Chapter 140 Two Pearls (Baby Arc 2)

Chapter 140: Two Pearls (Baby Bonus Chapter 2)

"Gege..."

Their breaths came in ragged gasps.

Lu Jingtang was utterly spent, her eyelashes beaded with sweat, her eyes too heavy to open. Her hands rested weakly on Fu Nanyu's shoulders as she mumbled his name.

Fu Nanyu held her with one arm, nuzzling and kissing her neck before murmuring, "Sleep."

After filling the bathtub with warm water, he gently placed the drowsy woman inside. Fu Nanyu then returned to the bedroom, swiftly and expertly changing the sheets and duvet cover. He gathered the soiled set, tossed it into the washing machine, and went back to the bathroom.

The woman inside had fallen asleep, leaning against the tub's edge. As Fu Nanyu approached, she instinctively nestled into his embrace as if on autopilot. With a composed expression, he washed her, his eyes darkening with a possessive admiration for his handiwork—unashamed, for she was entirely his.

Once dressed in clean, comfortable pajamas and placed on the bed, Lu Jingtang drowsily reached out to touch Fu Nanyu's face, tracing from his chin to his lips, then upward, her fingertips lingering along the elegant ridge of his nose.

"What is it?" Fu Nanyu lay down beside her, slipping an arm under her neck to cushion her, pulling her close.

"I kinda miss... your dad and mom, and David and Panda."

Fu Nanyu stroked her nearly closed, sleepy eyes. "Then let's go back."

"Really?"

"Mhm, sleep now."

After two years away, it was indeed time to return.

Hearing his answer, Lu Jingtang finally allowed herself to sleep, her soft snores emerging within minutes.

"Little pig."

Though they had grown attached to this place, it was time to go back.

When they first arrived, Fu Nanyu had felt insecure, constantly fearing that Lu Jingtang would vanish again as she had before.

If he didn't see her for even a moment, he would grow anxious, especially at night. Lu Jingtang had a habit of waking up for water, and the slightest movement would startle Fu Nanyu awake, prompting him to hold her tighter.

Despite numerous attempts, he always woke up. Eventually, Lu Jingtang had no choice but to break the habit.

One night, halfway through her sleep, she grew unbearably thirsty but didn’t want to disturb him. Frustrated, she kicked her legs lightly.

Fu Nanyu woke immediately, eyes still hazy with sleep, and reached out to touch her face. "Thirsty?"

Lu Jingtang: "Not really, let's sleep. I'll drink tomorrow."

Without a word, Fu Nanyu turned on the bedside lamp. Beside it sat a thermos she hadn’t noticed before. He unscrewed the cap and held it for her to drink. "Go on."

Lu Jingtang paused for a moment before gulping down the water, all while wondering when he’d bought the thermos and how she hadn’t known. The insulation was impressive—she had no idea when he’d filled it, but the water was still perfectly warm.

As she drank, she glanced up at Fu Nanyu and found herself lost in his eyes—dark pools swirling with starlight, captivating and inescapable.

Leaving the island, they didn’t fly directly back to Beijing but first stopped in Rongcheng.

As a legally married couple, it was only right to inform Lu Jingtang's parents.

This wasn’t Fu Nanyu's first time visiting their graves. In the past, he had accompanied Lu Jingtang every year. Even during the two years she was missing, he had come in her place.

Now, with their relationship changed, they needed to reassure them.

Though Mrs. Jiang was over 90, she remained healthy and active, always cleaning or baking small treats.

She had no objections to Lu Jingtang and Fu Nanyu being together. She could tell all three Fu brothers were good men, and though Fu Nanyu was older, she believed maturity meant he’d be more caring.

However, after Fu Nanyu’s two-year disappearance, rumors had run wild. No one knew what had truly happened.

Mrs. Jiang, quite savvy with the internet, hesitated for two days before finally pulling Lu Jingtang aside to ask. Not wanting to reveal the truth, Lu Jingtang brushed it off, saying he’d been abroad on business.

With a serious expression, the old lady remarked, "He wasn’t just avoiding work, was he?"

Fu Nanyu, who happened to be passing by, silently walked away. "..."

Lu Jingtang: "..."

Overheard by the subject of her gossip, the easily embarrassed Mrs. Jiang, though advanced in years, was flustered and busied herself with other tasks.

On the day they left Rongcheng, Jiang Cheng came to see them off at the airport.

While Fu Nanyu went to buy coffee, Jiang Cheng pulled Lu Jingtang aside and quietly asked about the past two years. Instead of using the excuse she gave Mrs. Jiang, Lu Jingtang simply said they’d been traveling.

Jiang Cheng wore a look of identical skepticism. "What kind of trip lasts two years? He wasn’t just avoiding work, was he?"

Even though the Fu family’s wealth could sustain them for generations, the idea of not working felt too carefree—unacceptable, in his view.

Fu Nanyu, returning with coffee, overheard by chance. "..."

Lu Jingtang sweatdropped: "..." Does Fu Nanyu really give off such an anti-work vibe?

Expressionless, Fu Nanyu walked over, caught the giggling Lu Jingtang as she started to slide to the floor, and said earnestly to Jiang Cheng, "I love working."

Lu Jingtang: Giggle giggle...

The day they returned home, the family was surprised—the two who had vanished for two years had suddenly reappeared without warning.

Ye Xixi pulled them close, examining them with tear-filled eyes. Fu Xiaqing watched for a moment before raising his cane as if to strike.

Ye Xixi and the servants made a symbolic effort to stop him, knowing he wouldn’t actually follow through. Fu Xiaqing relented, snorting angrily before sitting back down.

David and Panda, who had been taken for a walk by the servants, spotted them from afar and barked excitedly, charging toward them.

David halted midway, hesitating, and even growled at Panda. Both dogs tilted their heads, studying Lu Jingtang’s stomach intently.

Puzzled, Lu Jingtang waved them over. "Don’t you recognize me? Come here."

David and Panda trotted over slowly, obediently offering their heads for pets instead of jumping on her as they used to.

After receiving ample affection from Lu Jingtang, they turned and enthusiastically pounced on Fu Nanyu, covering him in a mix of golden and white fur.

Fu Nanyu patted their heads calmly. "You're getting a bit hefty, aren't you?"

David, disapproving, shook more fur onto him before turning back to Lu Jingtang.

The two dogs followed her like bodyguards, wherever she went. If any obstacle lay in her path, they would run ahead and nudge it aside.

Deeply moved, Lu Jingtang decided to abandon Fu Nanyu and sleep with the dogs that night.