Early the next morning.
Jiang Lan sat at the dining table.
Breakfast was the same three staples as always: plain rice porridge, fried eggs, and two small dishes of sides.
Shen Qingqiu sat down across from Jiang Lan, picked up his spoon, and ate a couple of spoonfuls of porridge.
Jiang Lan did not eat. He simply watched Shen Qingqiu with a smile.
"What are you looking at?"
Instead of answering, Jiang Lan said, "You're so good to me."
Shen Qingqiu lowered his head and said in a muffled voice, "You know how good I am to you, yet you still pick on me."
Jiang Lan looked as though he had suffered some enormous injustice. "When did I ever do that?"
"You little brat... no more catching your auntie off guard, understand?" Shen Qingqiu's voice grew quieter and quieter. "If you want to, at worst..."
Jiang Lan's eyes lit up at once.
"What?"
Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes at him. "Eat!"
"Hehe." Jiang Lan's heart thumped twice. "Then I'll let you know beforehand next time, Auntie."
"..."
Shen Qingqiu took a deep breath, lifted his bowl, and stopped paying attention to him.
Jiang Lan also knew better than to push his luck, so he lowered his head and began eating.
The atmosphere at the table was a little subtle, but not awkward.
After breakfast, Shen Qingqiu gathered the dishes and took them to the kitchen, while Jiang Lan went to the bathroom to wash up.
When he came out, Shen Qingqiu had already changed and was ready to leave for work.
"Auntie, I have a meeting this morning," Jiang Lan said. "The school organized it."
"Mm." Shen Qingqiu nodded. "Pay attention when you're there. Don't let your mind wander."
Jiang Lan: "..."
"I know, I know. I'm not a kid."