After closing his eyes to rest and collect himself for a little over ten minutes in the spacious driver's seat of the G-Wagon, Chen Xi finally got out and walked the last stretch home.
The parking spot was close to the residential elevator, and the elevator went up quickly.
So in less than five minutes, Chen was back at his front door.
He unlocked it with practiced ease and stepped inside. The first thing Chen saw was Talan, waiting in the living room in a silk nightgown.
"You're back~~"
"I'm the one who's back, aren't I?~~"
"Same thing, same thing."
They bantered with a familiar Crayon Shin-chan reference. Chen Xi chuckled as he changed his shoes, then stood and gently pulled Talan into his arms.
"Sleepy? You stayed up waiting for me this late. Did Klein fall asleep?"
"I'm fine. I took a nap this afternoon. Seeing you come home with my own eyes makes me feel more at ease. Klein was very well-behaved today. He went to bed early."
"Hahahaha, good job. I'll reward him tomorrow by having him help me with the housework."
"...He's only two." (Chen Jin Xiao: I really can't thank you enough.)
"Two is old enough! Good habits should be cultivated from a young age. Tomorrow, I'll have him mop the floor, do the laundry, and then cook me a couple of dishes."
Chen was back to spouting nonsense with a perfectly straight face, and Talan couldn't help giving him an eye roll.
"Come on, let's go shower first."
"Sure! Together?"
"Hmph, as if. I already showered."
"Hey? You think I'm the lucky one? Let me tell you, there are people lined up from New York to France who'd love to shower with me! You're living in a paradise and don't even know it!!"