Chapter 3: The Return to the City

The sliding doors of the bustling airport hissed open as a wave of humid city air swept into the arrival terminal. It was chaos. Taxis honked in disorganized harmony, travelers rushed to beat the lines, and porters weaved through the crowd with bags stacked precariously on trollies. Somewhere in that crowd, Lu Wei adjusted the brim of her snapback cap and pulled her oversized hoodie lower over her face.

"Stay close," she said in a deep, lazy drawl.

Two small figures clung to either side of her, each holding one of her hands. Liam, always the calmer one, had a lollipop in his mouth and an air of mature disinterest, like he'd seen this all before. Lian, however, was wide-eyed and practically vibrating with excitement. Both were three now, with plump cheeks, matching backpacks, and the kind of energy that made even strangers glance twice.

"Mommy, is that the sea or just a big puddle?" Lian asked, pointing out the window.

"We're not calling me that in public, remember?" Lu Wei whispered quickly, leaning down.

"But you said I could call you mommy when no one's listening," he pouted.

Liam, in contrast, was unfazed. He raised a hand to shield his eyes as he looked up at the tall buildings. "You said we'll live in a tall building like Batman now. Does that mean we're superheroes too?"

"Exactly," Lu Wei said, smirking. "But undercover. Like ninjas with rent to pay."

Lian gasped. "Ninja superheroes?! I'm gonna tell the plane auntie we have powers!"

Lu Wei's smirk twitched. She let out a short laugh, deep and full of sass. "Sure. Let me know how that goes when we get banned from flying."

Dragging a huge suitcase with a broken wheel, balancing Lian on her hip, and stopping every five seconds so Liam could inspect airport plants for "clues," Lu Wei was making a statement without trying. Her tall, lean frame and swaggering walk had heads turning.

One woman gasped as they passed. "Oh my god, he's such a young dad. And hot too. Look at that jawline."

Another whispered, "Must be a single dad. Look at how good he is with the kids. Bet he's gay. All the hot ones are."

Lu Wei caught snippets and rolled her eyes. The hoodie, joggers, and sneakers gave her enough boyish charm to pass as a teen dad, but her sharp eyes and sarcastic mouth made her look like someone you don't mess with.

She turned to the twins. "Okay, rule number one: don't trust people who wear matching airport couple shirts."

Liam nodded solemnly. Lian just squinted. "Why?"

"Because they're either liars, or they'll try to give you motivational speeches at baggage claim."

They stepped outside and were immediately swarmed by cab drivers. Lu Wei coolly stepped in front of the twins.

"Where you going, boss? I give you discount."

"Only if your discount comes with AC and seat belts," Lu Wei shot back.

Liam tugged at her pants. "Is this one of your 'don't talk to weird adults' moments?"

"Correct. Gold star."

They eventually found a driver who didn't smell like boiled cabbage, and Lu Wei loaded the twins and their bags into the back seat. As soon as they pulled away from the airport, Lian stuck his head out the window like a puppy.

"We're in the city! It smells like... fried chicken and car pee!"

"It's called pollution. You'll get used to it," Lu Wei said dryly.

Their new apartment was in a high-rise close to the company headquarters where Lu Wei had just secured a junior designer job. It wasn't luxurious, but it was safe, clean, and had two bedrooms. Plus, she could see the skyline at night and pretend she wasn't running from anything.

In the elevator, the twins pressed all the buttons.

"No—! I said no pushing buttons like it's a game show!" Lu Wei groaned.

The elevator stopped on every floor. An old lady got in on the fifth.

She squinted at Lu Wei. "Your boys are so cute. Are you their father?"

Lu Wei gave her best smirk. "I'm their mother, actually. But let's keep that between us ladies."

The woman blinked, confused. Then nodded slowly. "Oh... a single father. How modern."

Liam waved politely. Lian gave a toothy grin. "Mommy says we're superheroes in disguise."

The woman's eyes widened.

Lu Wei grinned. "He means I'm Batman."

When they finally reached their floor, she practically dragged the twins out.

Their new apartment smelled like fresh paint and new beginnings. The boys ran through the rooms with wild screams, claiming territories like pirates.

"This is my ship! And I'm the captain!"

"I get the one with the window!"

Lu Wei slumped onto the couch and sighed dramatically. "I am never having more children."

Lian peeked from behind a box. "But mommy, we're only two."

"Exactly. And you count as four."

Later that night, after baths and pizza, Lu Wei stood by the window looking out at the city. She could already feel the pressure of the job waiting for her, the chance to build a new life, the constant tension of hiding who she really was. But somehow, with the twins snoring behind her, arms thrown over each other like kittens, she felt a little less afraid.

This was a fresh start. New city. New job. New secrets.

And of course—two very loud, very loyal sidekicks.

Lu Wei smirked and whispered to herself, "Let the chaos begin."