Each morning the sun rose in the east; each night the moon sank in the west.
The next day, in the morning light, Yan Lingyun emerged from the guest room with rosy cheeks, her nostrils twitching as she followed the drifting aroma. Catching the smell of alcohol on her breath, she hurriedly washed up in the courtyard before going inside to sit down, glancing around as she did.
"Stop looking. Your uncle and aunt have both gone to work."
Wearing a sweater, Lian Youming kept one hand in his pocket and worked the iron pan with the other. A casual flick revealed the golden-brown side of a stuffed pancake.
Lian Lei and Lian Shuang were also sitting at the table. Seeing Yan Lingyun take her seat, both eagerly leaned over.
"Sister-in-law, my brother's a great cook."
"Exactly! When we were little and the adults weren't home, my brother always helped cook for everyone and looked after the old and the young. Everyone praised him."
Neither sibling dared speak loudly. They whispered into her ears, one on either side.
Their way of addressing her instantly made Yan Lingyun's cheeks burn. But seeing Lian Youming still humming to himself, utterly oblivious, she rubbed her cheeks in embarrassment, took a handful of milk candies from her pocket and stuffed them into the siblings' hands, then huddled beside Lian Shuang to whisper.
Lian Youming came over carrying bowls and plates. Glancing at her, he asked in surprise, "Why's your face as red as a monkey's backside this early in the morning?"
Yan Lingyun gave an indignant huff, but once she bit into the stuffed pancake, it tasted so good that she could barely keep her eyes open.
As for her fifth and sixth brothers, they were still asleep.
After a simple breakfast and a