"Managing." She returned his smile warmly. "The house runs smoother with you around, if I'm honest. Old Li's been threatening to quit twice this week from stress alone."
"I heard that!" Old Li's voice carried from across the kitchen, indignant, though clearly more amused than offended.
Guiying laughed, the sound coming easier than he expected given how heavy his chest had felt only minutes earlier.
"English breakfast today, Second Master." Old Li appeared beside the stove, already plating eggs and grilled tomatoes with the kind of care he put into every meal regardless of how simple the request. "I figured something hearty might do you good, given everything going on lately."
"That sounds perfect." Guiying settled onto a stool at the kitchen counter, grateful for the small, deliberate kindness behind the choice.
Wang Chengli entered moments later, a tablet tucked under one arm, his expression carrying the same composed efficiency it always did regardless of the hour.
