After his future father-in-law returned from Yangcheng, Qin Tian accompanied him for two meals before preparing to set off on a road trip with Xia Nuannuan.
Their first stop was decided to be Xingcheng. As the provincial capitals of two different provinces, Jiangcheng and Xingcheng were relatively close, and Xingcheng boasted a plethora of traditional delicacies and snacks. Several famous food streets were said to be packed with people and bustling with activity during peak tourist seasons.
Rising early that day, Qin Tian had breakfast with his mother before preparing to pick up Xia Nuannuan.
"Mom, aren't you really coming with us?"
After starting the car, Qin Tian rolled down the window and asked his mother, who was standing outside.
He and Xia Nuannuan had invited her multiple times in the past few days.
Not only their mothers but also Old Xia and his grandparents had all politely declined.
"No, no, I've said it many times. You and Nuannuan are going on a trip, why should we tag along!"
Tang Xiuxia smiled and waved her hand.
"You don't have anything to do at home, why not come with us to eat, drink, and have fun."
"How can I have nothing to do? The store is getting a lot of new arrivals soon, so I have to keep an eye on it."
"Didn't you hire someone to be in charge?"
"Then I, the boss, still have to oversee things!"
Tang Xiuxia looked at him, somewhat impatiently urging, "Stop dawdling and go pick up Nuannuan quickly!"
"Alright, I'm leaving then!"
"Go, be careful on the road, especially when traveling to other places, you must be extra cautious!"
"I know, don't worry!"
Qin Tian nodded.
"Have fun, and take lots of photos with Nuannuan to show us."
Tang Xiuxia said with a smile.
"Okay!"
Qin Tian smiled and responded, then turned the car around and headed towards Xia Nuannuan's residential compound.
From a distance, he could see Xia Nuannuan standing at the entrance of the compound, pulling a small suitcase, with Old Xia beside her holding a backpack.
His future mother-in-law was also there, gently instructing Xia Nuannuan with a gentle smile.
Upon seeing his car, Xia Nuannuan waved happily.
Qin Tian drove over, parked, quickly got out of the car, and helped put the suitcase in the trunk.
"Nuannuan, should that bag go in the back?"
"No, I'll carry this one. It has food and drinks inside, so we can have some on the way."
"Okay!"
Qin Tian smiled and nodded.
After more instructions and goodbyes, the two of them got into the car.
"Xiao Tian, you're unfamiliar with the places outside, so I'm entrusting Nuannuan to you. Keep in touch at all times. When you reach a new city, give us a call or send a text message."
Xia Zhengping gave his final instructions.
This was his daughter's first time traveling for leisure, apart from trips with her parents, so they were still a bit worried.
If they didn't trust Qin Tian, they wouldn't dare to let their precious daughter go on a road trip like this.
"Understood, Uncle. Please rest assured!"
Qin Tian smiled and solemnly guaranteed.
"Xiao Tian, Nuannuan, have a smooth journey and have fun!"
Su Xia sent her blessings with a smile.
"Mom, Old Xia, we're leaving now. Bye!"
Xia Nuannuan tilted her small head and waved goodbye to her parents with a sweet smile.
"Bye!"
"Xiao Tian, drive slowly on the road. It's a trip anyway."
"Okay, Uncle and Aunt, bye!"
After bidding farewell once more, Qin Tian started the car and left.
Until the car reached the intersection and was about to turn, they could still see Old Xia and his wife standing there watching them in the rearview mirror.
...
...
Once on the highway, the navigation showed the distance to Changsha was 310 kilometers, taking about four hours.
Their purpose for this trip was purely for leisure, so they were not in a hurry. They planned to find places to get off the highway if they felt tired and explore some small towns along the way to experience local customs and traditions.
For this road trip, Qin Tian had even spent nearly thirty thousand yuan to buy a very good DSLR camera.
Xia Nuannuan was clearly in a great mood, chattering like a bird released from its cage.
"Brother, the last time I went on a trip was during the summer vacation between junior high and high school, when I went to Modu with my parents. It's been several years, and now I can finally go out and play again!"
"You've been to Modu? I haven't even left the province!"
Qin Tian said with a smile.
Before his rebirth, he certainly had, but it was mostly for business trips. He couldn't recall any leisurely road trips like this.
Especially with a beautiful companion, it was even more impossible.
Therefore, Qin Tian's excitement and anticipation for this road trip were no less than Xia Nuannuan's.
"Then we must have a great time this time, visit more cities, see more scenery, and eat more local delicacies."
Xia Nuannuan said with her eyes curved in a smile, her face full of excitement.
"The last part is the most important, isn't it?"
Qin Tian teased with a smile.
"No way!"
Xia Nuannuan gave him a glare and vehemently denied it.
"Xingcheng has a lot of delicious things, like stinky tofu, spiced shrimp, and sweet rice cakes..."
"Gulp!"
Before he could finish, Xia Nuannuan couldn't help but swallow.
Qin Tian glanced at her with a mischievous smile.
"Who hasn't eaten stinky tofu? And those spiced shrimp you mentioned, aren't they just made with crayfish? Can they be as delicious as our spicy crayfish or thirteen-spice crayfish?"
Xia Nuannuan feigned an indifferent expression, but she picked up the backpack below, opened it, and took out a bag of snacks.
"Since it's so famous, there must be a reason for it. When we get there, we'll try everything anyway."
Qin Tian suggested with a chuckle.
"Mhm, mhm!"
Xia Nuannuan nodded like a pecking chick, tore open the snack bag, and took out two pieces to pop into her mouth.
It was a bag of crispy fried glutinous rice, and the crunchy sound seemed quite appealing.
"Eating so soon? Didn't you eat enough breakfast?"
Qin Tian asked amusingly.
"I ate plenty!"
Xia Nuannuan blinked her big eyes and retorted as a matter of course, "There's no conflict between eating breakfast and eating snacks, right?"
Qin Tian was momentarily speechless, suppressing a smile, he replied, "No, go ahead and eat!"
"Hehe..."
Xia Nuannuan smiled triumphantly, then picked out two more pieces with her fingers and offered them to his mouth.
Qin Tian, while driving, glanced down, smiled, and opened his mouth to eat them.
Perhaps intentionally or unintentionally, he also licked her finger.
Xia Nuannuan's pretty face flushed, and she glared at him, half in shame and half in annoyance.
"What flavor is this? It's quite delicious!"
Qin Tian asked with a smile, pretending nothing had happened.
"Barbecue flavor!"
"Can I have some more?"
"No!"
Xia Nuannuan flatly refused.
"So stingy!"
Qin Tian turned his head to look at her.
Xia Nuannuan snorted coldly, ignored him, and turned her head to continue eating by herself, her crunchy munching becoming even more distinct.