CHAPTER 281: CHAPTER 281; GO ON SWEETHEART

Zhihao stood protectively beside Tang Fei while Qingqing peeked out from behind her brother, a little shy. She was still awkward and not used to people, and then, there was a language barrier; she could hear but didn’t know how to properly use the language, and had fluent communication.

"Yes," Tang Fei said softly, her voice still tight with emotion. "These are my children. That’s Tinghao, the oldest, Zhihao, Minghao, and Feihao... This is Qingqing, I just adopted her, so she is different. This is Qin Xinyu and Twilight, also I adopted them, they are part of my family now." She introduced all of them proudly and shyly at the same time.

Feihao stepped forward, was polite and composed. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, madam. I will be calling you Grandma from now on..."

"Pleasure meeting you Grandma, Grandpa..." Zhihao, Tinghao, and Minghao greeted them unisonly.

"Hehe... Good... Good..."

Twilight also walked over, greeting them. They seemed to be kind and gentle, and they would definitely be good parents for her Momma. "Hello, Grandpa and Grandma, I’m Twilight, and I’m Qin Xinyu." They also greeted them.

Mrs. Xu blinked, stunned at the mix of children around her, then laughed heartily, "You brought a whole nest of chicks with you, didn’t you? This is wonderful. The house has been too quiet for way too long.

Behind them, Huo Ting Cheng walked in silently, his presence commanding despite saying nothing. The room fell quiet briefly as Mr. Xu assessed him with a sharp, almost military gaze.

Huo Ting Cheng gave a brief but respectful bow. "Huo Ting Cheng. Tang Fei’s husband."

Mr. Xu didn’t blink, but he had heard so much about him, how cruel and territorial he was. "I know who you are."

A heartbeat passed. Then: "Welcome."

Huo Ting Cheng gave a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes but nodded once more.

Mrs. Xu immediately gestured toward the inner sitting room. "Come, come inside. The tea’s still warm and the buns just came out of the steamer. You must be starving."

The scent of osmanthus and fresh mantou drifted into the entryway as servants bustled about, preparing seats.

Tang Fei allowed herself to breathe again. Maybe this wouldn’t be as hard as she feared.

As the children followed Mrs. Xu inside, their laughter already echoing into the room, Tang Fei leaned a little toward Huo Ting Cheng.

"Thank you... for being here."

He leaned down slightly, his voice a low murmur near her ear. "Wherever you go, I will be right behind you." But he was burning with jealousy, too many people would occupy his wife’s time, and they wouldn’t have quality time together.

She smiled faintly and followed the rest into the room, her heart a little steadier now.

Unseen by most, Father Xu lingered at the threshold, his gaze thoughtful, lingering on Tang Fei’s back. Something in her walk... something in her posture...

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

"She’s changed," he murmured to himself. "But she looks stable and happy now."

Then he closed the door and joined the rest inside.

The Xu residence was vast, with corridors that echoed every footstep, but the air was warm with welcome and something else, faint traces of the past Tang Fei couldn’t quite grasp.

As the servants rushed to prepare refreshments, the children clustered together in the ornate living room.

The quadruplets had already claimed a velvet sofa. Tinghao sat with a quiet calm, legs crossed like a little gentleman. Zhihao leaned forward with sharp eyes, scanning the surroundings with casual wariness, just like their father. Minghao had found the sweets tray and was now diplomatically offering one to every adult in the room with disarming courtesy. Feihao, the most expressive of the four, was already asking Mrs. Xu questions like, "Does this place have a koi pond? Do they bite?"

Mrs. Xu chuckled in delight. "Heavens, they talk like little adults! Which one are you again?"

"I’m Feihao," she responded, proudly.

"You have such a beautiful name...." Mrs Xu was happy with how beautiful the kids were.

"Hehe, thank you, Grandma..."

Twilight had made herself comfortable beside Minghao, her long ponytail swinging as she examined the porcelain vases lining the shelves. "Rich people always have the same kind of plates," she whispered to Xinyu, nudging him.

Qin Xinyu, the calmest of the group despite being only recently adopted, folded his arms. "Don’t touch them. They are Qing dynasty replicas. Very expensive!"

Twilight blinked. "How would you know that?"

"I read."

Zhihao glanced over approvingly. "You are so smart Qin Xinyu."

Twilight rolled her eyes, unimpressed, and made her way toward the piano instead.

At the edge of the room, Qingqing clung shyly to Tang Fei’s side, her fingers twisting the hem of Tang Fei’s blouse.

"It’s okay," Tang Fei whispered, crouching down. "These people... they are family. They would protect you always."

Qingqing looked up at her, then nodded slowly.

Mrs. Xu, noticing, knelt to Qingqing’s eye level, "And what’s your name, little lotus?" She was totally different and looked more foreign.

Qingqing peeked out from behind Tang Fei, her big eyes wary but curious.

Tang Fei gently nudged her forward. "Go on, sweetheart."

The girl hesitated, then took a small step and bowed stiffly. "I’m... Qingqing."

Mrs. Xu smiled, her voice tender and welcoming. "Qingqing. What a lovely name." She reached out and brushed a stray hair from the child’s face, careful and slow, giving her time to pull away, but Qingqing didn’t.

"I like quiet girls," Mrs. Xu added softly, but deeply she understood there was history behind her. They always end up being the strongest. And you will..."

Qingqing blinked, then gave the tiniest smile and nodded.

"Good girl," Mrs. Xu praised gently, then stood and clapped her hands. "Now, children, wash your hands. Aunt Lin will bring you some warm buns and sweet soup. Go on now."

The kids scrambled off with a mix of excitement and confusion, trailing after the household nanny who had suddenly appeared with soft slippers and warm towels. Twilight was already asking questions about the steamed buns, and Minghao was promising to teach Feihao how to properly thank a chef.