After a while.
"Okay." Varesa finished tying her hair tie and patted her on the shoulder.
He bent down again to straighten the collar of her nightgown, looked her over from side to side, and nodded in satisfaction, "Hmm, my Little Bai You is so pretty."
"You're so sweet-talking." Bai You's ears burned, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.
"Let's go, let's go downstairs." Varesa took her hand and opened the door.
As soon as the door opened, the aroma of freshly baked bread wafted up the stairs again.
Bai You's stomach rumbled loudly, and her earlier worries were instantly overshadowed by her craving.
Varesa looked down at her, her shoulders shaking with laughter. "Did you hear that? My stomach can't wait!"
"Let's go quickly then."
Bai You blushed as Varesa continued to pull her downstairs.
In the kitchen, Odette, wearing an apron, was taking a fresh batch of bread out of the oven.
She usually had a cold expression, but now, illuminated by the firelight, her features softened considerably, and there was a thin layer of sweat on her forehead, indicating that she had been up for a while.
At the dining table, Columbina had moved a small stool and was already seated. Her long hair was loosely tied up, and she held a cup of hot water in her hands, turning her head to look out the window at the clear sky after the snow.
Hearing footsteps, the two turned around.
"Good morning." Columbina's light purple eyes curved into a smile.
"Good morning!" Bai You answered the fastest, but her eyes lingered on Bai You's face for a couple more seconds without her noticing.
I'll give her this fragment when I have time later.
Varesa walked up to Odette, a little surprised. "Why are you up so early today? And don't you not really like bread?"
"I woke up early and couldn't fall back asleep. Columbina said she loves to eat it, and since you guys seem to like it too, I baked some."
Odette placed the bread on the drying rack, her tone indifferent, her gaze quickly sweeping towards Columbina.
Varesa chuckled, not exposing her, and leaned over to pinch a scrap of food and stuff it into her mouth, panting as it burned.
"Hmm, it's baked well, better than the last time I baked it."
"Come on, go wash your hands." Odette seemed used to this and gently slapped her hand away.
The table was neatly arranged: a basket of freshly baked creamy white and rye bread, and a small dish of butter.
A pot of thick oatmeal porridge, a plate of mixed vegetable salad, and two plates of sweet egg tarts—it looked delicious.
The four people sat down.
Columbina reached for the basket of bread first and broke off a warm, soft piece.
Without spreading butter, he took a couple of bites, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if he'd been burned by the heat.
"It's hot and delicious." She looked at Odette very seriously, "The outer layer is crispy, and the inside is soft."
Odette's fingers tightened around the cup, her face tense, but her ears turned bright red. After a long pause, she finally responded softly:
"... Whatever you like, there's plenty." He paused, then added, "We'll bake some more tomorrow."
Looking at the two plates of egg tarts on the table.
Bai You's eyes instantly glued to it, and she leaned forward unconsciously, her face practically screaming "I want to eat it!"
"Wait a minute, there are plenty of egg tarts, no one's going to take them from you." Varesa was amused by her greedy look and reached out to pick up an egg tart.
Instead of giving it to her right away, she first held it in her palm and blew on it, then gently touched the edge of the tart with her lips to test the temperature.
After confirming it was no longer too hot to eat, she gently placed it in front of Bai You, drawing out the last syllable softly, "Come on, ah--"
Columbina and Odette's inner thoughts: We didn't feed them enough last night, why are they coming every meal...?
Bai You hesitated for two seconds, but ultimately couldn't resist the temptation of the egg tart. She blushed and opened her mouth slightly.
Varesa lifted her wrist and put half of the egg tart inside.
The flaky pastry crumbles at the slightest touch, the egg custard is soft and fluffy, with the sweetness of milk and eggs, and a hint of caramel, melting instantly on the tongue.
Across from her, Odette rubbed her forehead, a look of utter helplessness on her face: "I knew it!" "I can't even stop you two from having a meal."
Even though she said that, she still silently pushed the whole plate of egg tarts towards Bai You.
Columbina, however, still found it fascinating. She rested her chin on her hand, her light purple eyes darting between the two of them, a gentle smile playing on her lips, but she remained silent.
Seeing this lively scene of everyone sharing food, my heart felt warm and touched.
Bai You took two bites in silence, her heartbeat finally slowing down, but she was still a little resentful.
Why is it always her who gets fed and teased?
She glanced furtively at the plate, and while Varesa turned to talk to Odette, she quickly grabbed an egg tart.
Following the other person's example, he held the egg tart in his palm and blew on it haphazardly a couple of times. Then, mustering all his courage, he held the tart to Varesa's lips.
"You... you eat too..." Her voice was strained, and her hands trembled slightly. "Ah--"
The last "ah" sound was imitated quite well, but the tone was weak and lacked any real power.
Varesa paused for a moment, then turned her head to look at the egg tart being offered to her mouth.
Looking again at Bai You's little face, which was flushed red but stubbornly refused to shrink back, the smile in his eyes deepened little by little, as deep as honey that could not be melted.
Instead of taking a bite right away, she slowly moved closer to Bai You's hand, her gaze fixed on Bai You's face, making Bai You's eyes dart around and almost drop the egg tart.
"Then I... won't be polite."
She took a small bite, her lips brushing lightly against the fingertips of the Bai You holding the egg tart.
Bai You reacted as if she had been burned, her fingertips jerking back sharply.
"Is it good?" she asked stiffly, trying to salvage the situation.
"It's delicious." Varesa answered without hesitation, chewing on her egg tart, and then added.
The voice was kept low, only loud enough for two people to hear, " Little Bai You Grapefruit's food is the best!"
Bai You:...
She shoved the remaining half of the egg tart into Varesa's hand, wishing she could disappear under the table, her ears burning red.
Varesa laughed so hard her shoulders shook. She stopped teasing her, finished the half in a few bites, and then ruffled Voyanisa's hair.
"Do you want more?" Varesa asked.
Bai You shook her head, but moved closer to her, shoulder to shoulder, and muttered softly:
"Did you bake this? No, Odette baked it... Anyway, I want to eat it again tomorrow."
"Okay, let Odette bake some more tomorrow. I'll feed you every day." Varesa casually tucked one of her loose ponytails behind her back, her tone incredibly indulgent.
Odette:... How did I end up being part of your play too?
"Who asked you to feed me every day..." Bai You stubbornly insisted, but her body betrayed her and she didn't move away.
"Okay, okay, I'm not teasing you anymore."
As breakfast drew to a close, Odette didn't say much, but quickly got up and tidied up the table.
He stacked the empty plates and bowls one by one, his movements steady and fast.
Varesa was still sitting in the chair, her body unconsciously leaning towards Bai You. Just as she was about to lean over and peel another piece of fruit for her, Odette gently tugged at her wrist.
"Stop clinging," Odette said casually, lifting her chin towards the kitchen while holding a stack of dishes. "Come help me wash the dishes."
"Huh? I wanted to stay with Bai You for a while longer..." Varesa looked reluctant.
"The bowl won't clean itself," Odette, tucking a hand towel into her arms.
"Okay, okay, okay--" Varesa drawled, reluctantly standing up. Before leaving, she bent down and pinched Bai You's cheek, her voice softening instantly.
"I'll help Odette wash the dishes. Tell me what fruit you want, and I'll cut it for you after I wash it."
"Okay," Bai You replied to Varesa.
At the dining table, only Bai You and Columbina remained.
The opportunity has arrived.
Bai You moved her chair closer to Columbina, tilted her head up, and said softly, " Columbina, wait a moment, I have something for you."
"Hmm?" Columbina turned her head, her light purple eyes filled with a gentle doubt.
"What is that?"