The gray rabbit at Qingliang Terrace somehow slipped out of its cage, hopped onto the bed, and nudged Qi Yu's ear with its wet nose.
Qi Yu waved a hand in his sleep, mumbled, "Stop it," and rolled over to bury his face against Qi Xiao's shoulder. Startled by his movement, the gray rabbit hopped to the foot of the bed, then hopped back, this time landing right beside Qi Xiao's pillow.
Qi Xiao opened his eyes and found himself staring straight into the gray rabbit's round black eyes.
"Your rabbit." His voice was still a little hoarse.
Qi Yu lifted his face from Qi Xiao's shoulder, his hair a bird's nest. He squinted at the gray rabbit, then at Qi Xiao, before pulling the quilt over his head and saying he was still dreaming.
The gray rabbit burrowed under the quilt and pawed at the soles of his feet. Qi Yu sprang out of the covers with a yelp and banged his head against the bedpost, tears welling up from the pain.
Qi Xiao reached out and pulled him back, rubbing the spot he had struck with his palm. Qi Yu leaned against his chest and looked up at him pitifully, saying the rabbit was bullying him.
Qi Xiao said, "You raised it. It takes after you."
Chun He brought in breakfast, along with two bowls of ginseng tea. Qi Yu sat at the table, poking the porridge in his bowl with his chopsticks. After two pokes, he looked up at Qi Xiao and said he did not want ginseng tea today.
Qi Xiao said, "No."
Qi Yu pouted, lowered his head, and took a sip of ginseng tea. Qi Xiao told him to sweep the courtyard in a little while. Chewing a cake with his cheeks puffed out,