CHAPTER 414: CHAPTER 414; HONEYMOON PHASE 3

"Better," she replied with a soft smile on her face. "The bandages will be coming off in a few days. So, I hope everything turns out fine.."

"That’s great! I can’t wait for you to join us at school. It’ll be nice to have another person to chat with at lunch break."

Minghao stood up and stretched herself. "Give me twenty minutes. Qing Qing, do you need help with anything?" She needed to get ready for school.

Since they were two years old, they had begun being independent... They could do most of the things without anyone assisting them.

"No, I’m fine. I’ll get dressed and meet you downstairs."

Twenty minutes later, the three children made their way down to the family kitchen, drawn by the enticing aromas of breakfast.

The household activities were already in full swing, maids moving efficiently through their morning routines, the scent of fresh congee and steamed buns filling the air with warmth.

Nanny Yun stood at the stove, her experienced hands overseeing the meal preparation with the ease of long practice. She turned at their entrance, her weathered face lighting up with genuine affection.

"Good morning, my dears! Right on time as always. Come, sit, eat. You need energy for school."

" Good morning Nanny Yun..."

" Good morning Mom..." Qin Xinyu warmly kissed her cheek.

They settled at the counter as Nanny Yun began serving, bowls of warm congee with various toppings, fluffy steamed buns, fresh fruit arranged artfully on plates, and glasses of cold oat milk.

Minghao ate a few bites before pausing, her fork suspended midair. Her intelligent eyes scanned the kitchen, then the doorway beyond, as if searching for something, or someone, that was missing. A small furrow appeared between her brows.

"Nanny Yun," she began carefully, her voice measured, "where are my parents? We didn’t have dinner with them last night since I thought they would be back very late, and Mama usually wakes me up before school, even if she’s not taking me herself."

The older woman’s hands stilled for just a fraction of a second, barely perceptible to most, but Minghao caught it.

Nanny Yun’s expression remained carefully neutral as she continued her work.

"They had some business to attend to, dear," she replied, her tone light but revealing nothing. "They’ll be back soon."

Minghao’s eyes narrowed slightly. That wasn’t really an answer. Her mother had been strange yesterday, arriving home covered in what her father insisted was paint, the tension visible in every line of her body, leaving early this morning without so much as a goodbye. And her father had been different too, more intense, more focused, more... something.

"What kind of business? Or is it a business trip?" Minghao pressed, her calm voice belying her determination. "Where did they go?"

Before Nanny Yun could formulate another vague response, the kitchen door swung open.

Twilight entered, dressed in dark jeans and a fitted black jacket, her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. She looked every inch the professional bodyguard, her presence immediately commanding attention.

"Good morning, everyone," Twilight greeted them, her tone cheerful but carrying an undertone of authority. Her eyes met Minghao’s questioning gaze directly, unflinching. "Your parents had to travel for urgent business. Your mother asked me to look after you all while they are away."

"Travel? To where?" Minghao asked, unwilling to let the matter drop so easily. This was the first time in her life that both her parents weren’t home. It was just recently that her mother had begun going out of the mansion, but now... They were out?

Had she run away? Because that’s what came to her mind! They didn’t tell her, nor did they call her to wish her good night or good morning. It felt too strange.

"Business matters," Twilight replied smoothly, pouring herself a cup of coffee with practiced ease. "You know how it is, sometimes opportunities arise that require immediate attention. They didn’t want to wake you so early to say goodbye, but your mother specifically asked me to tell you she loves you and will call you later today."

Minghao studied Twilight’s face intently, searching for any crack in her composed expression. But Twilight had been trained by the same woman who was raising Minghao, she knew exactly how to maintain an impenetrable facade.

Even though facing Minghao, she felt like she was facing Assassin Ice... It felt quite strange.

"How long will they be gone?" Qin Xinyu asked, his curiosity genuine rather than suspicious.

"A few days, maybe a week or so," Twilight replied casually, settling onto a stool with her coffee. "Don’t worry, you’re in good hands. I’ll be taking you to school and picking you up. And Nanny Yun will make sure you’re fed and taken care of here."

Qing Qing, who had been quietly observing the exchange with her perceptive eyes, spoke up softly. "Is Auntie Tang okay? She seemed... tired yesterday." She had watched the interaction between Minghao and her parents last night hiding at a corner. She wasn’t old or young not to differentiate between blood and paint.

Twilight’s expression softened immediately when she looked at the recovering girl. "She’s fine. Just working very hard, as always. This trip will be good for her, a chance to rest and handle business at the same time."

Nanny Yun busied herself at the stove, her back to the children, but tension was visible in her shoulders. She knew exactly where Tang Fei and Huo Ting Cheng had gone. Even though she hadn’t stayed longer with the Huo family, she could recognize the signs, the sudden departure, the vague explanations, the extra security measures that had been quietly implemented overnight. This wasn’t just a business trip. This was the Master taking his wife somewhere private and secure, somewhere they could work through whatever complications had arisen from the violent events of two nights ago. But that wasn’t information for children’s ears.

"Eat up," Nanny Yun said, turning back to them with a bright smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "You don’t want to be late for school. And Qing Qing, after they leave, you and I will work on your physical therapy exercises. The doctor said movement is important for your recovery."