Suddenly, Qin Si Ye sat up straight, spreading his arms to shield the three darlings. "Xi Xi, it takes two to tango. Don't make things difficult for the children. If you're unhappy about anything, just take it out on me."
Yin Xi looked at his genuinely protective posture and expression and immediately backed down. Not to mention, she was in the wrong for hiding the children's origins in the first place. Even if it was truly the fault of the father and sons, Qin Si Ye was still injured from saving her, so she couldn't possibly get angry at him.
After a few seconds of eye contact with Qin Si Ye, Yin Xi turned her gaze gently to the three children. "Alright. This matter is past, and I won't pursue it further. I hope that in the future, you'll tell me directly about anything that happens, and stop resorting to schemes behind my back. Of course, I will also be honest with you."
Upon hearing this, the three little ones immediately scrambled out from behind Qin Si Ye and grabbed Yin Xi's hands. Yan Yan said, "Mommy, you're so good."
Shuo Shuo added, "You really scared us. It turns out it was just a false alarm."
Chen Chen blinked his obsidian-like eyes and asked, "Mommy, when did you see that content?"
Stealing a glance at Qin Si Ye, Yin Xi replied in a low voice, "The night you were brought here."
Chen Chen then remembered that day when he used the tablet Mommy sent to add her as a WeChat friend and start a video call. Mommy was standing in his bedroom at the time, and she was very emotional. Not only did she cry a lot, but she also kept apologizing to them. It turned out she had already seen their chat history with Daddy then. She had pretended not to know and hadn't exposed them, partly out of guilt, and perhaps also to save their dignity.
"Mommy, thank you!" Chen Chen suddenly hugged Yin Xi's waist, looking at her with teary eyes, "We did that entirely because we wanted to help you and Daddy."
Yin Xi's eyes reddened slightly. She affectionately stroked his head and said, "I know. That's why when I saw your chat history, I wasn't angry at all. Instead, it increased my sense of guilt."
Shuo Shuo and Yan Yan also rushed into her embrace, calling out "Mommy" with choked sobs.
After a while, Qin Si Ye stood up and asked, "Are you ready? Can we go?"
"Huh? Do you have something to do?" Yin Xi, hugging the three little ones, looked at him with surprise.
"Didn't you say you needed to change your dressing today? I've been waiting for you upstairs," Qin Si Ye said, his gaze deep.
Upon hearing this, Chen Chen quickly straightened up and said, "Okay, okay, Mommy, hurry and help Daddy upstairs. Shuo Shuo and I can help Yan Yan tidy up the rest."
Shuo Shuo and Yan Yan took Yin Xi's right hand and placed it in the crook of Qin Si Ye's arm. "Yes, yes, Mommy, go quickly. Daddy's health is the most important."
The two were ushered out of the room by the three children, half-pushed and half-guided, and couldn't help but exchange a smile. Arriving at the bedroom on the third floor, Qin Si Ye asked softly, "On the sofa, or on the bed?"
Yin Xi glanced at both options and replied, "The bed. Lying down will be more comfortable."
"Okay." Qin Si Ye walked towards the bed, while Yin Xi went to get the medical kit. Gently uncovering the gauze on his abdomen, Yin Xi took a close look, her face lit up with a happy smile. "The wound is healing very well." As she spoke, she took out disinfectant, dipped a cotton swab in it, and gently rolled it back and forth. Looking at Qin Si Ye, she said, "Take good care of it, and you should be able to have the stitches removed in about a week."
She then noticed the man's lips were tightly pursed, and he was staring at her intently. "What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
"No. I just think you're beautiful," Qin Si Ye answered very directly.
Hearing this, Yin Xi's hand paused. How could this man compliment someone so directly? And so righteously, too. The area behind her ears began to feel warm. Little did she know, Qin Si Ye's mind was filled with their memories of life in Hu Ban Li. Back then, she had still worn a mask, repeatedly rejecting his advances. It was only by secretly learning about her behavior and situation through chats with the children on WeChat that he was eventually able to win her heart. Although those days were difficult for him, thinking back now, they felt so heartwarming and sweet.
Yin Xi lowered her head, no longer looking at him. With great difficulty, she finished dressing his wound and picked up the medical kit, preparing to leave. Just then, the man grabbed her hand. "Xi Xi, don't go. Stay with me for a while."