The next morning.
"Jiang Lan, get up and eat."
Hearing the call, Jiang Lan opened his eyes and replied, "Coming!"
He sat straight up in bed, quickly washed up, and went downstairs.
Breakfast was still plain rice porridge and side dishes, along with two plates of fried eggs.
Shen Qingqiu sat at the table without eating, apparently waiting for him.
Jiang Lan pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Auntie, thanks for the trouble."
Shen Qingqiu lowered his head slightly, the hand holding his spoon seeming a little awkward.
"Enough sweet talk. Eat before it gets cold."
"Okay," Jiang Lan agreed with a smile.
His aunt's attitude toward him had clearly changed since yesterday.
If they had been family before, now it felt a little more like... hmm... a devoted wife and loving mother?
After a few mouthfuls of porridge, Jiang Lan saw Shen Qingqiu reach over with his chopsticks and place a piece of fried egg in his bowl.
He said gently,
"You have training later. Eat more."
Jiang Lan looked up at Shen Qingqiu.
Shen Qingqiu lowered his head with his usual expression and quietly drank his porridge, as though he had done nothing.
Jiang Lan felt as if his heart had skipped a beat.
Compared with his previous life, this seemed more like what he really wanted.
Still, he said nothing more.
When it came to feelings... he could take it slowly.
After breakfast, he got up to clear the dishes, rinsed them and put them away, then returned to his room to change into a training uniform.
Before he left, Shen Qingqiu sat on the sofa and said without looking up,
"Stay safe."
"Don't worry, Auntie," Jiang Lan said with a nod. "I'll be back soon."
Only then did he push the door open and leave,