chapter 14:Bonds Strengthened

Chapter 14: Bonds Strengthened

Li Wei stood stiffly, still grappling with the surreal beauty of Lin Yue's spatial world. The children, on the other hand, had no such hesitation. They ran through the lush grass, their laughter filling the air.

Li Wei's gaze shifted to Lin Yue, who was playing with the children. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a golden hue on her figure, making her appear as though she was shimmering. His heart thudded heavily in his chest, a sensation he couldn't explain. He raised a hand to touch it, frowning in confusion. Why was watching her stir something so unfamiliar within him?

Pushing the thoughts aside, Li Wei decided to prepare dinner. Months of training from both Lin Yue and Fei Feng had vastly improved his cooking skills. He gathered ingredients and prepared a meal of steamed rice, stir-fried bok choy with garlic, and sweet and sour pork.

When the meal was ready, he went to check on the twins. Inside the room, Lin Yue was already there, feeding the babies.

"I'll clean the floor while you're here," Li Wei offered, grabbing a cloth.

As he worked, Lin Yue broke the silence. "You mentioned before that you're a prince. How did they manage to get you out of your country without being discovered?"

Li Wei's movements slowed. "Even I don't know exactly," he admitted. "One moment, I was locked in a cage with iron chains. The next, I woke up in that damp house, far from home."

Lin Yue's brow furrowed. "When did you discover you had this power?"

Li Wei hesitated before replying. "Probably when I was nine. But I didn't tell anyone. I was afraid of what they might do to me." He paused, then continued in a detached tone. "When I finally told my mother, she treated me like a demon. She ousted me from her palace and gave me my own, isolated from everyone. She didn't tell my father, though. She wanted to keep her position secure."

Lin Yue's expression softened. "I'm sorry for asking. I was just curious."

Li Wei shook his head. "Between you and me, there's no need to apologize. You have every right to know."

He straightened and added, "When we get to my country, I'll ask my father to grant us marriage."

Lin Yue blinked in surprise, then smiled faintly. "I'm not planning to block your happiness, but I also won't share someone I'd consider my husband."

Li Wei frowned. "So, you don't plan to marry me?"

Lin Yue hesitated, feeling cornered. "Why are you making me the bad guy?"

Li Wei's tone softened. "I don't have a wife, and I don't plan on having more than one. I hate how my mother used me as a tool to secure her place with my father. I'm not interested in having a harem."

He looked directly at her. "And about my happiness—you are my happiness."

Lin Yue's head snapped up, her eyes widening in shock. The first twin giggled, as if he understood his father's words.

Li Wei quickly tried to recover. "I mean, the children are my happiness, and you're their mother, so that makes you my happiness too."

Lin Yue studied him for a moment before teasing, "Men in this world believe not having multiple wives makes them appear weak or poor. Don't you want to appear strong?"

Li Wei's reply was firm. "My strength isn't measured by how many women I have in my household."

Lin Yue smiled faintly. "I'll think about it."

Satisfied, Li Wei said nothing more and went to check on the quadruplets before retreating to bed.

Later that night, Fei Feng flew into Lin Yue's room and perched on the bedpost. "Your husband is so nice to you."

Lin Yue threw him a glare. "He's not my husband yet."

Fei Feng cackled. "You said yet! You said yet!"

Annoyed, Lin Yue grabbed him by his feathers and tugged.

"Ouch! Ouch! I'm sorry! I won't tease you again!" Fei Feng squawked, flapping wildly until she let him go.

He laughed as he flew off. Lin Yue shook her head, lying back on her bed. She switched off the lamp and let herself drift into sleep, her thoughts swirling with Li Wei's words and her children's laughter.