During this period, Xia Nuannuan had been very diligent at school.
She had obtained her driver's license and had not neglected her studies, further solidifying her reputation as a top student.
Now that the holiday had arrived and she was home, she could finally rest well.
For the next few days, the two of them idled at home, living like lazy fish, enjoying the peace and comfort.
That afternoon, Qin Tian received a message from Xia Nuannuan stating that Zhang Peng and Tian Jiajia had returned from Jiangcheng together and invited them for a dinner gathering that evening.
“Did she say where?”
Qin Tian typed his inquiry.
“A place on the pedestrian street. You pick me up later, and we’ll go together.”
“Okay!”
Just as he finished messaging Xia Nuannuan, Zhang Peng’s call came through.
“Hello!”
Qin Tian answered the phone directly.
“Brother Tian, I’m back. Let’s eat together tonight. My treat, and I’ll invite Brother Hao too.”
Zhang Peng’s voice was hearty and generous.
“Nuannuan just told me. No problem, we’ll be there on time.”
Qin Tian agreed with a smile.
“Great, then I’ll call Brother Hao.”
“Alright, I’ll hang up now.”
“Okay, see you later.”
“See you later!”
With that, Qin Tian hung up the phone and casually placed it on the sofa beside him.
On the other side, his mother was gently stroking Summer’s head while holding the dog, and asked with a smile, “Was that Zhang Peng?”
“Yes, he said he’s treating us to a meal. I won’t be eating at home later, so you’ll have to figure it out yourself!”
Qin Tian glanced at her and said with a light chuckle.
Ever since he returned, the task of cooking had fallen directly onto him.
Sometimes, his mother would feel a bit embarrassed. As it neared mealtime, she would take Summer out for a walk, and upon returning, shamelessly sit down and start eating.
Of course, she did take responsibility for cleaning up the mess after the meal.
Tang Xiuxia, sensing the teasing in her son’s words, glared at him playfully and said, “I know, do you think I’ll starve? There are still frozen dumplings in the fridge, I’ll just boil some to get by.”
“Settling for so little? Should I pack something for you to bring back?”
Qin Tian suggested with a smile.
“Pack my foot! What do you want to do? Do you want your mom to lose face in front of your friends?”
Tang Xiuxia glared at him.
“Alright, alright, I was just worried you wouldn’t eat well. Good intentions are taken for granted, so forget I said anything.”
Qin Tian said with a helpless pout.
“Hmph, what do you mean not eating well? For the past few months you’ve been at school, haven’t I often just managed with something simple? Otherwise, why do you think those frozen dumplings and glutinous rice balls are stocked in the fridge?”
Tang Xiuxia rolled her eyes.
“The more you say it, the more pitiable you sound. I’ll pack something for you anyway. Don’t worry, I won’t say it’s for you, I’ll just say I want a late-night snack!”
“Don’t do anything embarrassing like that, I don’t want it, don’t bring it. Since you’ve come back, I’ve been eating meat and fish for days. Can’t I just switch from abundance to frugality today?”
“If you say so, then fine!”
Qin Tian chuckled and nodded.
…
…
Driving to the entrance of Xia Nuannuan’s apartment complex, he picked her up, and the two of them headed to the pedestrian street.
After parking the car, they walked to the place Zhang Peng had mentioned.
It was an open-air food stall specializing in crayfish. Due to its delicious taste and affordable prices, it was quite famous in Yucheng.
It was the prime season for eating crayfish, and with it being lunchtime in the afternoon, the food stall was crowded with customers.
“Brother Tian, Xia Nuannuan, over here!”
A familiar shout came from them.
The two looked towards the sound and saw Zhang Peng and Tian Jiajia already seated, smiling brightly and waving at them.
“Jiajia!”
Xia Nuannuan’s pretty face bloomed with a sweet smile, and she walked over quickly, holding Qin Tian’s hand.
“Brother Tian, sit here, sit here.”
Zhang Peng moved a chair aside, making space for the two seats in the middle for them.
Qin Tian nodded with a smile and sat down next to him, while Xia Nuannuan took a seat next to Tian Jiajia.
The two girls, having not seen each other for half a year, immediately started chatting animatedly when they got together.
“Jiajia, I got my driver’s license.”
“I saw your WeChat Moments, that’s amazing! I also want to take the test. I heard the driver’s license exams are getting harder and harder. How did you pass so easily?”
“Hehe… It was okay, just Subjects Two and Three were a bit difficult. You just need to be bold and careful.”
“When I take the test next year, you have to teach me!”
“No problem, it’s on me.”
Meanwhile, Zhang Peng was also chatting and joking with Qin Tian.
“Brother Tian, how did you understand stock trading? It’s too awesome! I don’t have to do anything, just follow your advice on which stocks to buy, and I can watch the profits come in every day. It’s so cool!”
Zhang Peng said with admiration.
“Don’t get too carried away just because making money seems easy. I analyzed the market data and it took a lot of effort to find the most likely profitable stocks. There are more naive investors out there, and many have lost their fortunes.”
Qin Tian cautioned him seriously.
For the past six months, he had also been helping Zhang Peng make some pocket money by trading stocks, sending him a few stock codes every few days and telling him to follow suit.
Zhang Peng seemed to have made quite a lot of money, otherwise, his words wouldn’t carry such a sense of swagger.
Qin Tian was genuinely worried that his good intentions might backfire, and that he needed to gently remind him.
“I understand, Brother Tian, don’t worry. I’m not an idiot. If making money were that easy, who would be losing money? Right?”
Zhang Peng grinned and said.
“It’s good that you understand.”
Qin Tian nodded with a smile.
“Anyway, I’ll just follow you. As long as I get some soup when you eat meat, I’m satisfied. I can manage my living expenses and tuition fees now, and I can speak with more confidence at home.”
Zhang Peng patted his chest and continued playfully, “Brother Tian, you don’t know, when I came back today, I brought a lot of things for my dad and mom. They were so surprised, they thought I had done something illegal. It took me a lot of explaining to clear things up.”
“Are Uncle and Auntie very happy?”
Qin Tian asked with a smile.
“Of course! They kept telling me to tell you to come over for dinner sometime. Old Zhang wants to have a few drinks with you properly.”
Zhang Peng said with a chuckle.
“Alright, we’ll see about that later.”
Qin Tian nodded and agreed with a smile.
“What’s going on with Brother Hao? Why isn’t he here yet?”
Zhang Peng looked around, saying with some surprise.
“Let’s wait patiently, there’s no rush.”
Qin Tian picked up his cup and took a sip of the complimentary tea.
“Look over there, they’re coming, they’re coming. Is that his girlfriend?”
Tian Jiajia suddenly pointed in a direction, her voice full of surprise.
“What? Girlfriend?”
Zhang Peng exclaimed.
The three of them curiously looked in that direction, and indeed, they saw a girl walking slowly with Xu Hao, her arm linked with his.
The girl wasn't exceptionally beautiful, but she had a pleasing appearance. A gentle smile adorned her face, giving the impression of the type of woman men would be very willing to marry.