To avoid being caught blushing, Xue Ting quickly walked around the dessert table and check if the cupcakes were all in order only to be told by the waitress that they were all gone. It also meant her job for tonight was done.

As she lingered a little while to wait for Qiu Wen, she overheard some guests talking about the jewelry pieces on display which were intriguing. She decided to have a look herself as the swan's crown piece was indeed the most attractive among other displays. However, as many guests had known about her identity now, she was getting plenty of whispers and stares, making it uncomfortable for her to continue adoring the displays. She even wondered how Mr. Gu knew about her art which she had been doing behind the scenes and ensured she used her pseudonym, Snow Bell.

Besides, the pain from her blisters was beginning to agitate her as she quickly find a secluded corner to rest outside the hall. While she let her bruised blistered feet a moment of peace, her mind wanders to an inspiration of what to draw for May next month's gallery piece.

She loved the swan's crown jewelry piece the most. She then pictured it under the cherry blossom trees since it was spring. She beamed at the thought as she enjoyed the sight of the half-crescent moon in the sky.

Qiu Wen knew Xue Ting wasn't the kind to linger in events too long so he excused himself from his small talk to step outside and search for Xue Ting. Along the way, he requested from a waitress plasters as he had noticed the odd way Xue Ting was walking earlier and knew what exactly happened. He waited for the plasters before he rushed around and found her hiding spot a little further down the aisle.

"What are you doing here?" Xue Ting asked in surprise as she straightened her legs to hide her blistered feet. He kept quiet while studying her before he crouched to help her massage her calves and took off her heels.

"You're still the same as before, aren't you? Next time, skip the heels. This must have hurt a lot." He said gently as he examined her blisters and took out the plasters from his pocket. Xue Ting was a little flabbergasted at his actions.

"Vigorous activities are always very hectic for your little petite body, right? That's also how we ended up lost in the school's jungle trekking hmm…?" He reminded her as she began to watch him with adoration while he put on plasters on her blisters.

Xue Ting remembered that night clearly. She was the happiest teenager in the world to be able to stay by his side. Qiu Wen felt the same back then as she was by his side that night, alone.

The only question they had was why didn't neither of them said anything to the other about their feelings. It was a good chance especially after they had their first kiss. Was it really because of James and because she was dating him? However, neither of them had found the truth to that question that night or even at present.

Qiu Wen noticed she had a lot in mind. He smiled before pulling her in for a gentle kiss on her forehead when he noticed some guests were lingering around them.

"Have I told you thank you recently?" He smiled while she remained flabbergasted by his gesture. She wondered if he was just acting or was it real as her guts was telling her it was genuine.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"You have been a great help lately, Ting Ting. I'm sorry to trouble you with little Brisbane but thank you for the past few days." He explained gently as she smiled when he held her hand.

She didn't pull away from his hands till they were spotted by some reporters who were secretly taking pictures of them. "Let's wrap up. Wait for me in the lobby. I will drive us back." He said while helping her to put on her heels back.

"I… I have to drive back to the cafe first." She finally said something while struggling to find her voice.

"I will trail you from behind. Don't worry. Let's go. The kids are waiting." He assured her as she smiled while she let him hold on to her and slowly led her to the parking lot.

By the time they reached home, the kids were asleep on the couch. she switched off the TV. The sudden quietness woke the twins up.

"Mummy! You're home!" Joy greeted.

"You're early today, mummy…" Matthew said while the twins took turns hugging their mother.

"Yes, yes… it's already busy in the cafe so there wasn't a need to get more orders." Xue Ting explained.

"Quick, go shower first. I will change the plasters for you later." Qiu Wen urged Xue Ting as the twins looked at her feet.

"These heels are bad. You got to get a new pair mummy." Joy said as Xue Ting smiled and nodded.

Brisbane then stirred in her sleep when she heard their conversation. It made her want to call Xue Ting her mummy too. As young as she was, she couldn't control her urge.

"Mummy…" She mumbled as everyone including Qiu Wen was surprised for a moment. Xue Ting was quickwitted to change the atmosphere.

"Sweetie… You're awake?" Xue Ting greeted as Brisbane rubbed her eyes and smiled.

"You're back! We have been waiting for you!" Brisbane immediately got excited.

"Yes, we are home. Come let's get ready for bed alright?" Xue Ting coaxed as Brisbane nodded groggily. Qiu Wen then offered to carry Brisbane upstairs to his room while Xue Ting went to shower leaving the twins heading to their own room.

As Qiu Wen waited for Xue Ting to come to bed with Brisbane who had fallen asleep, he was thinking if he should continue their secret sharing of the past tonight. Xue Ting stepped in when he was deep in his thoughts.

"A penny for your thoughts?" She teased as she climbed up on the other side of the bed.

"Shall we continue telling a secret tonight?" He asked as she blinked, half regretted asking but still nodded.

"What is it you want to know?" She asked skeptically.

"Ting Ting, why didn't you continue studying art? What exactly happen when you left?" He asked curiously as he sat up.

Xue Ting hesitated for a moment but thought the real reason was because of the twins. There was no harm in him knowing as it wouldn't give away the fact that he is the father.

"I had the twins and things just happen. I found a job first at Jang's cafe thinking I could earn some money to support my home while looking for a faculty to sign up but before I could, I found out about the pregnancy. So… They had been my main focus till now." Xue Ting briefly explained as she didn't want to give away too much. Qiu Wen could tell she was hiding details and was deliberately trying to not give too much away. Though he was curious, he knew he had to be patient with her too to give her time to open up to him.

She quickly changed the topic to him. "What about you? What made you return?"

"You. I told you before." He answered nonchalantly.

"How did you know I was here?" She questioned suspiciously. A couple of things triggered her to dive further into the question. As Qiu Wen thought for a moment trying to hide the fact that Wen Kang sold her away, he used his grandparents as an excuse.

"I didn't. It was solely by chance. If you notice grandma has always wanted us to visit more often. That's because grandpa does not have much time. He is old and frail and grandma wishes for me to stay by their side often. That, I believe was just an excuse to keep me rooted here. I suppose to support this excuse my mother then get Qiu Yeh to create this so call small branch in Cravine for me to look after. In fact, I have heard rumours that they were going to hire Francesca into the company soon. I'm not even sure at this point what position is she going to hold. " Qiu Wen explained as he didn't hesitate to whine a little to her.

The fact that it was Qiu Yeh who created the branch in Cravine coupled with him singing praises of her to his acquaintances of her art skills which not many people are aware of made Xue Ting wondered if Qiu Yeh had found out long ago about her whereabouts but she couldn't figure out how he would have known. She was beginning to doubt every coincidence that had ever happened.

Qiu Wen upon noticing her silence, held her hand. "Ting Ting, rest assured I will keep you and the kids safe by my side away from Francesca and my mother."

Xue Ting smiled as somehow his words were very comforting and her presence was also his comfort. It brought them back to when they were stuck in the jungle back then; lying side by side on a big bed in the same room, enjoying the peace and quiet by each other's side. Even with Brisbane in the middle of them, it didn't stop them both from holding hands and falling asleep together as their companionship was sufficient.