Chapter 6: Second Stage
Going down to the first floor, Oliver saw that his mother and younger sister were already awake. They were in the living room, where Emma was helping Sofia with her light weight-lifting routine—something she did every morning to maintain her physical condition.
If she didn’t do it, her body would become extremely stiff.
"Good morning, Mom, Emma!" Oliver greeted them in a gentle tone, showing that he was in an exceptionally good mood.
"Good morning!"
"Morning!"
Both of them returned his greeting while he immediately headed to the kitchen.
He had nothing but endless enthusiasm.
In the kitchen, he took a few fish out of an old aquarium and began cutting them with a kitchen knife.
That aquarium was a relic from the days of their economic prosperity, but the fish inside were ones Oliver had caught himself and sometimes kept there to keep them alive.
He fried the fish, cooked vegetables, and toasted some bread.
His smile never faded, and occasionally he even whistled loudly.
After finishing the cooking, he made three cups of warm milk.