Here is CHAPTER 87 following your outline perfectly —
• triplets are ALL three years old
• Rui is the eldest and more emotionally aware
• Yunxi is hiding her pain
• The children begin "protecting Mommy"
• ONE title only
• 900+ words
• No character mix-ups
CHAPTER 87 — Secrets in Mommy's Eyes
The afternoon sun dipped low over the Mu estate, staining the sky gold and warming the wide garden behind the house. The triplets were outside, chasing each other across the soft grass while Yunxi sat beneath the shade of a tall maple tree, watching them with a tired but gentle smile.
From a distance, anyone would think she looked relaxed.
But Mu Rui had watched her long enough — long enough to notice the way her smile faded the moment she thought no one was looking… long enough to see how her fingers trembled when her phone buzzed with an unknown message… long enough to feel that something inside her heart was hurting.
And Rui hated it.
He didn't know what it was.
He didn't know who caused it.
He only knew one thing:
Mommy was scared of something.
And he wanted to protect her.
Yichen and Qing'er were chasing butterflies nearby, giggling in the sunlight. Rui wasn't interested. He wanted answers.
He crouched in the grass, pretending to examine a flower while watching Mommy carefully. She sat with her knees folded beneath her, a soft breeze lifting her hair. Her eyes drifted toward the house — the direction where Lingchen was working inside.
Her expression softened for a second.
Then tightened again.
That tightening — that fast flicker of worry — Rui had seen it many times. Every time the Shi family was mentioned. Every time someone asked about the past. Every time she thought she had a quiet moment alone.
He clenched his little fists.
Mommy was hiding something painful.
And he didn't like it.
He rose to his feet decisively and marched over to his siblings.
"Come with me," Rui said in his serious-boss voice.
Yichen blinked, confused. "Are we chasing something?"
"Trouble?" Qing'er asked with wide eyes.
"No," Rui said importantly. "A plan."
The twins gasped dramatically. "A secret plan?!"
Rui nodded gravely. "A secret plan to protect Mommy."
The twins straightened immediately, expressions turning fierce and determined — or as fierce as three-year-olds could look.
Qing'er grabbed her brother's sleeve. "Did somebody bully Mommy?"
Rui hesitated. He didn't know the full truth… so he answered honestly. "I think somebody wants to."
Yichen frowned deeply. "But Daddy won't let them."
Rui looked toward the house again. "Daddy is strong. He protects Mommy. But… Mommy is still scared. Of something. Something from before we were born."
The twins exchanged a worried glance.
Qing'er whispered, "Then we protect her too."
Yichen nodded, clutching his sister's hand. "Yes. We're her babies."
Rui placed his little hands on their shoulders, like a tiny commander giving orders to his troops.
"We watch Mommy. We stay beside Mommy. We make her happy. We don't let anyone make her cry."
Qing'er's lip trembled. "Mommy cries…?"
"Maybe," Rui admitted quietly. "She hides it. But I saw her today when she thought no one was looking."
The twins' eyes widened, growing glassy.
Yichen tugged Rui's shirt. "We can help, right?"
Rui's voice softened. "Yes. We help Mommy. We protect her."
The decision was unanimous.
The plan was made.
The three children marched together toward the tree where Yunxi sat.
Yunxi looked up as they approached, her expression softening. "What are you three plotting now?"
Rui immediately sat beside her, leaning against her arm. Yichen sat on her other side. Qing'er clambered straight into her lap, hugging her tightly.
Yunxi blinked, surprised. "What's all this?"
"Nothing," Rui said.
"Everything," Yichen corrected.
"We love you," Qing'er added, squeezing her waist.
Yunxi laughed gently, brushing Qing'er's hair. "You three are acting strange."
Rui kept his voice calm and casual. "We're just… checking."
"Checking what?" she asked.
"That Mommy is okay," Rui answered, staring up at her.
Her smile faltered—just slightly.
Then she reached out and stroked his hair. "I am okay."
Rui didn't believe it.
The twins didn't believe it.
But none of them said anything.
Instead, Yichen leaned close and whispered, "Mommy, if you're scared, you can tell us."
Yunxi froze.
Her fingers paused in Rui's hair. Her eyes widened faintly. For a brief moment, her entire façade cracked.
And Rui saw it — the pain she kept hidden so deeply.
She quickly forced a smile. "I'm not scared, sweetheart."
But Rui wasn't fooled.
She was scared.
Just quietly. Silently. Alone.
Yunxi hugged them all tightly to hide the tremor in her hands.
"Come on," she said with a smile too bright to be real. "Let's go inside. Daddy's probably finished his call."
Qing'er perked up. "Then Daddy can play again!"
Yichen sprinted ahead. "I'll race you!"
Qing'er ran after him.
But Rui stayed behind.
He tugged Yunxi's sleeve gently.
She looked down at him. "Yes, Rui?"
Rui hesitated. His small fists clenched at his sides as he mustered the courage.
"Mommy… if somebody tries to hurt you…" His voice cracked with determination. "I'll fight them."
Yunxi's breath caught.
She knelt down, cupping his cheeks with trembling hands.
"Oh, Rui… baby…" Her voice broke.
He pressed his forehead gently against hers — a tiny gesture, full of warmth and grown-up seriousness. "I mean it. I'll protect you. Me and Yichen and Qing'er."
His expression hardened in a way far too mature for a three-year-old.
"We won't let anyone take you from us."
Yunxi's chest tightened painfully.
She gathered him into her arms, pulling him close, burying her face in his soft hair.
"Rui… my sweet boy…" Her voice trembled. "You don't have to protect me. You're still so little."
"No," Rui protested softly, clinging to her. "I do. Because I'm the big brother."
Yunxi's heart shattered and melted at the same time.
She held him tighter, whispering into his hair:
"You're brave, Rui… so brave. But I promise you — Mommy isn't going anywhere. I'm here. Always."
Rui nodded, but his little arms refused to loosen around her.
He didn't trust the world yet.
Not the people outside.
Not the danger he sensed but didn't understand.
He only trusted her.
And he was determined — more than ever — to protect her.
The moment broke only when Lingchen stepped out of the house, looking for them.
Yunxi quickly wiped her eyes. Rui stepped in front of her protectively, almost instinctively.
Lingchen paused, confused.
Rui didn't move.
He just stared at Lingchen with a fierce, silent message:
"Mommy is scared. Don't let anything happen to her."
Lingchen's expression softened instantly.
He understood.
He walked over slowly, knelt, and placed a gentle hand on Rui's shoulder.
"I won't," he said quietly. "I promise."
For the first time, Rui nodded.
A silent agreement formed between them.
A father and son vow.
Protect Mommy.
At all costs.