Chapter 291: Worth Staying For

Runze’s POV

My laptop sits open on the clean desk in the study.

On the screen, two drawing files sit open side by side. They were sent over earlier by the new junior draftsmen I brought on last month. I zoom in on the second-floor floorplan for a private residence in the city, marking red correction lines across the master bathroom layout. The structural proportions are correct, but the window placement lacks the clean symmetry I want for R.Z Practice projects.

I spend twenty minutes redrawing the window frame angles myself, adding a detailed note along the margin so the draftsmen understand why the adjustment matters.

Hiring help for the studio was the right step. After weeks of reviewing their drafts, making them redo weak elevations, and sharpening their eye for proportions, they are finally grasping my style. I no longer have to spend entire days drawing every single wall joint from scratch. I can handle the high-level design corrections right here from my desk, leave the detailed computer drafting to them, and stay present for my family.

I save the updated file, send it back with my notes attached, and shut the laptop lid.

Footsteps sound along the stone hallway outside.

I stand up from my desk and walk toward the door, stepping into the broad corridor that leads toward the main living room.

Near the corner of the entryway, two young maids stand with their hands folded neatly across their aprons, keeping out of the way. As I approach, one of them turns her head, opening her mouth to speak. "Young Mas—"

I lift my index finger quickly to my lips, letting out a faint breath to hush her. She stops mid-word, stepping back against the wall while I slide past to look into the room.

In the center of the living area, a padded play mat sits on the polished stone floor. Siying sits near the edge, her small hands planted flat against the soft mat. Her pink onesie is slightly crumpled at the knees from crawling, her round face flushed with focus as she stares up at the smooth side of the low marble table.

A few feet away, Bael sits on the edge of the grey sofa, his tablet resting on his thigh. The screen displays columns of corporate figures from Wuchen Group HQ, but his eyes aren’t on the numbers. He is watching Siying.

A small notification tone sounds from his screen as a video call comes through. Bael doesn’t even look at the caller name. He reaches down, taps the decline button, and sets the tablet on the sofa cushion beside him. He slides off the edge of the seat, dropping down to sit on the floor a couple of feet behind Siying.

Siying lets out a small, determined huff. She leans forward on her hands, digging her socks against the play mat for traction. Instead of reaching for her rubber blocks, she shifts her weight onto her knees and reaches straight up. Her small fingers hook tightly over the padded edge of the low table.

Bael shifts forward, dropping his elbows to his knees as his body tenses. His jaw tightens, his hands lifting instantly to hover two inches from her waist, ready to catch her if her grip slips. He stays completely still, holding his breath as he watches her move.

Siying pulls her elbows inward, using her arm strength to drag her upper body off the mat. Her knees wobble under her weight, but she doesn’t stop. She drags her right foot underneath her body, planting her small shoe flat against the stone, then pulls her left foot up to match it.

Her little legs shake, her knees bending inward as she strains against the height of the table.

Bael inches closer, his hands following her movements, ready to catch her if she loses her balance.

With one final push, Siying straightens her legs.

She stands fully upright against the edge of the marble table, her small stomach pressed against the smooth trim for support. Her fingers grip the top surface tightly, her head turning slowly from side to side as she takes in the higher view of the room.

A bright laugh bursts from her throat. She kicks one foot against the floor, delighted that she can see the small stone bowl sitting in the center of the table and Bael sitting right beside her.

Bael lets out a slow breath, his hands remaining inches from her hips. A proud smile breaks across his face as he looks at her.

"Look at that," Bael murmurs, his voice dropping low as he stays right at eye level with her. "You made it all the way up."

Siying lets out a loud babble as her weight shifts slightly to the left.

Bael’s hands instantly close around her, taking her weight before her knees can buckle against the stone. He doesn’t force her back down; he holds her firmly under her arms, letting her feet rest on the floor while she bounces up and down against his palms.

Mrs. Wen enters the room carrying a small lacquer tray with a teapot and two cups, placing it on the side counter. Grandmother walks in right behind her, her hands held loosely behind her back.

Grandmother stops for a second, her gaze falling on Bael sitting on the stone floor with his shirt collar open, holding Siying while she bounces against his hands.

She doesn’t say anything. She simply walks past the sitting area toward her private wing down the hall, her slippers making a tapping sound against the floor. A tiny curve touches the corner of her mouth as she turns the corner.

Bael turns his head toward the doorway, finally catching sight of me leaning against the frame.

"...How long have you been standing there?" Bael asks, his voice low as he adjusts his hold under Siying’s arms.

"Long enough to see you hang up on a video call," I reply, walking across the floor to join them. I drop down to sit beside him on the edge of the mat, resting my palm against his back.

Bael doesn’t look bothered in the slightest. He keeps his hands firm under Siying’s arms as she bounces against his palms, his eyes bright as he looks at me. "She didn’t wobble once when she reached the top edge."

"She didn’t," I agree, reaching over to press a light kiss against his cheek. "She tried lifting herself up against the sofa yesterday too, while you were at the office."

Bael’s jaw tightens slightly, regret flickering across his face before he looks back at Siying. "I wish I’d been here yesterday too. I’m glad I stayed home today."

"Your team is probably wondering where you went," I remind him softly.

"They can wait," Bael says flatly.

Bael pulls her into his lap, settling her against his knee so she faces him. Siying immediately reaches out with both hands, her tiny fingers curling around the top buttons of his shirt and tugging at the fabric. Bael wraps one arm around her back, keeping her steady against his chest while she plays with his shirt.

I reach out, running my fingers through Siying’s hair as she lets out a small yawn. The excitement of standing has worn her out. Her eyelids droop as she grows heavier against Bael’s chest.

"I will take her up to the nursery," I whisper, reaching out to lift her into my arms.

Siying rests her cheek against my shoulder, her small fingers curling into my shirt as I stand up from the floor. Bael stands up beside me, brushing off his trousers. He follows me out of the sitting room, taking the stairs up to the second floor behind me.

We walk into the nursery together, where the window shades are drawn.

I lay Siying down inside her crib, placing her soft cloth near her hand before pulling the light blanket over her legs. She turns her head to the side, letting out a soft sigh as she settles into sleep.

We stand beside the crib for a moment. Bael steps up behind me, his arm sliding around my waist, drawing my back flush against his chest. He rests his chin against the top of my head, his chest rising and falling against my shoulders.

"She grows faster every week," Bael murmurs near my ear.

"In a month or two, she will be running down the hall," I say, leaning back into his hold. "You will have to keep up with her."

Bael lets out a low, amused huff. "I can run faster than a baby."

"We will see about that," I whisper back, turning in his arms to face him.

I reach up, wrapping my arms around his shoulders as I look up at him. The expression on his face is entirely soft as he looks back down at me.

"Thank you for staying home today," I say softly.

Bael looks down at me, his hand tightening at my side to draw me closer. "I wanted to be here."

He leans down, pressing his lips firmly against mine in a kiss that lingers long and deep. I hold him close while the nursery stays peaceful around us.