After returning to his room, Huo Buyi wrote to the Emperor, stating his business in Ping An Town.  The following two days, went on as usual, Shao Shang continued to work on drafts while Huo Buyi spent time on work and Huo Yi. He politely addressed Shao Shang as Mdm Huo just like everyone in town. Shao Shang drew the lines and treated him like any other guest. The distance between them was disheartening. Huo Yi comforted Huo Buyi, Huo Yi said, 'Please don't give up on us. Mother always told me stories of my father and you fitted exactly into her description. Every time she spoke of you, her eyes would brighten, filled with so much love and yearning. Don't trust my mother's mouth. She has the rudest mouth but her heart is very soft. Let me help you, in no time we will be a family of four.' Huo Buyi nodded his head, he replied, 'I know. I will work harder to make her Mdm of our mansion. I will bring all of you back to the North after your mother's postpartum recovery.' 

On the third day,  the emperor's decree arrived. The decree stated the task and purpose of Huo Buyi's stay. Also to have, Shao Shang play host to Huo Buyi during his stay at Ping An Town. Huo Buyi also wrote in to have Shao Shang, and Huo Yi added to Huo's ancestry book. Shao Shang confronted Huo Buyi after receiving the decree. Shao Shang asked, 'What do you think you are doing?!' Huo Buyi replied, 'It is exactly what you think I am doing. Did you think I will let things be, have you taken into consideration of our children? Both of us grew up without our parents. Is that really what you want for our children?' He walked up to her, held both her hands, leaned his face close to her ear and whispered asking for forgiveness. He slowly moved away as he felt Shao Shang's attempt in pushing him away. Shao Shang asked him to respect personal boundaries and walked away.

The table was always filled with Shao Shang's favourite food. Huo Buyi assigned a guard to help Shao Shang construct the prototype of her inventions. At every meal that Shao Shang was seated at Huo Buyi would be there and Huo Yi would help ease the awkwardness in the atmosphere. Huo Yi was a bright child, he would ask Shao Shang to read to him and when Huo Buyi walked by he would invite Huo Buyi to storytime. In the end, Shao Shang would be forced to spend time in the presence of Huo Buyi. Huo Yi would fall asleep on Huo Buyi's lap and both of them would have to carry him into the bedroom. There were tons of moments like this, creating chances for Huo Buyi. Every time, when they spent 'family time' Shao Shang couldn't help but felt blissful. She would stroke her tummy and feel guilty to rob all these of her children. Shao Shang was feeling lost.

Huo Buyi could read Shao Shang liked a book and he thought all that Shao Shang needed now was just a series of little nudges and perhaps something big. In the upcoming week, Huo Yi needed to attend school and Shao Shang's work on the outskirts of town would need to resume. He was thinking that the opportunity was here. He told Uncle Lu to take his time in the repair of the family horse carriage, Huo Buyi made alternative arrangements for the purchasing of groceries and delivery of goods to Xing Wang Town. Shao Shang woke up early in the morning thinking to beat Huo Buyi into leaving the house so that she could get around through the day without him. Who would have known?! That when she stepped out with Huo Yi, it was Huo Buyi's horse carriage waiting for them in front of the house. Uncle Lu shared that the family horse carriage had broken down and required more time to repair. Uncle Lu explained that the household had been commuting using General Huo's horse carriage. 

Huo Yi was super happy and excited as he get to ride in General Huo's horse carriage. Shao Shang pushed the door open and was taken aback to see Huo Buyi inside. In a slip of mouth, Huo Yi greeted Huo Buyi 'Father' Shao Shang froze in step and took her time to sit down. Huo Buyi acknowledged and sat with the kid. Shao Shang was quietly sitting down, with her eyes closed leaning against the back of the carriage supposing resting. She heard their conversations, their laughers and shortly into the journey, she had fallen asleep. Huo Buyi alighted and walked Huo Yi into the school. He bought some breakfast before boarding the carriage again. 

Seeing that Shao Shang's head was nodding off, he took the seat next to her. Gently, he lay Shao Shang's head on his shoulder. Seeing that Shao Shang was in such deep sleep, he held her closer to him, he hugged her. Huo Buyi stroked her belly gently and felt the baby kick. He was feeling marvellous, it was amazing to feel the baby's kick. His nostril was infused with her scent. Huo Buyi was enamoured of her. He was yearning for her. This scent of hers was intoxicating, it was clouding his thoughts, reigniting a fire deep from within. Huo Buyi wanted time to go back in time, he wanted to relive that rainy night. He wanted to be entangled with her, and Huo Buyi felt a surge of warmness in his heart.