The Three of Them-How Did They Keep Taking On More and More?

When Pancham carried away the first stack of empty plates, its steps were steady.

Just moments ago, it had been learning how to make pancakes beside the stove. Now it held a tray against its chest, and when passing the corner of a table, it even knew to turn sideways first.

Aunt Ding followed behind, looking quite pleased.

"Take it slow. You're looking like an old hand today."

Hearing the praise, Pancham immediately straightened its back.

As it did, the plates lifted a little too. It hurriedly lowered them again, then looked back at Aunt Ding's expression. Only when it saw that she was not laughing did it continue forward.

Zorua, disguised as Xia Che, followed two steps behind it.

It was not carrying any plates, only holding one corner of a tablecloth in its mouth. From the outside, it looked as though Boss Xia had bent over and was carefully cradling the cloth, walking even more slowly than usual.

Chatot flew onto the doorframe. After the first two had passed, it flapped its wings and followed.

"Take it slow."

It had only just learned the phrase, and its voice sounded rather like Aunt Ding's.

Watching the little procession from behind, Yan could not help saying to Xia Che, "They're quite diligent today."

Xia Che lowered his head over his book. A purple bookmark slipped from between his fingers and landed right on the page he had finished reading.

"They're always like this when they've just learned something."

"How many days will that diligence last?"

"Go ask them."

Yan glanced toward the kitchen. Pancham had already brought the empty plates to the sink and was standing on tiptoe, trying to see what Aunt Ding would do next.

He suddenly felt that if he went over now, he would probably have