Tianxin was taken aback, as if she had been struck by lightning. She involuntarily shifted behind the bed, her eyes wide with caution as they rested on Chen Yiran. She asked in a soft voice, "What did you just call me?"
"Auntie." Chen Yiran, without a flicker of emotion, placed the food tray on the bedside table in front of Tianxin. He casually stood by the side of the bed, gazing down at her guarded expression. In a low voice, he asked, "Why? Didn't you work so hard last night, just to get me to call you auntie?"
"I mean... yes, that's what I said, but..." Tianxin found herself swallowing, one hand shaking as she pointed at Chen Yiran. "I worked so hard last night, but you never called me auntie. Why did you suddenly call me that this morning? You frightened me."
"Don't you find it surprising that what you worked so hard for yesterday but didn't get, you achieved effortlessly this morning? Isn't the discrepancy too great?" Chen Yiran continued to smile faintly at Tianxin.