Without saying a word, Han Chenyu picked Cold Xiaoyao up and strode toward the hotel.
Cold Xiaoyao gasped, quickly wrapping her arms around his neck. Her head nestled against his broad chest, and she could hear his steady heartbeat while feeling his warm body. At that moment, she no longer felt scared or helpless.
Once back at the hotel, Han Chenyu carried her into the bathroom. "First, take a shower, then think about how you're going to explain this to me."
"Okay."
Was the uncle angry?
After enjoying a relaxing soak in the hot tub, Cold Xiaoyao finally emerged from the bathroom.
"Uncle, I'm done!"
She approached him, trying to charm her way back into his good graces.
"Speak."
Han Chenyu's face was stern. He was angry—not just with her for ignoring his warnings but also with himself for feeling anxious when he couldn't find her.
"Uncle, don't be mad. It's my fault for not listening to you and not coming back sooner. When it got dark, I was getting ready to go back to the hotel, but there was no one around, and I ended up getting lost. I was so scared that I had to hide behind some rocks."
As she recalled how dark it had been and how the wind had howled around her, fear and hunger had left her feeling utterly helpless. She had been too afraid to breathe normally until Han Chenyu found her, and only then did she allow herself to cry.
"You..." Han Chenyu struggled to find the right words to reprimand her. Deep down, he knew he was also partly to blame. If he hadn't left her alone on the beach, this wouldn't have happened.
"Alright, it's okay now. Just get some sleep."
In the end, Han Chenyu said nothing else. He gently helped her lie down on the bed and then laid down beside her.
Cold Xiaoyao was surprised. He hadn't scolded her or made any sarcastic comments? What had changed about him during this trip to the Maldives?
"Uncle, could you hold me while I sleep tonight?"
She tugged at his arm gently. The memory of the darkness and helplessness still lingered, and she wanted the comfort of his embrace.
Han Chenyu felt a surge of happiness. He had wanted to hold her earlier but had feared she would reject him. He didn't expect her to ask him to hold her now.
Gently wrapping his arms around Cold Xiaoyao, Han Chenyu whispered in her ear, "Just sleep well. I'm here with you."
"Hmm." Cold Xiaoyao closed her eyes, feeling safe and at ease.
After returning from the Maldives, Han Chenyu would still occasionally tease and mock Cold Xiaoyao, and she would retort back defiantly. Yet, both of them felt a subtle change in their relationship, though neither mentioned it.
Cold Xiaoyao curled up on the sofa, munching on snacks while flipping through a jewelry design book. She was preparing for her upcoming graduate exam in jewelry design, a field she had dreamed of entering since she was a child. Just imagining how exquisite the gems would look once brought to life by her designs filled her with immense satisfaction.
"What are you doing?"
As Han Chenyu entered the room after work, he spotted her reading and thought, *Since when does she read?*
"Did you not see?"
"I only asked because I saw you. You... study too?"
"Han Chenyu, what do you mean? I'm a top student!"
Cold Xiaoyao shot back without hesitation, proud of her academic achievements.
"Alright, alright. You're impressive!"
Han Chenyu moved closer and suddenly realized that she appeared different while reading—calm and intelligent, and so beautiful that he couldn't look away. Realizing he had been staring at her for too long, he quickly cleared his throat to change the subject. "Ahem, have you eaten yet?"
"No."
"Me neither."
"Oh."
"I'm going to cook. Aren't you supposed to help me as my wife?"
Cold Xiaoyao perked up at his words, putting down her book and snacks. She followed him into the kitchen eagerly, thinking about how many people would dream of witnessing the CEO cooking. This was an opportunity she couldn't miss!
In less than half an hour, Han Chenyu prepared a table full of three dishes and a soup. After enjoying the feast for her eyes, Cold Xiaoyao eagerly grabbed bowls and chopsticks, staring at the colorful and fragrant dishes, thinking that they must be delicious.
"You're drooling!"
Cold Xiaoyao quickly wiped her mouth, realizing a droplet of liquid had fallen from the corner of her lips.
"Ah, how embarrassing!"
She wished she could sink into the ground, feeling as if she hadn't eaten in hundreds of years.