The restaurant’s food was indeed exquisite, and all three left thoroughly satisfied.
As they were preparing to depart, the manager approached them, a warm smile on his face, inquiring about their dining experience and the taste of the dishes.
Qin Tian and the other two naturally gave glowing reviews.
Upon hearing this, the manager’s smile widened, and he personally escorted them out of the establishment.
“Safe travels, and we hope to see you again soon.”
“Thank you.”
Qin Hongwen expressed his gratitude.
“We are the ones who should be thanking you,”
the manager replied with a smile and a shake of his head.
“I should also thank you all!”
The female staff member chimed in with a grateful expression.
“Goodbye!”
Xia Nuannuan, linking arms with Qin Tian, waved goodbye to the female staff member with a sweet smile.
“Bye-bye!”
The female staff member eagerly waved back.
Following this, the three of them left the restaurant and drove away.
They first drove Qin Hongwen to the hotel where he was staying.
On the way, Xia Nuannuan tentatively suggested that Qin Hongwen pick up his luggage from the hotel and come to their place to sleep.
However, Qin Hongwen politely declined with a smile.
Of course, he wished to mend his relationship with his son, but he also understood that this was not something to rush; he was well aware of the principle that haste makes waste.
The current situation was already developing in a positive direction, and he intended to proceed steadily, step by step.
“Uncle Qin, you can really stay at our place. We’ll be staying at school today.”
Xia Nuannuan continued her invitation.
“Never mind.”
Qin Hongwen still smiled as he declined, saying, “I’m used to staying in hotels when I’m on business trips, and some colleagues will be staying at the same hotel. It will be convenient to attend meetings together later.”
“Is that so… Alright then!”
Xia Nuannuan nodded, and did not insist further.
Before long, the car arrived at the entrance of the hotel where Qin Hongwen was staying.
“I’ll be going now. You two get back to school and rest early.”
Qin Hongwen said with a smile.
“Okay, goodbye Uncle Qin!”
Xia Nuannuan replied cheerfully.
“Goodbye!”
Qin Hongwen smiled, glanced at his son in the driver’s seat, and then opened the car door to get out.
Xia Nuannuan rolled down her window.
“There’s a lot of traffic at this hour, drive carefully!”
Qin Hongwen said, bending over slightly to remind him.
Qin Tian kept his eyes on the road ahead, not responding.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Qin, I’ll remind him,”
Xia Nuannuan said with a sweet smile.
Qin Hongwen nodded and added, “Alright, send me a message when you get back to school.”
“Okay!”
Xia Nuannuan agreed with a nod.
She had exchanged contact information with her potential father-in-law during dinner.
“Go ahead!”
Qin Hongwen waved his hand with a smile.
“Goodbye Uncle Qin, you must be tired too today, get some rest early!”
“Alright!”
…
…
On the way back to school, Xia Nuannuan hummed along to the music playing from the car’s stereo.
“Why are you so happy?”
Qin Tian glanced at her and asked playfully, feigning ignorance.
“Hehe… I’m just very happy!”
Xia Nuannuan replied, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
Qin Tian pouted and said nothing more.
Xia Nuannuan’s expressive eyes fixed on him, and after a moment of silence, she said, “Brother, Uncle Qin is a really good person, and he’s so much like you.”
“How so? I don’t think so.”
Qin Tian denied it calmly.
“Really, when you two teamed up to teach those three bad guys a lesson before, people around were saying it too. They guessed right away that you were father and son.”
Xia Nuannuan argued earnestly, counting on her fingers: “Look, your facial features are similar, and you’re both so handsome. Plus, you’re both skilled in both literary and martial arts!”
“Your mouth is so sweet, did you put honey on it? Let me taste it later.”
Qin Tian couldn’t help but be amused, and he teased her with a laugh.
Xia Nuannuan’s cheeks turned red, and she playfully rolled her eyes, retorting, “Come on, I’m talking to you about something serious here!”
“I’m talking about something serious too!”
Qin Tian grinned.
“Hmph, I’m not talking to you anymore.”
Xia Nuannuan turned her head away, her face flushed.
“Alright, I was wrong.”
Qin Tian admitted his mistake with a smile, then said seriously, “Nuannuan, I know you mean well, but this matter isn’t that simple.”
Xia Nuannuan was silent for a moment before asking cautiously, “Brother, am I meddling too much? Should I not get involved?”
Qin Tian looked at her, smiled, and shook his head, “No, that’s not what I meant.”
“Really?”
Xia Nuannuan was skeptical and still felt a bit nervous.
She truly wanted to help, but she also valued Qin Tian’s thoughts more.
If Qin Tian was sensitive about the matter and didn’t want her involved, she would definitely comply.
“Really. With you by my side, at least my interactions with him won’t be too awkward!”
Qin Tian said with certainty.
“That’s good then.”
Xia Nuannuan breathed a sigh of relief.
“It’s just… the relationship between him and me, it’s unlikely to be resolved as easily as you hope.”
“Brother, I understand. I didn’t think it would be simple.”
“It’s good that you understand. I don’t want you to be disappointed later.”
“I won’t be, I won’t be. I just believe that you, Uncle Qin, and Aunt Tang can be reunited one day, so I wanted to do what I can to make that day come sooner.”
“What a silly girl!”
Qin Tian chuckled.
“I’m not silly.”
Xia Nuannuan pouted.
…
…
In the hotel room, Qin Hongwen stood by the window, making a phone call.
“We’re really lucky to have found Xia as our daughter-in-law.”
“Yes, aren’t we?”
Tang Xiuxia’s affirming voice came from the other end of the phone.
“You don’t know, when Xia first brought Tian home, I took a liking to that girl the moment I saw her. I thought, this has to be my daughter-in-law, I won’t accept anyone else.”
“Yes, she’s truly a good child, with such a wonderful personality.”
“And she’s beautiful, has a great figure, and her family background is impeccable. Our son is quite something too.”
“Yes.”
Qin Hongwen couldn’t help but chuckle. He suddenly thought of something, hesitated for a moment, and then decided to mention it.
“I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“When I went to their place today, I ran into a girl who was moving in. She said she bought the apartment upstairs, and Xia told me that girl likes Xiaotian.”
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line after these words.
“Hello?”
“Is what you’re saying true?”
Tang Xiuxia’s tone became extremely serious and earnest.
“It’s true.”
Qin Hongwen nodded, suddenly regretting bringing it up.
“Is that girl pretty?”
“Uh… she’s probably considered pretty, but definitely not as beautiful as Xia.”
“This rascal, no, no, I have to call him and scold him! With a girlfriend like Nuannuan, he still dares to flirt around? It’s infuriating! I’m hanging up now!”
“Don’t, don’t, don’t rush!”
Qin Hongwen quickly tried to stop her, saying, “They’re still driving back, and Xia is right beside him. It’s not appropriate for you to call right now.”
“That’s true!”
“And if you call, Xiaotian will definitely know I told you, and our relationship has just started to thaw a little…”