The sun dipped low, and night quietly settled in. The kitchen filled with the warm, inviting aroma of freshly cooked dishes as Yichen's mother busied herself over the stove. Yichen sat at the dining table, waiting patiently, while Zhaoyan sat beside him, smiling softly at his side profile.
Lu Nian was helping Yichen's mother, carefully carrying plates from the kitchen to the table.
"Aunty, let me help," Lu Nian said, his voice gentle.
Yichen's mother glanced at her son with a teasing frown. "Yichen, don't just sit there. Help Lu Nian. You're always so lazy."
Yichen sighed dramatically, slumping a little. "Okay, okay, Mom…"
Before he could move, Zhaoyan stood. "I'll do it," he offered smoothly.
Yichen smiled at him, grateful.
Zhaoyan began setting the plates in place with ease, but Yichen's mother stopped mid-step when she came out of the kitchen. Her eyes widened in shock.
"The plates… they're moving on their own."
