CHAPTER 26
The apartment was finally quiet.
Shi Yichen and Shi Qing'er had drifted into sleep the moment their heads touched the pillow, still exhausted from their adventure-filled day. Yunxi closed their bedroom door softly, letting the darkness settle around the hallway.
When she turned, Song Liyun was already standing there with her arms folded, her expression halfway between curiosity and accusation.
"So," Liyun said, lowering her voice, "are you going to tell me why you came home looking like someone drained every last bit of your energy?"
Yunxi brushed a hand over her forehead.
"It's… a long day."
Liyun narrowed her eyes.
"A long day that happens to involve the father of that little boy you rescued."
Yunxi paused.
"…Yes."
Liyun walked past her into the living room, plopping down on the couch. "Sit. Explain. Slowly. Clearly. Without hiding anything."
Yunxi sat beside her.
For a few seconds, she said nothing. Then—
"He confronted me today," she said quietly. "At the company."
Liyun's brows shot up. "Confronted you? As in—what, yelled at you? Threatened you? Glared at you with that CEO death-stare he's famous for?"
"No," Yunxi said. "That's the strange part. He… didn't do any of that."
Liyun blinked.
"…Then what did he do?"
"He was calm. Too calm. He only reprimanded Mu Rui for running off. He barely looked at me." Yunxi clasped her hands in her lap. "It felt like he didn't know what to make of me, but he also didn't care enough to ask."
Liyun leaned back with a sigh of relief. "Good. That means he didn't suspect anything."
Yunxi nodded.
Because he shouldn't.
He couldn't.
He had no reason to connect her to anything from his past.
They were strangers.
Completely.
"That child…" Yunxi murmured, her brows softening, "He was terrified. He kept clutching me. Calling me 'Mama' in front of him."
Liyun pressed her lips together. "So what did the CEO do?"
"He didn't react much," Yunxi said. "He didn't accuse me. Didn't demand explanations. He just took the child and left."
Liyun stared at her.
"…So he didn't question why his son is attached to you?"
"No. He probably thinks Mu Rui is just confused." Yunxi let out a slow breath. "Which is fine. Better."
Liyun nodded knowingly. "The last thing we need is a powerful CEO suddenly digging into your background."
"Exactly."
Silence settled for a moment.
Then Liyun nudged her with her elbow.
"Honestly though… I'm proud of you."
Yunxi blinked. "…Proud?"
"You're handling all this—auditions, children, a huge opportunity, and some cold-faced CEO glaring at you—and you didn't collapse once." Liyun flipped her hair dramatically. "If it were me, I'd have hidden behind a trash can."
Yunxi let out a small laugh. "Don't be ridiculous."
"I'm being serious," Liyun said, softer this time. "You're strong, Yunxi. Stronger than you think."
Warmth spread through Yunxi's chest.
She whispered, "…Thank you."
Liyun bumped her shoulder against hers.
"Always. You, me, the kids—we're a team. No matter how many CEOs, actresses, scandals, or surprise children appear."
Yunxi laughed again, this time for real.
The tension of the day loosened slowly, gently.
For a moment, she allowed herself to lean back into the cushions.
Allowed herself to breathe.
Allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe—
Everything would stay under control.
At least for tonight.