It was already Nan Yan's day off.
Two equally lazy individuals, one big and one small, lay sprawled on the sofa, pondering what to have for lunch.
Suddenly, Nan Yan felt a twinge of complaint and said to the little fairy who had nothing to do: "If only you could grow a bit bigger."
Jiang Yan, busily swiping through her tablet and selecting the little house she wanted, responded loudly: "What's wrong?"
Nan Yan had noticed her little habit: the more perfunctory she was, the louder she would answer, to mask her true attitude, just like at this moment.
He didn't mind though. His long legs stretched out beyond the carpet as he lazily played with his short hair, muttering to himself: "If you weren't so small, we could take turns washing dishes and cooking."
Some things are better left unheard.
Jiang Yan pretended not to hear and continued her grand house-hunting mission. Nan Yan had already promised her that next month's salary would go towards building her a little house.
One of those handmade dollhouses with bedrooms, kitchens, and furniture.
Because breakfast had been so late, lunch was delayed until 3 PM, and they ended up ordering takeout.
Jiang Yan watched longingly, so Nan Yan had to share a piece of hot cumin chicken with her before heading to the kitchen to fetch their usual utensils.
Jiang Yan would mostly eat while holding the food, only needing her custom-made tiny chopsticks and spoon for soup or dishes with sauce.
Nan Yan took them out of the chopstick holder, but before he could leave the kitchen, he suddenly heard a familiar voice: "You're back so soon? I bought you some clothes at lunchtime, try them on later."
It was his mother! And Jiang Yan was still eating on the table! Nan Yan felt a surge of panic.
He quickly walked out, just in time to see his mother turn her gaze to the table: "You're eating takeout again? Takeout can't guarantee hygiene, what if it's not prepared properly..."
Hadn't she noticed? Had Jiang Yan hidden? Nan Yan scanned under the table a few times, then walked over to look. Jiang Yan was still sitting comfortably in the bowl, even holding half a piece of uneaten chicken.
Nan's mother noticed her son's odd behavior and followed his gaze, discovering what looked like a little fairy doll. She couldn't help but scrutinize her son: "You're into these things?"
Nan Yan stiffly let out an "Ah."
As he was anxiously wondering how to respond, his mother continued: "Your elementary school cousin likes these things too. They're called figurines, right? Oh my, the craftsmanship is quite exquisite. Look at those tiny hands, each finger..."
Nan Yan's face remained stiff, but he couldn't help imagining: suddenly someone comes in, Jiang Yan is so startled she freezes, unable to leave, can only remain motionless pretending to be an ornament.
It was somehow both pitiful and amusing.
Nan's mother urged Nan Yan to eat, and when he tried to move Jiang Yan away, she stopped him: "What are you doing? Mom's not going to make fun of your little hobby. Look at you, before I came you even had it keeping you company while eating, and now that I'm here you want to take it away..."
Jiang Yan was still holding the chicken, not moving a muscle, playing her part very seriously.
Nan's mother had already eaten before coming, and besides, she was mindful of her figure management and wouldn't eat the dishes Nan Yan had ordered. She just watched Nan Yan eat.
Fearing Jiang Yan might get tired from holding still for too long, Nan Yan ate extremely quickly, put down his chopsticks, picked up his bowl, and managed to rescue Jiang Yan to the kitchen in the process.
Nan's mother left not long after. Nan Yan wasn't interested in inheriting the family business, and they didn't force him. This visit was just to see how he was really living.
It was just that they were convinced Nan Yan would eventually return. Such an enormous family fortune, they thought no one could resist the temptation.
Later, Nan Yan would prove their assumptions wrong through his own actions. Nan Yan told his parents that the son they had raised was simply a lazy bum who had no ambition for the empire they had built.