Fortunately for Shen Yi and Lu Xinyi, the next day was a Sunday so they did not have to get up early. The twins were already awake and playing in the garden with the dogs and their Uncle Xue. The soft morning light woke up Lu Xinyi from her slumber, shifting in her husband’s warm embrace.
“They are already awake,” She turned her head to look behind her and murmured to him quietly.
“Five more minutes,” Shen Yi grumbled, not wanting to be parted from his wife too soon.
“Can’t let them wait for too long.”
“Fine.”
Shen Yi sighed and it took great strength to part with her. He placed a lingering kiss on her lips before heading to the bathroom for a shower. Lu Xinyi stretched as she leaned back against the soft pillows and looked out of the window. It was a bright sunny day, totally opposite from the same date seventeen years ago.
If she had known that her mother will end up dead that day, she should have insisted for her to stay at her side. The bitterness in heart started to resurface. Ah, remembering those days had surely ruined her mood. Today was the death anniversary of her mother and she’d plan to pay her a visit.
The sounds of voices approaching their room startled her, forcing her to sit up and get dressed. Once she was ready, she opened the door, not surprised to see the twins running towards her, wrapping their arms around her with big smiles on their faces.
“Good morning.” She greeted with a bright smile, forgetting the sadness she had earlier.
“Good morning, Aunty Xinxin! Uncle Xue said he’ll take us to the amusement park. Are you going with us?” Zhichen asked excitedly as they walked down the stairs with Lu Xinyi. They hadn’t been in an amusement park before so he was eager to see it.
“Sorry, dear. Aunty Xinxin has plans for today. Maybe next time?” Lu Xinyi said thoughtfully. Her husband hadn’t mentioned anything about Xue taking the kids with him.
When Shen Yi stepped into the kitchen, Shen Xue had served the breakfast for the twins while Lu Xinyi was listing down the things she needed to buy later.
“Did you have a good cold shower?” Shen Xue asked with a grin as he watched his brother adjust his dress shirt.
Shen Yi crossed his arms over his chest and mocked his younger brother.
“I’m not the single dog here. Aren’t you tired of being a third wheel that you already get used on having a cold shower instead?”
“Who’s the single dog?!” ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
“You. Did you already get your fair share with dog foods and jars of vinegar? Do you need a mirror to see it for yourself?” Shen Yi said with an enigmatic smile. Lu Xinyi came towards him and tugged his arm away from his brother.
“Now, now. Don’t fight in front of the children. Xue said he’ll take the children with him today. Is that alright?”
Shen Yi lifted his shoulder in a half shrug. “I don’t see a problem with that.” He then leaned down so he could whisper to her ear. “Is that mean you’re mine the whole day?”
Lu Xinyi giggled and pushed his chest away.
“Nope, I have plans. Do you want to come with me instead?” she winked at her husband.
“Oh? Are you asking me for a date? Now, this is new.” Shen Yi raked his fingers through his damp hair.
Lu Xinyi had trouble maintaining their eye contact. She wasn’t sure if he would agree at her idea.
“No, not really. I thought you might want to meet my parents.” She wrapped a curl around her finger. She realized that he might have misunderstood her words when Shen Yi didn’t say anything. “I’m not planning to kill you, silly. It’s my mom’s death anniversary.”
Shen Yi grinned and leaned forward to kiss her.
“Then I shall accompany you. Without your parents, I wouldn’t have you as my wife.”
—
It should be a special day for Lu Xinyi since her husband agreed to accompany her today but it seemed that fate wasn’t on her side when she saw a familiar old man standing in front of her mother’s tomb with a middle-aged man standing behind him, dressed in a black suit.
Her steps halted while Shen Yi continued to walk ahead of her. He only stopped when he realized the tapping sound of her heels behind him was gone.
“Xinyi?”
His voice caught the attention of the old man and he turned around only to see Lu Xinyi giving a skeptical look with her hands clenching on her sides.
“What are you doing here?” Lu Xinyi’s voice was filled with contempt.
“Xin’er.”
