Mona struggled in bed for a long time before she finally cracked her eyes open.
When she climbed out from under the covers, her whole body ached.
Ugh… she really just wanted to go back to sleep.
But she'd caused trouble yesterday by suddenly running out of Wanmin Restaurant, leaving Xiangling and Chef Mao buried under work.
She'd already promised Xiangling she'd make it up today and help out properly.
Rubbing her sore waist, Mona shuffled toward the door.
The moment she stepped into the main hall, she found herself staring straight into Keqing's eyes.
"Hello." Keqing greeted her calmly.
Mona puffed her cheeks. "Hi."
She tilted her head and asked, "You're here to see Kael, right?"
Keqing answered without hesitation. "Yes."
She now knew about Mona and Kael.
They'd be seeing each other often from now on. Keqing wanted to maintain a good relationship with her.
The problem was… Keqing hated socializing and wasn't good with words.
Two, maybe six hundred and ten, awkward seconds later, the conversation died completely. Neither said another word.
Thankfully, Xiangling appeared to rescue the atmosphere before the awkwardness collapsed the entire building.
Carrying a tray stacked with breakfast dishes, she beamed at them.
"Keqing, you came so early. You probably haven't eaten yet, right? Come eat with us!"
Mona's cheeks puffed again. "Where's mine?"
This traitor Xiangling. Mona had known her first. And now she was favoring someone else? Giving her the good stuff?
"Hmph. People who break their promises don't get breakfast."
"You—!"
Seeing Mona glaring at her, Xiangling stuck out her tongue and grinned.
"Kidding. Of course I made enough. Come eat."
Mona's reactions were too adorable. Xiangling, corrupted by Kael's influence, had developed a habit of teasing her whenever she could.
Chef Mao, Xiangling, Keqing, and Mona sat together in the hall, enjoying breakfast.
When Kael walked in, the first thing he saw was this peaceful scene.
The moment Keqing spotted him, her calm façade shattered. A soft blush swept up her cheeks.
She had been playing it cool just moments ago, but all that composure evaporated instantly.
The second she saw him, her mind spun out of control.
Does he think I'm being clingy?
He had said she was welcome anytime.
But showing up this early… didn't she look way too eager?
Kael didn't expect to see Keqing at Wanmin this early. He felt pleasantly surprised and smiled at her. "You're here."
His expression was natural. His tone warm.
Just like that, the tension in Keqing's chest melted.
She gave him a gentle smile. "Mm. I came to see you."
From the side, Mona saw the quiet warmth between them and felt a spike of irritation.
"Kael, sit next to me."
"Alright."
The moment he sat, Mona glued herself to his side.
Soft as water, she leaned against him and relentlessly filled his bowl.
"Kael, try this meatball."
"Kael, this Sweet Flower Stewed Apple is super sweet. Have some."
"Kael, Chef Mao's cooking is amazing. This one too. Eat."
She kept piling food into his bowl until it was overflowing.
Kael could see exactly what she was doing.
Putting on a show. Marking her territory. Making sure Keqing noticed.
He sighed. "Hey, it's going to spill. You should eat too. You don't have to keep serving me."
You never treat me like this on normal days.
Mona shot him a quiet glare.
Idiot.
This had nothing to do with food.
She was giving Keqing a warning.
I'm the senior here.
Keqing watched them interact, her gaze dimming a little.
The scene felt familiar, like it had happened countless times before.
But… why did it feel wrong?
Why did it feel like the one putting food in Kael's bowl should've been her?
Not Mona.
Suddenly, a pair of chopsticks came in from the other side.
Keqing, face perfectly calm, picked up a shrimp dumpling and placed it in Kael's bowl.
"I think this one's the best. Kael, you should try it."
Keqing hadn't become part of the Liyue Qixing just because of her noble birth.
She had always been someone who chased her goals with unwavering determination.
Decisive. Sharp. Unafraid.
That was how everyone described her. It was also how she handled everything in life.
Including love.
Now that she knew she liked Kael, she wasn't going to simply sit back.
She would fight for what she wanted.
Besides, something deep inside whispered,
Kael has always been mine.
She was simply reclaiming what belonged to her.
Kael popped the shrimp dumpling into his mouth and smiled. "Mm. It's really good."
Keqing remained expressionless, but something soft lit her eyes. Her whole presence warmed.
Xiangling watched in amazement.
She'd never seen Lady Keqing like this.
"Hmph. Then hurry up and eat the one I gave you!"
Mona ruthlessly cut between them again, glaring at Kael. "Eat!"
"Alright, alright. I'm eating."
By the end of breakfast, more than half the dishes had been transferred into Kael's bowl.
When they finished, Kael was so stuffed he could barely stand straight.
Xiangling walked over and whispered teasingly, "Brother, should I run to Bubu Pharmacy and get you digestion medicine?"
Before Kael could answer, she slapped her hands over her cheeks.
"No pinching!"
Her face was covered, but her twin braids were still hanging free.
Kael tugged one lightly. "Acting all tough when you're such a scaredy-cat?"
"Ahhh! Dad! Brother's trying to pull my hair off!"
Xiangling wailed dramatically to Chef Mao.
Chef Mao just chuckled. "Alright, enough messing around. Xiangling, come help prep. We're opening soon!"
"Okay!"
Xiangling dropped her exaggerated expression and shot off to the kitchen, sticking her tongue out at Kael on the way.
Kael turned to Chef Mao. "Dad, let me help out too."
"No need. You just got to Liyue, go explore a bit. There's plenty to see. Actually… Lady Keqing, why don't you take Kael out?"
He even winked at Kael, giving him a very knowing look.
He might be old, but he wasn't blind.
He'd seen every spark flying at the breakfast table.
Lady Keqing definitely liked Kael.
And that was normal. His son was wonderful. Of course many girls would chase him.
But compared to Mona… Chef Mao preferred Keqing.
Like Xiangling, he had a feeling.
Keqing and Kael belonged together. They were a perfect match.
He was more than happy to create opportunities for them.
Keqing answered immediately. "Yes. I'm free today. Let me take Kael out."