Madam, Please Behave

Chapter 116: Adorable Children

Morning.

After returning from their exercise, Liu Changqing headed to take a shower.

Once Feng Qian’s company moved out in a few days, Liu Changqing figured he wouldn’t have as much free time to return home in the evenings.

Unlike in his past life with Pokémon, where he started with the black-and-white version, this time, Liu Changqing went straight to crafting a story centered on the protagonist Red, set in the Kanto region.

The graphics were more in line with current market trends, offering more polished gameplay compared to earlier generations.

Emerging from the bathroom, Liu Changqing had already dried his hair with a blow dryer.

As he prepared to head downstairs, he heard Lan Yixian’s voice calling out.

“Wait a moment.”

Stopping in his tracks, he turned to her.

After setting a bowl of porridge on the table, Lan Yixian walked quickly to him, a faint smile on her face.

“Have some breakfast before going to the office.”

“…”

Liu Changqing didn’t immediately respond. He glanced at her smiling face, then at the breakfast spread on the table.

After a brief moment of thought, he nodded and returned to the living room. Pulling out a chair, he sat at the table.

The meal consisted of a bowl of porridge, a boiled egg, and two steamed buns.

Seeing this combination, Liu Changqing was a bit surprised. He turned to Lan Yixian and asked, “When did you make the buns?”

“Yesterday.”

“I thought we were low on meat?”

“I used vermicelli and bean sprouts to make vegetarian buns. Don’t like vegetarian?”

Liu Changqing froze momentarily before looking at her.

Her expression showed a hint of worry, as if she feared he wouldn’t like them.

Shaking his head, he replied, “Actually, I prefer vegetarian buns over meat ones. Honestly, aside from the meat buns from your family’s shop, I never buy meat buns elsewhere.”

“Our family always used fresh ingredients!” Lan Yixian quickly added.

Her words made Liu Changqing chuckle.

“Of course I know that. I’ve seen how clean you kept your shop whenever I went to pour myself soy milk. And your buns were always great—big, soft, and with plenty of filling.”

“Every morning, I’d go to the meat stall to get fresh supplies.”

“Impressive… They were really comforting to eat.”

With that, Liu Changqing took a spoonful of porridge.

Seeing him eat, Lan Yixian asked softly, “I didn’t add sugar—okay for you?”

“That’s perfect. Porridge tastes best plain,” Liu Changqing replied with a smile.

But suddenly, his smile faded as a thought crossed his mind.

An Yuanyao always liked sugar in her porridge…

Blowing on another spoonful, he muttered, “Though… adding sugar might not be so bad either.”

Lan Yixian was momentarily taken aback. Just a moment ago, he was against it, and now he was entertaining the idea. She found his thoughts hard to follow.

After some thought, she asked, “Want me to add some sugar for you?”

“No need. This is fine,” Liu Changqing replied, smiling as he picked up one of the buns.

Standing nearby, Lan Yixian smiled and said softly, “Last time, you mentioned liking spicy food, so I made some with a spicy filling just for you.”

Liu Changqing paused, glancing at the bun in his hand, then at her. Without saying a word, he took a bite.

The flavor burst in his mouth, rich and satisfying.

One word summed it up: delicious.

His eyes lit up, and he chewed faster and faster until he swallowed.

“These buns are amazing!”

Lan Yixian laughed. “Two enough? I can get more if you want.”

“Two’s plenty. No need to overeat in the morning. But I have to say, these buns are really good.”

“As long as you like them,” she replied, standing by with a smile.

As Liu Changqing neared the end of his meal, the three children came to the table.

Peeling a boiled egg, Liu Changqing seemed to remember something and addressed Zhou Shiyan, who was also peeling an egg.

“Shiyan, could I ask you for a favor?”

His words made everyone at the table pause and look at him.

A flicker of surprise crossed Zhou Shiyan’s eyes, but she nodded.

“Of course.”

Encouraged by her response, Liu Changqing continued, “My daughter struggles a bit with her studies. You helped my son with tutoring before, and it worked well. If you’re done with your own homework, could you help her too?”

After some thought, Zhou Shiyan nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Liu Changqing smiled, quickly finished his boiled egg, and headed for the door.

“I’ll be back tonight. Don’t wait for me at noon,” he said, putting on his shoes.

Lan Yixian hurried over to ask, “What time will you be back?”

“Not sure—maybe early, maybe late. Don’t worry. You all go to bed as usual. I’ve got a key.”

Shoes on, he opened the door and stepped out.

“Drive safely!” Lan Yixian called out.

“Got it,” he replied as the door closed behind him.

Lan Yixian stood by the door, listening to his fading footsteps until they disappeared. Then, she returned to the table, sat down, and sipped her porridge in small spoonfuls.

Liu Zhiyue bit into a bun, his eyes observing Lan Yixian as if lost in thought.

Beside him, Liu Xiazhi sat in a daze, her mouth slightly open as though her soul had left her body.

She had been in this state since Liu Changqing asked Zhou Shiyan to tutor her.

Finally, Liu Xiazhi snapped out of it.

She put down her bun and grabbed her brother’s arm, her face full of reluctance.

“I don’t want tutoring!”

Her outburst startled everyone at the table, who turned to look at her in unison.

Liu Zhiyue froze momentarily before prying her hand off his arm, his face stern.

“Stop fussing. Dad arranged this so you’d stop playing on your handheld console all day. Have you even done two pages of your summer homework?”

“I…”

“Eat your breakfast and start working right after.”

“Ugh!”

Pouting, Liu Xiazhi’s face was full of frustration as she fiercely bit into her bun, pretending to be angry.

Watching this, Lan Yixian couldn’t help but smile.

What an adorable little girl.

Then she glanced at Liu Zhiyue, who managed to keep Liu Xiazhi in line.

He really takes after his father, she thought.

Scooping another spoonful of porridge into her mouth, Lan Yixian’s gaze lingered on the sibling duo across the table.

These two kids… they’re truly delightful.