CHAPTER 81 — A Morning Full of New Beginnings
The first morning in the Mu estate dawned quietly, sunlight slipping through sheer curtains and casting soft warmth across the guest wing. Shi Yunxi woke to the faint sound of giggles echoing down the hall — light, bubbly laughter that could only belong to three little troublemakers.
She blinked, sat up, and rubbed her eyes.
Giggles. Inside the Mu estate.
For a moment, she simply listened, letting the simple, innocent sound sink into her chest. It had been so long since she'd heard her children laugh openly without fear, without glancing over their shoulders, without worrying about who might be watching.
She slipped out of bed, brushed her hair back, and stepped quietly into the hallway.
The sound grew louder.
And then she saw it.
Right in the middle of the enormous living room — with its polished floors, priceless vases, and tall windows — the three children were gathered like they owned the entire estate.
Mu Rui sat cross-legged with a determined look on his tiny face, sleeves rolled up as if about to negotiate a business deal. Shi Yichen crouched opposite him, arms folded, trying to suppress a grin. Shi Qing'er was sprawled across a plush rug, drawing something with colored pencils she must have found who-knows-where.
But the real surprise?
Mu Lingchen was sitting right there with them.
On the floor.
In a white button-down shirt, black slacks, and silk socks — looking completely out of place and yet somehow more at home than he had ever looked in his own house.
He held an open picture book and was reading aloud, voice low and patient, even though Rui and Yichen kept interrupting to ask questions.
Yunxi froze in the doorway.
The scene was so painfully beautiful she almost forgot to breathe.
Mu Rui was the first to notice her. His face lit up instantly.
"Mommy!"
He jumped to his feet and ran over, throwing his arms around her waist. Yichen and Qing'er scrambled after him, wrapping around her legs like vines.
Yunxi laughed softly and crouched to hug them all.
"Good morning, my loves. What are you three doing this early?"
"Daddy is reading us a story!" Qing'er announced proudly.
Lingchen stood as well, closing the book gently.
He didn't speak immediately. Instead, his eyes lingered on Yunxi for a brief second — soft, warm, quietly happy to see her.
"Good morning," he said gently. "They woke up early and decided the living room is their new territory."
Yunxi lifted an eyebrow at the sight of scattered toys and crayons.
"Ah. I see they've… conquered it."
Lingchen chuckled. "I never stood a chance."
Yunxi felt her cheeks warm at the sound.
When had his voice become something that made her heart skip?
Before she could respond, Rui stepped in front of the twins, spreading his arms wide like a little guardian.
"Mommy," he said seriously, "we tested Daddy this morning."
Lingchen coughed. "Tested?"
Yunxi blinked. "Tested how?"
Yichen piped in proudly, "We wanted to see if he was nice."
Qing'er nodded solemnly. "Yes! Because not everyone who looks nice is nice."
Yunxi pressed her lips together to hide a laugh.
Lingchen looked mildly betrayed. "So… you interrogated me?"
"No, Daddy!" Qing'er corrected. "We interviewed you."
"Difference?" Lingchen asked with amused patience.
"Interrogation is for criminals," Yichen replied logically.
"And interview is for potential daddies," Rui added confidently.
Yunxi nearly choked.
Lingchen slowly turned to her.
"Potential… daddies?"
Her ears burned. "I have no idea where they got that from."
"From TV," Rui said immediately. "The one we watched at Auntie Meixi's."
Yunxi made a mental note to hide the remote for the rest of their stay.
Lingchen crouched down to their level. "And did I pass your… interview?"
The three exchanged dramatic glances, clearly taking their task very seriously.
Finally, Rui spoke with authority far too mature for a six-year-old.
"You did decent."
Lingchen blinked. "Just decent?"
"You need more practice," Yichen said honestly.
"Oh," Lingchen murmured. "I see."
"And you must learn rules," Qing'er declared with her tiny finger raised. "Rule one: no shouting."
"I don't shout," Lingchen said, confused.
"Rule two," Rui continued, ignoring him, "no being mean to Mommy."
Lingchen's expression softened immediately. "That one… I can promise."
"And rule three!" Yichen beamed. "You must play with us anytime we want!"
Yunxi's eyes widened. "Boys—"
Lingchen lifted his hand, stopping her gently.
"I accept."
The triplets gasped dramatically — all three at the same time — as if they'd just struck gold.
Yunxi stared at him.
"Lingchen, you don't have to—"
"But I want to," he said softly.
Her breath caught.
Before the air could grow too still, Rui tugged Lingchen's sleeve.
"Daddy, show Mommy what you did earlier! The… the thing!"
Lingchen looked genuinely lost. "The… thing?"
Yichen jumped excitedly. "Yes! The magic trick!"
Lingchen groaned under his breath. "Ah. That."
He reluctantly pulled a coin from his pocket. The triplets gasped like they were about to witness a world-class performance.
With a smooth motion, he made the coin "disappear" behind his hand and reappear behind Qing'er's ear.
The children screamed.
"AGAIN!"
"DO IT AGAIN!"
Yunxi covered her mouth, laughing helplessly as Lingchen was tackled by three small bodies demanding another show.
He met her eyes over their heads.
And just for a moment, the world stopped.
In that small exchange — the warmth in his gaze, the softness in hers — something shifted. Something delicate and hopeful bloomed in the space between them.
Not love.
Not yet.
But something real.
Something slowly, cautiously growing.
Rui eventually disentangled himself and walked to Yunxi, tugging her hand.
"Mommy."
"Yes?"
He glanced back at Lingchen, now holding Qing'er upside down (carefully) while Yichen cheered.
"Daddy's good," Rui said softly. "But he needs help."
Yunxi smiled. "With what?"
Rui leaned in, whispering like he was sharing top-secret intelligence.
"Sometimes he looks sad when he thinks no one is watching."
Her heart froze.
She looked at Lingchen again — at the way he laughed with the children, at the tenderness he showed without hesitation.
And she wondered…
Had he been lonely all this time?
Before she could answer, Rui took her hand.
"Mommy," he said with quiet determination, "don't worry. I'll protect Yichen and Qing'er."
She blinked, touched. "And who will protect you?"
Rui looked toward Lingchen again.
Then he whispered:
"Daddy will."
Yunxi's breath trembled.
And for the first time since she returned…
She allowed herself to hope he might be right.