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Dong Hai closed his eyes and sighed happily. "It's so warm," he murmured, the contentment in his voice almost sleepy.
Lin Xin swallowed his mouthful slowly, gaze lingering on the bowl. "It's… much better than what I made yesterday," he said quietly, his tone awkward but sincere. "I didn't know you could cook."
Han Yan looked up, his eyes curving with a smile. "There are many things you don't know about me."
Lin Xin blinked, momentarily caught off guard, then huffed softly and lowered his gaze again not wanting to ask further but the faint smile tugging at his lips didn't fade.
Han Yan watched them both quietly. Outside, sunlight spilled across the courtyard. Smoke from the hearth twined lazily into the blue morning sky. Inside, laughter light, fleeting rippled through the calm, and for a moment, everything felt whole.
"Now go freshen up before you eat any more," he told them as he covered the pot of porridge.
Dong Hai's shoulders drooped instantly. "But I'm still hungry," he muttered, trying to sound serious and grown-up, though his small voice betrayed him. He crossed his arms, chin tilted up as if to prove his point only for his stomach to grumble at the worst possible time.
Han Yan tried to maintain his serious expression as his lips twitched.
"That's because I only gave you a little to taste," he said mildly. "You'll get your proper share once you've washed up."
Dong Hai frowned, looking betrayed. "Just a taste? That wasn't even half a bowl!"
Han Yan arched an eyebrow, amused by the indignation. "It's called restraint," he replied.
"You've just woken up your body's still half asleep, your stomach too. Eating too much before washing up isn't good for you. You need to rinse the sleep from your eyes, wake yourself properly. Then the food will taste better and sit easier."
His words carried a calm, matter-of-fact tone patient and steady, the kind of reasoning that slipped easily into the quiet rhythm of the morning.
Dong Hai blinked up at him, trying to decide if this was one of those adult tricks meant to sound wise but really just delayed food. "So… if I wash up, the porridge will taste better?" he asked suspiciously.
Han Yan's lips curved. "Exactly."
Lin Xin stood quietly at the side, watching him with lowered eyes.
With a resigned sigh, Dong Hai finally shuffled toward the doorway, muttering something. Lin Xin followed after him, his steps light and unhurried.
The two disappeared down the corridor, their voices blending with the soft morning sounds leaving behind the lingering warmth of porridge and sunlight in the kitchen.
After washing up, they gathered once more around the little table. The dried fish and shrimp porridge was still warm in the pot, the glutinous rice glistening softly beneath the steam. When Han Yan lifted the lid, the delicate fragrance of rice rose with the warmth rich yet clean, carrying a faint trace of the sea from the dried fish and shrimp.
He stirred it once more before ladling it into bowls. The porridge was thick and smooth, each grain melting into the next, forming a glossy, creamy texture that clung lightly to the spoon.
This time, neither of them needed to be told twice. Dong Hai, who had already praised it earlier, ate eagerly in silence, his small hands gripping the bowl like it might vanish at any moment. Lin Xin was quieter, his movements steady and careful, but you could notice his chopsticks moving slightly fast savoring each mouthful.
The flavor was simple yet deeply comforting. The dried fish's savor brought out the faint sweetness of the shrimp, blending perfectly with the tender rice. It was the kind of taste that lingered gently, wrapping around them like morning light filtering through the window.
Before long, not a trace remained. Even little Dong Hai, who prided himself on eating "like an adult," sat with his small stomach round with content, rubbing it with a sigh of satisfaction. Lin Xin exhaled softly as well, though a touch of porridge still clung to his cheek.
Han Yan chuckled and leaned forward, wiping it away with the edge of his thumb.
Lin Xin blinked, caught off guard. For a heartbeat, he looked up at Han Yan, then quickly lowered his head, the tips of his ears flushing crimson. Han Yan only smiled, quiet amusement in his eyes before he began gathering the bowls.
Dong Hai and Lin Xin quickly moved to help out, he raised a hand to stop them. "Rest a bit," he said calmly. "I'll handle this."
Dong Hai gladly slumped back into his seat, already half-dozing in contentment. But Lin Xin hesitated, then rose anyway.
"…I'll help," he murmured.
Han Yan paused, then nodded slightly. "Alright."
Side by side, they carried the dishes to the small, cracked kitchen. The few bowls and chopsticks rattled softly against one another as they set them down. Water from the clay jar was scarce, and the basin held barely enough to rinse the dishes.
Han Yan scrubbed at them with a rough cloth, while Lin Xin carefully poured water from the jar, mindful not to waste a drop. Steam rose faintly in the cool morning air, carrying the earthy scent of wet clay and smoke.
When the last dish was rinsed, Han Yan wiped his hands on a frayed piece of cloth and spoke in his usual calm voice.
"I'll be meeting Wei Jun today," he said lightly. "I plan to ask him where I can get a new bow. You still remember what we discussed last night, right?".
Lin Xin gave a small nod, his expression steady he didn't say anything to stop Han Yan from going again.
"After that," Han Yan added thoughtfully, "I'll head to the mountain. I'll come back once I find some fruits... and maybe a few flowers, if I'm lucky."
Lin Xin's eyes lifted for a moment, curiosity flickering across his features he wanted to ask why but decided to say nothing. Han Yan smiled faintly but said nothing either.
The truth was, it was the flowers he was thinking of more. He remembered the original Han Yan this body he now occupied once spotting a cluster of blossoms deep in the mountain.
Flowers were far rarer than fruits; villagers seldom found them, and even when they did by chance, they were usually sold at market rather than kept. Yet if he could find even a few, he could bring them back to quietly surprise Lin Xin and if he was also lucky to find some seeds it would be a nice splash of color in their little courtyard.
In some parts of Yongning Kingdom, mountain fruits weren't exactly rare, yet most villagers gathered them to sell at the market rather than eat them. The sweet-sour hawthorns, the crisp green pears, and the small golden apricots could fetch a few extra coins if sold fresh.
Families like theirs seldom kept any; it was better to trade for salt, oil, or cloth than indulge in something that vanished in a bite or two. Still, Han Yan thought it wouldn't hurt to bring a few back for them to eat and something to make Lin Xin smile.
He turned back to Lin Xin, voice light.
"It won't be long," he said. "If the firewood runs low, use the bundle behind the shed. I'll bring more when I return."
Lin Xin gave a faint hum of acknowledgment, and the two lingered in a brief silence, the morning sun climbing higher across the worn courtyard.
Han Yan's mind drifted to the hidden mountain paths where the flowers might bloom. A small smile tugged at his lips. Perhaps he could turn a simple, unheard-of gesture into something that would catch Lin Xin by surprise.
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