Yan Cijin laughed.
Bai Li flipped the pancake cleanly.
Lili clapped.
"Again!"
Bai Li looked pleased. "See?"
Yan Cijin smiled. "I'm impressed."
Bai Li glanced sideways at her. "Say it again."
"No."
"You said you were impressed."
"Once is enough."
"I'll remember it."
Yan Cijin shook her head. "You keep collecting compliments."
"They're useful."
"For what?"
Bai Li smiled. "Morale."
Lili nodded. "Morale is important."
Yan Cijin looked at Mother Yan. "They're teaming up again."
Mother Yan smiled. "Let them."
Breakfast was messy, but everyone enjoyed it. Lili ate two pancakes.
Mother Yan ate one and a half. Yan Cijin finished one and gave the rest
of hers to Lili. Bai Li quietly ate three because she had spent so much
time cooking them.
Yan Cijin noticed.
"You said you weren't hungry."
Bai Li looked at her. "I changed my mind."
"You always change your mind when food appears."
"That's called adaptability."
