CHAPTER 25
The hallway outside Song Liyun's apartment was quiet, the kind of quiet that softened every step Shi Yunxi took as she walked toward the door. The day had been long—too long—and the weight of everything she felt was still tucked somewhere between her ribs, refusing to settle.
Her thoughts were still tangled.
Mu Lingchen.
His questions.
That moment with Mu Rui.
The tension.
The danger of emotions she was not ready to name.
But the moment she reached her door, all of those thoughts softened into one yearning ache:
Her children.
The key clicked into the lock.
The door swung open with a soft push.
Warm lamplight spilled out into the hallway, and Yunxi stepped in quietly, careful not to wake them if they were already asleep.
But the scene that greeted her stopped her breath entirely.
On the living room floor:
Shi Yichen sat upright, back straight, eyes heavy with sleep but still open—watching the door like a tiny guardian.
His small arms were wrapped around Shi Qing'er, who slept curled in his lap, her cheeks still damp with dried tears, tiny fingers gripping her rabbit plush.
Blanket draped over both of them.
Two untouched mugs of warm milk on the table.
Their picture book open, crayons scattered like a forgotten rainbow.
Liyun sat on the edge of the couch, head tilted against the cushion, having fallen asleep while waiting with them.
The room smelled of warm milk and the faint vanilla candle Liyun always lit at night. It felt gentle. Safe. Full of love.
Yunxi's heart softened instantly.
"Yichen…" she whispered.
His sleepy eyes lifted.
"Mama!"
He didn't shout—he said it in a whisper, but it shook with relief.
He carefully shifted Qing'er's head from his lap, then stood on unsteady legs and rushed into Yunxi's arms.
She knelt immediately and gathered him tightly, inhaling the familiar scent of milk, crayons, and the warmth of her child.
"You stayed awake this whole time?" she murmured into his hair.
Yichen nodded against her shoulder.
"I… I wanted to welcome Mama home."
Her breath hitched.
"Oh, sweetheart…"
Qing'er stirred then, mumbling half-asleep.
"…Mama…?"
Yunxi lifted her gently into her arms. The little girl looped her arms around Yunxi's neck, eyes still closed, trusting and soft.
"I'm here," Yunxi whispered, kissing her forehead. "Mama's home."
Qing'er sighed with relief and went back to sleep instantly.
Yichen tugged her sleeve.
"Mama… Qing'er cried a little… I wanted to be brave for her."
"You were brave," Yunxi whispered. "Mama is so proud of you."
Yichen's small chest puffed out, just a little, and he tried not to smile too big, but the corners still curled.
Behind them, Song Liyun finally woke up, yawning as she stretched.
"Oh—you're back," she said, rubbing her eyes. "These two refused to sleep until they heard the door open."
Yunxi's chest tightened in warmth.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Liyun waved a hand. "They're angels. Much better than the celebrity trainees I babysit sometimes."
Yichen tugged Yunxi's sleeve again.
"Mama… you're tired?"
"A little."
He frowned in concern. "Did… did anyone bully Mama?"
Yunxi almost laughed—almost cried.
"No, darling. Mama just had a long day."
Yichen nodded seriously, clearly deciding something in his tiny mind.
He slipped his hand into hers.
"When Mama is tired… Yichen will protect Mama."
Qing'er, still half-asleep, murmured against Yunxi's neck:
"And Qing'er too…"
Yunxi closed her eyes—not from exhaustion, but from the overwhelming love filling the small apartment.
They were her world.
Her strength.
Her heart.
No matter what storm awaited tomorrow.
Tonight, she gathered both children close, whispering softly:
"Let's go to bed. Mama's home now."
And for the first time that day—
the heaviness in her chest eased.
Because no matter what awaited outside these walls…
Inside them, she had everything she needed.