"Cousin, you're awake? Eat something first, then get back to your studies."
Seeing Pan Rongniang enter, Qiu Yan showed no surprise. His cousin had come by yesterday as well, and she had even made lunch.
"When I arrived, I saw you sleeping soundly, so I didn't disturb you." As Rongniang spoke, she set a bowl on the table. Fragrant steam wafted from it—it was a bowl of meat soup.
"Even if you're studying hard, you still need to take care of your health." Rongniang's words carried a faint note of reproach. Qiu Yan naturally agreed, then picked up the bowl and began eating without ceremony.
Rongniang watched with a smile. After reminding him of a few more things, she turned and went out to get busy.
The Qiu family courtyard had stood empty for quite some time, and many places needed sweeping and tidying. Qiu Yan was not skilled at such things. He had intended to hire someone to clean it up, but Liu Huai stopped him and had the family come help instead.
Rongniang was only fourteen this year. In Qiu Yan's previous life, she would still have been in school, but girls in this world generally matured early and married early as well. Moreover, she had been born into the Pan Household and neglected since childhood. Now that she had left the Pan Household after a serious illness, she was like a golden canary released from its cage, her mood improving by the day.
"Still, you've only just returned to your soul. You should rest quietly." Thinking this, Qiu Yan rose and gave her a few reminders, only for Pan Rongniang to persuade him back.
"Uncle said you only need to focus on your studies. You needn't worry about anything else."
Hearing that, Qiu Yan shook his head.