Xinyan awoke to the aroma.
When she finished freshening up and came out, Han Jingchen and He Jinxuan were already waiting there.
Xinyan greeted them with a smile, "Morning."
Han Jingchen looked at his daughter and teased with a smile, "It’s still early, the sun’s already shining on your butt."
Xinyan chuckled as she sat next to him, "Then why didn’t you wake me up?"
Han Jingchen’s eyes were full of affection, "I wanted you to sleep a bit more; you probably slept late last night."
At this moment, He Jinxuan promptly handed over a cup of honey water, "Drink some water."
Xinyan took the water, "Thanks."
She took a sip, "Honey water?"
He Jinxuan nodded gently, "Yes, worried you might not be used to the new place."
After that, Xinyan watched the two begin their childish antics again and took a big sip of honey water, "Do you two find this amusing?"
Han Jingchen pretended not to understand, "Yanyan, after breakfast, Dad will take you to see the place near the school; those craftsmen are still working these days. If you find anything unsatisfactory, just let them know."
Xinyan nodded, "Alright."
She understood her dad’s point—better to check it out first, so they won’t have to redo anything after renovations are complete.
At this moment, Sister Chen walked in, "Mr. Han, the meal is ready."
Han Jingchen nodded, "Let’s eat."
As they headed to the dining area, he introduced, "Sister Chen, this is my daughter, Han Xinyan."
He then said to Xinyan, "This is Aunt Chen I mentioned last night."
Xinyan nodded to Sister Chen, "Hello, Auntie."
Sister Chen and her husband were always grateful to Han Jingchen; without the monthly fifteen-yuan salary from him, they hardly knew how they would manage. Seeing Xinyan greet her, she replied, "Oh, hello, hello, miss."
Xinyan felt a bit awkward and said with a smile, "Aunt Chen, we’re like family, no need to be so formal. You can call me Xinyan or Yanyan."
Sister Chen felt that the miss who had just returned was just as approachable as Mr. Han, "Oh, okay."
Breakfast was plentiful, including porridge, soy milk, fried dough sticks, buns, and chive pockets, though the portions weren’t large.
Han Jingchen pointed to the chive pockets, "Try them, they really taste great."
Sister Chen asked, "Xinyan, would you prefer porridge or soy milk?"
Xinyan replied with a smile, "Aunt Chen, I’ll have soy milk; I can serve myself."
She wasn’t familiar with the practices here, so didn’t say anything about sitting down to eat together, smiling as she took the spoon from Sister Chen. "Dad, did Aunt Chen make all these?"
Thinking this seemed a bit too laborious.
Han Jingchen passed over a fried dough stick, "The dough sticks are store-bought, but Aunt Chen made the buns and chive pockets. You should try them."
After serving her own portion, Xinyan casually served a bowl of porridge for Jinxuan.
Because Sister Chen knew Han Jingchen and Su Jingsong’s preferences, she served them porridge, leaving only the bowls in front of Xinyan and Jinxuan empty at the table.
Sister Chen intended to ask Xinyan first and then Jinxuan, but unexpectedly, as Xinyan took the spoon, she turned to the kitchen to prepare to bring out boiled eggs.
Yet, Xinyan’s gesture of serving porridge to Jinxuan annoyed Han Jingchen, who switched the two bowls of porridge, staring displeased at his own bowl and then at the one served to Jinxuan.
Jinxuan dared to be angry but not speak up, especially while being in someone else’s domain, and could only watch helplessly as the porridge was switched.
Su Jingsong held back laughter; he truly couldn’t fathom how the mighty commander of their family could act like a child?
This action amused Xinyan but also made her feel a slight pang, "Alright, when you’ve finished yours, I’ll serve you more."
After saying this, her eyes unexpectedly grew moist. She lowered her gaze to take a sip of soy milk, hoping they wouldn’t notice.
Han Jingchen was preoccupied with his display to Jinxuan and didn’t notice his daughter’s unusual state, but Jinxuan, who was always attentive to Xinyan, noticed it. He probably understood why Xinyan felt this way and decided he wouldn’t vie for the future father-in-law’s attention any more.
Sister Chen’s culinary skills were indeed impressive; both the buns and chive pockets were genuinely delicious.
Earning this position wasn’t solely due to Han Jingchen’s kindness; it clearly also depended on genuine talent and heartfelt sincerity.
After the meal, Han Jingchen said, "Let’s go and check the house, see what it needs, and I’ll take you shopping to pick out what you like."
At this time, even in the city, cars weren’t commonly seen, so there was no traffic, and they arrived at the place quickly.
On the way there, Han Jingchen made sure to point out the school’s location to Xinyan, "The house is really close to the school, and unlike crowded yards, it’s a single gate per household. There’s a police station right at the end of the alley, so it’s safer to live here."