Seeing her continued silence, Feng Yi's heart sank.

"I was wrong. I won't do this again." His voice was thick with emotion, his head hung low. Carrying the grocery bags, he looked utterly dejected.

She could see in his eyes that he was genuinely apologetic, cautious and anxious, terrified of upsetting her.

For a moment, Qiao Li even saw a reflection of her own past vulnerability in his uneasy gaze.

Her expression dazed, she shook her head, dispelling the intrusive thoughts. "Wait… what are you doing? Why are you apologizing?"

Feng Yi's ears perked up, and he looked up hopefully. "You're not angry?"

Qiao Li opened the door wider, letting him in. "Why would I be angry?"

Feng Yi was instantly revived. "That's good, that's good." He carried the groceries inside, changed his shoes, and rushed into the kitchen, as if afraid Qiao Li would change her mind and kick him out.

"What do you want for breakfast?" The sound of washing vegetables came from the kitchen.

Qiao Li's just-woken mind was still struggling to catch up. Was this really happening? Was she getting old? She couldn't keep up with the younger generation's pace.

"...Anything." She walked to the kitchen, watching Feng Yi bustling around. "You can cook?"

Feng Yi chopped vegetables as he replied, "My parents are always busy with their business, so I learned to cook for myself."

A simple breakfast was quickly prepared, and after they ate, Feng Yi diligently started clearing the dishes.

Qiao Li tried to stop him from washing up alone, but Feng Yi insisted on joining her.

He'd seen newlywed couples washing dishes together in soap operas as a child, so he wouldn't miss this opportunity. He excitedly squeezed in at the sink with a plate, and promptly splashed soapy water all over both of them.

Qiao Li, who had been in a daze all morning, finally snapped awake. Feng Yi trembled, pulled to the kitchen doorway by Qiao Li. "Stay there."

Feng Yi stood still.

Qiao Li quickly finished washing the dishes, turned around, and saw Feng Yi standing exactly where she'd left him, completely motionless.

Seeing his shirt soaked, Qiao Li sighed. "Take it off."

Feng Yi froze, then visibly blushed. He mumbled, "I-Isn't that inappropriate? In broad daylight, in the kitchen…"

Qiao Li gritted her teeth. "What are you thinking?!"

Feng Yi realized his mistake and sighed in disappointment, taking off his shirt.

"Now that you've been soaked for ages, you can finally take it off." Qiao Li took the shirt and walked to the bathroom. "Just stay like that."

After tossing the shirt into the washing machine, Qiao Li took off her nightgown and threw it in as well. Turning to go to her bedroom for a fresh one, she saw Feng Yi standing stiffly at the bathroom door, suddenly with two streams of blood flowing from his nose.

He instinctively raised his hand to wipe it, smearing blood across the back of his hand. 

“....”

Feng Yi instantly panicked. This was so, so, so embarrassing!

He lifted his head and bolted, but Qiao Li immediately grabbed him and pushed him down onto the toilet.

"Don't tilt your head back." She moved Feng Yi's hand aside, pinching the bridge of his nose to prevent him from choking on the blood, while her other hand splashed cold water on his forehead.

Looking down, Feng Yi saw the two mounds encased in her bra. Dizzy, he stammered, "Q-Qiao Li, I can't… I can't hold back… like this…"

"Shut up!"

Feng Yi, lightheaded, tried to avert his gaze. He abruptly stood up from the toilet. Qiao Li, bent over, was hit squarely on the chin. Feng Yi, startled by her cry of pain, immediately crouched down. Her hand was still cupping water, her eyes filled with involuntary tears from the pain, blurring her vision. Pulled by Feng Yi's movement, she lost her balance and fell forward onto her knees.

Her knee collided directly with the toilet lid. A pained yell echoed through the bathroom. 

"Ow!" Feng Yi, clutching his groin, crumpled to the floor in agony.