Chapter 23: In Her Tracks

Chapter 23

Qi Shaobai's emotions were not apparent on his face. He still had an indifferent and annoyed look. He lazily glanced over and said, "Oh, you eat first. I just finished playing basketball so I'll go take a shower before eating."

Sheng Mumu said, "Don't shower, I don't mind your sweaty smell. Come quickly, it won't taste good when it's cold."

Qi Shaobai's footsteps that had just stepped out paused, and he slowly turned back around and went to sit down.

Sheng Mumu had a satisfied expression on her face at getting her way. She pushed the bowl of soup towards Qi Shaobai and said, "Thank you..."

Qi Shaobai took the bowl and chopsticks, preparing to start eating, when he suddenly thought of something and sharply turned his head.

"You can't eat this!"

Sheng Mumu looked up in surprise, having just taken a sip of the soup, and didn't know whether to swallow it or not.

Her eyes seemed to say: ???

Qi Shaobai had a serious expression. "There's lemongrass in the Dong Yin soup..."

"Pregnant women...can't eat that."

His brows were deeply furrowed, as if resentful.

"You're already pregnant, how can you not pay attention to these things? My dad too, how could he bring this for you?"

Sheng Mumu: "......"

She was amused by Qi Shaobai's domineering aura at the mere age of seventeen. After swallowing that mouthful of soup, she said, "How do you know about this stuff at such a young age?"

Qi Shaobai clicked his tongue. "Didn't I say you can't eat it?"

Sheng Mumu laughed. "I'm not pregnant, you misunderstood, young man."

Qi Shaobai: "?"

Sheng Mumu: "That day, Manager Zhang misheard. You were also mistaken."

Qi Shaobai: "......He misheard?"

But he clearly remembered his dad had a delighted expression that day.

Sheng Mumu fearlessly drank another big gulp of the soup and said,

"Your dad and I don't plan on having a child yet. If we do, we'll let you know in advance."

She didn't mean to impress her stepson.

Since they were on the topic, might as well mention it.

Qi Shaobai was silent for a few seconds before slowly saying,

"Actually, you don't need to tell me. You two are you two, and I am me."

The words sounded cold, but his tone was not forceful.

Sheng Mumu could even hear a hint of stubborn compromise unique to teenagers.

She smiled and said, "Hurry up and eat, it'll really get cold."

"Okay." Qi Shaobai nodded and picked up his spoon.

After working out, Qi Mo went upstairs to shower.

As he turned on the shower head and water sprayed down, he reached out to press the shower gel as usual.

But his hand swiped at empty space. He pressed twice but nothing came out.

He wiped the water from his face with one hand and turned to look.

A bottle of tea brown shower gel sat there untouched.

His long, slender fingers still had water droplets. He turned the shower gel bottle over to the other side.

The label said: Not for sale.

His eyes shifted slightly, and he suddenly smiled.

He subconsciously glanced at the bathtub area outside the shower stall.

A matching set of tea brown bath products sat on a ceramic plate next to the bathtub.

Qi Mo understood in his heart.

Indeed, his bottle was a free gift from the shower gel she used.

With their contractual marriage, if she specifically wanted to buy something for him, it would be very strange.

But just imagining her naturally placing the free gift in the shower stall made his heart stir inexplicably.

Ever since she appeared, the details of his life were imprinted with traces of her.

Around the square bathtub, the row of ceramic tiles were filled with aromatic candles in various shapes, neatly stored in trays to create a sense of ritual.

Before every bath, she would choose which scented candle to light today based on the weather, her mood, or even her lucky color that day.

The same sense of ritual was applied to choosing bath oils.

She seemed to greatly enjoy bath time.

Qi Mo discovered he could always smell different fragrances on her.

He had to admit, her taste was exquisite. Every fragrance was very pleasant.

Originally, he disliked personal items that had a strong scent. But now, always falling asleep next to the faint aroma, he didn't dislike it as much.

As the variety of bath products and fragrances on the bathtub side increased, the shower stall would occasionally also have one or two bottles he hadn't seen before.

Without exception, they were all free gifts.

His long lashes lowered, and droplets of water rolled down them, obscuring the light in his eyes.

But the smile at the corner of his lips exposed his emotions.

He didn't mind that he was the one using the "free gifts."

With their relationship as a contract marriage, if she specifically wanted to buy something for him, it would be very strange.

But just imagining her naturally placing the free gift in the shower stall made his heart inexplicably stirred.

Ever since she appeared, the details of his life were imprinted with traces of her.