Chapter 465: Chapter 465; Lin Shuyin
"Yuyan," Shuyin said gently, touching her shoulder. "Time to get up. We’re going to the academy."
Yuyan opened her eyes at once, bright and focused. "The registration is today?"
"Yes."
That single word was enough. Yuyan sat up immediately, pushing the blanket aside with quiet determination. "I’ll get ready."
Shuyin smiled and moved next door.
Lu Xiao was still deeply asleep, curled small beneath the covers like a question mark. In sleep he looked even younger, more vulnerable—the boy who had once been Chen Xiao from a shelter, now safe and wanted. Shuyin sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed his dark hair with careful fingers.
"Xiao Xiao," she whispered. "Wake up, darling."
He stirred slowly, blinking up at her in silence for several heartbeats before recognition settled. No complaints. No chatter. Just quiet acceptance. That was Lu Xiao—reserved, observant, a child who had learned far too early to hold things inside.
"It’s school registration today," she told him.
He looked at her for a few seconds, processing, then gave a small nod.
Shuyin helped him sit up, adjusted the sleeve of his pajamas, and kissed his forehead. "I’ll see you downstairs."
When she returned to the master bedroom, Lu Yuze was already out of bed, standing near the wardrobe fastening his watch with the same precise calm he brought to every boardroom.
"You look like you’re preparing for negotiations," Shuyin observed, a faint smile touching her lips.
He glanced at her, one corner of his mouth curving. "This is more important than negotiations."
She almost laughed.
She chose a refined cream blouse paired with a jade silk skirt—elegant, understated, perfectly appropriate for the occasion. Lu Yuze wore a charcoal suit with an open-collar white shirt, the cut impeccable yet relaxed enough for a family morning.
Downstairs, both children were already waiting.
Yuyan stood near the staircase in a pale blue dress, looking every bit the poised daughter of a distinguished household. Beside her, Lu Xiao stood very still in his small tailored outfit, hands folded neatly in front of him, quiet as always. The moment he saw Shuyin and Lu Yuze approach, he moved closer to her side instinctively, leaning just enough that his shoulder brushed her skirt.
That small movement did not escape Lu Yuze’s notice. His gaze softened, but he said nothing.
Breakfast had been prepared with quiet efficiency: fragrant congee, soft-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, tea, and warm milk for Lu Xiao. The meal unfolded in peaceful rhythm. Yuyan spoke occasionally about the academy—asking whether there would be entrance assessments, whether the library was as large as the one in the mansion. Lu Xiao mostly listened, eating in small, careful bites. At one point he looked across the table at Lu Yuze and asked in his soft, careful voice,
"Will... I stay with Jiejie there?"
Yuyan immediately answered before anyone else could. "I’ll be there."
The boy seemed reassured. He lowered his eyes back to his bowl with a tiny nod.
After breakfast they left.
The black car carried them smoothly through the city morning, the streets still waking under a pale sky. When they arrived at the academy gates, the staff noticed them immediately. Two uniformed attendants stepped forward with respectful bows, recognizing the vehicle and its occupants at once.
"Mr. Lu, Madam Lin—welcome," the senior administrator said, voice warm and deferential as he personally escorted them inside. "We’ve been expecting you. Everything has been prepared in the private registration suite."
The academy was one of Lu Yuze’s quieter holdings—an institution he had funded and shaped without fanfare, yet its influence was absolute. The staff moved efficiently of people who understood exactly who they served.
Inside the registration office, a spacious, sunlit room lined with dark wood and tall bookshelves, forms were already laid out on a polished mahogany table. The administrator smiled, gesturing for them to sit.
"Father’s signature here, Mr. Lu," he said, sliding the first document forward with both hands in a gesture of respect.
Lu Yuze took the pen without hesitation and signed:
Lu Yuze — Father
The document was turned toward Shuyin with the same courteous care.
"Mother’s signature here, Madam Lin."
She looked at the word for a brief, weighted moment.
Mother.
Then she signed with steady grace:
Lin Shuyin — Mother
The administrator nodded, his smile never wavering. "Thank you. We’re honored to have the Lu family joining us." He paused, glancing at the children with genuine warmth. "Yuyan has already impressed our faculty with her preliminary assessments. And young Master Lu Xiao..." His tone softened further. "We understand this is a new Chapter for him. The academy is fully equipped to support every student’s transition."
Lu Yuze inclined his head slightly. "We appreciate the discretion."
"Of course, sir. The headmaster sends his personal regards and has asked me to assure you that any special arrangements—tutors, security, curriculum adjustments—will be handled seamlessly."
The administrator checked the time on his watch and smiled again, warm but professional. "The children may remain for the placement activities this morning. We’ll begin introductory assessments and peer orientation shortly—nothing formal, just enough to help them settle in."
Shuyin glanced at Yuyan, then at Lu Xiao. A quiet tightness bloomed behind her ribs. "So they stay today?"
"Yes," the administrator replied gently. "Just a half day. It helps new students acclimate without the pressure of a full schedule."
For a brief second, the idea of leaving them here—today, so soon—made something inside her clench. She had not expected the parting to happen this quickly.
Yuyan seemed to sense it first. She stepped closer, almost with the calmness of someone older than twelve. "It’s alright, Momma," she said softly. "I’ll watch Xiao Xiao."
Shuyin touched her daughter’s cheek, the gesture tender and grateful. "I know you will."
Then she crouched in front of Lu Xiao.
At five, his face had grown quieter again now that he understood they were not all leaving together. His fingers held lightly to the edge of Shuyin’s skirt, a small anchor against the unknown.
"You’ll come back?" he asked in a small voice.
The question was soft—but it carried too much history. Too much fear of being left behind once more.
Shuyin’s heart tightened. She held his shoulders gently and made sure he looked directly at her. "I will come back for you."
Not someone.
Not the driver.
Not later.
I will come back for you.
Slowly, he nodded. Still unsure. But believing her.
Lu Yuze stepped closer then, lowering himself slightly to the boy’s level. "Listen to your sister," he said evenly. "Observe everything. If you need anything, tell the staff."
Lu Xiao looked at him seriously and gave a small nod.
Then, after a pause, he stepped forward and wrapped his little arms around Lu Yuze’s leg.
It was so sudden that even Lu Yuze went still.
The boy held him only for a moment. Then let go.
But the gesture landed deeper than anyone said aloud.
Lu Yuze rested a hand briefly on his head. "Go on."
The children were called toward the orientation group. Yuyan took Lu Xiao’s hand with quiet confidence. Together they began walking toward the others, small figures against the sunlit courtyard.
Halfway there, Yuyan turned and waved.
Shuyin lifted her hand back.
Lu Xiao looked back too. Only once. But he looked.
Then they disappeared through the courtyard doors.
And silence settled.
The kind of silence only parents understood after leaving children somewhere new for the first time.
Shuyin stood still, eyes on the doors even after they had closed.
Lu Yuze looked at her. "You’re thinking of going after them."
She exhaled softly. "Maybe."
"You’ll survive."
She turned to look at him, one brow arching. "You sound very certain."
He slipped the admissions folder under one arm, the corner of his mouth lifting. "I signed as their father. I intend to act like one."
Something about the bluntness of that made her almost laugh. Almost.
As they walked back toward the car, the academy suddenly felt larger than before. Not because of the buildings. Because two children they had brought there had remained behind.
Ah Ling opened the car door.
Neither of them got in immediately. They both looked once more toward the school, toward the doors where Yuyan and Lu Xiao had vanished.
Then Shuyin finally entered the car.
Lu Yuze followed.
As the car pulled away from the academy gates, she kept watching through the window until the campus disappeared from view. Only then did she sit back. Quiet. Thoughtful. A little empty.
