Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 380: By the Shoreline

Chapter 380: By the Shoreline

Calix didn’t sleep much at night but, his somber mood regained its lost luster. After shooing Vernon to sleep, he spent some time preparing ingredients for breakfast this morning.

Despite still having uncertainty shrouding Calix’s heart, his impromptu talk with Vernon really helped to shed some of his apprehensions away.

Perhaps, he just needed someone to give him a push. His elder brother was the perfect one for it.

’I’ll talk to Leslie.’

Calix had reached the decision. He couldn’t foresee how Leslie would react but, he wouldn’t keep this matter to himself forever.

Perhaps, Leslie actually knew something about the couple.

Calix was uncertain about the timing. Telling Leslie before her confrontation with the Li family might add more stress. He most likely would do it after returning from the business trip.

’I still have another major plan. Better do it before she meets them.’

As if a huge burden left his heart, Calix’s countenance was brighter than the rising sun in the morning.

"Leslie, morning~"

The drowsy Leslie quietly rubbed her eyes as Calix’s chirpy voice greeted her. Still lying on the bed, she blinked a few times before looking in his direction.

’Did he ever sleep last night?’

Leslie knew Calix didn’t immediately go to bed like everyone else but, she didn’t notice when he returned to the bedroom.

A freshened-up Calix had just walked out of the washroom when he spotted Leslie waking up. Changing from pajamas to a set of tracksuits, he seemed ready for a morning run.

"Good morning, Calix," Leslie raised her arms, doing light stretches to relieve her stiffness. Still sounding sleepy, she asked quietly, "Going for a run? Poppy... is still with Grandma?"

Glancing at the wall clock, Leslie found the time hadn’t hit seven in the morning yet.

"She and Mia are still sleeping," Calix approached the bed. A huge smile was plastered on his face, "Wanna join me? The beach is quite empty at this hour. You can try walking on the sand."

Blinking, Leslie sensed the improvement in Calix’s mood. He no longer appeared troubled like last night. Happy to see a cheery him, she giggled.

"I’ll just hinder your run... You should enjoy it..."

"Come on. It won’t take that long," Calix laughed softly. Reaching out for Leslie’s hands, he continued persuading her, "Treat it as a prelude before our beach vacation next month. Doesn’t it sound good?"

"Hehe, you sound so eager ah..." Leslie chuckled in helplessness, "Okay, I’ll follow. I wanna... wash my face first..."

"Take your time."

Holding back from smiling too much, Calix supported Leslie walking toward the washroom. Her steps were slow but, he didn’t mind waiting.

In fact, he was happy to see how much her physical condition had improved.

Leslie didn’t change out of her cotton loose nightgown. She simply wore a long cardigan to shield her from the cold morning air. She held the small bag storing towels on her lap.

"Oh, you two woke up already? Morning."

Harper cheerily greeted Leslie and Calix once she saw them in the yard. She and Andrian were having a light breakfast while enjoying the fresh morning air.

Calix cooked a big pot of chicken and mushroom congee for breakfast. He also steamed some pre-made red bean paste buns.

After completing everything, Calix simply left the food in the kitchen. Anyone who wanted breakfast could help themselves. Then, he rushed upstairs to change into his tracksuit.

"Morning, Mom and Dad."

Leslie smilingly returned the greeting. Calix also did the same.

"Going to the beach?" Andrian put down his cup of tea, watching Calix pushing Leslie in the beach wheelchair, "No need to rush back. Just enjoy your time."

"Hehe, listen to your dad," Harper chimed in, sharing the same opinion as her husband, "We’ll take care of Poppy if she wakes up."

Calix and Leslie exchanged a look. They quickly thanked Harper and Andrian before finally making their way to the beach.

None of them spoke as they left the villa. The husband and wife didn’t go too far as they headed to the beach in front of their lodging.

As told by Calix, Leslie barely saw people at the vast beach. She smilingly enjoyed the view of the pretty morning sky.

The morning breeze was cold yet refreshing, carrying the salty air of the beach. The rolling waves gently kissed the shore, casting dazzling twinkles against the backdrop of the orange sky.

Tilting her chin up, Leslie looked at Calix behind her, "This place is already pretty... I wonder about your private island, CEO Xu..."

Calix guffawed at Leslie’s remarks. The echo of his laughter resonated in the air. The sunbeam lit up his gleeful countenance.

Raising his brows, Calix said in between his laughter, "It’s a paradise on Earth, I assure you. By the way, it’s our island, Mrs. Xu. Not just mine."

Leslie pretended to look scared. She playfully chided Calix, "I haven’t even used your black card... now you surprise me with a private island..."

"Hahaha! You can swipe the card anytime you go shopping ah."

Calix stopped pushing Leslie’s wheelchair a distance away from the shoreline. After stepping out of the shoes and pulling off the socks, he folded the pants hem up to his knees.

"Will we play in the water?" Leslie guessed as she observed Calix’s actions. Anticipation was imbued in her voice.

"Let’s walk on the sand first," Calix crouched down to take off Leslie’s socks and shoes. Looking up at her, he softened his smile, "What do you think, Mrs. Xu?"

"Hehe, I’m okay as long as... you won’t throw me into the sea..."

"Hey! Have some faith in your husband ah!"

Leslie grabbed both of Calix’s arms as he helped her to stand. She left the towel bag on the wheelchair.

The hem of her nightgown fluttered below her knees. As she straightened her posture, she marveled at the sensation of the moist shore under her feet.

"It feels nice..."

Calix quietly peered into Leslie’s countenance, realizing her eyes started to glisten with tears. This moment might be a mundane one to most people but, not to her.

’She has come this far.’

Curling up his lips, Calix sensed the overflowing pride from his heart. He was genuinely happy for Leslie.

Seeing her like this reminded him of himself years ago. He also was glad to witness this moment.

"Don’t just stand here," Calix gently squeezed Leslie’s waist, his voice brimming with tenderness, "Let’s walk for a bit?"

Tilting her chin up, Leslie’s gaze met Calix’s smiling face. The mellowness of his gaze charmed her, inevitably suspended her heart for a moment.

"I wanna feel the water... Can I?"

Leslie smiled shyly. She hoped her reddened cheeks wouldn’t be too obvious under the orange-tinted sky.

"Hehe, let’s~"

With his right hand on her waist and his left one holding one of her hands, Calix gently led Leslie to the shoreline. She cried out in joy the moment the rolling waves kissed her feet, enticing him to laugh.

"Hahaha! Are you that excited?"

"Haha! Yes!"

Happiness bubbled up from Leslie’s heart. Standing at the shoreline, she relished the cool sensation of the tides flowing above her ankles.

"Calix."

Hearing the joy in Leslie’s voice deepened Calix’s smile.

"Yes, Leslie?"

Chuckles slipped out of Leslie’s lips. Meeting Calix’s tender gaze, she didn’t know the light in her eyes mirrored his.

"Thank you."

Calix unconsciously tightened his hands on Leslie’s waist and hand. Blinking, he smiled fondly at her.

"You’re welcome, lady."

Calix and Leslie didn’t stay longer than necessary at the beach. Despite being summer, the chill morning breeze was enough to shoo them back to the comfort of the villa.

After spending around half an hour at the shoreline, Calix brought Leslie to wash their feet at a nearby water faucet. Tiny beads of sand and dried seawater clung to their soles up to their calves, leaving an unpleasant feeling.

"You didn’t get to exercise at all..." Leslie pointed out as she watched Calix rinsing her right foot under the flowing water. Smiling sheepishly, a hint of blush dusted on her cheeks, "Sorry."

"Why? Do you think I’ll lose my perfect figure? Missing one morning run won’t do that ah."

Calix’s cheeky reply enticed Leslie to giggle, prompting him to laugh alongside her. She playfully smacked his shoulder, earning more laughter from him.

Holding Leslie’s right foot with his left hand, Calix used his right palm to rub the dirt sticking from her calf down to the sole of her foot. The water continued pouring over her skin.

The cold water made Leslie shudder. She was already freezing from playing in the seawater earlier.

Sensing Leslie shivering, Calix hurriedly finished cleaning both of her feet. He smiled helplessly at the sight of her wrapping herself tightly in the cardigan.

"Give me the towel."

"Oh..."

Calix took a clean towel out of the bag held by Leslie. Still crouching opposite her, he wiped the remaining water on her calves. Each of his motions exuded his care.

Leslie fiddled with her nightgown, her cheeks flushing. She couldn’t take her eyes away from the man who only showed tenderness toward her.

With his bangs covering his forehead, Calix appeared more youthful than usual. Leslie’s gaze lingered on the two small moles under his left eye.

For some reason, she wished to rub her thumb over the moles.

"Why are you looking at me like that, en?" said Calix without looking up from Leslie’s feet, "Can’t get enough of my handsome face?"

Giggles slipped out of Leslie’s mouth. Shaking her head in helplessness, she smilingly looked at him.

"You’re really confident in your looks, en?" Leslie replied to Calix with a question of her own.

"Of course! I believe your eyes function perfectly."

"Hahaha!"

Stifling his laughter, Calix listened to the melody of Leslie’s giggles. Affection continued brimming in his eyes.