Amateur talent show? Top mentors are my students.

In the observation room, everyone was excited to see this interaction.

Fang Yi was the first to speak, her voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement: "Did you guys hear Wu Jiayuan's use of 'little brother' just now? That tone, oh my—"

The host, Cao, laughed as well: "And look at what she did just now, she patted He Xu's arm, it was so sweet."

Teacher Wei leaned back in her chair and said in a gentle tone, "Wu Jiayuan has a nuanced way of interacting with people. During the day, she speaks to everyone in a warm and cheerful tone, and seems rather carefree, but now she's showing concern, which shows that she's actually quite thoughtful."

Fang Yiren slapped her thigh: "When she said 'I almost forgot you're my younger brother,' He Xu's expression—did you see that? It was hilarious."

Holding his water glass, Wang Yiren slowly added, "This contrast will be very interesting if it develops further."

Host Cao turned a page of the script: "Then let's continue to see how they get along. We also look forward to seeing if Dr. Wu will be able to have breakfast before his early shift tomorrow."

-

He Xu opened his eyes promptly at 6:30 a.m. the next morning.

His biological clock was more accurate than his alarm clock. He picked up his phone and glanced at it; the screen showed 6:29.

The sky outside the window was not yet fully bright, and gray-blue light seeped in through the gaps in the curtains, illuminating the room in a dim and hazy tone.

He sat up, rubbed his face, changed into his workout clothes, and tiptoed downstairs.

The first floor is very quiet.

The living room lights were all off, except for a small nightlight shining from the kitchen.

As he passed the dining table, he glanced up at the upstairs corridor; all six doors were closed, and no one was up.

He pushed open the back door of the villa, and a gust of cold wind rushed in, making him shiver.

I scouted out the morning run route yesterday afternoon. I ran two laps along the circular road in the neighborhood, passing the lakeside trail and a small grove of trees. The whole run took about forty minutes.

The road was clean and there were few people, except for a few elderly people who were walking their dogs early in the morning.

He stopped halfway through the second lap and walked for a few minutes on the lakeside trail to let his heart rate drop.

A thin mist floated on the lake, and several water birds skimmed across the surface in the distance.

He stood there for a while, then turned around and ran back.

On the way back, I passed by the row of shops at the entrance of the residential area, and one of the breakfast shops was already open.

Steam rose from the steamer, and the proprietress was taking a tray of buns out and placing it on the counter.

He Xu stood at the door for two seconds, then pushed the door open and went inside.

He bought a few meat buns, a few fried dough sticks, a few bags of soy milk, and after thinking for a moment, added a box of plain porridge.

After paying, I carried the plastic bag back and arrived at the villa at exactly 7:20.

Pushing open the door, I saw that the kitchen and living room lights were already on.

Lin Zhen stood in front of the coffee machine, wearing a dark gray long-sleeved shirt and black trousers. His hair was neatly combed, as if he had already washed up some time ago.

He heard the door open and turned his head, seeing He Xu carrying a plastic bag as he came in. He nodded slightly and said, "Good morning."

"Good morning." He Xu placed the plastic bag on the dining table. "I bought breakfast, let's eat together."

Lin Zhen walked over and glanced at the contents of the bag: "You went for a run?"

"Um."

"How long will it take?"

"Forty minutes."

Lin Zhen nodded without asking any further questions. He took out a few plates from the cupboard and placed the steamed buns and fried dough sticks on them.

Footsteps sounded again from the stairwell.

Wu Jiayuan came downstairs with her hair tied in a low ponytail, wearing a light blue sweatshirt and a tote bag slung over her shoulder, looking ready to go out.

"Good morning." Her eyes lit up when she saw the breakfast laid out on the table. "Who bought this?"

"He Xu," Lin Zhen said, "He gave him a ride on his way back from his morning run."

"Sure, little brother." Wu Jiayuan pulled out a chair, sat down, picked up a meat bun, took a bite, chewed it a couple of times, and said, "Delicious, and still warm."

He Xu sat down opposite him, lifted the lid of the congee, and stirred it with a spoon.

Lin Zhen sat down next to them with a coffee cup in his hand, half a steamed bun in front of him, and ate it slowly and leisurely.

The three of them ate their own food, occasionally exchanging a few words.

"Are you on the early shift today?" He Xu asked Wu Jiayuan.

"Okay, the shift ends at eight, and I'll get there around seven-fifty—it's fine, I'll make it." Wu Jiayuan glanced at the time on her phone.

"Is Attorney Lin scheduled for court today?" He Xu asked again.

"This afternoon," Lin Zhen said, "I'll go through the materials again this morning."

Halfway through the meal, Wu Jiayuan suddenly remembered something: "Has Jiang Yining already left? Was she in morning self-study today?"

"She left home at 6:30," Lin Zhen said. "When I got up, she was changing her shoes in the entryway, saying that there was morning reading today and she had to get there before the students."

"Where are Teacher Zhuang and Zhuo Hang?" He Xu asked.

"They're probably still sleeping," Wu Jiayuan said. "Neither of them worked this morning. Teacher Zhuang said they wouldn't be filming until this afternoon."

At 7:40, the sound of a car engine came from the doorway.

He Xu put down his bowl, got up, walked to the living room window, and looked out.

A dark gray minivan was parked in front of the villa. The driver's side window was rolled down, and Zhuang Jun sat inside, holding a cup of black coffee, looking at the villa gate.

He Xu turned around and said towards the dining table, "My agent is here. Sister Wu, are you in a hurry? I'll have him give you a ride on his way."

Wu Jiayuan was taken aback for a moment: "Huh? Is it convenient?"

"That's convenient, he's driving into the city anyway."

Wu Jiayuan picked up her tote bag, stood up from her chair, and waved to Lin Zhen: "Then I'll be going now, Lawyer Lin. You can eat slowly."

Lin Zhen nodded: "Be careful on the road."

He Xu pushed open the door and walked out, with Wu Jiayuan following behind him.

Zhuang Jun's eyebrows twitched slightly when he saw the two of them come out together, but he didn't say anything. He waited until He Xu opened the passenger door and got in before speaking, "Dr. Wu, are you going the same way?"

"She's on the early shift and in a hurry," He Xu said. "I'll give her a ride."

Zhuang Jun didn't ask any more questions. After Wu Jiayuan was seated in the back seat and fastened her seatbelt, he started the car.

As the car drove out of the residential area, Zhuang Jun glanced at He Xu in the rearview mirror: "How did you sleep last night?"

"good."

"Did you take your medicine?"

"I drank it."

"I brought his medication after breakfast; it's in the bag in the back." Zhuang Jun gestured with his chin towards the back seat. "He sometimes forgets his dinner, so could you please keep an eye on him, Dr. Wu?"

Wu Jiayuan chuckled from the back seat: "Okay, I'll keep an eye on things for you."

He Xu turned his head and glanced at Zhuang Jun: "I've never seen you so outgoing."

"It's a professional habit," Zhuang Jun said frankly.

The car arrived at the entrance of the Municipal Children's Hospital. Wu Jiayuan got out of the car and waved to the passengers: "Thanks for the ride! Little brother, remember to take your medicine. See you tonight."

He Xu nodded at her through the car window.

After closing the car door, Zhuang Jun glanced at He Xu while turning the steering wheel, and asked in a flat tone, "Younger brother?"

"Don't ask."

"I'm just curious."

"Then don't be curious."