During the meal, the two ate in silence. Bai Xiao had learned her lesson from An Zhiyuan's tidy ways and was on her best behavior, not daring to stir up any trouble. Ironically, despite being a teacher herself, she found herself outmatched by her student, who had left her figuratively laid out on the beach.
After eating, Bai Xiao intended to wash the dishes, but An Zhiyuan had already begun to tidy up the kitchen. Bai Xiao had been clamoring to wash her hair and bathe, but the weather made going to the public baths out of the question, and the staff baths had already closed for the night.
An Zhiyuan had anticipated her needs and heated water on the stove for her.
"Go ahead and wash. I'll take care of the dishes," he said.
An Zhiyuan had already begun washing the dishes, and with only a few to clean, it would be a quick task.
