He pulled her towards him gently until she stood close enough to his liking. A light blush tinted her cheeks as she felt his strong arm wrapped loosely around her waist as though he was holding her in place.

When the twins finally appeared at the gate, they were both surprised to find both of their mommy and daddy waiting for them. It was usually Lu Xinyi who fetched them from school.

Initially, the twins felt awkward when they first attended school overseas. Both felt envious whenever they saw their classmates being affectionate with their parents. Moreover, the fact that their real mother died from childbirth and their biological father refused to acknowledge them, the twins were subjected to bullying and gossip.

Now, it was as if the heavens heard their prayers. The twins finally had parents they called their own. Little Yuyan grinned as she saw Shen Yi and Lu Xinyi together and ran towards them, with her twin brother following closely behind.

“How’s your day at school? Did you enjoy the class?” Lu Xinyi asked them with a smile when they came close. “Daddy and I have been waiting for you.”

At this moment, some twins’ classmates noticed the presence of the ShenLu couple. Even their parents watched in awe. Some of them had seen Lu Xinyi before and knew who she was, but it was their first time seeing her with Shen Yi today.

Then, a kid exclaimed when she saw Lu Xinyi, “Woah! Amazing! Yuyan’s mommy is so pretty!”-.

Other children noticed it too and agreed.

“She’s so young and pwetty. I want her to be my Mommy, too!”

When Little Yuyan heard what their classmates were saying about her mommy, she immediately hugged Lu Xinyi’s leg tightly.

“Nooo! This is my Mommy! Mommy is only mine and Zi Gege’s!” She wailed, attracting the attention of those people around them. It was as if she was afraid that the other kids would take away her mommy from her.

Lu Xinyi laughed and lifted her crying daughter. She patted the little girl’s head to console her.

“It’s alright darling. They’re just joking. Mommy will be Yuyan’s mom forever.”

“We should go.” Shen Yi huffed. What were these stinky kids thinking? Even the children wanted a piece of his wife? No way!

Eventually, Shen Yi released his hold unto his wife to prepare to go home. With hours remaining until Lu Xinyi’s departure, he supposed they shouldn’t waste time.

“Does Mommy really need to go?” Shen Yuyan asked as they all sat in the living room. Her voice had a hint of sadness into it. She really loved her mommy, and she would surely miss her after tonight.

“Mommy will be back before you know it,” Lu Xinyi reassured her daughter.

“Then, who’ll pick us from school now?” The little girl pouted. She was really glad when she saw both of their parents fetching them from school. With her mommy going somewhere with Zhang Qing and Jiao Jiao, there wouldn’t be anyone available to play with her except Uncle Xue.

“That’s a stupid question, Yuyan. Have you forgotten Daddy’s still here?” Shen Zichen muttered, crossing his little arms as he looked up from the small pile of toys he set on the floor in front of him.

“Yes, Daddy will be the one in charge of picking you up. Don’t worry, baby.” Lu Xinyi answered, hoping she would be able to stop the two from arguing.

“Listen to your mother. She’ll only be gone for a month so you must behave,” Shen Yi added as his arm slipped around his wife’s waist and pulled her against him.

While the twins continued to question why their mother needed to leave and why they should stay, Lu Xinyi answered them patiently, aware of her husband’s affectionate actions as he rested his chin on her shoulder, listening to their conversation.

“Zichen, please look after your sister, alright? Daddy might get busy with work so you have to help him.”

“Why does Zi Gege have to be in charge? He’s only a couple of minutes older than me. It’s not fair!” Little Yuyan asked, her face showing irritation toward her twin brother.

“Because Mom knows how much of a crybaby you are,” Zichen muttered, turning back to the toys he was playing.

Shen Yi looked up and glanced across the room when he heard a soft sigh. On the other side of the room, Lu Xinyi was bent over the dresser as she looked at her reflection as she put the finishing touches on her light makeup and put on her earrings.

Leaning back against the pillows on their bed, he let his eyes feast on his wife’s beauty. His gaze traveled down her body, and a smirk tugged on his lips.

Her black dress reached her knees, and Shen Yi couldn’t help but trail his gaze on her shapely legs to her dainty feet that were encased in a pair of flat shoes. Looking at her, he could feel his pride swelling in his chest as he realized how fortunate he was for having someone like her as his wife.

It was at that moment that Lu Xinyi turned around and looked at him.

“I’m done. Ready when you are.”

“Okay,” Shen Yi replied with a smirk as he got to his feet, taking his jacket that he threw casually earlier as he waited.

Shaking her head, Lu Xinyi pulled on her own jacket as she walked out of the door only to see the twins waiting for them. Little Yuyan and Zichen were sitting in the living room with a serious expression on their faces.

At the sight of their parents, their faces lit up instantly; and they were soon racing across the room to hug Lu Xinyi as she stood at the doorway ready to leave with their daddy.

“Mommy should call us every day, okay? I’m going to miss my mommy’s kisses.” Little Yuyan sobbed as she flung her little arms around Lu Xinyi’s neck.

Lu Xinyi’s heart ached as she saw her twins already crying their hearts out even before her departure.

“Hush, darling. Please don’t cry. I will win the competition and will be home soon.” She promised as she kissed both her children, hoping that one month would go by fast so she could be reunited with them soon.