That evening, after Xiao Yan finished handing over duties with the other elders, he returned to his small courtyard. He found Ruolin and little Zi Yan sitting in the living room, with steaming hot dishes laid out on the dining table. They had clearly been waiting for him to return.
When they saw Xiao Yan come back, Ruolin and little Zi Yan both stood to greet him. Ruolin called out a greeting before heading into the kitchen, while little Zi Yan clung to Xiao Yan, calling, "Big brother, big brother!"
"Hehe... Has little Zi Yan been good today?"
Xiao Yan chuckled as he picked up Zi Yan and asked.
"Little Zi Yan was... was very good today. I even helped Sister Ruolin cook."
Zi Yan still spoke somewhat haltingly, but she could already express what she wanted to say. With a proud look on her childish face, she spoke to Xiao Yan.
"Is that so? Then little Zi Yan is really amazing."
Xiao Yan said fondly, stroking Zi Yan's head.
"Mm-hm..."
Zi Yan rubbed her head against Xiao Yan's chest, humming softly.
Just then, Ruolin came out of the kitchen carrying a basin of water. She said gently to Xiao Yan, "You must be hungry. Come wash your hands, then we can eat."
Seeing Ruolin looking so much like a virtuous wife and mother, Xiao Yan suddenly felt as though he had a home. It gave him a feeling called happiness, and made him love Ruolin even more.
"Alright. Little Zi Yan didn't cause you any trouble today, did she? She isn't easy to look after."
Xiao Yan asked.
"Little Zi Yan was very well-behaved. She wasn't troublesome at all. It's just that she eats pills like candy, so I was worried something might happen to her."
Ruolin spoke with