ou Chengtian's smile vanished, his face darkening like a stern judge.
Was she questioning his virility?
A ball of anger gathered in his chest, ignited bit by bit.
Xia Liyou had her back to him, her head resting on the sofa, utterly motionless.
Ou Chengtian deliberately made a noise but she had no reaction.
She was so eager to have him back home, wasn't she? Why didn't she care when he showed up?
Ou Chengtian walked around the couch to face her, and then realized she had fallen asleep on the couch.
Her head was tilted against the sofa in blissful peace. Her red lips parted slightly, as if she intended to say something.
She wore a white silk strap nightdress, which revealed more than it concealed.
Her long legs were gently curled up, giving a tantalizing glimpse under her skirt.
The alluring cleavage in front of her chest made it hard for men to swallow.
Just like a little kitten, Xia Liyou curled up on the couch, clutching her legs, all quiet.
It was the most defenseless posture, also resembling a baby's posture.
Ou Chengtian muttered, "Why is she sleeping here?"
He bent down, the faint scent of lily drifting up from her. There were a few drops of water on her hair, presumably she had just taken a shower.
This scent made Ou Chengtian feel rather content.
Even somewhat impatient.
He gently picked her up sideways, yet it unexpectedly woke Xia Liyou up.
She opened her sleepy eyes, staring blankly at Ou Chengtian.
He was also looking at her with a mischievous smile in his eyes.
Xia Liyou shifted to get down but Ou Chengtian held her tighter and growled, "Stay still, no moving."
His words were as if he were a cop and she was a fugitive he had apprehended.
Xia Liyou knew, one thing about Ou Chengtian that was similar to her was he meant what he said.
Except, he was more domineering than her.
Ou Chengtian carried Xia Liyou upstairs. Throughout the process, she kept stiffly quiet in his arms, not saying a word.
She glanced up, noticing his adam's apple rolling up and down, as if something was stuck there, making him restless.
Ou Chengtian's perfect jawline was cold and resolute, with a hint of sharpness.
Since he was very focused on walking, Xia Liyou couldn't see what was in his eyes.