Qin Tian could feel his father-in-law's sharp gaze fixed on him, brewing with anger.
He knew that in such a situation, saying more would only lead to more mistakes, so he wisely chose to bury his head and eat.
Fortunately, with Xia Nuannuan sitting beside him and his future mother-in-law managing the overall situation, the atmosphere at the dining table wasn't awkward.
Su Xia ate her food with elegant demeanor, naturally initiating various topics about their school life.
During the meal, she also reminisced about some of her own youthful experiences when she was studying.
Xia Nuannuan, with a sweet smile, chimed in, occasionally using her chopsticks to serve Qin Tian and her father.
Qin Tian played the role of an excellent listener and a hearty eater. He spoke infrequently, but every time he did, his words were just right, amusing Su Xia and Xia Nuannuan several times.
The three of them conversed amiably, and Su Xia's gaze towards Qin Tian grew much warmer.
She had had a good impression of Qin Tian before, but since they hadn't sat down for a proper chat, she hadn't truly understood him.
Now, after their conversation, she was undoubtedly more satisfied.
His appearance and height were on point, he was academically gifted, and his character and emotional intelligence were also impeccable.
While he was a bit quiet, that wasn't necessarily a drawback for a man.
Besides, being a little nervous and quiet in this situation was understandable, and even could be seen as quite clever.
In short, Qin Tian met all of Su Xia's expectations for a future son-in-law.
The only thing that brought her displeasure during this meal was the husband sitting next to her, silently eating the food she made and glaring at young Qin with hostile eyes.
"Alas, time flies so fast. Before you know it, the children have grown up, and I'm getting old!"
After sharing some amusing anecdotes from her high school days, Su Xia said with a smiling sigh.
"Mom, what are you talking about? In my eyes, you've always been the youngest and most beautiful."
Xia Nuannuan, with a serious expression, offered a flattering compliment.
Qin Tian cleverly nodded in agreement, "Nuannuan is right. When I first met you, I thought you were Nuannuan's older sister. You look like you're around twenty."
"Pfft!"
Su Xia burst into laughter, covering her mouth.
Xia Nuannuan turned her head, looking at Qin Tian with immense surprise.
Qin Tian smiled slightly, giving her a triumphant look.
"Young Qin, it seems our Nuannuan hasn't only improved academically with you, but she's also become much better at sweet-talking people!"
Su Xia teased with a gentle smile.
"Auntie, it's not like that. I really didn't teach her this; it's her natural talent."
Qin Tian said with a light laugh.
Xia Nuannuan and Su Xia were stunned for a moment, then they both laughed happily.
For a while, the room was filled with laughter and a pleasant atmosphere.
Only Xia Zhengping remained with a stern face, silently eating, appearing somewhat out of place.
Su Xia couldn't stand it any longer. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and she nudged Xia Zhengping's leg under the table.
Xia Zhengping looked at his wife with surprise.
"Old Xia, don't just eat meat. Have some vegetables."
Su Xia placed a piece of carrot into his bowl, seizing the opportunity to give him a threatening look.
Old Xia stared blankly at the carrot in his bowl, a shiver running down his spine.
This was his least favorite dish, and he normally refused to eat it.
His wife suddenly serving it to him clearly indicated everything.
If he didn't find a way to make amends, he'd be sleeping on the sofa again tonight.
He was returning to Jiangcheng tomorrow and wouldn't be back for at least ten days to half a month. He absolutely refused to sleep on the sofa again.
Xia Nuannuan also noticed her mother was angry and secretly rejoiced.
She had been serving Old Xia dishes, and he still had that sulky expression. Now he knew who was in charge at home.
"What's wrong? Eat!"
Su Xia maintained her bright smile, her eyes fixed on her husband's small eyes.
"Look how much weight you've gained recently. When you go to Jiangcheng tomorrow, eat less rich food and more vegetables like this."
"Okay, okay."
Old Xia nodded with a forced smile.
Despite the temperature being around ten degrees Celsius and being indoors, sweat beaded on his back.
He reluctantly picked up the carrot, put it in his mouth, chewed it with the difficulty of swallowing medicine, and simultaneously pondered a topic that could turn the situation around.
"Qin Tian, have some more of this."
Xia Nuannuan served a piece of beef into Qin Tian's bowl with a sweet smile.
"Thank you."
Qin Tian replied with a smile and thanked her. He also sensed the awkward atmosphere and quietly ate his meat.
"Um, Young Qin!"
Old Xia finally managed to swallow the carrot and initiated the conversation.
Hearing his voice, Qin Tian quickly looked up at the slightly insincere-looking Old Xia opposite him.
"Are you an only child? Do you have any siblings?"
Old Xia asked with a smile.
"No, I'm the only one."
Qin Tian replied with a smile.
"I see!"
Xia Zhengping nodded and asked again, "What about your parents? What do they do?"
Hearing this, Su Xia and Xia Nuannuan both frowned.
Was Old Xia interrogating him like a census taker?
Where was his ability to speak appropriately in business dealings?
Old Xia knew that asking this was rather inappropriate, but he genuinely didn't know what else to talk about.
Besides, he really wanted to understand Qin Tian's family background better.
After all, his wife and daughter seemed to be on this brat's side, and he was fighting a lone battle. He needed to know more about the enemy to find their weaknesses.
"My mother has been working in a garment factory. As for my father..."
Qin Tian only spoke half the sentence, his expression showing hesitation.
"What is it?"
Old Xia's eyes lit up, and he quickly pressed for an answer.
He felt this might be his chance to break the deadlock.
Su Xia and Xia Nuannuan's gazes also fell on Qin Tian.
Under their watchful eyes, Qin Tian smiled openly and replied, "Actually... I've never met my father since I was little. I don't know where he is, or if he's alive or dead."
His words caused an eerie silence to fall upon the room.
After recovering from his shock, Old Xia couldn't help but swallow, his anxious gaze fixed on his daughter.
As expected, his daughter's face was cold as frost, her eyes, like fire-breathing orbs, stared fixedly at him.
His heart sank immediately. He stiffly turned his head towards his wife like a robot.
Su Xia's expression was calm, but her overly tranquil eyes made Old Xia's heart sink to his stomach.
It was over! All over!
Sleeping on the sofa tonight was inevitable.
"Young Qin, I'm sorry. Old Xia..."
Su Xia looked at Qin Tian with a face full of apology, trying to speak for her husband, but she didn't know how to phrase it.
"Auntie, it's okay, it's really okay."
Qin Tian shook his head repeatedly, smiling heartily, "I stopped caring about that long ago. My mother is a very strong and gentle person. She treats me very well; having her is enough for me."
Hearing this, Su Xia and Xia Nuannuan were immediately filled with maternal affection, and Xia Nuannuan's eyes even welled up with tears.
"What a strong, wonderful child!"
Su Xia felt overwhelmed with emotion.
Mother and daughter exchanged a look and, with a tacit understanding, cast icy glances at Old Xia.
Old Xia trembled all over, his face drained of color.
Hadn't he dug his own grave?
Now, he wished he could slap himself twice. Why did he have to ask about this when there were so many other things to talk about?