Handsome CEO's Darling Wife Chapter 908 Side Story 1: RICE BALLS AND DUMPLINGS Part 2

Mu Lan stormed into Carlo's chamber that evening, her fingers gripping his collar. "What did you tell my children?"

Noticing the storm brewing in her eyes, Carlo realized that his actions had consequences. He attempted to placate her. "My dear, take a breath and tell me precisely what has transpired."

"You still inquire about what happened! My three little 'rice balls' are poised to journey to South America for their training. Whose hand do you believe is responsible for this?" Mu Lan retorted, her teeth clenched.

Carlo forced a chuckle. "Ah, is that so... I merely recounted your upbringing alongside us. I issued no direct commands for them to act."

"Deception will not absolve you," Mu Lan stated, shoving him aside before exiting the room.

A heavy sigh of relief escaped Carlo. "That went far better than anticipated. I truly feared for my life." He had braced himself to employ mind control if she had escalated to violence. Fortunately, his powers remained dormant.

Composing herself, Mu Lan returned to the sitting area. Her second and third 'rice balls' immediately converged, voicing their desires: "Mom, will you permit us to go there?" "Mama, we yearn to learn from Grandpa Shin!"

Mu Lan settled onto the sofa, her gaze fixed upon her sons. "Are you absolutely certain about this decision? You comprehend the years training will demand, and that visits home will be impossible during your studies. Do you truly grasp this?"

The second and third 'rice balls' fell silent, the full implications not yet understood.

The eldest, Rice Ball Number One, Lian, stepped forward, placing a hand on his mother's. "Mommy, we desire further knowledge. I am confident that under Grandpa's tutelage, we will both learn and master combat. We aspire to possess strength akin to Papa's, to safeguard Mommy and our sisters, the dumplings."

Mu Lan massaged her forehead, a headache blooming. Cursing Carlo inwardly, she addressed her sons, "I hear you, and I understand your sentiments. However, my darlings, you are still quite young for such endeavors."

"But Mommy, you commenced your studies at merely two years of age," Rice Ball Number One, Lian, countered, his eyes wide.

"Did Grandpa Carl impart that information?" Mu Lan managed a strained smile, thinking, 'That old rascal! He's as good as dead!'

"Mommy, please!" Rice Ball Number One pleaded.

With a sigh, Mu Lan embraced her three sons. "You have my permission to depart, but heed this: once you embark on this path, you shall not return until your studies are complete."

"We understand, Mama," uttered Rice Ball Number Three, Laquan.

"And you will refrain from visiting us or playing with your sisters during this time," Mu Lan added.

"I understand, Mom..." Rice Ball Number Two, Ling, replied.

Mu Lan nodded. "Very well, you may go." Witnessing the sudden effulgence in the boys' eyes, she quickly amended, "You may depart when you reach the age of ten. Until then, remain at home and revel in childhood to your heart's content." Her resolve was firm; they would not leave before then. She felt she hadn't yet had the chance to shower them with sufficient affection.

The spark in the boys' eyes dimmed. "Why, Mommy?" Rice Ball Number One, Lian, protested.

"The discussion is closed," Mu Lan stated firmly. "I will not entertain further debate on this matter. Go and play with your sisters. From this moment forward, I shall share your sleeping quarters." The mere thought of departure, even temporary, filled her with trepidation.

The boys exited with crestfallen expressions. Once inside their rooms, however, peels of laughter erupted. They had successfully secured their mother's undivided affection for another five years, feeling no remorse for their father's predicament.

Unaware of her sons' elaborate scheme, Mu Lan initiated a call to Juan. "I anticipated your call, my dear," Juan responded.

"Did Carl inform you of his actions?" Mu Lan inquired, her voice simmering with anger.

Juan chuckled. "Your children possess a unique lineage, their very beings imbued with elixir. Do you truly believe you can keep such gifts solely for yourself?"

"Did you dispatch Carl to lure them away behind my back?" Mu Lan questioned, a frown creasing her brow.

Juan clarified, "My sole instruction to Carl was to present them with an offer. Should they desire, they could join our ranks. I explicitly forbade any coercion. And he did not resort to such measures, did he?"

Mu Lan huffed. "He refrained from force, but my 'rice balls' were eager to depart immediately. Rice Ball Number Four, however, harbors no such wish. He possesses a gentle heart, and I cannot compel him to go against his will."

Juan agreed. "That is acceptable. However, we must eventually inform him. I only hope he does not feel estranged from the group later. Have you spoken with your husband?"

"I shall inform him once he returns," Mu Lan replied.

"And when do you intend to send your children off?" Juan inquired.

"At the age of ten," Mu Lan stated, harboring no intention of an earlier departure.

Juan was momentarily speechless. "...You wish to send them five years from now?!"

"My heart is not yet ready to let them go," Mu Lan declared with unwavering resolve.

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Upon hearing from his wife, Mu Liang expressed regret. 'If only my foolish sons had informed me sooner, I would have dispatched them immediately. They sought permission from the wrong individuals.' However, a sense of unease lingered. 'Is it truly that simple? I have a premonition that we've been manipulated.' Having discovered the hidden devices within the toys, his trust in his sons was irrevocably shattered. He was acutely aware of the perpetrator behind those contraptions.

He tenderly stroked the heads of the sleeping toddlers.

Mu Lan, with a slight frown, voiced her complaint, 'You never even glance at me when you see me.'

Mu Liang let out a soft chuckle. 'Wifey, are you feeling a touch of jealousy?'

He felt a surge of happiness, knowing she harbored the same feelings he did. For years, he had been the sole recipient of rivals' attention, enduring the greater hardship. Because of his virtuous nature, his wife had never experienced jealousy. Now that their twin daughters had arrived, he couldn't help but shower them with affection, a fact Mu Lan found difficult to bear. Her heart ached with a hint of bitterness as her husband's focus drifted to other women.

Mu Lan now fully grasped Mu Liang's long-standing emotions. She embraced her husband from behind, declaring, 'You are forbidden from looking at other women.'

'Wifey, the women you're referring to are our one-year-old twin daughters. They deserve our love and attention.'

Mu Lan simply shook her head. 'Whatever! You absolutely cannot.'

'I cherish them only because they are born from you. They are the beautiful fruits of our love,' Mu Liang echoed the very words she had spoken to him previously.

'Liang Liang! How dare you twist my words!' Mu Lan's temper began to flare. She marveled at how childish she had become since becoming a mother.

'Don't fret, wifey. You are the one I love the most,' Mu Liang reassured her, planting a kiss on her cheek.