Back at Minghao's house, the morning sun cast golden rays through the curtains, landing right on Xuanye's eyes. She flinched and slowly opened them, blinking at the light. As her gaze wandered, it landed on Minghao's baby photo on the nearby table.
With a bright smile, she whispered, "Hao~ why am I seeing you everywhere?"
She giggled and turned toward the bed—only to find Minghao still fast asleep, clutching her hand gently to his cheek. She shook her head with a fond sigh. "Look at him… giving me no choice," she whispered.
Carefully, she tried to free her hand and stood up quietly. Minghao stirred in his sleep and mumbled, "Hoshi… get your leg off me, I can't sleep…" then scratched his cheek lazily.
Suppressing her laugh, Xuanye spotted a pen on the table. A mischievous smirk spread across her face. Quietly, she picked it up and drew soft blush marks on his cheeks—and a tiny heart just under his eye. Satisfied with her artwork, she gently pulled the blanket over him, then slipped out the room, giggling.
She took a deep breath and admired the beautiful home once more. "It's like living in a fairytale," she whispered, then walked into the kitchen for water. As she opened the fridge, her brows raised in disbelief.
"This boy," she muttered. "Said he never comes here, but he's stocked the fridge like he lives here every day!"
She noticed many ingredients nearing their expiry. Rolling up her sleeves, she tied her hair up and declared, "Let's do this!" and began cooking breakfast.
---
It was 8:30 a.m. when Minghao woke up. Stretching with a yawn, he smiled softly—until he noticed Xuanye wasn't beside him. Panicked, he sat up. "Where did she go?"
He hurried toward the living room and found her calmly sipping juice at the dining table, dishes already set.
Relieved, he walked over and tapped her shoulder. "Ye~ what are you doing?"
Startled, Xuanye turned—still mid-sip—and ended up spitting juice from surprise. She pointed at him, bursting into laughter.
Minghao raised a brow, confused. "Ye~ what did you do?"
Still laughing, she clutched her stomach. "Hao~ you look SO cute! You should see your face!"
Minghao touched his cheek, then noticed the pen marks on his hand. His eyes widened in horror.
He bolted to the bedroom and looked in the mirror.
"YEEE~~!!" he yelled.
Storming back with the pen in hand, he smirked like a cartoon villain.
Xuanye shrank in her chair. "Hao~ I made you look more beautiful," she defended, giggling.
With exaggerated drama, he grabbed her wrist, drew a giant circle on her forehead, and added a huge heart in the center.
Xuanye squirmed, laughing. "Hao~ it tickles! Stop it!"
He leaned back, admiring his work. "Now you look even more beautiful than me," he teased, blowing her a playful kiss.
Xuanye sat stunned, like she was possessed. Then, with a slow smirk, she narrowed her eyes.
Minghao giggled while eating, glancing at her doodled forehead. She picked up her chopsticks, giving him a fake glare as she chewed.
After breakfast, they cleaned up. While checking her reflection, Minghao teased, "I should've taken a picture to show Nian."
Xuanye shot him a bombastic side-eye. "Try it and you're dead," she muttered.
She grabbed the packed breakfast. "I'll take these to Nian and the boys."
"Let me drive," Minghao offered, grabbing his keys.
When they got into the car, Xuanye avoided eye contact. Minghao, holding back laughter, said, "Want help with your seatbelt?"
She stared out the window, barely suppressing a smile. "Just drive, Hao—it's already late."
He leaned in and kissed her cheek, then started the engine. Xuanye melted into her seat, red-faced.
---
Back at the hospital, the boys slowly woke up, stretching.
Scoups groaned. "Who put their leg on my neck last night? My neck's sore."
The others laughed.
Mingyu teased, "Scoups, who do you think it was?" They all turned to look at Hoshi, who was still curled up like a sleepy hamster, giggling in his dreams.
Woozi and Jun exchanged looks, then glanced at DK—who was scrolling his phone, Nian still peacefully sleeping on his arm.
Woozi whispered, "Jun, are they married or what?"
Jun groaned. "Woozi, you saw it once. I've witnessed DK and Minghao's lovey-dovey behavior live. My heart can't take this anymore."
Dramatically, Woozi placed a hand on Jun's shoulder. "There's no use being jealous, Jun. We're single. Just watch and suffer in silence."
Jun nodded solemnly. "Woozi… you at least have someone you love…"
Woozi blinked. "Who?"
Jun smirked. "Just wait…"
Right on cue, Hoshi stood up in half-sleep and wandered over—then clung tightly to Woozi like a teddy bear, snoring as he wrapped around him.
Woozi was stunned. "Jun… this is who you meant?!"
Jun burst into laughter. "Did I lie?!"
The others howled. Woozi tried to peel Hoshi off, but he clung tighter.
"You're mine, Woozi…" Hoshi mumbled in his sleep.
For a second, Woozi's soul nearly left his body. "Someone… help…"
But in the end, he just sighed, shaking his head with a smile. "This group is doomed…"