“Are you sure that’s what Li Yuren said?” Shen Huang kept his voice low, worried that the women inside might overhear what they were talking about.
“Yes. Li Yuren is certain that Feng Zexian is alive and has returned to the country to seek revenge.” To be precise, Shen Yi knew that Feng Zexian was after him. It only made sense that the man would try to find his weakness.
“Then, what’s your plan? Do you plan to tell Xin’er about it?” his father asked.
There was a moment of silence between them as Shen Yi considered his options. Lu Xinyi’s future in the culinary world looked promising at the moment, and he didn’t have the heart to tell her that she needed to slow down until he could clear up his mess.
“It’s better for her not to know what’s happening,” Shen Yi responded. He’d need to find a way to remove Feng Zexian from the scene for Lu Xinyi’s sake. If she got hurt because of Feng Zexian’s revenge, he’d never forgive himself.
“Yi, you don’t have to do all these things by yourself. Xue will be back soon. Don’t just make a move yet. Feng Zexian will be alerted if you suddenly change your routines. I’ll see what I can do to limit his movements,” Shen Huang suggested. He would not stand in the corner, letting his eldest son save their asses again.
When Shen Xue was kidnapped by Feng Zexian’s group years ago, Shen Huang felt useless for not being able to help his son. Seeing that same conflicted emotion on his eldest son’s face, he knew he shouldn’t let the same thing happen.
“Just don’t tell Xinxin about this. We’ll slowly heighten the security. Xinxin will start her training for the World Patisserie Challenge. I know we agreed to keep the twins, but it’ll be better if they stay temporarily at the Shen Mansion while we deal with this problem.”
“I know you are worried about her safety, but it would be wise if she knows what’s happening. You won’t deal with this alone.” Shen Huang emphasized his last words: “We are your family, and the Shen family wouldn’t easily admit defeat.”
—
Dinner had been done at home, celebrating Lu Xinyi’s win with the whole Shen family—except Shen Xue wasn’t around. He didn’t forget to congratulate her over the phone though and excitedly reminded her of her promise before he left for Country D.
The night was calm and relaxing, filled with light conversation. When the clock hit ten in the evening, the Shen Matriarch and Shen Huang bid goodbye; and Lu Xinyi tucked the twins on their beds as it was almost past their sleeping time. She came back to their living room with her husband sitting on the couch, murmuring words to her white tiger that now reached Shen Yi’s eye level.
“What are you talking about?” She sat beside her and rubbed Xiao Bai’s chin. She was amazed that his white fur was whiter than the first time she’d seen him. It seemed like the coldness of the weather had turned his fur from grayish-white into snow-white color.
“Nothing important,” Shen Yi answered and watched as how the white tiger took all of his wife’s attention.
“I’m starting to wonder if you love Xiao Bai more than me,” he muttered.
Lu Xinyi’s hand stopped, and she threw her head back, making her long hair flow into waves behind her back.
“What? Don’t tell me you are jealous?”
Shen Yi drank from his wine glass as if he hadn’t said anything. Lu Xinyi scooted closer to his side and rested her head against his arm.
“You should also go to bed if you’re tired. You had a long day.” ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
“Only if you join me.” She grinned at him.
Shen Yi sighed, feigning exasperation. “Xinxin, it’s alright. I know you can’t keep your hands away from me.”
“Hold that thought. You’re not getting something tonight.”
His crestfallen face had Lu Xinyi burst into laughter. He was like a puppy reprimanded by his owner.
“Now, now. Don’t be like that. I know you were also tired of going back and forth from work and home just to make sure the twins are fine.” Lu Xinyi pulled his hand and led him upstairs to their bedroom.
Shen Yi laid his back on their bed and stared up at the ceiling, listening as his wife made her way to their walk-in closet before heading to the bathroom.
“You better make sure you don’t sleep like that taking all the space. Else, I’ll kick you out of the bed.”
“I can sleep anywhere as long as I’m with you.”
“S-shut up!”
He chuckled softly on her antics, reminding him of the first few weeks of their marriage. He could still remember the slight blush on her cheeks when he proposed marriage to her although it was one for convenience. It felt so long ago, and yet here she was, still his wife… but not only on paper but in all aspects.
Shen Yi sat up, leaned forward as he clasped his hands together. Back then, he merely wanted a companion and to appease his family’s desire for him to get married. Now, she was here with him, sharing and creating wonderful moments he never thought he’d experience.
His gaze swept around their bedroom, noticing the changes that happened since marrying Lu Xinyi. He didn’t mind that his home wasn’t his alone. He didn’t mind the noisiness of the twins, as well as his younger brother’s frequent visits to their kitchen.
In the past couple of months, some radical changes had come to his life. Her nightstand held two photos on it. One was the old family picture she had with her parents and Tian Lingyu, and the other was the newest family photo they had taken with the twins. He reached out and held it in his arms, reminding him of what he could lose.
Never in his life had he been good at socializing with other people. It had never been easy for him to reveal part of himself, and yet with Lu Xinyi, it all seemed so damn easy. Not even with his ex-girlfriend, Li Qiao.
It was all because of Li Qiao that he avoided women for a long time, but it didn’t stop his family from setting him with blind dates. However, it was also because of it that he had even met Lu Xinyi. As strange as it was, he was thankful that his family sent him to that cruise vacation.
His thoughts were put into a halt when he heard the bathroom door open as his wife stepped out. She was wearing a silk pajama and was busy drying her long hair with a towel, her bare feet making its way towards him.
Shen Yi heard her but didn’t turn to see her, not even when she kneeled next to him and wrapped her arms around his torso, hugging him from behind.
He decided right then that he’d keep her forever unless she didn’t want him any longer. If he had to stain his hands with blood again just to keep her and his family, then so be it.
Yes, he would kill to keep her safe. He would die for her, but first, he was going to kill anyone who dared to hurt her. He’d crushed Feng Zexian with his own hands, and he was willing to do it again. As for Sun Mingai, her debt was also long overdue for killing Shen Jinxiu.
