Standing at the classroom back door, Qin Tian hesitated, wondering if he should step aside and wait until Xia Nuannuan and her father had left before entering.
He wasn't scared, just felt it might be awkward.
"Brother Tian, go in! What are you standing here for?"
Zhang Peng, seeing him blocking the doorway, poked his head forward and followed his gaze. He instantly understood.
Zhang Peng glanced at Qin Tian with a sly grin.
Just as Qin Tian was about to say something, he heard Zhang Peng suddenly shout, "Xia Nuannuan, do you want a bag?"
His expression froze, and he looked at the scoundrel with astonished eyes.
Xia Nuannuan and Old Xia beside her heard the shout and turned towards them.
Seeing Qin Tian standing at the door, Old Xia's smile remained unchanged, but a sharp glint seemed to flash in his eyes.
"Do you have any extras?"
Xia Nuannuan asked with a smile.
"Yes, yes, we asked for several!"
Zhang Peng quickly walked over and handed over the cleanest large bag he had.
"Thank you, you've been a great help."
Xia Nuannuan said gratefully.
"Hello, Uncle. My name is Zhang Peng, and I'm a good friend of Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan."
Zhang Peng greeted Xia Zhengping with a bright smile.
"Hello, hello!"
Xia Zhengping nodded with a smile.
"Uncle Xia, long time no see!"
Qin Tian also forced himself to walk over, greeted with a smile, and then stepped on Zhang Peng's foot, twisting it hard.
Zhang Peng grimaced in pain and pulled his foot away.
"Heh heh... Uncle, you chat with Qin Tian. I'll go pack my things."
With that, Zhang Peng turned and hobbled away.
Xia Zhengping saw their little actions and smiled meaningfully.
After placing the bag on a chair, Xia Nuannuan busied herself, neatly stacking her books and study materials inside.
The classmates around, including Cui Ying and Qiu Man in front, who sensed the change in atmosphere, watched the two with sparkling eyes, anticipating some drama.
"It's been almost two months since we last met, hasn't it?"
Xia Zhengping asked with a beaming smile.
"Yes."
Qin Tian nodded and said with a light laugh, "You look like you've lost quite a bit of weight, Uncle. You're even more handsome."
The surrounding classmates rolled their eyes at this remark.
"Hahaha... I do feel like I've lost a bit. I've been eating less lately."
Xia Zhengping laughed heartily, patted his belly, and accepted the flattery.
Everyone was dumbfounded. They took a careful look at the plump middle-aged man and deeply doubted their words.
"Is this the Qin Tian you told me about?"
Cui Ying's father leaned down and asked his daughter in a low voice.
"Yes!"
Cui Ying nodded.
"He really is a capable young man!"
Cui's father stroked his chin and said with a thoughtful smile.
Afterward, Qin Tian packed his books while chatting with Old Xia.
"Nuannuan ranked in the top twenty in the entire grade in the last mock exam. It's thanks to you, Uncle. I need to thank you!"
Xia Zhengping said with a gentle smile and thanks.
"Uncle, you're too kind. This is all the result of her own hard work."
Qin Tian quickly smiled.
Xia Zhengping smiled, raised his hand, and patted his shoulder, saying, "Young man, being overly modest isn't good."
"Dad, you're right."
Xia Nuannuan looked up at the two and nodded with a smile.
Qin Tian felt like crying and laughing, unsure of what to say.
"Nuannuan told me that your goal, and hers, is Jiangcheng University?"
Xia Zhengping asked with a smile.
Upon hearing this, all the surrounding classmates looked at them in shock.
"Yes, we plan to go to Jiangcheng University."
Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan exchanged a smile and replied calmly.
"With your grades, you could definitely get into Tsinghua, Beida, or Jingda. Are you sure you don't regret it?"
Xia Zhengping asked again.
Qin Tian smiled and shook his head, "My original goal was Jiangda, so there's no regret."
Xia Zhengping stared at him in silence for a moment, then smiled and said, "Jiangda is also quite good."
"Yes."
Qin Tian nodded with a smile.
Several parents who were unaware of the situation were astonished upon learning about Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan from their children.
Basically, all the parents believed that dating in high school would inevitably have a negative impact on academic performance.
Yet, this young man in front of them was the top student in two exams with incredibly high scores?
And this girl beside him had made such significant progress for this boy in just two months?
For a moment, several parents began to doubt their own perceptions.
Was it possible they were wrong?
After a few more casual chats, Xia Nuannuan had finished packing her things.
The snake-skin bag was filled with books and study materials, while the remaining items were packed into her backpack.
"Uncle Xia, let me help you!"
Qin Tian picked up the snake-skin bag, intending to escort them out of the school.
"No need, you can focus on your own things. Here, give it to me."
Xia Zhengping beckoned.
"It's okay, let me do it!"
Qin Tian said with a bright smile.
"Then why am I here? I've been busy with work all this time, and it's a rare occasion to pick Nuannuan up. Little Qin, don't try to take this from me!"
Xia Zhengping put on a stern expression.
"What are you guys doing?"
Xia Nuannuan rolled her eyes, unable to hold back a laugh, and said to Qin Tian, "Qin Tian, just listen to my dad. There's nothing to fight over."
"Alright!"
Qin Tian smiled helplessly and handed the bag, weighing dozens of pounds, to his future father-in-law.
"Take it slow, it's a bit heavy!"
He reminded him.
"It's fine, it's just books, not bricks. What's this!"
Xia Zhengping said dismissively and took the bag with one hand.
"It's really a bit heavy!"
Qin Tian was a little worried and didn't let go.
Xia Zhengping calmly said, "It's fine, just let go."
Seeing this, Qin Tian had no choice but to say anything else and carefully let go.
Xia Zhengping's expression changed, and the bag in his hand suddenly sagged.
Fortunately, Qin Tian was quick and helped to grab it again.
"Cough, cough..."
Xia Zhengping also grabbed the mouth of the bag with his other hand, cleared his throat awkwardly, and said with a sheepish smile, "Yes, it is a bit heavy, huh?"
If his face hadn't been so thick from years of business dealings, he would have blushed by now.
While feeling embarrassed, he was also very surprised.
He hadn't expected it to be so heavy, especially since Qin Tian had seemed to carry it with ease earlier.
He hadn't thought this kid, who wasn't particularly brawny, would have such strength, comparable to his own in his youth.
Then, with Qin Tian's help, Old Xia managed to heave the heavy bag onto his shoulder.
"Little Qin, thank you!"
"You're welcome, you're welcome."
"As expected of a young man, you're really strong."
"Uncle, you're also very strong. I wasn't as relaxed carrying it as you are."
Qin Tian smiled heartily, engaging in some mutual flattery with his future father-in-law.
Xia Nuannuan, standing beside them, buried her face in her hands, feeling utterly embarrassed.
The surrounding students and parents watched the scene with peculiar expressions.