The sound of the bathroom door opening pulled them apart. Lu Yuze released her immediately, stepping back to give appropriate distance as Yuyan and Chen Xiao emerged wrapped in towels, their wet hair dripping onto their shoulders. He couldn't maintain that level of intimate affection in front of the children, not when they were still learning what healthy family dynamics looked like.
"All clean?" he asked, immediately shifting into caretaker mode.
Both children nodded, Chen Xiao clutching his towel with one hand while his other gripped the stuffed rabbit that had survived the entire day's adventures.
"Good. Your mother will take her shower now," Lu Yuze said, gently nudging Shuyin toward the bathroom. "I'll help with your hair. Can't have you going around with it wet."
