CHAPTER 417: CHAPTER 417; HONEYMOON PHASE 3 (C)

"No," she immediately interrupted, catching his hand to stop him. "No bath. I’m too tired for that. I just want to... exist. Preferably in bed, not moving at all, for the foreseeable future."

He studied her face carefully, noting the faint shadows beneath her eyes, the way she held herself with unconscious stiffness, the bone-deep exhaustion that clung to her despite having slept through the night. He had pushed her hard yesterday.

Very hard.

Beyond limits that he probably should have respected.

"Alright," he agreed after a moment, his voice softening. "But you need to eat. You haven’t had anything since dinner, and that was..." he calculated quickly, "almost fifteen hours ago."

"I know," she admitted, her hand moving to her stomach. "I’m actually starving. But I really don’t want to move. Can we just... order something? And have it delivered?"

A small, amused smile touched his lips. "This isn’t a hotel, Fei’er. There’s no room service button to press."

"Then I guess I’ll starve," she declared dramatically, though her traitorous stomach chose precisely that moment to growl loudly enough to be heard across the bathroom, thoroughly undermining her martyred act.

He laughed, a genuine, warm sound that transformed his usually stern features into something younger and more open. "I don’t think so. Wait here. Don’t try to move on your own."

He disappeared briefly and returned moments later with one of his shirts, soft, expensive cotton that would hang on her small frame like a dress.

He helped her into it with infinite care, his touch feather-light as he worked her sore arms through the sleeves, mindful of every wince and hitch in her breathing.

Then he lifted her again despite her half-hearted protests, carrying her back to the bedroom like precious cargo. He arranged the pillows carefully so she could sit up comfortably without strain, then tucked the duvet around her legs with the meticulousness of someone who genuinely cared about her comfort.

"Don’t move," he commanded softly, his tone brooking no argument. "I’ll be right back."

He grabbed his phone from the nightstand and stepped out onto the bedroom balcony, sliding the glass door partially closed to give her some quiet.

Tang Fei watched him through the transparent barrier as he made the call, unable to help admiring the way morning sunlight painted his bare shoulders and back in gold, highlighting every line of muscle.

Even after everything they’d done together, after he’d claimed her in every possible way, the mere sight of him still made her heart accelerate slightly.

On the balcony, Huo Ting Cheng’s demeanor shifted to pure business. "Huo Qi."

"Yes, Master?" Huo Qi’s voice came through immediately, crisp and alert despite the relatively early hour.

"I need breakfast brought to the villa. From the restaurant, the one by the marina. A full spread, enough for two, but make it substantial. My wife needs proper nutrition."

There was the briefest pause on the other end, then Huo Qi replied smoothly, "Of course. I’ll have it prepared immediately. Is Mrs. Huo alright?"

"She’s fine," Huo Ting Cheng said, his voice automatically softening when speaking about her. "Just tired. We had... a long night."

Huo Qi, who had served the Huo family long enough to become an expert at reading between lines and knowing when not to ask questions, wisely didn’t comment on that revealing statement. "I’ll have it delivered within thirty minutes. Is there anything specific Mrs. Huo would prefer?"

"Something light but nutritious. Congee, steamed buns, fresh fruit, eggs, the usual breakfast fare. And tea. Jasmine tea, if they have it available. She prefers jasmine... And you know the ingredients she is allergic to.."

"Understood perfectly. I’ll personally ensure everything is prepared to the highest standard."

"Good. And Huo Qi? Bring it yourself. I don’t want strangers approaching the villa."

"Of course, Master. Complete discretion."

Huo Ting Cheng hesitated briefly, then added, "Make sure the children are properly settled as well. Check in with Twilight, confirm the security detail around the school perimeter is adequate, and have Nanny Yun send me a status message about how everyone’s doing."

"Already handled, sir," Huo Qi assured him. "Miss Minghao and young master Qin Xinyu were dropped off at school without incident. Miss Qing Qing is with Nanny Yun completing her morning physical therapy session. All security protocols are in place and functioning optimally."

"Good." Huo Ting Cheng’s shoulders relaxed slightly with that reassurance. "Thank you, Huo Qi."

"My pleasure, Master. I’ll be there shortly with breakfast."

After ending the call, Huo Ting Cheng returned to the bedroom to find Tang Fei exactly where he’d left her, leaning back against the carefully arranged pillows with her eyes half-closed, looking beautifully disheveled and utterly at ease in his oversized shirt.

"Breakfast is coming," he announced, rejoining her on the bed. "Thirty minutes."

"Mmm," she hummed contentedly without opening her eyes. "That’s too long. I might actually die of starvation before then. You’ll have to explain to everyone how your wife perished from lack of food."

"So dramatic," he teased gently, climbing back into bed and pulling her against his side. She immediately curled into him like it was the most natural thing in the world, her head finding its perfect spot on his shoulder.

"Your fault," she mumbled against his bare chest, her breath warm against his skin. "You completely wore me out."

His hand began stroking her hair with tender repetition. "I know. I’m sorry about that."

"No, you’re not," she countered knowingly, but there was clear affection rather than accusations in her voice. Which man didn’t want to enjoy the sweetness of his woman crying beneath him?

"No," he admitted with a quiet laugh that rumbled through his chest. "I’m not sorry about what we shared. But I am genuinely sorry you’re so sore now."

They lay together in comfortable silence for a while, listening to the peaceful sounds surrounding them, the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore, the morning calls of seabirds, and the gentle sounds of the villa settling into the day around them.