------
Han Yan looked at Lin Xin, genuinely surprised he had actually voiced his suspicions about the sudden changes in his behavior. Lin Xin, who rarely expressed himself even when he was overwhelmed, had just… said it. And the way his eyes flickered with curiosity, soft but searching, made Han Yan feel… exposed, in a way he didn't entirely dislike.
But could you really blame him? Han Yan thought. It was only natural that someone who had always quietly handled the Han household chores without a single complaint would seem… suspicious from the very moment he suddenly separated from the Han household.
The two of them stood outside the courtyard, the night breeze carrying the faint scent of damp earth and smoke from nearby stoves. The lantern hanging by the gate swayed softly, its light tracing golden ripples over Lin Xin's face, where quiet worry lingered.
Han Yan cleared his throat, lowering his gaze slightly. "You're overthinking things too much, Xin'er" he said, his tone calm but restrained. "Ever since that fall from the mountain, I've been… off, I suppose. It shook me more than I'd like to admit,That's all."
Lin Xin's brows furrowed, his eyes searching Han Yan's face. "You really did change after that day," he murmured. "Sometimes it feels like I'm talking to someone else entirely."
Han Yan's heart skipped, fingers curled slightly at his side, lips curved faintly, though his expression didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Then maybe the fall knocked some sense into me" he said with a short, quiet laugh. "Don't worry so much. I'm still me."
Lin Xin looked like he wanted to press further before he could respond, a small tug on his sleeve broke the tension in the air.
Dong Hai stood beside them, his small hand gripping the edge of Lin Xin's robe. He had been there the whole time, quiet and patient or at least, he had been. Now his brows were furrowed, and he was frowning up at them both with that mix of childish impatience and forced seriousness that only made him look more adorable.
Dong Hai huffed, crossing his arms as if trying to look mature, though the corner of his mouth twitched into a pout. "Are you both done talking?" he asked, his tone serious but edged with a whine. "Did you forget I'm still here?. The food's getting cold, I'm starving."
Both Han Yan and Lin Xin blinked they had, in fact, forgotten for a moment.
Han Yan chuckled softly. "Ah… seems we did forget," he admitted, amused.
Dong Hai's stomach gave a small growl right after he spoke making his ears turn red. He puffed out his cheeks, trying to act composed. " It's not funny" he added, his tone flat but with the tiniest pout at the corner of his lips, giving Lin Xin's sleeve another tug. "If you keep talking, I'll eat everything myself."
That hint of childishness broke the tension at last. Lin Xin couldn't help but smile, reaching down to smooth the boy's hair. "Alright, alright. Let's go before you actually do."
Han Yan laughed quietly, falling into step behind him. ""Alright, alright. I suppose we've tortured you enough."we'd better hurry."
Dong Hai threw them a look over his shoulder one that was supposed to be stern but only made him look more like a sulking kitten he grumbled something about slow adults and tugged both of them toward the courtyard. Han Yan followed, a faint warmth blooming in his chest as the sound of Dong Hai's small feet echoed ahead of them.
The lantern's light swayed gently as the three of them stepped through the courtyard together, the faint smell of warm food drifting out to meet them like a quiet welcome home.
Inside, the faint glow of the oil lamp painted the small room in shades of gold and amber. The simple wooden table at the center was already set bowls of steaming rice and a pot of fish and mushroom soup, its rich aroma filling the air.
Han Yan paused for a moment at the doorway, taking it all in. The house looked tidier than when he had left the floor swept clean, the table wiped down, and even the old window cloths neatly folded to one side. The faint scent of dried herbs and wood smoke lingered in the air, blending with the aroma of food.
It wasn't much, but it felt… lived in. Warm, in a way that reached deeper than the fire's glow.
Dong Hai marched in first, his small frame looking unusually determined. He went straight for his spot at the table, sitting upright like he was imitating an adult. But the moment the scent of the soup hit him, his serious expression wavered his eyes lit up, and his stomach gave a small, traitorous growl.
Han Yan hid a smile as he closed the door behind them. "Someone's eager," he said softly.
"I'm not eager," Dong Hai said quickly, puffing out his cheeks. "I'm just… making sure the food doesn't get cold."
Han Yan chuckled, shaking his head. "Before you do that, both of you wash your hands first."
Dong Hai groaned dramatically. "But they're not even dirty!"
Han Yan crossed his arms, his tone calm but firm as he explained. "You can't always see the dirt, Dong Hai. We touch a lot of things outside dust, wood, even the coop gate. If you eat without washing your hands, you'll end up with a stomachache instead of a full belly."
Dong Hai blinked, lips pursing. "So washing my hands keeps the food happy in my stomach?"
Han Yan smiled faintly. "Exactly. Even your stomach likes clean hands."
Lin Xin blinked, a little surprised by how naturally Han Yan said it as if it was something he'd always known and cared about. Still, he didn't question it or he just tried to ignore it.
With a sigh that sounded far too grown-up for his age, Dong Hai trudged off to the water basin, muttering something about unfair rules. Lin Xin followed, quietly washing his hands beside him. When they returned, their sleeves slightly damp, Han Yan gestured toward the table.
"Now," he said, smiling faintly, "we can eat."
Dong Hai's eyes sparkled, all traces of his earlier sulk gone. "Finally!"
Lin Xin let out a soft laugh, shaking his head as he ladled the soup into bowls. "Of course. You're doing a very important job."
Dong Hai nodded proudly, though his gaze kept darting toward the pot. When Lin Xin placed a bowl in front of him, he whispered a quick "thank you," but the next moment, he was already scooping up rice and gulping down soup like a little whirlwind.
Han Yan took his seat beside Lin Xin, the warmth of the meal mingling with the faint tension that still lingered between them. For a while, only the sound of chopsticks and quiet slurping filled the room.
"Xin'er," Han Yan said after a moment, his voice softer now, "this is really good."
Han Yan smiled faintly, his tone warm. "The fish is tender, and the mushrooms are cooked just right. You didn't even need much to make it taste this good."
Lin Xin froze for a second, clearly not expecting such straightforward praise. "It's just fish and mushroom soup," he muttered quickly, turning his head away as if the words might hide his embarrassment.
But they didn't the faint red tint spreading across his cheeks gave him away. Even the tips of his ears turned pink as his lashes fluttered, eyes darting down to his bowl.
Han Yan's eyes curved slightly, his gaze softening. For some reason, watching Lin Xin like this flustered yet trying to act composed made his chest feel strangely light.
------