---
At ten o'clock in the morning, Tu Bai stood at the entrance of a high-end baby products store in Ginza.
He had changed into a loose beige sweater and dark trousers, his hair carefully combed, he had applied a bit of foundation to his face to cover his paleness. He carried a simple canvas bag in his hand, which contained his wallet, mobile phone, that black card.
Exquisite cribs, soft Baby Clothes, various Baby Care Products that looked expensive were displayed in the shop window. His reflection shimmered in the glass—a Young Man who looked quite young and handsome, staring blankly at the baby products.
Several Women glanced at him curiously as they passed by, whispering to each other, "He must be an Expectant Father," and "He is so good-looking."
Tu Bai took a deep breath and pushed the door open to walk inside.
Welcome!" The Female Clerk in uniform immediately came forward with a sweet smile. "Are you here to pick out Baby Care Products, sir? Would you like me to introduce some to you?
Tu Bai nodded, revealing a perfectly timed, slightly shy smile: "Yes, I think.. I want to prepare some things in advance."
Is it for the upcoming Baby?" The Female Clerk's Eyes lit up. "Congratulations! Did your wife not come along?
Tu Bai paused for a moment, his smile unchanged: "He is a bit busy today."
The Female Clerk nodded understandingly without asking further and enthusiastically began to lead him through the store. This shop was very large with clearly defined sections; everything was available, from newborn clothing to toiletries, from Cribs to car seats. Every item was designed to be exquisite and cute, the prices on the tags were equally "exquisite."
Tu Bai listened to the Clerk's introduction while quickly calculating in his head.
This onesie is made of pure cotton, the brand premium is at least sixty percent; if sold again, it could recoup seventy percent of its value.
That crib is handmade from solid wood, its price is equivalent to two months' salary for an average member of the working class, but it is just as sought after on the second-hand market, so the cash conversion rate should be quite good.
And these baby bottles, bottle warmer, sterilizer.. they are all branded as "high-end" and "imported." If I buy them and then resell them through specific channels, I can cash out at least more than half of the funds.
Sir, please take a look. This bedding set is made of imported organic cotton from Europe, which is especially good for the baby's skin." The Clerk picked up a set of light blue small Pillows and small blankets. "Many expectant parents choose this series.
Tu Bai reached out and felt it. The Fabric was indeed soft. He nodded, "I'll take this set."
The Clerk smiled even more brightly: "Certainly! Would you also like to take a look at some strollers? We just received a new high view model, its shock absorption effect is exceptionally good—"
"Show me," Tu Bai said.
Over the next hour, Tu Bai ordered almost every "high-end" item from every category in the store. The Clerk followed behind him, the list on the tablet in his hands growing longer and longer, the smile on his face becoming increasingly uncontrollable—this was likely the largest single order of the month.
Sir, you are so good to Baby," the Clerk couldn't help but say after Tu Bai ordered another imported Air Purifier. "To be so meticulous and prepare so much in advance, your Wife must be very happy.
Tu Bai was holding a pacifier and examining it, his Finger tightening slightly upon hearing those words. He raised his head and smiled at the Clerk, "It's what I should do."
His smile was perfect, his tone was gentle. Only he knew that, at this moment, he was calculating in his mind: this air purifier had an original price of 280,000 Yen, by reselling it through that Overseas Collector's channel, he could probably get back about 200,000. Although he would lose 80,000, the advantage was that it was safe and the Source of Funds would not be traced.
As for why it needed to be "not traced"..
Tu Bai lowered his eyes and put the pacifier into the shopping basket.
When checking out, the Clerk stared at the Total Amount popping up on the Screen, his Eyes widening. "S-Sir, the total is three million seven hundred fifty-six thousand Yen. Please confirm the List.."
Tu Bai calmly handed over that Black Card.
After swiping the Black Card, the Clerk handed the card and the Receipt back with both hands, his voice filled with envy: "Sir, you truly dote on your Child."
Tu Bai paused for a moment, but simply took the card and Receipt with a smile: "Thank you."
As he walked out of the shop, he was carrying several large Shopping Bags in his hands. The Clerk thoughtfully helped him carry the items to the Roadside and even asked if he needed help calling a car.
Tu Bai shook his head. After the Clerk left, he took out his Mobile Phone, opened an Encrypted Contact, sent a short Message: "Goods are ready, old location, to be delivered in three batches."
After sending the message, he put away his Mobile Phone, carried the heavy Shopping Bag to the street corner, hailed a Taxi.
In the taxi, he leaned back against the seat, watching the street scenery flash past the window. He was still clutching that Black Card in his hand, the edges of the card leaving faint red marks in his palm.
Three million seven hundred and fifty thousand. This is just the Beginning.
He needed more.
---
It was already one in the afternoon by the time they returned to the Apartment. Tu Bai pushed open the door, carrying several large and small bags, only to find that Gojo Satoru had already returned and was sitting cross-legged on the Living Room Carpet playing a Game.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Gojo Satoru paused the Game and turned his head. Upon seeing the pile of things in Tu Bai's hands, he raised an eyebrow: "Wow, you bought so much?"
Mm." Tu Bai placed the things at the Entrance, changed into his Slippers, walked inside. "I just bought what I felt was necessary.
Gojo Satoru put down the Game Controller and walked over, curiously rummaging through those Shopping Bags. He took out that light blue Bedding Set, shook out the Small Blanket to take a look, then picked up that Baby Bottle, examining it against the light.
"So small?" He held the Baby Bottle, his expression somewhat curious.
Tu Bai was drinking water and nearly choked upon hearing that. He put down his Cup and watched Gojo Satoru studying the Baby Bottle with such a serious expression, suddenly feeling like laughing.
"Newborns use ones this size," he said.
Gojo Satoru nodded, put the Baby Bottle back, picked up the box of Pacifiers. He opened the packaging, took out a light yellow Pacifier, gave it a squeeze.
"Soft," he said, then performed an action that left Tu Bai dumbfounded—he put the pacifier into his own mouth to test it.
"What are you doing!" Tu Bai's face turned red.
Gojo Satoru took out the pacifier, looking innocent. "I was just testing the texture. What if it's too hard and Baby doesn't like it?"
"That doesn't mean you get to test it!" Tu Bai snatched the Pacifier and stuffed it back into the Box.
Gojo Satoru laughed and went back to rummaging through the other bags. He found that tiny jumpsuit, held it up against his chest to compare—the clothes were pitifully small.
So small," he marveled, a certain soft light shimmering in his Ice Blue Eyes, "When the time comes, there will be a little one just this small, wearing these clothes..
He stopped halfway through his sentence, simply looking down at the Baby Clothes in his hands, the corners of his mouth curling up unconsciously.
Tu Bai stood to the side, watching Gojo Satoru grinning foolishly at the Baby Care Products, suddenly felt a tightness in his throat. He turned around, pretending to organize the other bags, his fingers unconsciously picking at the label of the maternity clothes he had bought today.
The label was a bit stiff and had rough edges, scratching his fingertips until they felt a slight pain.
He shouldn't look. He said to himself. If he looked, his heart would soften.
But Gojo Satoru's voice still drifted from behind him, carrying a rare, undisguised sense of anticipation: "Xiao Bai, who do you think he'll look more like?"
Tu Bai had his back to him, his voice a bit dry. "I don't know."
I hope the eyes are like yours," Gojo Satoru said in a relaxed tone, "Red eyes would be so beautiful. As for the hair.. it could be like mine, or like yours. But if they inherit my Six Eyes, that would be trouble; they'd have to wear a blindfold from a young age..
He continued speaking and then began to laugh to himself, as if he were imagining that scene.
Tu Bai closed his Eyes.
Enough. Stop talking.
---
After dinner in the evening, Tu Bai sat on the sofa watching TV. Gojo Satoru came out after washing the dishes and sat down beside him.
"Is your waist still sore?" Gojo Satoru asked.
Tu Bai froze for a moment, then nodded. "A little."
Lower back pain during early pregnancy was also one of the symptoms mentioned in the literature. He certainly had it, but it wasn't severe. However, Gojo Satoru had clearly taken it to heart.
"Turn around, I'll massage you." Gojo Satoru patted his back.
Tu Bai hesitated for a moment but still turned around and sat with his back to Gojo Satoru. Gojo Satoru's palms pressed against him, resting on his lower back through the sweater.
The initial pressure was a bit clumsy, varying between light and heavy. Tu Bai couldn't help but flinch.
"Too heavy?" Gojo Satoru asked immediately.
A little..
Gojo Satoru adjusted the pressure, it was much better this time. His warm palms pressed slowly against the waist with even force, hitting all the right spots. Tu Bai gradually relaxed, his eyes narrowing in comfort.
I looked up massage techniques today," Gojo Satoru said while massaging, his voice very close, right behind his ear. "They say this can relieve backaches. Does it feel good?
"Mmm.." Tu Bai responded indistinctly.
He was no longer paying attention to what was playing on the TV. Gojo Satoru's massage technique wasn't actually that professional, but the earnestness and care transmitted through the Temperature of his palms caused the nerves that had been tense for several days to unconsciously relax.
Drowsiness slowly welled up. Tu Bai's head nodded repeatedly, his body leaned back unconsciously, eventually resting almost entirely in Gojo Satoru's arms.
Gojo Satoru's movements paused for a moment.
Tu Bai didn't notice, but surrounded by warmth and comfort, his consciousness gradually blurred. In his daze, he felt that hand still pressing gently against his waist, the force so tender it made one want to sigh. He unconsciously nuzzled against it, resting the back of his head against Gojo Satoru's shoulder as he sought a more comfortable position.
Gojo Satoru stopped his movements completely.
In a half-asleep, half-awake state, Tu Bai felt that the hand did not leave, but instead landed gently on his hair, rubbing it very lightly.
Then he heard a very low, almost inaudible sigh.
Sleep," Gojo Satoru said, his voice kept very low, "I'm here.
Tu Bai wanted to say something, but the drowsiness was too heavy, in the end, he only let out a muffled "mm" before falling completely into a deep sleep.
Gojo Satoru remained in this position without moving. He looked down at the person in his arms, watching Tu Bai's quiet sleeping face and the eyelashes that trembled slightly with every breath. The light from outside the window leaked through the gaps in the curtain, casting faint shadows upon that pale face.
His Finger still lingered in Tu Bai's hair, his fingertips entwined with a few strands of black hair.
After a long time, he moved very slightly to adjust his position, making Tu Bai more comfortable. With his other hand, he picked up the remote and turned off the TV.
The Living Room fell into a dim silence. There was only the light, shallow Breathing Sound of the two people, the distant, city-like clamor from Outside the window.
Gojo Satoru raised his head, his gaze falling on the several Shopping Bags at the Entrance that had not yet been unpacked. Even in the dim light, his Six Eyes saw everything clearly—the exquisite packaging, the soft Baby Clothes, that Pacifier that Tu Bai had snatched back.
He gazed for a long time, his light blue eyes as calm as still water in the shadows.
Then he withdrew his gaze and lowered his head again, looking at the person sleeping soundly in his arms. His Finger unconsciously and gently curled a strand of that Black hair.
Round after round.
As if entangling something fragile.
Chapter 26
Tu Bai himself didn't even know where this flare of anger came from.
Everything had been perfectly fine when he woke up this morning. Before leaving, Gojo Satoru had even asked him if he wanted anything brought back. He had said, "Umeboshi from that shop last time," and Gojo Satoru replied, "Okay." The conversation was normal, the tone was normal, nothing had happened.
But when Gojo Satoru returned in the afternoon, carrying a supermarket Shopping Bag and pulling things out one by one—yogurt, Strawberry, that incredibly expensive Imported chocolate, a bag of Umeboshi from a certain brand—Tu Bai took one look and saw it wasn't the shop he had mentioned.
"It's not this one," he said.
Gojo Satoru was putting yogurt into the Refrigerator, upon hearing that, he turned his head: "What?"
Umeboshi." Tu Bai stared at the beautifully packaged bag of Umeboshi on the Coffee Table, "I'm talking about that shop in Asakusa, not the supermarket.