"Qīn'ài de, I'm almost done," Cheng said, intently dusting the shelves in your bedroom. You were still a lump under the covers at this hour. Cheng had been slowly adjusting to life in the Suitcase, though his English could still use some work.

He was incredibly happy here. No one knew of his family's disgrace, no one treated him like his effort was worth any less because of his last name. And now he had you, too. But he still woke up before dawn to clean your apartment.

Cheng chuckled at the disgruntled mumbles that came from under the covers. He sat aside the duster and approached the bed. "Are you getting up anytime soon, měilì de?"

Reluctantly, you poked your head out from under your homemade blanket cocoon. Only your boyfriend could look so bright and cheery at 5:30 in the morning.

"Come back to bed," you pleaded, trying to stay as tired as possible so you could go back to sleep easier.

The bed dipped as Cheng sat down on the edge. His hand rested on your back, rubbing through the quilt. "Alright, zhì ài. I suppose I could abandon my rituals for one day."