The next day dawned with a bitter chill, the air carrying a wintry bite as Zhang Mei roused from her slumber and ventured into her mother's room.
Mu Lingling observed her daughter with a keen eye. "You look remarkably content. What's made you so cheerful?"
Zhang Mei attempted to brush it off. "Nothing, I just had a good night's sleep."
Mu Lingling, her voice feeble: "Hm, are you certain it's not because of your dinner last night? With him?"
Zhang Mei sighed. "Mom, it wasn't a date. We were just having dinner. We both needed some time away from everything."
A cough interrupted their conversation, cutting through Mu Lingling's curiosity.
"You don't have to pretend with me, dear," Mu Lingling continued softly. "I'm your mother."
Zhang Mei handed her mother a glass of water. "Stop overthinking, Mom. Here, have some water."
