Although she was aware that Zachary was the eldest son of a very wealthy family, she also recognized that her own husband’s family was extremely affluent, as evidenced by how everyone admired and catered to her. This made her believe that there was little difference between a wealthy family and an average one. However, her pregnancy and the gifts she received from her elders taught Serenity the true meaning of wealth and revealed their inhumane tendencies.

“Zachary.”

Zachary lowered his head and kissed her forehead again, speaking gently, “Honey, I still love hearing you call me husband.”

“I feel hungry again,” Serenity admitted, looking up at him with a hint of embarrassment mixed with sincerity.

At dinner, she had eaten quite a lot and was very full, yet the hunger had returned.

Zachary, with a doting expression, asked, “What do you want to eat now? I’ll go downstairs and get it for you.”

Serenity replied, “I just want a bowl of noodle soup with lots of sauerkraut and peanuts.”

Zachary paused for a moment, contemplating. “Maybe there’s no pho at home.”

Serenity sat up straight, her eyes sparkling as she suggested, “Husband, how about we go back to the city right now, shop at the night market, and have supper?”

Zachary glanced at the time and responded, “If we go back to the city, you’ll have to stay there tonight.”

Serenity replied, “I want to go back to Brynfield to spend the night.”

Zachary smiled and kissed her, saying, “That’s exactly what I was thinking. Alright, if you want to go back to the city for soup rice noodles, I’ll take you there.”

Josh had informed him that pregnant women often experienced sudden cravings and desired immediate satisfaction for their appetites. Their cravings could change frequently, and whatever they wanted to eat had to be fulfilled.

So, the couple quietly went downstairs and exited carefully, mindful of not disturbing anyone.

In the eyes of the elders, Serenity was merely pregnant, and therefore, they believed she should rest and avoid any strenuous activities. Zachary, well aware of the family’s elders, took Serenity back to the city just to enjoy a bowl of rice noodle soup. If the elders caught wind of this, he would surely face a severe reprimand. He was no longer the favored Zachary; he felt like he was at the bottom of the hierarchy.

As their car pulled away from Wildridge Manor, Serenity smiled at her husband and remarked, “It feels like we’re sneaking away like thieves.”

“At this hour, bringing you back to the city would definitely draw criticism if we were discovered. We have to be discreet,” Zachary replied, noting that he didn’t even have a bodyguard with him—just himself and his wife. He was behind the wheel, driving them.

“So you’re afraid of being criticized after all,” Serenity teased him. Ever since she learned he was the young master of the York family, she’d only seen him as someone who was respected and followed by everyone. Aside from his grandmother, no one dared to speak out of turn around him, nor did they attempt to control him. His in-laws treated him with utmost respect, almost as if they were trying to please him.

She had assumed that apart from his grandmother, Zachary feared nothing.

“Afraid? Why wouldn’t I be?” Zachary replied, squeezing Serenity’s hand. “They usually indulge me, but this time will be different. From now on, you will be our family’s treasure and the group’s favorite. You’ll need to look after me and have my back.”

“Don’t worry, I will definitely have your back,” Serenity assured him, recalling how her friend was treated in her husband’s family.

She quickly said to Zachary, “Husband, I am in good health and have nothing to do. I can continue my work. You can’t be like Mr. Bucham, who prohibits his wife from doing this or that. I’d be bored to death.”