"Hey Nana, when will the boss come? I have to give her the list of things that need replacement or fixing."
"Oh, boss usually comes in the evening, Miyah," Nana replied, stretching her arms.
Qinran nodded. Alright, then.
She walked over to a PC and began optimizing it, setting it to delete unnecessary data automatically. Then she moved on to the next one, repeating the process across the café.
"Hey Nana, I've set most of the PCs to optimize. If anything happens just tell me. I have to feed Luoli soon."
"Miyah…"
Luoli toddled happily over to her.
"Mom! Eat! Eat!" He pointed eagerly at the steaming noodles a customer had just ordered.
"Alright kiddo, I know you're hungry…" Qinran patted his head.
"Hey Nana, can you watch the counter? I'll head out to feed Luoli. Back in thirty."
"Okay Miyah. Give me your number before you go — I'll call if something comes up."
"Sure."
She scribbled her number on a scrap of paper, took Luoli's hand and stepped outside.
The sunlight felt warmer at midday.
He can probably eat rice, she thought, pulling out her phone to check. Yep. Rice it is.
She carried Luoli to a nearby restaurant and flagged down a waiter.
"One fried rice and one small rice congee please."
The waiter nodded and disappeared.
Qinran found a quiet corner, settling Luoli beside her. She looked around the small eatery absently.
This time a few days ago I was celebrating a promotion.
She exhaled slowly.
Now I'm googling whether a two year old can eat rice.
A small dry laugh escaped her.
Luoli turned at the sound, blinking up at her curiously. Then went straight back to pointing at everything — the chopsticks, the rising steam, a cat dozing outside the window.
Qinran watched him.
At least one of us is having a good time.
The food arrived. She tested the congee temperature before letting Luoli anywhere near it, then gently took the spoon from his eager little hands.
"Say ahh—"
He obliged enthusiastically, mouth open before the spoon even got there.
She fed him slowly, carefully. He ate with the serious concentration only toddlers could manage, occasionally stealing glances at her fried rice with suspicious interest.
"That's not for you," she said flatly.
He looked away innocently.
When Luoli was done she ate her own food quickly, paid, and walked out carrying a very drowsy toddler against her shoulder.