CHAPTER 114 — Learning to Breathe Again
The Mu estate had grown quieter in the weeks following the storm of chaos, court trials, and the fall of the Shi family. The world outside still buzzed with news alerts and commentary, but inside the sprawling mansion, a different kind of life had begun.
A gentler life.
A healing life.
For the first time in three years, Shi Yunxi woke up not to fear, not to alarms, not to the cold press of survival—but to soft morning sunlight spilling across her pillow.
And to three small bodies tangled around her.
Shi Yichen lay against her left arm, his tiny hand gripping her sleeve. Shi Qing'er snuggled under her chin, breathing softly. And Rui—her brave boy—slept curled against her stomach, small fingers fisted in her shirt as if afraid she might vanish again.
She stroked his hair slowly, carefully.
His breathing was even now, no longer sharp or trembling in the aftermath of the kidnapping. He slept peacefully… finally. The nightmares had lessened. The crying had lessened.
And every time he had woken in the night, Yunxi had been right there, holding his hand, whispering softly until he drifted back to sleep.
"Mommy…" Qing'er mumbled, still half-asleep. "Don't go. Stay."
"I'm not going anywhere," Yunxi whispered, kissing her daughter's forehead.
It was a promise she carved into her bones.
Mu Lingchen appeared in the doorway, still in his pajamas, hair slightly messy in a way that made him look softer than usual. He leaned against the frame and smiled—quiet, warm, relieved.
"Are they still asleep?" he whispered.
Yunxi nodded, brushing her fingers through Rui's hair.
Lingchen stepped closer, careful to avoid waking the children, and sat on the side of the bed.
"You didn't rest," he said gently.
"I did," Yunxi replied.
He gave her a look.
She sighed. "…A little."
Lingchen reached out and wrapped his fingers around hers.
"You don't have to watch over them every second," he said softly. "They're safe here."
"I know." Her voice was barely a breath. "It's just… after everything, every time I close my eyes, I remember Rui crying and I wasn't there—"
Lingchen leaned in and placed his forehead against hers.
"Yunxi," he murmured, "you were there. You came for him. You tore the world apart to save him. That's what he remembers."
Her throat tightened.
She didn't answer, but Lingchen felt the slight tremble in her fingers.
He kissed her forehead lightly.
"Come downstairs when you're ready. I'll make breakfast."
"You?" Yunxi blinked.
Lingchen nodded with a straight face. "Yes. I can cook."
"You can boil water," Yunxi corrected.
"I can also scramble eggs," he added proudly.
She chuckled softly, careful not to jostle the kids. "Burnt eggs."
Lingchen feigned offense. "I'll have you know I have improved."
"I'll judge that after tasting it," she teased.
He squeezed her hand once more before leaving her with the children.
The moment he stepped out, Rui stirred. His little fingers tightened on her shirt.
"Mama?"
Yunxi immediately bent down, brushing his cheek. "I'm here."
Rui blinked up at her with big, still-healing eyes. His voice was small, but not trembling like it used to.
"Mama… are we gonna stay here forever?"
Yunxi's chest softened.
She cupped his tiny face, her thumb brushing his warm cheek. "Do you want to stay?"
Rui nodded shyly. "Mm-hmm. Daddy makes yummy soups. And… I want him to stay with us forever."
Yunxi froze.
Yichen opened his eyes at that moment, sitting up straight. "Me too! Daddy reads stories better than Mama."
Qing'er popped up, hair messy, adding, "Daddy hugs warm!"
Within seconds, all three triplets were wide awake, nodding aggressively, tiny fists pumping in the air.
"We like Daddy!"
"We want Daddy!"
"Daddy stays forever!"
Yunxi's face burned.
She covered her eyes with her hand. "…You three are too loud in the morning."
But their little giggles filled the room, bright and contagious.
Rui tugged her sleeve again. "Mommy… can we really stay? All of us? Together?"
Yunxi swallowed hard.
There was no more Shi family to haunt them.
No more threats.
No more running.
No more hiding.
Just them.
Just peace.
She pulled all three children into her arms at once, hugging them tight.
"Yes," she whispered, voice thick with emotion. "We're never leaving again."
⸻
Downstairs, chaos had already begun.
Mu Lingchen stood at the stove, staring in horror as smoke poured from the pan.
Yuchen, Lingchen's younger brother, sat on the kitchen island with a cup of tea, shaking his head.
"You almost set off the fire alarm," Yuchen deadpanned.
Lingchen glared. "Shut up."
"You shouldn't cook."
"I can cook."
Yuchen pointed at the blackened pan. "Evidence says otherwise."
Lingchen grabbed another egg in sheer determination. "I just need practice."
"You need help."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
Yuchen sighed. "Fine. Burn down the house. I'll evacuate the children."
Lingchen froze. "…Don't touch them."
"You think I want to? Babies drool."
Lingchen glared again. "It's not drool. It's charm."
"You're insane."
Qing'er peeked from the stairs. "Daddy, are you fighting?"
Yuchen and Lingchen both froze.
Yunxi walked down behind the kids, arms crossed, eyebrows raised.
"Is something burning?"
Lingchen stood defensively in front of the stove. "No."
Yuchen leaned in loudly. "Yes."
Lingchen elbowed him.
Yunxi sighed.
The triplets all burst into chaotic laughter.
Rui ran forward and hugged Lingchen's leg. "Daddy! Mommy said we can stay forever!"
Lingchen's eyes widened.
Slowly, he looked up at Yunxi.
She wasn't smiling.
But she wasn't running.
Her eyes were warm, shy, and a little nervous.
"Is that true?" he asked quietly.
She nodded once.
Lingchen's chest rose sharply—almost like a man taking his first breath after drowning.
"Then…" he whispered, voice thick, "this is our home. All five of us."
Yunxi felt something warm curl in her chest.
The triplets cheered.
Lingchen gathered them all into one giant hug.
Yunxi didn't pull away.
For the first time in years—
No shadows lingered.
No fear crept in.
No ghosts whispered behind her.
This…
This felt like the beginning of a life she once thought she could never have.
A life where she could finally breathe.
And heal.
And love without running.
And when Lingchen whispered against her ear—
"We're a family now, Yunxi."
—she let herself believe it.