Chapter 456: Mommy, Mine

"Hello, Auntie! Hello, Grandma!" Qin Yue greeted politely.

He was calling Mrs. Fu "Grandma," following the twins’ lead.

Qin Ruqiao stood behind her brother, only peeking her head out. "Hello, Auntie! Hello, Grandma!"

Her voice was barely a whisper.

If you weren’t listening closely, you could have easily missed it.

Mrs. Fu answered quickly, "Yes, hello! Grandma’s doing just fine! And you two are so sweet!"

Fu Mingxue nodded in acknowledgment as well.

Her gaze then fell on Qin Ruqiao’s face—the little girl was painfully shy.

’No, that’s not quite right. She’s more like a frightened little rabbit right now.’

’It’s as if she’s insecure about everything.’

’Something’s wrong.’

’The last time they were in Beijing, the little girl seemed a bit more cheerful!’

’Why has she reverted like this?’

’Could it be... she thought she was getting a new mom, but then that new mom had a child of her own?’

’Is that why she’s feeling so insecure again?’

She beckoned to the little girl. "Qiaoqiao, come to Auntie."

Qin Ruqiao looked up timidly. Her big eyes seemed to say that she wanted to come over, but she was also a little scared.

Fu Mingxue watched her with a gentle expression. "Auntie has some fun toys for you later!"

"Sis, Auntie’s calling for you. Go on!" Qin Yue said, giving his little sister a tug.

Qin Ruqiao glanced at her brother, then slowly walked over to her beautiful aunt.

The moment she was close enough, Fu Mingxue swept her up into her arms and planted a big SMACK on her little cheek.

"Qiaoqiao, your auntie just adores you!"

Qin Ruqiao’s eyes widened—

She looked at the aunt who had just kissed her, and a hint of delight appeared in her eyes, replacing the shock.

A child’s heart is pure; they can sense an adult’s true feelings.

So, this aunt genuinely liked her.

’She liked this auntie, because she smelled so nice and was so pretty.’

Just then, Gao Lan spoke in a gentle voice, "Qiaoqiao, don’t make your auntie hold you. She’ll get tired. Come on down now."

The flicker of joy on Qin Ruqiao’s face vanished in an instant.

Fu Mingxue beamed. "It’s fine, Auntie’s not tired at all. Auntie is super strong, you know! I could hold several Qiaoqiaos. If you don’t believe me, how about I pick up your brother, too?"

The young boy, standing not far off, overheard this and immediately scrambled back several steps in horror.

He was terrified that if he got too close, his aunt would actually pick him up.

’Heavens, he was going to be nine after the New Year!’

When Fu Mingxue saw Qin Yue’s reaction, she let out a PFFT of laughter. She then said to the little girl in her arms, "Look, your brother is thrilled."

Qin Yue: ...?

’Thrilled? This is terror, okay?!’

’Anyway, he would rather die than let his aunt hold him.’

When Qin Ruqiao heard what her aunt said, she looked over at her brother.

Seeing his expression, Qin Ruqiao smiled, too.

Qin Yue was stunned.

’His sister hadn’t smiled in so long.’

’But if it would make his sister smile... if Auntie wants to hold me, then fine!’

Qin Yue put on an expression of grim resignation, as if he were marching to his doom.

Seeing Qin Yue’s face, Fu Mingxue burst into genuine laughter this time. ’This kid is just too adorable!’

Just then, young Qin Hao, one of the twins, struggled down from his grandmother’s lap.

He then trotted over to Fu Mingxue and threw his arms around her leg.

He turned his head, his expression intensely possessive.

"Mommy, mine!"

Perhaps realizing he had forgotten someone, he quickly added in a tiny, childish voice, "Mommy, mine and my sister’s!"

’Even though Mommy isn’t home very often, he really likes her.’

’He doesn’t want anyone to steal her away!’