"Haven't they come back from dinner yet?" Mrs. Xie asked. She had already finished her bath; anything more she said would be pointless.
Jie Jingchen didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "Mom, have you eaten?"
"Of course." Mrs. Xie gave Jie Jingchen a look and asked, "Is there any bathwater left?"
"No, I only heated enough for Qin Mei and me," Jie Jingchen answered truthfully. He paused for a moment before adding, "I'll go heat some for you."
"Don't bother. I'm just going to wash up and go to bed. I'll heat it myself," Mrs. Xie replied, declining his offer.
She went to her room to put down her bag before heading to the kitchen to heat some water. She didn't prepare much, just enough for herself. After a pleasant bath, she felt completely refreshed. She then returned to her room to sleep, as she had to be up early for work the next day.
COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO...
Before the sky had even begun to lighten, the rooster's crowing once again echoed from the courtyard.
