Fuhan pressed his lips together before answering, nervous. "I brought you so clothes to change into," he said, "and a warm bath has been prepared for you."
Yan i didn’t answer. She just stared at him, still annoyed that he’d left her for three long years.
Fuhan stood there, confused. Doesn’t she rember what happened last night, or is she acting like she doesn’t care? he thought.
Seeing he wasn’t leaving, she snapped, annoyed, "Aren’t you gonna go, or do you want to watch bathe?" Her words were sharp and sarcastic. That made Fuhan realize she really didn’t rember last night. A sigh of relief left him, though he still felt sad at the sa ti.
He dropped the basket down. "Be out for breakfast," he told her. "We’re leaving for the Mo residence soon." Then he walked away.
As soon as he left, Yan i let out a long sigh. "Jerk. I’ll ignore you till you apologize to like your life depends on it. Hmph."
After getting ready, Yan i finally stepped out of the room. Her hair was still slightly damp from the bath, and the soft morning breeze brushed against her face as she made her way down the narrow hallway of the inn. She adjusted her robe and sighed, trying to shake off the strange heaviness in her chest.
She was just about to turn toward the restaurant part of the inn when she suddenly bumped into a group of n. They were rough-looking, with unshaven faces and clothes that slled faintly of cheap wine. Yan i frowned and took a small step back, ready to scold them for not watching where they were going.
But before she could even open her mouth, the n’s eyes widened in shock. One of them whispered in a shaky voice, "T-that’s her..."
The others looked at her with fear in their eyes, and within seconds, they turned and scurried away like frightened rats.
Yan i stood frozen, blinking in confusion. "What in the world...?" she muttered under her breath, watching their backs disappear down the hallway.
Just then, Lin Xu appeared from behind her, holding a small tray with a teapot. She had seen the entire scene and frowned as she walked up to Yan i. "What was that about? Why were they running from you?" she asked, raising a brow.
Yan i turned to her, still looking puzzled. "I don’t know," she said slowly. "I’ve never even seen them before."
The two of them began walking together toward the restaurant. The scent of warm food drifted through the air, but Yan i’s steps slowed as her head began to ache faintly. Flashes of sothing suddenly flickered in her mind.
Images ca rushing back in bits and pieces, the sll of alcohol, the dim glow of the inn’s lamps. She rembered sitting at a table, drinking far too much. She rembered the faces of those sa ugly-looking n walking up to her, their grins twisted.
Her breath hitched.
And then, Fuhan.
He had appeared out of nowhere, his expression cold as usual. She could almost hear his voice shouting at them, see the way he grabbed her arm and pulled her away. Then flashes of him carrying her up the stairs, his strong arms around her, the feel of his warmth as she mumbled nonsense in her drunken state.
Yan i blinked rapidly and pressed a hand to her temple, her heart pounding fast. "So that’s why they ran..." she murmured to herself.
Lin Xu glanced at her. "What did you say?"
Yan i shook her head quickly, forcing a small, shaky smile. "Nothing. Let’s just go eat. I’m starving."
But deep down, her heart was still racing. There was no way she could tell Lin Xu what had happened last night. Forget the part that she was drunk, she literally played with Fuhan’s little brother. Just thinking about it made her entire face flush red.
"Oh, how am I gonna face him now."
As they arrived at the restaurant, the warm sll of freshly cooked food filled the air. The large dining area was already lively, and at the center of it all, seated at a huge table, was Mo Ying.
Lin Xu’s steps slowed the mont her eyes landed on him. He was now dressed in a dark green robe, the exact sa color and pattern as the one that had been delivered to her room after her bath. Her brows furrowed instantly, her lips tightening in annoyance.
Yan i, on the other hand, noticed it right away and couldn’t help but smile. So he picked matching robes, typical Mo Ying? she thought, amused. But the small smile on her face faded just as quickly when Fuhan entered the restaurant together with the triplets.
Her eyes t his for only a second before her cheeks turned crimson red. Flustered, she imdiately looked away, pretending to be focused on sothing else as she hurried toward the table to take her seat.
anwhile, as soon as the triplets spotted Lin Xu, their faces lit up. "Mama!" they called out happily before running straight to her.
Mo Bao and Yuan reached her first, each holding onto one of her hands as they greeted her sweetly. Lin Xu crouched down and smiled warmly, brushing their hair with her fingers.
Then ca Yiling, After greeting her mother, she turned and ran straight to Mo Ying, her little feet tapping excitedly across the wooden floor.
"Papa Ying!" she called as she threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.
Mo Ying caught her easily, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he hugged her back. "Slow down, Yiling," he said gently.
But Yiling only laughed, her small arms tightening around his neck. "I finally get to talk to you! You know, I never stopped believing you’d co back. I told everyone you would! You promised, and I knew you wouldn’t break it!" she said proudly, her voice soft but full of emotion.
Mo Ying’s eyes softened as he looked at her. He reached out and stroked her hair fondly. In his mind, he couldn’t help but think how much she looked like Lin Xu now, the sa bright eyes, the sa little smile. My beautiful daughter, he thought silently.
"I’m happy you trusted , Yiling," he said gently. Then his eyes shifted toward Lin Xu, a teasing glint flashing in them. "Unlike so people," he added, his tone light but clearly directed at her.
Lin Xu froze, glaring at him from across the table. She didn’t even bother to respond, she just frowned and turned away, pulling her two boys closer. "Co on, let’s sit," she muttered, dragging them to their seats as if she didn’t hear his comnt.
Mo Ying chuckled softly to himself, his eyes still lingering on her, clearly enjoying how easily he could get under her skin.
They all soon started eating. The restaurant was quiet except for the faint clinking of bowls and chopsticks.
Mo Yuan and Mo Bao both sat beside Lin Xu, but their eyes kept drifting toward Mo Ying from ti to ti. Neither said a word, but their small faces showed everything they were upset with him for disappearing without saying goodbye and for making their mother sad for so long.
Across the table, Fuhan and Yan i were busy bickering quietly, pretending not to notice anyone else. Yan i tried to act all calm, but her cheeks kept turning red every ti Fuhan looked her way, while he just smirked at her embarrassnt.
anwhile, Lin Xu and Mo Ying were on a completely different battlefield of their own. They weren’t saying a word, but the air between them was heavy filled with unspoken tension and death glares being exchanged like weapons.
Mo Ying, who had been eating quietly, suddenly noticed the quick glances the two boys kept giving him. A faint smile ford on his lips. Picking up a piece of at with his chopsticks, he looked up and said casually, "Hmm, this doesn’t taste as good as the one Lin Xu makes."
Lin Xu froze for a second, her chopsticks pausing mid-air. Then she rolled her eyes. "No one was comparing in the first place," she muttered, clearly annoyed.
Mo Ying just smirked and said nothing. Instead, he reached forward and placed the piece of at onto Mo Bao’s plate.
Mo Bao’s eyes imdiately sparkled. His mother had a strict rule no at until they finished at least half their rice. Otherwise, they’d eat the at first and leave the rice untouched. He stared at the juicy piece of at in front of him, clearly tempted.
But before he could even pick up his chopsticks, Lin Xu reached over, grabbed the at with hers, and dropped it right back on Mo Ying’s plate.
"They haven’t even touched their rice yet," she scolded, glaring at him. "Don’t give them at now."
Mo Ying’s expression didn’t change. He only smiled and asked in a calm voice, "And who made that rule?"
"I did," Lin Xu replied firmly, her chin slightly raised. "As their mother."
Mo Ying chuckled softly, clearly amused. Then he picked up the sa piece of at again and placed it right back onto Mo Bao’s plate. "Well," he said slowly, dragging the words just enough to annoy her, "I’m their father. And I say he can eat it."
Lin Xu glared at him, wanting to argue, but after a long mont, she sighed in defeat. She knew his stubborn personality too well once he decided on sothing, there was no changing his mind.
Mo Ying smiled in silent victory and continued to place at on each of their plates, one for Mo Bao, one for Mo Yuan, and one for Yiling.
Mo Bao and Yiling both grinned happily, their eyes lighting up as they thanked him sweetly, "Thank you, Papa Ying!" before quickly digging in.
But Mo Yuan sat still. He looked down at the piece of at on his plate, then quietly picked it up with his chopsticks and placed it back into Mo Ying’s bowl.
"I’ll follow Mother’s rule instead," he said softly, his tone polite but firm.
Lin Xu smiled a little, proud of him but she could tell that he wasn’t happy but refused Mo Ying because he was still angry at him.
Mo Ying stared at the boy for a mont, slightly speechless. Then, with a quiet laugh, he shook his head. "Just like your mother," he said under his breath, a faint smile still on his lips, looks like the kid is as stubborn as his mother, he won’t forgive easily.
Reviews
All reviews (0)