The soft glow of lanterns bathed Lin Mei's bedroom in a warm, amber hue. The air was still, touched only by the faint rustle of silk and the quiet breathing of children. Lin Mei sat on the edge of her bed, Lin Kai nestled against her chest, his tiny fingers curled around the fabric of her robe. His eyes were half-closed, his body warm and content.
Zhang Liu stood near the doorway, uncertain, waiting.
Lin Mei glanced at him, her expression unreadable. She had been thinking—calculating, weighing, deciding. Finally, she spoke, her voice calm but firm.
"You may sleep here tonight," she said. "But on the floor. The maids will prepare a separate bedding."
Zhang Liu's heart leapt. She's letting me in, he thought. This is the first step. I'll win her heart. Slowly, but surely.
Lin Mei continued, her tone sharpening just slightly, a quiet edge beneath the silk.
"But don't misunderstand. You're here to sleep. Nothing more."
Zhang Liu blinked, the excitement in his chest cooling slightly. He nodded, masking his disappointment. "Of course."
Lin Mei turned to Yulan. "Prepare a bedding for him. Near the girls."
Yulan bowed. "Yes, Madam."
The maids moved swiftly, laying out a thick mat, soft pillows, and a folded blanket near the far side of the room. Zhang Liu watched them, then turned to the girls.
"So," he said with a smile, "who wants to sleep with Papa tonight?"
The three girls looked at their mother.
Lin Mei gave a small nod. "If you wish to sleep with your father, you may."
Lin Yu stepped forward, her voice clear and innocent. "I'll sleep with Mama."
Her eyes flicked to Lin Kai, still nestled in Lin Mei's arms. I want to see my brother's face while sleeping, she thought, her childish heart full of curiosity and affection.
Zhang Liu's smile faltered. Even she doesn't want to sleep near me.
Lin Ming hesitated. "I want to sleep with Mama too—"
But Lin Ling gently placed a hand on her twin's arm and looked at their mother. "We'll sleep with Papa."
Lin Mei raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Alright."
Zhang Liu's mood lifted. He knelt and opened his arms. "Come here, my stars."
The twins walked toward him—Lin Ming with a bounce in her step, Lin Ling with quiet grace. He hugged them tightly, his heart warming. At least they're with me.
As the bedding was finalized, Lin Ming leaned close to her sister and whispered, "Why did you stop me? I know you wanted to sleep with Mama too."
Lin Ling whispered back, "If we sleep with Mama, Papa will be sad. It might start a fight. I don't want that."
Lin Ming frowned. "Why would they fight? Papa's nice."
Lin Ling didn't answer immediately. She just nodded. "I know. But it's better this way."
Lin Ming sighed, then smiled. "Okay. I trust you."
Lin Mei watched them from the bed, amused. What are these little fellows whispering about now?
She spoke in a teasing voice. "Are you two keeping secrets from your mother?"
Lin Ling turned, her face calm. "It's a sister secret. We'll tell you later."
Lin Yu perked up. "What are you talking about?"
Lin Ming giggled. "It's about our brother. He's so cute!"
Lin Yu clapped her hands. "Yes! He's the cutest!"
Zhang Liu, now settled on his bedding, called out gently, "Lin Ming, Lin Ling—come now."
Lin Ming skipped over, her twin following with quiet steps. Before leaving, both girls turned to look at Lin Kai, their eyes soft with affection.
Lin Mei smiled. "Good night, my loves."
"Good night, Mama," they replied in unison.
Lin Mei adjusted her position, cradling Lin Kai beside her. He latched onto her breast, drinking slowly, his eyes fluttering with contentment. Lin Mei stroked his hair, her heart full. You're so peaceful, she thought. So perfect.
Lin Yu watched from the side, her eyes wide. But soon, sleep tugged at her, and she curled up beside her mother, drifting off.
Zhang Liu, lying on the mat with the twins nestled against him, looked toward Lin Mei. "Good night," he said softly.
Lin Mei turned her head slightly. "Good night."
Her voice was calm, distant, but not cold.
Zhang Liu closed his eyes, a small smile forming. She spoke to me. She let me in. This is progress.
Yulan stood near the doorway, observing the room. The children were settled, Lin Mei was calm, and Zhang Liu was quiet. She stepped forward, her voice low.
"Madam, if you need anything, call out."
Lin Mei nodded. "Thank you, Yulan. You may sleep now."
Yulan bowed and exited, the other maids following.
The room fell into silence, broken only by the soft breathing of children and the occasional creak of the rocking chair.
Lin Kai, though still an infant, watched everything with quiet awareness. His eyes moved from his mother to his father, then to his sisters.
They're strange, he thought. Mother's mood drops when father is near. If they were truly a couple, wouldn't it be different?
He didn't understand everything, but he sensed the tension, the distance, the quiet ache in his mother's eyes.
He closed his eyes, nestled against her warmth, and drifted into sleep.
And so the night settled—five breaths, one room, and a silence that spoke louder than words.
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Author's Note:
I know action will come after two more chapters, just wait. This is just a buildup, these characters will also play an important role in the story and our mc life. u will sure liked it with the action and adventures scene in next chapters.