When Xue Ting was awake again, it was nearly six in the morning. She quickly sent a text message to her twins to update them where she was and also texted Jia Yi.
She planted a kiss on Qiu Wen's cheek as she tugged him in the blanket knowing he was recovering from his fever. She made a quick trip to the market to buy some ingredients to prepare the usual comfort food, chicken soup for him.
She finally received a phone call from Grandma when she was done cooking.
"Grandma…" She picked up the call knowing Jia Yi must have updated her.
"Oh, my lovely granddaughter… Are you alright? Is Qiu Wen fine?" Grandma greeted her with a huge relief.
"I'm alright. I'm making some chicken soup in our new house… He is still asleep and recovering from his fever. You don't have to worry…" Before Xue Ting could finish explaining, Grandma interrupted impatiently.
"I'm coming over…" She said urging Jia Yi with the arrangements.
"Grandma…" There was a brief pause before Xue Ting could tell her she was flying off in a few hours to take up a course and promised to return to see her after a month. Grandma sighed knowing it was the best arrangement for them all as Xue Ting reluctantly hung up the call while Grandma rushed over, hoping to see her before she left.
However, Xue Ting quietly left the house thereafter to meet the twins at May's place instead knowing if she did not, she may not even want to fly off anymore.
"Mummy!" Joy was beginning to be clingy as she knew she had to let her mother go soon. Despite so, Xue Ting was fighting her nausea again.
"Mummy, are you sure you're alright? Maybe you shouldn't fly off till you do a check-up?" Joy suggested hoping for a miracle to happen as Xue Ting shook her head.
"It's just not enough rest. Go, go to our new home and accompany Daddy there. He hasn't been well and I made chicken soup. Grandma and Jia Yi should be arriving soon. Go…" She quickly urged as the twins' eyes reddened. She gave them a quick hug and pushed them out of the door as she gave Matthew the car's keys.
"I will be back. Daddy needs you now. Go." She said before quickly closing the door leaving the twins dumbfounded for a moment. She knew the longer they stayed the harder it would be for her to leave as she hurriedly prepared for her departure.
When the twins arrived at their new home, Grandma and Jia Yi were already fussing over Qiu Wen who was eager to see Xue Ting again only to be greeted by the pair of sad twins.
"Daddy…" Joy pouted while nearly in tears as Qiu Wen quickly went up to them both and held them in his arms. "I miss you both… Have you been well?" Qiu Wen asked, trying to coax Joy but she was sobbing in his arms while Matthew's eyes reddened when he let go of Qiu Wen's hug.
"Come, come… Let's all have some soup first. Your mother should have added ginger. It's only complete with ginger…" Grandma nagged making Matthew instantly chuckle as he followed her while Jia Yi began to serve them each a bowl. Qiu Wen quickly led Joy to the balcony to calm her down.
"Xin Xin, don't worry from now on. You have Great Grandma to support all of you. I promise to take care of you both while your mother is away alright?" Grandma comforted as Matthew smiled sadly.
"It's alright, Great Grandma… We are staying with Auntie May temporarily. We will be alright." Matthew tried comforting Grandma in return. "You're all welcome to ask for help anytime alright?" Grandma concluded as he smiled, feeling the warmth of her unconditional love.
When Joy finally calmed down, Qiu Wen quickly gave her lots of water to stay hydrated. "Stop crying… It was all an act. The entire divorce wasn't real Princess. But I couldn't tell you all the plans or reasons for now. So, you shouldn't worry…" He explained while wiping her wet face as she was about to cry again at the revelation.
He quickly hugged her. "Stay over tonight with Mum alright?" She began to wail as Qiu Wen panicked.
"What's wrong? Why are you crying so much today, Princess? I'm sorry… I should have explained properly alright? Stop crying…" He tried coaxing as Joy told him Xue Ting had left in the midst of her wails and sobs.
"Oh dear… She left already?" He mumbled as Joy continued to sob in his arms. "Mummy had never left us so long before… I want mummy… I miss her…" Joy mumbled in his arms as he tried his best to coax her.
"Alright, alright… stay the night and we will give her a call later?" He suggested as she calmed down again and was a little more cheered up before he fed her some of the chicken soup brought over by Jia Yi. Joy grimaced at the taste of the ginger which made them both laugh knowing it was Grandma who added it.
"Mum cooks better isn't it?" Qiu Wen concluded as Joy finally giggled while he kissed her forehead, feeling very grateful for his twins by his side and him knowing about his new identity.
After dinner that night, they had a brief calling session with Xue Ting which had to be ended earlier as she was busy settling down and unpacking aside to feeling a little dizzy which she tried to hide away from the trio. Keith was worried about her condition and told her to do a check up the next day as she nodded in agreement.
Qiu Wen then had the twins in his arms by his side in bed as Joy was struggling to control her emotions. "Show me how Keith looks like?" He teased Joy who instantly could not help but grinned sending Matthew chuckling at the instant change of emotion in his sister.
"Daddy…" Joy was embarrassed as she hid her face onto Qiu Wen's chest.
"What's there to be shy about? I heard of this childhood sweetheart… Sooner or later, I will need to be introduced to him isn't it? Besides, which father wouldn't guard their daughter well?" Qiu Wen said before Matthew showed him the pictures he had of Keith on his phone.
"Oh, that's him? I nearly thought he was your mother's newfound boyfriend last night…" Qiu Wen laughed. "You saw him?" Matthew asked as Joy peeped at the mobile. "Oh yes, he was protective of your mother and he is very charming indeed. Nearly got me jealous till I found her here taking care of me last night." Qiu Wen explained while he was half teasing his little princess.
"Aww… Could you send me…" Qiu Wen grinned with a teasing smile at Joy who was asking for the picture from Matthew.
"If you want that picture, now tell me how old is he?" Qiu Wen started his interrogation.
"Older…" She whispered while blushing. "How long have you dated him secretly?" Qiu Wen teased as she hid under the covers sending both men chuckling.
"Has your mummy known of this? How are you to believe him since you're all on long distance? You never know if he was dating someone else too…." Before Qiu Wen could finish, she protested and revealed her furious self.
"He would never! He wouldn't dare! I have been keeping tabs on him! He always talks to me!" Joy defended ferociously sending both men a little stunned before laughing at her silly self.
"Stop teasing me!" She sulked as she lightly hit Qiu Wen and Matthew. "Alright, alright Princess… Mummy said you shouldn't be dating till you finish high school right? So that's very soon… Are you excited?" He asked while hugging her as she nodded and smiled blissfully. Qiu Wen knew her daughter had fallen head over heels for her childhood sweetheart.
"I will approve of him. Too good looking. What a steal! I cannot believe he could make me jealous and misunderstand your mummy…" Qiu Wen went on with the joke as the twins laughed with him.
Grandma heard them from the door discreetly and was glad they all got along well despite the chaos that had happened lately. She sighed walking back to the guest room as her only wish was for the twins to finally know the identity of Qiu Wen. She had no idea Qiu Wen had already known the truth but he wanted to wait for the results of the test they took to surprise the twins by then.
He was also thinking of ways to convey the special announcement to the twins once he had the papers with Xue Ting via text message that night after the twins fell asleep. Even then, Xue Ting had not known they went and did a test.
You could decide on your own… It's going to be a special moment for all of you. So it should come from you… Xue Ting replied.
It would be better with you around too… I promise I will defend you if they ever get upset or mad about you hiding the truth all this while. He persuaded.
You don't have to, Wen Wen. They are very mature kids. Speaking of which, you should get some rest now. It's late. Let's cross this bridge when think of something alright? Love you… Miss you too. Xue Ting concluded as he smiled.
Miss you too. Nearly cried like little Princess did for you. Xue Ting laughed at his reply as they bid goodnight to each other.