"There will be many people," Mu Shen answered honestly as he placed omelette slices onto their plates, "But none of them matter to us.... Just stay close to Mommy, and watch your surroundings as you have always did!"
Zi Xuan nodded quietly, his small hand wrapping around his brother's wrist under the table for silent reassurance.
"Don't worry, Xuan," Zi Xin said confidently, swallowing his toast before adding it with a grin, "I will stand in front of you if anyone tries to get close. I will protect you with my body." He was still hurt and there was no way he was going to let anyone hurt him again.
Zi Xuan chuckled softly, his lips curling into a faint smile, "Mn… then I will watch your back."
Meili watched them with tender eyes, her heart swelling with a bittersweet ache.
Her sons carried themselves with such maturity and unspoken understanding. She reached out and placed her hand gently over theirs.
