He Yuan dragged himself down the stairs, wearing an expression that suggested the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. "Good morning, Momma," he muttered, a pitiful attempt at greeting considering the gravity of the situation.
His mother, catching the tone, couldn't help but smirk. "My baby," she said, mocking a melodramatic tone and swooping in for a hug. "Breakfast is ready. Eat fast so you can go wash up. You're following Ari and your dad to work."
Ari, the ever-present tease, joined in. "Oh, the genius tutor is gracing us with his presence at work today. How lucky are we?"
He Yuan groaned, but his mother wasn't done. "And you better impress them with your unparalleled tutoring skills," she added with a playful wink.
He Yuan attempted a feeble protest, "Mom, I don't want to go to work."
His sister chimed in, "Little bro, you better get ready. Dad will soon come downstairs."
