The sound of water inside suddenly stopped.
After a moment, Su Wanwan's voice came through, still carrying a trace of damp warmth. "Who is it?"
"Me."
There was a moment of silence behind the door, as if she had paused too, before she asked again, "W-what are you here for?"
"I'm dropping something off. Keep washing. I won't come in."
"What is it?"
"Clothes."
Another silence followed.
This time, even Chu Yang felt that those two words sounded strange coming out of his mouth. He cleared his throat, though his tone remained as casual as ever. "Your old outfits are all worn out, so I brought you a new set while I was at it. Open the door a crack. I'll leave them on the table in the outer room."
There was a rustling sound inside.
After quite a while, the door finally creaked open a tiny crack. White steam slowly drifted out, carrying the warm dampness of a bath. Only one of her eyes was visible through the gap, the corner reddened by the heat, damp strands of hair clinging to her cheeks.
"...Put them down."
Chu Yang had originally intended to toss the bundle onto the table and leave, but when she looked at him like that, his Adam's apple rolled for no reason at all, and his steps slowed by half a beat. He pushed the door open just enough to step inside, set down the clothes, then glanced up and spotted her old garments draped over the back of a chair behind the screen. The cuffs were even more worn than he remembered.
"And this." He set down the candied fruit and medicine as well. "Put the medicine on later. Eat first."
Su Wanwan answered softly from behind the door, "Got it."
Chu Yang turned to