Throughout the night, Shu Qingqing woke up with a start five or six times.
But every time she woke up, Lu Bochuan would quickly pull her into his arms and gently pat her back.
Even though the scenes of the car accident kept replaying in her mind, having Lu Bochuan by her side allowed Shu Qingqing to slowly drift back to sleep each time.
By the time she opened her eyes again, it was already morning.
She was still nestled in Lu Bochuan's embrace. To make sure she slept comfortably, he had spent the night half-leaning against the headboard.
Shu Qingqing quietly shifted her body, wanting him to lie down properly.
However, she felt a weight on her lower leg.
Turning her head, Shu Qingqing saw that Lu Xun was hugging her leg, sleeping soundly.
And on the sofa nearby, Lu Yu was also fast asleep.
For a moment, Shu Qingqing's heart felt incredibly full.
She touched Lu Xun's little cheek and gently helped Lu Bochuan lie down.
But the moment she touched Lu Bochuan's arm, his eyes snapped open.
"It's okay now," Lu Bochuan hugged her reflexively, patting her back.
Shu Qingqing sniffled.
Lu Bochuan had taken care of her like this all night.
He had hardly slept at all.
Fighting back her tears, she nuzzled against his neck. "Lu Bochuan, I'm fine now. You should sleep for a while."
"It's fine, I'm not sleepy." Lu Bochuan continued to pat her back. "Let's have the family doctor come over in a bit, alright?"
Although she knew she had to overcome this kind of trauma herself, she still nodded. "Okay." After all, she knew her reaction yesterday must have terrified everyone. Seeing a doctor would at least offer them some reassurance.
As they spoke, Lu Xun woke up groggily.
Seeing that Shu Qingqing was also awake, he immediately reached out and hugged her arm. "Don't be afraid, Mommy. I'll turn into Ultraman and protect you."
Lu Yu was also woken up by the noise. He threw off his blanket and walked over barefoot, looking at her with a face full of worry.
"I'm alright." Shu Qingqing gave him a bright smile. "Look at me, I'm full of energy now."
Lu Yu pursed his lips. "From now on, I'll follow you wherever you go." He deeply regretted not insisting on going out with Shu Qingqing yesterday. If he had, even if they got into a car accident, he would have been right there by her side.
Lu Xun nodded along. "I'll follow Mommy too, and protect you forever."
Touched, Shu Qingqing patted both of their heads one by one.
After washing up, she went downstairs to eat, but didn't see Old Madam.
She asked Aunt Liu and found out that Old Madam had gone out.
"What is my mother-in-law doing out so early in the morning?" Shu Qingqing found it a bit strange.
Aunt Liu served her breakfast. "You'll know in a little while."
Shu Qingqing took a bite of a dumpling.
She had no appetite at all during the New Year's Eve dinner yesterday; she swallowed her food without even tasting it. But today was clearly different. Shu Qingqing could feel that she was doing a bit better.
Just as she finished breakfast, Old Madam returned.
"You're awake?" Seeing her, Old Madam immediately walked over and looked her up and down. "The family doctor will be here soon. Let him give you a proper check-up."
Shu Qingqing nodded. "I'll do as you say."
Old Madam affectionately touched her face. She had wanted to ask about yesterday's incident, but fearing it might trigger bad memories, she ultimately didn't bring it up again.
"Oh, right." Old Madam took an amulet out of her bag. "Keep this safe. I went to the Lama Temple first thing this morning specifically to pray for it. It will bless you with peace and safety."
Old Madam had been a pampered young lady in her family since childhood and had studied abroad during college. She was a staunch materialist. Shu Qingqing never expected that Old Madam, who had never believed in such things, would go to a temple early in the morning just to pray for her.
Shu Qingqing reached out and hugged Old Madam. "I will definitely keep it safe."
"Good, good," Old Madam said, looking very pleased.
"Right, we haven't done the main event yet." Saying so, Old Madam pulled her into the living room and took out a few red envelopes from the coffee table drawer. "Here, your New Year's money. I hope you have a safe, healthy, and happy new year."
Shu Qingqing was surprised again. "I get New Year's money too?"
Old Madam replied, "Of course. In my eyes, aren't you a child too?"
Shu Qingqing happily accepted it, cupping her hands together in a traditional greeting and saying a bunch of auspicious phrases.
"Lu Yu, Lu Xun. This is your New Year's money." Old Madam took out two more red envelopes. "Grandma wishes you good health and that everything goes your way in the new year."
Seeing the red envelopes, Lu Xun pulled Lu Yu down with a thud as they knelt. "Thank you, Grandma. Wishing you a life full of laughter and a long life of a hundred years!"
Shu Qingqing vividly remembered Lu Xun's previous birthday wish for his dad to "not die," so she had deliberately taught him several auspicious phrases in advance.
Lu Yu followed suit, "Thank you, Grandma. Wishing you happiness, longevity, health, and that all your wishes come true."
Old Madam cheerfully accepted their blessings.
Lu Xun then pulled Lu Yu to kneel in a different direction. "Happy New Year, Mom and Dad! Wishing you prosperity, now hand over the red envelopes!"
Lu Yu also held out his hand. "Mom, Dad, Happy New Year."
Shu Qingqing poked Lu Bochuan. "Father of the kids, hurry up and give them the money."
Father of the kids?
Lu Bochuan raised an eyebrow and took two red envelopes from his pocket.
After that, neighbors gradually came over with their children to pay New Year's calls to the Lu family.
Soon, people noticed that the two grandsons of the Lu family seemed especially clingy to their daughter-in-law, following her wherever she went.
When Shu Qingqing went to the restroom again and Lu Yu and Lu Xun still followed her, she finally couldn't help but say, "Kids, we're in our own home. Nothing is going to happen, you don't need to keep following me."
Lu Yu shook his head. "Not necessarily."
"Not necessarily," Lu Xun repeated like an old man. "Mommy, my brother is right, we have to listen to him!"
Shu Qingqing had no choice but to let them follow.
Lu Bochuan initially didn't think much of it, feeling it was fine for the two of them to follow Shu Qingqing. But when night fell, he realized he was wrong.
Knowing she hadn't slept well the night before, Shu Qingqing specifically suggested going to bed early today.
At nine o'clock, Shu Qingqing returned to the bedroom.
Lu Yu and Lu Xun followed her in and started playing the bamboo pole catching game with her.
Lu Bochuan didn't pay much attention, thinking they would leave after playing for a while.
However, when he finished his shower, he found that Lu Xun's little pillow was once again placed on their bed.
Of course, Lu Yu's pillow was also quietly resting on the sofa.
Lu Bochuan pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's getting late. You two should go back to your room to sleep."
Lu Xun shook his head. "No, I have to protect Mommy tonight too."
Lu Yu, on the other hand, didn't say a word.
Lu Bochuan continued to persuade them, "You can sleep on the bed with us, but it's uncomfortable for your brother to sleep on the sofa."
Lu Xun immediately asked Lu Yu, "Brother, is it uncomfortable for you to sleep on the sofa?"
Lu Yu shook his head. "It's quite comfortable."
Lu Xun looked at Lu Bochuan. "My brother says it's comfortable!"
Lu Bochuan: "...But Mommy will be uncomfortable. You kick people at night, and Mommy won't be able to sleep well."
Lu Xun blinked his eyes and looked at Shu Qingqing. "Mommy, did I kick you last night?"
