Not long after Lu Hongze resumed his well-behaved sitting posture, light and familiar footsteps came from outside the door, along with the faint sound of a key being inserted into the lock. He immediately relaxed his body, letting his eyes once again be tinged with a bit of dependence and expectation as he looked toward the door.
Amber pushed open the door, his face flushed with the healthy glow of exercise. The vegetable basket in his hand was no longer empty, but filled with various ingredients, and there was even a long loaf of bread wrapped in oil paper, emitting an enticing aroma. Seeing that Lu Hongze was still sitting quietly in the same spot, as if his posture hadn't changed at all, he clearly breathed a sigh of relief, his smile becoming even more brilliant.
"I'm back! Look what I got!" He was high-spirited as he showed off the items in the basket; though he knew he wouldn't understand, he couldn't help but share this joy of returning with a full load. There were fresh vegetables, a few eggs, a piece of meat that looked decent, and that mouth-watering loaf of bread.
Lu Hongze cooperatively showed an expression of curiosity and a hint of surprise. His gaze fell on the food, then he looked up and gave Amber a grateful smile. This smile was a bit more sincere than the previous ones, because food was indeed his most practical need at the moment.
Encouraged, Amber was full of energy.
"You just wait there! I'll make us a proper dinner!" He carried the basket and walked quickly into the kitchen, starting to get busy.
This time, what came from the kitchen was no longer the rustling of searching, but the rhythmic sound of chopping vegetables, the sizzling of oil meeting heat, and the crisp clatter of the spatula hitting the pan. The aroma of food gradually spread, dispelling the last trace of desolation in the room.
Lu Hongze remained on the sofa, not going to investigate further. He knew when to stop. Listening to the lively sounds from the kitchen and smelling the increasingly rich aroma of food, his long-tensed nerves actually found a rare moment of relaxation in this warm, everyday atmosphere.
Before long, Amber came out carrying a large tray, his face wearing a bit of pride and anticipation. On the tray were two simple dishes and a soup: golden-fried steaks, a steaming vegetable medley, a thick soup, and sliced bread.
"It's not much, but it should fill us up!" He placed the tray on the coffee table, signaling that Lu Hongze could start eating.
Looking at the steaming and what could be called a feast (by his current standards) before him.
Lu Hongze was silent for a moment. Then, he looked up and gazed at Amber very seriously, saying clearly and slowly in the language of his own world, "Thank you."
Amber was stunned for a moment; although he couldn't understand, he could feel the solemnity contained in that word. He scratched his head and gave a somewhat embarrassed yet very happy smile.
This incident caused the atmosphere between the two to instantly relax quite a bit.
He picked up the bread and took a careful bite. The taste was soft and sweet.
Amber sat opposite him, eating his own portion as well, occasionally stealing a glance at him. Seeing him eating heartily, his heart felt filled with something, more satisfied than if he had eaten the delicacies himself.
This dinner proceeded in a silent yet strangely harmonious manner. For Amber, it was the joy of caring and being needed; for Lu Hongze, it was a precious breather after the survival crisis had temporarily subsided, and... a faint, imperceptible trace of complex emotion deep within toward this overly pure kindness.
He knew he had to grow up as quickly as possible and understand the rules of this world. But until then, this Damselette who had lit the hearth and prepared dinner was the only light he could see in the darkness. And he had to ensure that this light would not be extinguished because of him; he had to play his character well.
The dinner ended in a strange tranquility. Lu Hongze didn't eat much, but he tasted every item carefully. His refined movements were somewhat out of place in this small house full of the breath of life, yet strangely did not seem discordant. Watching him sip the soup in small mouthfuls, Amber felt warm inside, seeing the food he prepared being so cherished.
After finishing, Lu Hongze did not continue to sit quietly as Amber had expected. He stood up and took the initiative to reach out and clear the empty plates and utensils. His movements were a bit unfamiliar, even carrying a hint of caution as if he were afraid of breaking something, but his intention was clear—he wanted to help.
Amber was startled and hurriedly waved his hands, "Oh, no, no! You don't have to do that! You should rest!"
But Lu Hongze just looked up, gazing at him with those clear and somewhat stubborn eyes, and gently shook his head, while his hands did not stop clearing. He pointed to the dining table, then to the kitchen, and then looked at Amber with an inquiring gaze.
Looking at the persistence on his pale face, Amber suddenly found himself unable to say the words of refusal. His heart softened completely, thinking to himself.
"Does he feel bad about staying and eating for free?"
"Alright." He compromised, smiling as he pointed to the kitchen sink. "But let me wash them. You can... put them here."
Lu Hongze understood his meaning.
He didn't persist further, but obediently took the cleared dishes to the kitchen and placed them neatly by the sink. Then he stood quietly to the side, watching Amber roll up his sleeves and begin washing. He didn't leave or disturb him, just stayed there quietly, as if this could make him feel less lonely, or rather, using this way to express his silent gratitude and integration.
While washing the dishes, Amber caught a glimpse of the youth's figure leaning quietly against the doorframe out of the corner of his eye. The warm light of the kitchen outlined the soft profile of his face, his long eyelashes drooping, casting a small shadow under his eyes. An indescribable feeling of warmth and fulfillment filled his chest. The feeling of having another person in the house... didn't seem bad.
It felt like an old married couple... Thinking about it, Amber's face turned red.
After washing the dishes, Amber dried his hands and noticed the unmistakable exhaustion on Lu Hongze's face, only then realizing it was late and he also needed to rest. He led him to the guest room he had shown him earlier.
The room was indeed not large, with only a simple bed, a wardrobe, and a chair, but it was kept very clean, and the sheets smelled like they had been dried in the sun.
"This will be your room."
Amber helped him light the oil lamp on the table, the soft glow dispelling the darkness in the corners. "If you need anything... well, I'm right next door."
Lu Hongze stood in the center of the room, looking around at this temporary shelter that belonged to him. Then, he turned to Amber and once again said softly in the language of his side: "Thank you. Goodnight."
Although Amber still couldn't understand, he could roughly guess the tone of "Goodnight." He returned a warm smile, "Goodnight." He pronounced his name somewhat awkwardly.
Closing the door, Amber leaned against the door panel, listening to the faint sounds from inside that seemed to be him preparing to rest. A satisfied yet somewhat dazed smile appeared on his face. Everything that happened today was so surreal, but he didn't regret it.
Inside the room, Lu Hongze did not lie down immediately. He stood by the window, looking out at the sleeping city of Mondstadt by the moonlight and the faint light emitted by the statue of the anemo archon. The gentleness on his face faded, leaving only calmness.
Play the role of a grateful, quiet, and harmless dependent.
This was the mask he had to wear firmly before finding a way out. He looked back at the clean, soft bed and walked over. At least for tonight, he could temporarily let down some of his guard and get a precious night's sleep.
On the other side, Amber returned to his room and lay on the bed, but found it a bit hard to fall asleep. His mind was full of the youth's eyes, which were sometimes terrified, sometimes vacant, and sometimes filled with gratitude. He rolled over and hugged the quilt tightly, secretly making up his mind to protect him well, or at least, help him find a place to stand here.
As the night deepened, in the small house with the orange-red roof, two people with their own thoughts welcomed their different dreams in this otherworldly night.