Outside the door, Su Su held a little rag doll, her small face tilted up toward him. Li Su stood beside her. When she looked up and saw the two dark circles hanging beneath Lin Chen's eyes, the skin below them bruised blue, she couldn't help bursting into laughter.
"Oh my," Li Su teased. "Were you out playing thief last night? How did you end up looking this sleepy?"
Lin Chen yawned and rubbed his eyes, giving her a wry smile. "I was thinking about something and went to bed late."
"You silly boy." Li Su gave him a reproachful look. "You're old enough to know better than to stay up all night. Go wash your face and wake yourself up."
Lin Chen murmured an assent and went into the courtyard to draw a bucket of well water. The shock of the cold water finally cleared his head a little.
He dried his face with a towel. Just as he hung it back on the rack, he heard brisk footsteps near the courtyard gate.
Zhu Zhuqing emerged from the side room where she was staying, a rare hint of joy on her face and her steps lighter than usual. She jogged over to Lin Chen and stopped in front of him, her chest rising and falling slightly, her eyes sparkling.
"Lin Chen," Zhu Zhuqing said, unable to suppress the excitement in her voice. "I've reached level forty."
Lin Chen paused, then smiled. He reached out and ruffled Zhu Zhuqing's hair. "That's great. Congratulations."
His touch brought a faint blush to Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks. She tilted her head away, but couldn't keep the corners of her lips from lifting.
Hearing this, Li Su froze for a moment before a look of delighted surprise spread across her face as well.
She hurried