"Is Dumpling still asleep?"
Ye Qingman got up early that morning and found someone already standing in the kitchen, wearing the floral apron.
He looked rather like a devoted wife and mother.
Gu Cheng was frying eggs. He flashed her a grin.
"He didn't sleep well last night because of what happened to Chi Yuan. I couldn't bring myself to wake him. I'll supervise the Third Team's training later."
Ye Qingman sighed. "Chi Yuan was a good boy. I practically watched him grow up. What happened this time... such a shame."
Gu Cheng finished making breakfast and set it on the table. When he came out, he saw Ye Qingman with a bag over her shoulder.
"Mom, are you going out?"
Ye Qingman smiled faintly.
"A friend needs my help with something. I might not come home tonight. Cheng, spend some more time with Dumpling for me."
Gu Cheng's gaze darted over the other hand clenched tightly at Ye Qingman's side. She seemed to be holding a piece of paper.
Pretending not to notice, Gu Cheng readily agreed.
"Sure, Mom. Go ahead. Ruanruan will be fine... but I made breakfast. Won't you have some?"
A flicker of anxiety crossed Ye Qingman's eyes, and she gave a stiff smile.
"No, thank you. You two eat. I'll go see Yuan Yuan one last time a little later."
After Ye Qingman left, the door to Ye Ruan's bedroom opened.
Gu Cheng smiled at the bleary-eyed Ye Ruan.
"Baby, come eat."
Breakfast was vegetarian buns with three delicacies, with dough kneaded and filling mixed by Gu Cheng himself.
He had also cooked a small pot of purple rice porridge with milk.
Ye Ruan was so sleepy he could barely open his eyes. He hadn't even noticed that he'd splashed water on his collar while