Around lunchtime, the two arrived at Xia Nuannuan's house.
Su Xia had prepared a large table of delicious dishes and had also invited Tang Xiuxia.
Xia Nuannuan's grandparents were also there. Grandma was working with Su Xia on the final dishes.
Tang Xiuxia, who wasn't very skilled in cooking, sat in the living room chatting with the elder gentleman.
When the doorbell rang, Tang Xiuxia immediately went to open the door.
"Auntie, we're back," Xia Nuannuan said sweetly upon seeing her.
"Ah, welcome back, welcome back. Is this the dog you raised? It's gotten so big?" Tang Xiuxia said, patting the dog's head with a smile.
Xia Tian was not shy and, under Qin Tian's guidance, was very well-behaved, showing no signs of resistance.
"Yes, Auntie, her name is Xia Tian," Xia Nuannuan introduced with a beaming smile.
"Xia Tian?" Tang Xiuxia's eyes widened in surprise. She glanced at her son beside her, then nodded with a smile, "That's a good name."
"Really? I picked it," Xia Nuannuan's smile grew even brighter.
"Nuannuan, Xiao Tian, come in first. Let's sit and chat!" The elder gentleman, who had followed behind them, said kindly.
"Grandpa!" "Grandpa!" The two called out in unison.
"Yes, come in, come in!" Grandpa Xia waved them in with a wide smile.
Once inside, they changed into slippers. Qin Tian, with his suitcase in one hand and Xia Nuannuan's heavily packed backpack in the other, helped put their luggage in Xia Nuannuan's bedroom.
Xia Nuannuan, holding the dog, went to sit in the living room with Tang Xiuxia and Grandpa, instructing Xia Tian to perform a few tricks for them.
"Nuannuan, how did you teach her? Xia Tian is so smart!"
"Hehe... it's okay, mostly my brother taught her well. Of course, Xia Tian is also very smart," Qin Tian said with a smile as he walked out of the bedroom, seeing his mother praising the dog and Xia Nuannuan modestly responding.
He then went to the kitchen to greet his future mother-in-law and grandmother.
"Auntie Su, it hasn't been long since we last met, but you look even younger."
"Not at all!"
"Really, how do you maintain yourself? I want to learn from you. Grandma, you also look very radiant. Has something happy happened recently? Please share!"
"Hehehe... Of course, something happy has happened! You and Nuannuan are back today, and I'm so happy!"
"Is that so? Then rest assured, we'll spend more time with you from now on, and your complexion will only get better every day!"
"Good, good, that's wonderful."
These few simple words made Grandma beam with joy, and his future mother-in-law's face was radiant.
"Is there anything I can help with?" Qin Tian asked as he entered the kitchen.
"No, no, we're almost done. Xiao Tian, you go sit and rest," Su Xia politely declined.
"Yes, yes, Xiao Tian, you've had a long drive. Don't stay here; go sit and wait for the meal!" Grandma echoed with a smile.
"Alright, then I'll eat two more bowls later and make sure to finish all the dishes. Grandma, I'll have a few drinks with you and Grandpa later."
"Okay, okay!" Grandma smiled so happily that wrinkles formed around her eyes.
Qin Tian smiled brightly and turned back to the living room.
Before long, all the dishes were on the table.
Everyone sat around the dining table. After Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan poured the wine and drinks, they had a toast under Grandpa's urging.
Then, everyone picked up their chopsticks and began to feast.
Qin Tian was already hungry, and the dishes were indeed delicious. His chopsticks barely stopped as he ate dish after dish. While eating, he also skillfully offered compliments.
Except for Tang Xiuxia, who felt her son was being a bit over the top, everyone else was very pleased. Especially his future mother-in-law and grandmother, who were the chefs for the day, were overjoyed. They had worked hard to prepare such a sumptuous meal, and Qin Tian's enjoyment and satisfaction made them feel a great sense of accomplishment.
"Grandpa, Grandma, Auntie Su, don't just watch me, eat too, or I'll feel embarrassed to eat," Qin Tian said, his mouth still full of food.
"We are eating. Seeing you eat so happily makes our appetites better," Grandpa said, chewing on a piece of beef with a chuckle.
"Yes, yes, that's right," Grandma chimed in with laughter.
"That's great. Grandpa, Grandma, please eat more. Come, I'll toast you both. I wish Grandpa and Grandma good appetite and excellent health!" Qin Tian put down his chopsticks and raised his glass to toast the elders.
Upon hearing this, Grandpa and Grandma's aged faces broke into wide smiles, and they quickly raised their glasses in return. Qin Tian held his glass with both hands, lightly clinked it with Grandpa sitting beside him, with the rim of his glass slightly lower, then gestured to Grandma on the other side before draining his glass. Seeing this, Grandpa, in a great mood, also finished his drink. Grandma, with a good tolerance for alcohol, preferred to sip it slowly, taking a gentle sip with a serene smile.
Qin Tian picked up the wine bottle, which was still more than half full, and refilled Grandpa's and his own glasses.
"Xiao Tian, drink a little less!" Tang Xiuxia reminded him.
"It's fine, it's fine. I'm happy today, so let him drink with me!" Grandpa waved his hand with a smile.
"Young Master, I'm not worried about your son, but about your health. You can't drink like this," Tang Xiuxia said with concern.
"Ah, I'm in good health. It's okay, don't worry!" Grandpa smiled dismissively.
Tang Xiuxia had no other choice but to give Xia Nuannuan a meaningful look. Xia Nuannuan immediately understood, pouted, and looked at her grandfather, complaining, "Grandpa, don't drink too much. It's only the first day back, and you already want to get him drunk? There will be plenty of opportunities to drink later!"
"Hahaha... Okay, okay, we'll listen to our Nuannuan. We'll split this bottle of wine three ways and then stop. Is that alright?"
"You said it, you mean it."
"Absolutely."
"Auntie Su, when will Uncle Xia be back?" Qin Tian asked Su Xia.
"I called yesterday. He's gone to Yangcheng recently and said he'll be back next week!" Su Xia replied with a gentle smile, then asked with some curiosity, "What is it? Is something wrong?"
Qin Tian nodded slightly and exchanged a glance with Xia Nuannuan before explaining, "It's like this, this summer vacation, I'm planning to go on a road trip with Nuannuan to experience the food and scenery of different places. If Uncle Xia returns next week, we'll wait for him and then set off after a few days."
"Road trip?" Su Xia looked at her daughter with surprise.
"Mom, I really want to go! We'll bring you back lots of local specialties," Xia Nuannuan said with shining eyes.
Su Xia nodded, "I have no objection to this. Traveling is a good thing, and I'm at ease with Xiao Tian accompanying you."
"Yay, thank you, Mom!" Xia Nuannuan cheered joyfully.