It was only after Zhou Huaian entered properly that he noticed the three little ones gathered inside—all his children. But the little girl in Zhou Xiaoling’s arms was especially lively, clapping and calling him “uncle.”

The family’s emotional tension melted into laughter at An’an’s innocent mistake. Zhou Xiaoling carried the girl closer. “Look carefully, sweetheart. This isn’t ‘uncle.’ This is your daddy.”

An’an stared at Zhou Huaian, puzzled. Daddy? She’d heard other children use the word, but its meaning was still a mystery. And this man… he looked a bit like uncle, yet somehow stricter, more serious. She suddenly turned and buried her face in Zhou Xiaoling’s neck, clinging tightly, no longer asking to be held.

Zhou Huaian felt a swell of emotion as he gazed at the soft little bundle in Zhou Xiaoling’s arms. Then he saw Zhou Zhennan and Zhou Bingwen approaching, each carrying a child. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Lin Xiaoxiao knew how her husband grew even more reserved when overwhelmed. She gently nudged his arm and explained, “Grandpa is holding Qianqian, the eldest. Dad has Xuanxuan, the second brother. And Xiaoling is holding our little princess, An’an.”

Xuanxuan waved his little fists excitedly, lunging forward in his grandfather’s arms, eager to go to Zhou Huaian.

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled and touched the baby’s hand. “Daddy’s still cold from outside. Let him warm up first, then he’ll hold you, okay?”

Li Yunlan urged Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Huaian to take off their coats and come sit.

After Zhou Huaian had hung his coat, washed his hands, and returned, Xuanxuan was already toddling along the sofa toward him, arms outstretched.

Zhou Huaian studied the boy curiously for a moment before scooping him up. He sat down, settling Xuanxuan somewhat clumsily on his lap. His hold was a bit too firm, but Xuanxuan only frowned briefly before breaking into a happy grin.

Watching from Zhou Xiaoling’s lap, An’an soon grew restless too, squirming to join her brothers.

The innate bond of blood quickly overcame their shyness. Before long, all three children were nestled contentedly in their father’s arms.

Li Yunlan’s eyes grew moist at the sight. She wiped them with her sleeve. “This is wonderful. The children are so happy you’re back. And Xiaoxiao has worked so hard—raising three little ones is no easy task.”

Zhou Huaian looked down at the wriggling children in his lap. They had his features, but even more of their mother’s—as lovely as babies from a New Year’s painting. He remembered how he used to pester Lin Zihao, speculating about what the children would look like. Lin Zihao would humor him with a patient, “They’ll be beautiful, of course. Your wife is beautiful, so the kids will be too.”

With the whole family gathered, conversation flowed from the children to brief updates about work between Zhou Huaian, Zhou Zhennan, and Zhou Bingwen.

Lin Xiaoxiao kept a slight distance, sitting on a small stool in the corner, her eyes fixed on Zhou Huaian with unmistakable admiration.

Zhou Xiaoling, sitting nearby and enjoying the lively atmosphere, noticed the scar on her brother’s face. It didn’t make him look harsh; instead, it added a certain rugged charm. She nudged Lin Xiaoxiao and whispered, “You don’t mind that scar on my brother’s face, do you?”

Lin Xiaoxiao shot her a playful glare. “What scar? That’s not a scar. That’s a badge of honor, a medal! It’s my pride.”

Zhou Xiaoling fake-shivered, pretending to get goosebumps.

Zhou Zhennan had someone fetch Zhou Xiaocheng, and the family shared a boisterous reunion dinner.

Zhou Xiaocheng, who had fought alongside Zhou Huaian, shared a natural camaraderie with him. The two brothers talked about people and events unknown to Lin Xiaoxiao and the others, who listened with keen interest nonetheless.

Li Yunlan watched her two sons, smiling until her eyes welled up again. Finally, they could sit together and share a meal.

It was Zhou Zhennan who eventually noticed the late hour and urged everyone to get some rest—hinting, not too subtly, that the long-separated couple deserved some time alone.

Catching on, Li Yunlan quickly agreed. “Yes, yes! Huaian must be exhausted from his journey. Go wash up and rest. We can talk more tomorrow. Oh, and An’an will sleep with us tonight.”

The transparency of the plan made Lin Xiaoxiao blush, and she stayed silent.

Little An’an, however, was oblivious. When her grandmother carried her off to bed, she realized she wasn’t in her usual spot with her mother. She began to fuss, pointing toward the door and calling for Mama.

Li Yunlan tried to soothe her. “An’an, sleep with Grandma tonight, and tomorrow Grandma will give you candy, okay?”

But An’an wasn’t having it. Tears welled up in her big eyes, and no amount of coaxing from Li Yunlan, Zhou Zhennan, or even a summoned Zhou Xiaoling could change her mind. She wanted her mother.

In the end, they had no choice but to bring An’an back to Lin Xiaoxiao.

Qianqian and Xuanxuan decided to join the protest, crying for their mother too. The plan for a private evening for the couple evaporated, and soon all three children were delivered upstairs.

When Zhou Huaian returned from his shower, he found Lin Xiaoxiao sitting cross-legged on the bed, surrounded by the three little ones, who clapped and giggled at the sight of him.

Lin Xiaoxiao, who might have harbored some romantic notions for the evening, could only sigh in amusement. “Usually only An’an sleeps with me. Qianqian and Xuanxuan sleep with Mom or Auntie. But tonight, they all insisted on coming up. Mom couldn’t calm them down. Do they somehow know their daddy is back?”

Zhou Huaian sat on the edge of the bed, gently touching Qianqian’s cheek and then An’an’s head. His eyes were soft. “Let them stay.”

Lin Xiaoxiao pretended to grumble, “But they’ll be in our way!” She picked up Xuanxuan and rocked him playfully. “Aren’t you a little rascal, causing trouble with your sister.”

The children, usually fast asleep by this hour, were buzzing with excitement. They stayed up until midnight, crawling all over Zhou Huaian, exploring his face with tiny fingers—poking his nose, tugging his eyebrows.

Lin Xiaoxiao watched from the head of the bed as her husband was swarmed by their children. “Right now, I don’t think they’re the least bit cute.”

But Zhou Huaian thought they were perfect. Each one of them.

Finally, too tired to continue, the three children slumped into sleep, scattered haphazardly across the bed.

Lin Xiaoxiao carefully moved Xuanxuan from Zhou Huaian’s right side and lay down next to her husband, wrapping an arm around him. “Now you’re finally mine, right?” She nuzzled her cheek into his palm. “Zhou Changsuo, I’m so happy you’re back. My heart feels settled again. I’m not afraid of anyone bothering me now.”

Zhou Huaian paused. “Did someone bother you?”