Sunday morning
Qinran woke up earlier than usual.
She reached for her phone out of habit.
8:12 AM
She blinked.
Oh...It's Sunday.
No work.
For the past few weeks, every Sunday had been spent at the café — fixing systems, debugging the app, testing updates.
Now that it was done…
Having nothing to do felt strange.
It's too quiet.
She lowered her phone and turned her head.
Luoli was still sleeping, one small hand curled near his cheek.
She watched him silently.
I haven't taken him anywhere… like parents usually do.
Parents…
A small chuckle escaped her.
"I'm starting to sound like one…"
Her gaze softened.
She didn't know when it happened.
But somewhere along the way stopped thinking of him as someone she was merely responsible for.
She looked at him affectionately.
Maybe…
Let's go out today,
She got out of bed and began tidying up the house.
Laundry first.
Then sweeping.
The quiet hum of morning filled the small space.
When she returned to the bedroom, Luoli was still asleep.
She carefully changed his diaper without waking him.
"…How are you still asleep through this?"
she muttered softly.
A little while later—
"Mom…" he mumbled sleepily, eyes barely open.
Qinran paused.
Her fingers stilled for just a second.
Then she reached out and gently rubbed his head.
"Come on" she said softly. "Let's get you washed up"
She lifted him into her arms and carried him to the bathroom.
"Yay…" he giggled, still half-asleep.
A while later—
"Off you go"
Luoli ran off toward the living room, tiny feet pattering against the floor.
Qinran leaned against the doorway and watched him for a moment before pulling out her phone.
"Hm… places to take a toddler…"
She scrolled quietly.
Park.
Playground.
Children's activity center.
She paused.
"A park seems better"
Fresh air. Open space.
She nodded to herself.
In the kitchen, she prepared breakfast.
Simple congee, lightly seasoned.
Soft enough for him to eat easily.
She placed him in his small chair and set the bowl in front of him.
"Say ahh"
Luoli looked at the spoon.
Then dramatically turned his head away.
"Noooo"
Qinran raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
He peeked at her from the corner of his eye, clearly testing his limits.
She moved the spoon to the other side.
"Ahh"
He turned his head again.
"No"
A faint smile tugged at her lips.
So this is the difficult stage.
She scooped a smaller bite.
"Just one"
He hesitated.
Then slowly leaned forward—
And took it.
She blinked.
Victory.
"Alright"
she murmured, already reaching for another spoonful
By the time the bowl was empty he looked quite pleased with himself.
Qinran looked at him.
Ridiculous child.
"Let's get you dressed"
The moment his feet hit the grass he was gone.
"Luoli—"
He was already running, arms out, laughing at nothing in particular.
Qinran stood at the entrance of the park for a second, watching him.
...okay then.
She followed at a calmer pace.
She sat on the park bench, watching Luoli run around wildly.
"Mom! Look! look! Fower! Fower!" he shouted, pointing excitedly.
"Yes, I see it. It's a flower" Qinran said softly, smiling.
Before she could react he grabbed the flower and tried to shove it in her hair. She laughed and gently plucked it from his hand, tucking it behind his ear instead.
"Cute" she murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face.
He squirmed and giggled trying to reach her cheeks again. She held his small face in her hands for a second then quickly snapped a picture to remember this moment.