My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

When Chen Mo opened his eyes, it was already broad daylight.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting a golden dappled pattern on the sheets.

He blinked, and subconsciously reached out to touch his side—

He turned his head to the side; the seat next to him was empty, but it still had a slight indentation and lingering warmth.

Two long, dark strands of hair lay on the pillow, gleaming softly in the sunlight.

He smiled, reached out and picked up the two strands of hair, looked at them for a moment, and then gently put them back.

Faint noises came from the kitchen—the clattering of pots and pans, and hushed voices.

"...Sister, should we add salt to this?"

"They let them go."

"What about this one?"

"They let them go too."

"Then this—"

"Sizi, why don't you go outside and wait? Your older sister will be done soon."

"But my sister said last time that it would be ready soon, but I waited for ages and I got really hungry..."

Chen Mo smiled.

I put on my clothes, slipped on my slippers, and sauntered toward the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Li Lizhi, wearing that familiar apron, was busy at the stove.

The porridge in the pot was bubbling and steaming, and some ingredients were being chopped on the cutting board.

She was so flustered that she didn't even bother to fix a strand of hair that had fallen down her head.

Little Sizi was the first to spot him, and her eyes lit up.

"Brother-in-law!"

Li Lizhi turned around, her face slightly flushed.

"woke up?"

Chen Mo leaned against the door frame, looking at her, his eyes crinkling with laughter.

"Hmm. Good morning, honey."

Li Lizhi's face turned even redder.

She lowered her head and continued chopping vegetables, muttering to herself.

"Who...who is your wife..."

"You."

Chen Mo walked over, gently wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, rested his chin on her shoulder, and looked at the ingredients on the cutting board.

"What are you cutting? Let me see—"

His smile froze.

On the cutting board were a pile of blocks of varying sizes and shapes.

It took him a long time to recognize that it was a potato.

Li Lizhi noticed his silence and whispered.

"I...I want to try making your favorite shredded potatoes..."

Chen Mo lowered his head and kissed her cheek.

"My wife is so virtuous."

Li Lizhi's face turned even redder.

Little Sizi stood on tiptoe, covered his eyes, but peeked through his fingers while muttering to himself.

"Sizi didn't see anything... didn't see anything..."

Chen Mo laughed out loud, released Li Lizhi, and picked up the little girl in his arms.

"Little girl, you've learned to peek?"

Little Sizi wrapped her arms around his neck and giggled.

"My brother-in-law kisses my sister every day, and Sizi has seen it all!"

Li Lizhi turned away in embarrassment, pretending to be serving porridge.

Chen Mo pinched Xiao Sizi's nose.

"You talk too much. Go watch some TV for a bit, it'll be over soon."

"good!"

Sizi was put down and ran to the door.

"Brother-in-law and sister, you two mustn't do anything naughty while Sizi's not around!"

"Go watch your TV!"

Li Lizhi blushed and scolded him playfully.

Little Si chuckled and trotted away.

"That girl, Riko! I don't know what she's looking at!"

Seeing Si Zi leave, Li Lizhi couldn't help but complain.

"I bet it was my older brother who taught me! I'll tell Dad about it later!"

"Perhaps she saw it herself..."

Li Lizhi pondered for a moment.

"You're right, we can't let her play with the phone all day long anymore!"

After saying that, he prepared to continue slicing, but no matter how he tried, he couldn't cut it well.

Am I stupid?

Looking at her masterpiece, Li Lizhi couldn't help but ask.

Chen Mo looked at the pile of "potato chunks," then at her serious profile, and suddenly smiled.

"It's alright," he kissed her cheek, "potato chunks are fine too. We'll have stewed beef with potatoes today."

Li Lizhi lowered her head, the tips of her ears turning red.

"...Don't spoil me."

"I won't spoil you." Chen Mo took the knife from her hand and gently pushed her aside. "Here, I'll cut it. You watch and learn."

Li Lizhi stood aside, watching him skillfully chop vegetables. With each stroke of the knife, the potato shreds fell evenly onto the cutting board, as neat as if they had been measured with a ruler.

She suddenly said.

"It's so kind of you."

Chen Mo paused for a moment, but didn't turn his head.

"Just realized?"

Li Lizhi didn't say anything, but walked over and gently hugged him from behind.

Chen Mo smiled.

Finally, after a busy morning...

Chen Mo, wearing an apron, was bringing the last dish out of the kitchen.

Sweet and sour pork ribs, steamed sea bass, garlic-flavored greens, and a pot of steaming winter melon and pork rib soup.

Li Lizhi followed behind him, carrying a bowl and chopsticks in her hands. Xiao Sizi stood on tiptoe, trying to reach the table to help set the table.

"Be careful, it's hot," Chen Mo placed the soup in the center of the table, turned back to smile at Xiao Sizi, "Sizi, go wash your hands first, and then—"

Before he could finish speaking, the door was pushed open.

A person walked in.

He was an elderly man, tall, wearing a slightly worn Zhongshan suit, with his hair neatly combed.

He stood at the doorway, his gaze fixed on the dishes on the table, and his nose twitched slightly.

"Young comrade,"

He spoke in fluent Hunan dialect, with a smile on his face.

"What did you make? It smells delicious!"