Lan Yuxi smiled at him, "What delicious food did you bring for me?"
"I made some soup dumplings for you," Nan Xiao's lips curved slightly. He placed the food box on the table, casually pushing aside the breakfast dishes, "I made them in a bit of a rush, try them and see if they taste like they used to."
Lan Yuxi quickly pulled the food box closer, "What you make is definitely delicious!"
"Little glutton!" Nan Xiao dotingly took her hand away, "They're still hot, be careful not to burn yourself. I'll get them for you."
Lan Yuxi gazed at the food box expectantly, waiting for him to feed her, "Did you eat yet?"
"Not yet, I was afraid you wouldn't like breakfast, so I wanted to eat with you," Nan Xiao took out a steamer of dumplings and placed them in front of her, "Eat slowly, don't burn yourself."
Lan Yuxi smiled and offered him chopsticks, "You eat too... and you guys, Brother Jiaqi, Sister Ting, let's eat together."
Luo Jiaqi glanced at the food Nan Xiao had pushed aside and said expressionlessly, "I've already eaten. You guys enjoy. I'm going to the lab to check on things."
Duan Ting saw him about to leave and quickly said, "I've eaten too. You guys enjoy yourselves."
Nan Xiao raised an eyebrow and watched the two of them leave, "Xi Bao, you eat first. I'm going to bring some to Sister Yun."
Lan Yuxi shook her head, "My mother can't eat greasy food these days."
Nan Xiao sat down, blew on a dumpling, and brought it to her lips, "Open wide."
"Ah—" Lan Yuxi bit into the dumpling, imitating Mu Mu.
Nan Xiao looked at her with amusement, "Do you still need to stay at the research institute today?"
"No, Jiaqi Ge and Ting Jie are here during the day. I'll come over in the evening."
Nan Xiao's hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly, "Is Sister Yun not doing well?"
"No, she's doing fine."
"She's fine, so why do you still need to stay here tonight?"
"To keep her company," Lan Yuxi said matter-of-factly. She was her mother, and Sister Zixin had returned to Norcas. If she didn't stay, who would?
Nan Xiao looked up at her, "Last night was a special situation, so it's fine that you stayed. Today, at least give your brother-in-law a chance. He didn't sleep all night yesterday, do you want him to have another sleepless night tonight?"
Lan Yuxi smiled and met his gaze, "My father had a sleepless night, what about you?"
Nan Xiao glared at her irritably, "I slept very well! Didn't even have a single dream!"
"Hahaha..." Lan Yuxi burst into laughter, "Look at you, acting like a disgruntled wife. You're going to kill me laughing!"
Nan Xiao raised his hand and pushed away her head as she leaned in, "You ungrateful little thing! Eat quickly, Mom and Dad and your brother-in-law will be here soon. When they arrive, I'll take you to the academy."
"Okay," Lan Yuxi suppressed her laughter and ate another small dumpling, "Did Chao Chao and Mu Mu not fuss last night?"
"They were better behaved than you!"
Lan Yuxi pouted, "Did you take the wrong medicine? You're picking on me first thing in the morning."
Nan Xiao looked innocent, "When did I pick on you?"
"Fine, you didn't pick on me, you're just a bit... unsatisfied."
A dumpling got stuck in Nan Xiao's throat. He drank several mouthfuls of egg drop soup before managing to swallow it, "Lan Yuxi, are you going to let me eat or not?"
Lan Yuxi smiled and patted his chest, "If you admit you're unsatisfied, I'll stop talking."
Nan Xiao looked at her with deep eyes, "I admit it, I'm unsatisfied. Do you need to compensate me?"
Nan Xiao said, looking around, "Luo Jiaqi's place is quite nice. He even has a lounge."
Lan Yuxi's chest trembled slightly as she patted his chest, and then she immediately moved away from him.
Nan Xiao's lips curved upwards, and he elegantly began eating his breakfast.
Lan Yuxi secretly cursed his ancestors before picking up her chopsticks again.
After they finished breakfast, they left the research institute once Lan Jinsong and the others arrived.
In the laboratory on the third floor, Luo Jiaqi stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the departing Rolls-Royce. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Duan Ting shifted her gaze from the microscope and secretly glanced at him.
"Director Luo, you didn't sleep all night. Why don't you go rest for a bit? I'll keep an eye on things here."
Luo Jiaqi adjusted his glasses, "No need. My eyes will be fine after a short rest."
Duan Ting's eyes dimmed. She walked over, "You're so good to Yuxi, doesn't Wanqi get jealous?"
Luo Jiaqi gave her a indifferent glance and strode back to his workbench.
Duan Ting felt a sharp pain in her chest from his gaze. With red eyes, she looked out the window.
Luo Jiaqi didn't intend to let her off. He said in a deep voice, "Yuxi's medication is nearing completion. I'll handle the remaining work. You can return to your lab and continue your research."
Duan Ting clutched her aching chest and after a long moment, managed to utter a "Okay."
Luo Jiaqi's eyes, hidden behind his glasses, darkened. In truth, Duan Ting was a good girl, and he shouldn't have taken his anger out on her. But every time he saw Nan Xiao and Lan Yuxi being affectionate, he couldn't control himself.
He truly admired George. At that time, he was chasing Yuxi more enthusiastically than anyone else, yet he was able to turn around and marry Wanqi, and they were living well together.
Duan Ting quickly composed herself, tidied her belongings, and left. Throughout the entire process, she hadn't said a word to him.
Luo Jiaqi felt a pang of unease. After she left, he picked up his phone and dialed.
At noon, Luo Jiaqi drove to a Western restaurant.
George smiled and raised his hand slightly when he saw him arrive.
Luo Jiaqi, his face like a dark storm, walked over, "Have you ordered yet?"
George looked at him suspiciously, "What's wrong? Who upset you?"
Luo Jiaqi glanced at the tablet used for ordering, "Order something Wanqi likes."
George's lips twitched, "You don't need to torture your own taste buds to test me. Wanqi either likes sweet or spicy, neither of which you enjoy.
Luo Jiaqi raised an eyebrow, "You've grasped Wanqi's preferences that quickly?"
George's lips curved slightly, "Time is not an issue, as long as you put in the effort. I've ordered your meal. I tried calling you, but you didn't answer, so I specifically asked Wanqi."
"Thank you," Luo Jiaqi paused for a moment and looked up at him, "I have a question I'd like to ask you, but I don't know how to start."
"A woman's matter? Specifically, Duan Ting's issue?"
Luo Jiaqi clenched his fists, and after a long pause, shook his head, "No. I want to ask you, how did you manage to let go of Yuxi so quickly?"
"Who says I've let her go? She's right here!" George thumped his chest forcefully.
Luo Jiaqi's face instantly darkened, "If you can't let go of Yuxi, it's unfair to Wanqi!"
George chuckled, "If you knew I still had Wanqi, you wouldn't say that."
Luo Jiaqi scoffed, "I didn't expect you to be so broad-minded!"