"You look like a prince," Ting Cheng said dryly, not quite joking and not entirely praising him either.
Zi Zhen smirked. "I am the one born to be a prince. And you, you look like Father's clone."
They exchanged eye-rolls but shared a quiet smile through the mirror, silently approving of each other's looks.
Minutes later, the entire family regrouped in the main suite. Lu Zhi Hao and Ruyi emerged from the dressing rooms together, their matching outfits perfectly complementing each other in color and grace.
Before they left, they selected a sleek charcoal-gray suit for Lu Ting Zhou, who remained home and still hadn't decided if he'd attend.
Shopping bags in hand and a subtle air of anticipation surrounding them, they exited, walking over to the black van waiting for them at the parking lot. The doors closed with a soft click immediately after they boarded, and the vehicle slipped smoothly into traffic, bound for home.
Inside the van, Lu Zi Zhen leaned forward. "Momma… is the baby doing okay?"
"Yes, my boy. Nothing to worry about." Ruyi gave him a soft smile. She was a little exhausted and leaned against her husband's shoulder, eyes drifting shut. Silence fell over them.
Lu Zi Zhen peeked over at his mother, her head resting peacefully on their father's shoulder. He tilted his own head curiously, eyes narrowing.
"Hey," he whispered, nudging his older brother Lu Ting Cheng beside him, "look at Momma's lips… they look… kind of purple."
Lu Ting Cheng leaned forward discreetly, squinting his eyes before they suddenly widened slightly. "Is that a bruise?" he whispered back, voice barely audible. "Like… from a fall? Or—"
Lu Zi Zhen's eyes rolled around, checking his naive brother up. "Or maybe…" He leaned closer, covering his mouth with his hand, "Did Papa kiss her too hard? Did they have an intimate moment in public? How could my father behave like this! Hooligan!"
Lu Ting Cheng choked on a snort, trying to cover it with a cough, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. His brother was damn shameless.
But before either could say another word, a low warning sound cut through the air like a blade.
Lu Zhi Hao didn't even lift his head fully, his eyes slid open just enough to pin both boys with a sharp, knowing glare in the rearview mirror.
"Not. Another. Word," he said, voice calm but unmistakably firm.
Both boys instantly straightened in their seats, looking out opposite windows like innocent angels.
Ruyi, without opening her eyes, murmured with a sleepy smile, "Tsk. Trouble already, and we haven't even gotten home."
Lu Zhi Hao exhaled slowly, threading his fingers with hers. "Born troublemakers. Just like their mother. They have learned their mischievousness from you."
Zi Zhen whispered behind his hand again. "She didn't deny it."
Lu Ting Cheng gave a snort. Their father's gaze snapped toward them once more, and both immediately froze, lips sealed tight.
Twenty minutes into the ride, the mood suddenly shifted.
Ting Cheng, seated by the window, narrowed his eyes. "That black SUV behind us—it's been trailing us since the last exit."
Ruyi snapped her eyes open, glancing into the rear-view mirror to check out that SUV. "Are you sure? Maybe it's just a coincidence."
"I'm not completely sure, Momma," Ting Cheng admitted, "but the way it's keeping distance without overtaking or falling behind… It's a little bit odd." He tapped his phone screen, trying to snap a picture. Just then, the SUV shifted lanes and slipped behind a large truck.
Lu Zhi Hao leaned forward. "Take the next exit, just randomly. Don't use that road back home."