"Here we are. This is the place."

Cute Teacher opened a door. Though it looked long abandoned, the room was surprisingly clean. Glass cabinets lined one wall, filled with disinfectant bottles—clearly the school’s health room.

"This is the ‘great spot’ you told me about, Auntie? What are we doing in the health room?"

"It’s not the infirmary—it’s the *health room*. Unused for ages. Perfect for our afternoon naps." She patted the bed. "That’s why I asked the dean to assign me here. Such a waste not to use it! Come on, Yuchen. This bed’s comfy."

I had no words for my lazy aunt. Was a health room meant for sleeping? This was a blatant abuse of power. And dragging me here—was she planning to use me as her body pillow again? I’d rather nap on the rooftop.

"Isn’t this risky? If someone walks in and sees us sleeping together…"

"But didn’t we sleep like this last night too?"

She had a point. Only my airheaded mom would see nothing wrong with it. To anyone else, it’d look like a forbidden romance between teacher and student.

Still, it *was* quieter than the classroom. Two beds meant we could sleep separately. As my aunt said: *"Such a waste not to use it."* I wanted to argue—but had no counter.

I kicked off my shoes and lay on one bed. Not as soft as home, but better than a desk. Afternoon sun was blocked by curtains, leaving only cool breezes. No wide blue sky in view, yet peace settled over me…

"Auntie. There are *two* beds. Why squeeze onto mine? I said no more using me as a pillow."

*This reincarnated Doom Dragon of all beings—reduced to a teddy bear in my aunt’s arms. Absurd!*

"Eh? Yuchen… don’t you like me?" Her eyes turned puppy-dog sad, a trace of heartbreak on her mature, gorgeous face. That pitiful-yet-adorable expression was outright cheating!

"Of course I like you! Enough that if you weren’t my aunt, I’d marry you. But your hugs… they’re suffocating. Let me breathe?"

"Really? I’m so glad you like me…" She sighed. "Overseas, I had plenty of nice guy friends. But none ever said they’d marry me. I started wondering if I lacked… womanly charm."

*No. It’s your airheadedness that leaves men too awkward to make a move. They settle for ‘just friends’.*

"Please, Yuchen? Just today. *This* noon. I can’t sleep without something soft to hug! Tomorrow I’ll bring my plushie. Today… bear with me?"

"‘Bear with you’? Most guys would kill for this." Breathing in her scent *was* heavenly. But for a virgin like me? Overwhelming. Would I even sleep?

"Fine. *Just* this noon. Tonight, sleep in my room—not the couch. It’s bad for your posture. Beauties must stay flawless."

"Yuchen… you’re so sweet! You’ll be such a warm-hearted man someday!"

"*Let—go!* You’re strangling me!"

Her arms locked around my neck, nearly sending me back to the Celestial. But the chokehold jolted me into sleep. Honestly? It felt… safe.

"Mmm… Auntie. Your phone’s ringing."

"Mmmph… three more minutes. You answer it."

I rubbed sleep from my eyes. *Naps just make you sleepier.* I grabbed her phone—caller ID flashed: **DEAN OF STUDIES!**

"Auntie, I can’t take this. It’s the dean."

"Ugh. That old baldy? Can’t he see I’m sleeping?"

*Yeah. Drool pooling at the corner of your mouth proves it.*

She grudgingly answered. "Dean? What is it? Class? It’s still lunch break—let me check… 5:30 PM? Anything else?"

***5:30?!*** School’s over! *Auntie, you’ve doomed me!* Day one: detention. Day two: skipping class with my aunt. Day three: tearing down the school building?

"Fine. Bye."

"What did he say?"

"He said it’s fine this time. But no repeats. Yuchen… what did I even do wrong? He sounded so tired."

*Surviving you is a miracle for that dean.* My problem? Skipping half a day’s classes. How do I explain *that* tomorrow? *Auntie, help! Stop scrolling your phone!*

"Huh? Sister says we must go home early. Important family meeting."

*Cross that bridge tomorrow.* Dinner and family talks came first.

I patted my full stomach. *Stress really does boost appetite.* Mom’s cooking was a comfort I hoped never to lose.

"Sister, you said something important?" I plucked a toothpick from my mouth. Her "important matters" usually meant earth-shattering family changes. Last time? Moving houses. *Again?*

Mom sipped tea calmly. "Relax. I’m leaving soon. For a while, it’ll just be you two living together."

*Oh. Not moving—*

***Wait. LEAVING?!***

"Mom (Sister)! Where are you going?!"

"Ethiopia, probably. Yuchen’s father works there. He called yesterday… craving my cream cake. So I’ll bake it, then stay awhile. How long? Not sure."

*That father who vanished for four years? Now he summons Mom over cake? Did I just perfectly trigger a flag?*

"Sister, I don’t mind you visiting him. But Yuchen? He hasn’t seen his dad in years. Must he lose his mom too? He’ll be a left-behind child!"

*‘Left-behind child’? A bit dramatic…*

"Yuchen, I know this is selfish. But please understand. After all—"

*—he’s your husband. I have no say. As a Doom Dragon, I’ve endured longer loneliness. A year or two? Nothing. Just… this forced dog food tastes bitter.*

"Go. Say hi to that absent old man for me."

"Really? Thank you, sweetheart! I promise—I’ll be back in a year."

*Even if I stopped you, your plane ticket’s already booked. What’s the point?*

*When will I find someone who bakes cream cake for me?*

==============

"Then… the house is yours."

I knew Mom would leave fast—but not *tonight*. Ethiopia-bound before dawn.

"So, Auntie… looks like it’s just us for a long time."

"Sister left right after I arrived… What do we do?"

"Same as always. I’ll take care of you."

"But… who cooks breakfast, lunch, and dinner tomorrow?"

…………

**MOM! I WANT YOUR CREAM CAKE TOO! COME BAAAAACK!**