It was about 6 in the morning when Xiangling blearily blinked awake, the first rays of sunlight peeking through the curtains. She stretched with a soft yawn, her bare skin brushing against the cool sheets as she turned to look at her partner still sleeping soundly beside her. The warm glow of dawn painted the room in soft oranges and pinks, and the faint scent of jasmine from the nightstand flowers filled the air. Normally, she'd rouse them with a playful poke or a kiss, but today she decided to let them rest—mostly because she had plans of her own. With a quiet chuckle, she slipped out of bed, her feet hitting the cool wooden floor as she tiptoed toward the bathroom.

After a quick brush of her teeth and a splash of cold water on her face that made her shiver, Xiangling padded into the kitchen, already mentally running through breakfast options. The morning air felt cool against her skin as she moved to the stove, the soft clink of pans echoing in the quiet apartment. Sure, she could go wild—jueyun chili-flavored pancakes, flaming hot slime omelets—but she remembered her partner's teasing remarks about her "experimental tendencies." With an exaggerated pout, she settled on something simple (for them, at least). But for herself? Oh, she was absolutely frying up some eggs with slime condensate and a generous sprinkle of crushed chilies. The sizzle of the pan filled the quiet kitchen as she hummed to herself, hips swaying slightly to an imaginary tune as she worked.

An hour later, breakfast was ready—steaming bowls of congee and plates of perfectly cooked eggs releasing fragrant aromas that should have awakened even the deepest sleeper. Yet when Xiangling glanced at the clock, then back at the still-silent bedroom, she sighed. No sleepy mumbles, no shuffling footsteps—just peaceful, uninterrupted snoring. Was her partner trying to test her patience? Her stomach growled loudly in protest, but her curiosity won out in the end. Grinning mischievously, she wiped her hands on her apron and marched back to the bedroom.