Chapter 15

At six o’clock in the morning, the alarm clock rang promptly.

Feeling tired and unwilling to get up, Wu Qingluan tried to bury her head in the blankets. Her forehead rested against a strong chest, and her drowsiness vanished instantly.

Yu Xuanwei had already turned off the alarm clock for her and lowered his head to kiss her hair. “I’ll take them today. You can sleep a bit more.”

“No, it’s okay,” Wu Qingluan hurriedly sat up, her face blushing. She bit her lip and looked at Yu Xuanwei, feeling flustered but unable to express her anger.

The bed sheets and blanket were warm and dry. Unbeknownst to her, they had already been changed.

Yu Xuanwei leaned closer, lightly biting her lips. “Still acting coy with me?”

Wu Qingluan pushed him away to arm’s length. “Who’s acting coy with you? Don’t use your urges as an excuse!”

Wu Qingluan rushed into the bathroom, closed the door with a loud “click.” When she saw the old bedsheet in the laundry basket, her face flushed again.

She turned on the tap and splashed cold water on her face to cool down. However, her reflection in the mirror still looked enchanting, her eyes were alluring, and her lips held a trace of passion. It was indeed seductive.

Several kiss marks appeared on her neck again…

She scolded herself mentally, “Wu Qingluan, Wu Qingluan, do you really want to fall for such a strange Taoist?”

Her neck was still sore from last night. She must have lost her mind to let Yu Xuanwei get away with it.

“It’s okay, it’s not a big deal. I enjoyed it too,” she consoled herself. “It’s nothing, as an adult, there’s nothing I can’t handle…”

After comforting herself, she left the bathroom. Yu Xuanwei was already busy making breakfast, wearing an apron and skillfully frying eggs.

Hearing her approach, Yu Xuanwei turned around. “Could you please wake them up?”

“Sure.”

At this moment, Grandma Zhou woke up and saw them. She quickly trotted into the kitchen and said, “Master, let this old lady take over. You should rest.”

“Nana, let me handle it. You’ve been taking care of the children alone for the past few days,” Yu Xuanwei replied.

As Wu Qingluan was about to go upstairs, she couldn’t help but intervene, “Don’t call him ‘Master,’ he’s my… um, my guest!”

Yu Xuanwei paid no attention to her, but Grandma Zhou looked delighted. She examined Yu Xuanwei closely and said, “Okey, we’re all family now.”

Yu Xuanwei nodded, saying, “Alright.”

Wu Qingluan rolled her eyes in frustration, angry at herself for not being able to resist the temptation of his good looks.

The triplets woke up and noticed the gifts on the bedside table. They were thrilled and came running out to hug Wu Qingluan’s legs to express their gratitude.

Seeing the three adorable little children, Wu Qingluan’s anger melted away, and she hugged each of them lovingly. Afterward, she invited them downstairs for breakfast.

The youngest one was the most excited, “Mom, Dad agreed to buy me ice skates. Does that mean we’ll be going to the snowy mountain ice rink for a vacation this year? I’m so excited!”

“The snowy mountain ice rink?” Wu Qingluan had no idea where that was.

The youngest child sprinted downstairs, leaped onto Yu Xuanwei’s back, and asked excitedly, “Dad, can I go to the snowy mountain ice rink this year? Please, please!”

With the youngest one clinging to his back, Yu Xuanwei stood up straight, his back unwavering. “You better not cause any trouble, and I’ll take you.”

“It’s a deal!”

During breakfast, Wu Qingluan noticed that the eldest child seemed distracted, frequently glancing upstairs.

She could probably guess what was on his mind. After finishing their meal, the triplets changed into their clothes, grabbed their backpacks, and prepared to leave. Wu Qingluan offered to carry the eldest child’s backpack, but he refused.

The eldest child’s eyes were evasive as he said, “I’ll carry it myself.”

Wu Qingluan glanced at Yu Xuanwei, who was engrossed in conversation with the youngest child, and whispered, “Leave it at home. They don’t allow it in kindergarten. Aren’t you afraid someone might damage it?”

The eldest child tightened his grip on the backpack’s strap. “It won’t get damaged. I’ll keep an eye on it.”

However, Yu Xuanwei suddenly turned his gaze towards them and said coldly, “Yulang, take the egg back upstairs, or else I’ll confiscate it.”

The youngest child chuckled and teased, “Big brother wants to hatch eggs again!” Before he could finish his sentence, he received a chestnut from Yu Xuanwei, causing him to silence instantly.

Reluctantly, the eldest child removed the backpack, unzipped it, and pulled out the large white egg he had hidden inside.

Wu Qingluan couldn’t help but take a closer look inside his backpack. The egg was already quite large, and his backpack also contained books, a pencil case, a water bottle, and other items. How had he managed to fit the egg in there?

The eldest child pouted and sent the egg back upstairs. Wu Qingluan followed him.

The eldest child truly loved the egg. He placed it on his bed, touched it with his small hands, and seemed reluctant to leave.

Wu Qingluan comforted him, saying, “I promise to take good care of it. You can trust me.”

The eldest child nodded with a pout and said, “When you come to pick me up in the afternoon, make sure to bring it with you.”

Wu Qingluan couldn’t help but smile. Normally, the eldest child had a serious expression and behaved like a little Yu Xuanwei, always mature and responsible. This was the first time he had displayed such childlike behavior and made a request to Wu Qingluan.

“I will definitely bring it with me.”

The eldest child kissed the large white egg again before reluctantly leaving.

After dropping the triplets off at school, Yu Xuanwei drove Wu Qingluan back home. “I have some matters to attend to at Qinglong Temple; I need to go back.”

“Alright.”

“I’ll try to come back in the evening.”

“No need,” Wu Qingluan said as she got out of the car. “I’ll send you photos and videos of them every day. You go ahead and take care of your business.”

Qinglong Temple was located in Yuezhou, thousands of miles away from Yuzhou. Even by plane, the round trip would take more than three hours.

Wu Qingluan realized that she was unexpectedly worried about Yu Xuanwei.

Yu Xuanwei opened the car door and stepped out. He embraced Wu Qingluan and held her close. This time, Wu Qingluan didn’t push him away.

The two of them shared a silent hug for a while, and then Yu Xuanwei spoke, “Give me a little more time, and I’ll handle everything.”

They separated, and Wu Qingluan looked up at him, finally asking a question that had been lingering in her mind for a long time, “Have I met you before?”

Yu Xuanwei lowered his gaze. “We have.”

Wu Qingluan chuckled. “Well, that must have been in a previous lifetime.”

It was unclear who initiated it, but the two of them shared another kiss.

Yu Xuanwei’s strong arms held her, almost lifting her off the ground.

After a while, Wu Qingluan gently pushed him away. “I feel like I’m going to suffocate. You should go!”

Yu Xuanwei gave her a deep look and finally released her.

Wu Qingluan watched him as he left, then lowered her head to touch her swollen lips. She entered the house with a silly grin.

At three o’clock in the afternoon, Wu Qingluan received a sudden phone call from the kindergarten. The principal’s serious tone made her rush over immediately.

Wu Qingluan was startled, thinking that something had happened to the triplets. She quickly drove to the kindergarten.

Upon arriving at the kindergarten, the triplets’ teacher was waiting for her at the entrance.

“Teacher, are my children okay?” Wu Qingluan asked anxiously.

“It’s okay, they’re all safe and sound,” the teacher assured her with a hint of embarrassment. “Mrs. Yu, please let me explain…”

On the way to the principal’s office, Wu Qingluan quickly got the details. It turned out that her youngest son had gotten into a bit of a romantic entanglement. During lunchtime, he had kissed a classmate named Tongtong, which happened to be witnessed by Tongtong’s mother, who had come to drop off some things.

Two kids under the age of four wouldn’t engage in anything inappropriate, and the kindergarten had reviewed the surveillance footage. It showed that her son had just given Tongtong a peck on the cheek, and if anything, Tongtong had initiated it.

However, Tongtong’s mother was not willing to let it go. She had caused a scene at the kindergarten, demanding that Wu Qingluan’s son be punished and even threatening to physically harm him. She had also made a scene in the principal’s office, insisting on an apology from her son’s parents.

The teacher tried to persuade Wu Qingluan. “Mrs. Yu, please bear with her when she comes in. You know how parents can be protective of their daughters.”

Wu Qingluan found it odd. “Isn’t everything clear from the surveillance footage? Her daughter initiated it. Why is she making such a fuss?”

The triplets were all exceptionally good-looking, and their first day at the kindergarten had already caused quite a stir. None of the little girls there disliked them. So, although the incident was somewhat surprising, Wu Qingluan wasn’t entirely shocked.

The teacher felt a bit frustrated. “Yes, there isn’t much to argue about. Let’s go to the principal’s office.”

In the principal’s office, not only Tongtong’s mother was present but also both Yu Jue and Tongtong.

When Old San saw Wu Qingluan, he looked somewhat aggrieved and whispered, “Mom.”

Wu Qingluan examined Yu Jue closely. His clothes were neat, and he didn’t seem to be injured. She let out a sigh of relief. “Don’t worry, my darling.”

“Humph! What’s there to be afraid of? Such a young age and already behaving inappropriately!” Tongtong’s mother sneered.

Wu Qingluan didn’t bother with her and turned to the principal. “Principal, whatever issues we adults may have, let’s discuss them among ourselves. It’s not appropriate for the children to be here, right?”

The principal was also somewhat helpless and was about to speak when Tongtong’s mother jumped in. “Inappropriate? Why would it be inappropriate? If they don’t face each other, you’ll just slander my child! Tongtong, come on, tell them if this boy threatened you!”

Behind her, the little girl’s eyes turned red, and she reluctantly stepped forward, pushed by her mother.

The little girl remained too frightened to look into Wu Qingluan’s eyes, sobbing softly with her head down.

“Speak up!” Tongtong’s mother nudged her. “The surveillance footage was taken out of context. My daughter said it was this boy who scared her; otherwise, why would she be frightened?”

Yu Jue looked shocked. “Tongtong, is that what you told your mom?”

Tongtong burst into tears and cried out, “It’s him! He forced me, I didn’t want to kiss him!”

Yu Jue was furious, “You’re lying! You clearly said you liked me, and I let you kiss me out of pity!”

Tongtong cried even harder.

Tongtong’s mother was beside herself with anger. She took a step forward, ready to strike Yu Jue, but Wu Qingluan tightly grasped her hand.

Wu Qingluan’s eyes narrowed as she warned, “Dare to touch my child, and I’ll fight you with everything I’ve got!”

Wu Qingluan walked away from the principal’s office, and the noise from Tongtong’s mother’s angry outburst could still be heard in the distance.

In the library, Wu Qingluan found Yu Jue sitting on a small chair, his head hanging low, looking utterly dejected.

Seeing him like this made Wu Qingluan’s heart tighten. She had never seen Yu Jue like this before. Since they met, he had been a lively and playful boy, full of energy, with a hearty appetite, and always laughing and having fun…

She approached Yu Jue, and he looked up at her with big, teary eyes. “She’s the one who said she liked me, and she was the one who kissed me first…”

Wu Qingluan gently cradled his small body in her arms. “I believe you.”

Yu Jue began to cry. “Why is she accusing me falsely?”

Wu Qingluan sighed. Not everyone is honest and responsible, especially when telling the truth could be detrimental to oneself. This applies to adults, and it’s the same in the world of children.

After some thought, Wu Qingluan began to explain gently, “Tongtong was probably very scared. You saw it just now, her mother has a quick temper, and she’s still very young. When adults behave like that, she might be too afraid to speak up.”

Yu Jue sobbed, “Did I do something wrong?”

“We need to discuss this separately,” Wu Qingluan replied while cradling him in her lap and gently rocking him. “Firstly, you didn’t lie, and that’s praiseworthy. You also didn’t rush to shift the blame. However, you really can’t just kiss girls in the future, even if a girl initiates it. You need to set boundaries when interacting with classmates, understand proper conduct…”

Yu Jue seemed to grasp the idea after some contemplation. Suddenly, he said with frustration, “I won’t play with girls anymore. I want to like boys like Uncle Xiaoshu!”

Wu Qingluan was taken aback, “You can’t say things like that. You shouldn’t stereotype an entire group just because of one incident. Uncle Xiaoshu… Listen, when you grow up, whether you like girls or boys, or even if you don’t like anyone, that’s your freedom. But don’t develop biases against an entire group because of one person.”

Yu Jue fell silent.

Wu Qingluan didn’t say much more; he was still too young to understand some things, which was perfectly normal.

After a while, Yu Jue cuddled up in her arms and playfully rubbed against her. “Having a mom is really nice.”

Wu Qingluan felt her eyes welling up with tears at his words. The poor child.

Due to this incident, Wu Qingluan decided to pick up the triplets early and take them out for a nice meal to cheer them up.

However, as she was closing the car door, Tongtong’s mother hurried over.

Wu Qingluan didn’t like this woman at all, but she had to maintain composure in front of the children.

Tongtong’s mother scrutinized her, saying, “I know who you are now. No wonder you look so familiar. You’re that female celebrity, right?”

Wu Qingluan remained expressionless. “What do you mean?”

Tongtong’s mother looked smug. “No wonder… When did you have kids? People who send their children to this nursery are either wealthy or influential. Who are you associated with?”

Wu Qingluan swore that if this woman uttered another word of nonsense, she would make her regret it!

Tongtong’s mother seemed to sense that something was off and decided to leave after her provocative remarks.

As the car window rolled up, Yu Jue wore an expression of extreme annoyance. “Mom, why won’t she just leave us alone?”

Wu Qingluan reassured him, saying, “It’s okay.”

Yu Jin also chimed in, his eyes fixed on Tongtong’s mother’s retreating figure. “She’s such an annoying woman.”

Just as he finished speaking, for some reason, Tongtong’s mother stumbled and fell flat on her face.

Wu Qingluan couldn’t help but chuckle. “Let’s go, forget about her. We’re going to pick up Grandma and have some delicious food!”