It wasn’t your fault.

Qin Lian froze for a moment, her heart softening when she heard him call her "mother" and defend her like that. He must've overheard their conversation and misunderstood Xu Yinchen's words.

She looked at the crying boy, gently raising her hand to wipe away the tears on his face. Her voice trembled slightly as she comforted him, "Don't be scared. Your father wasn't blaming me. We were just having a conversation."

"And your father knows you're a good child. You didn't do anything wrong, so why would you be punished? Huh? No one is being punished here. So, don't cry, okay?"

Her voice was soft, warm—almost like a gentle embrace.

Xu Yinchen, too, was stunned. It was the first time he had ever seen Xu Shen cry like this. But what shocked him even more was the way Xu Shen called Qin Lian "mother." 

He had never said that to him, not once. He still avoided calling him "Father," but here he was, calling her "mother." Had he... really accepted her?

His heart ached as he watched the boy cry, and the cold lines of his face softened. In that moment, whatever doubts he had, all vanished. 

Rumors could be false. Words could be twisted. But a child's feelings... those couldn't be faked.

He looked at Xu Shen, his voice softer now. "That's right. Why would I punish you when you didn't do anything wrong? And if all this was happening, why didn't you tell me before? I would've handled it."

Xu Shen stared at him, stunned. His tears didn't stop, but now they flowed quietly, slipping down his cheeks. His father had always been distant—cold and hard to approach. 

But today, his voice didn't sound so frightening. And it made him feel... guilty. For staying silent for so long. He could've simply told the truth and avoided all this pain. 

But he didn't. He was scared. 

Afraid that Xu Yinchen would treat them like a burden and abandon them just like everyone else.

Qin Lian noticed the tension between father and son and sighed softly. She reached out and placed her hand lightly on Xu Yinchen's thigh, a quiet signal for him to stop questioning the boy. 

Xu Shen was already in a fragile state. If he kept pushing him like this, the boy might start crying again.

But that simple touch made Xu Yinchen stiffen. His back straightened, and he turned to look at her, surprised. Quickly, he looked away, a faint red tinge rising in his ears.

Qin Lian was surprised to see him flustered. She held back a smile, not realizing a strong, cold man like him could be shy.

Clearing her throat, she turned to Xu Shen, speaking softly, "Alright, stop crying now. That bad woman is gone. She won't ever come back to this house."

"Now go wash your face. I need to talk to your father."

Xu Shen sniffled and nodded, wiping his face before turning to go upstairs, his footsteps light.

The room fell into silence again, leaving only Qin Lian and Xu Yinchen behind.

...

After Xu Shen left, an uncomfortable silence settled between them. Xu Yinchen pursed his lips, feeling a bit awkward for doubting her earlier.

Before he could say anything, Qin Lian spoke up.

"Don't blame the kids for not speaking up earlier. They were just scared. They couldn't tell the truth because they didn't feel safe enough. They need time, a secure environment, and eventually, they'll open up more easily."

"Whatever happened, no one is to blame. If anyone should be blamed, it's that woman. She's the one who treated the children unfairly all this time. Don't dwell on it."

Her words were gentle, yet firm, as though gently hinting that he shouldn't blame himself either.

Xu Yinchen felt a twinge of shame at her words. The kids were right in front of him, under his care, yet he had failed to see what Qin Lian had understood in just one day. 

Worse, for a brief moment, he had doubted her.

He took a deep breath and nodded. "Thank you for taking care of the kids. As for that woman... you did the right thing. From now on, I'll handle her. No one will bother you anymore."

Qin Lian nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Now that you're here, why don't you stay for lunch before you leave? It's almost lunchtime, isn't it?"

Xu Yinchen looked at her in surprise. "Is lunch ready already?"

Qin Lian shook her head. "We had breakfast a little while ago, so I didn't have time to cook lunch yet. But I can make you a quick bowl of noodles. I have all the ingredients ready."

Before he could protest, she stood up, her voice clear and decisive. "Go wash your hands. I'll cook the noodles for you. Don't leave before you eat." With that, she hurried to the kitchen.

Xu Yinchen's heart warmed at the sight. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.

...

In the kitchen, Qin Lian was about to wash her hands when she noticed the red powder on them. She froze for a moment, realizing she had forgotten about the injury and the medicine she had applied earlier. Her brow furrowed slightly as she wondered whether she should wash it off before it could fully take effect.

Before she could make up her mind, Xu Yinchen entered the kitchen, his presence filling the space. He walked over to the sink and washed his hands, his eyes catching the slight hesitation in Qin Lian's movements.

"Let me do it," he said, his voice low but firm. "You tell me what to do. I'll cook."

Qin Lian looked up at him, a little surprised. She hadn't expected him to offer. But the offer was genuine, and there was something comforting in the way he said it.

She blinked, her heart warming at the thought. "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice a little softer now.

Xu Yinchen nodded, his expression serious but softening with a hint of kindness. "I'm sure."

Qin Lian hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright, then. You can start by washing the veggies and chopping them. I'll guide you."

With a small, approving smile, Xu Yinchen went to work as he followed her instructions. For the first time, the space between them felt more comfortable, less distant.