After having breakfast at the cafeteria, Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan prepared to leave school.
Su Yan naturally went with them, and her best friend Tian Jing also had an early morning train ticket. Xia Nuannuan invited her for a ride to the station.
While Qin Tian was helping move luggage into the car downstairs from the girls' dormitory, Xia Nuannuan said goodbye to Shen Siqi and Lu Lei, who had come to see them off.
After the four of them got into the car, Xia Nuannuan rolled down the window and waved goodbye to the two.
"Siqi, Sister Lei, we're leaving then. See you next year."
"Bye-bye, bye-bye."
Shen Siqi waved with a smile.
"Have a safe trip!"
Lu Lei offered her blessings with a gentle smile.
Qin Tian also nodded with a smile at the two before starting the car and driving away.
After watching the car disappear from view, Shen Siqi and Lu Lei turned and went back to the dormitory building.
After driving out of the school gate, they first dropped Tian Jing off at the train station, then followed the navigation, winding their way onto the national highway, and headed back to Yu City.
Many students were returning home for the New Year from Jiang City, causing some traffic congestion.
Fortunately, they had left early and arrived back in Jiang City around noon.
They first took Su Yan home, then headed to the residential complex where Xia Nuannuan lived.
On the way, her future mother-in-law called, asking if they had arrived and inviting Qin Tian to stay for lunch before leaving.
Qin Tian initially intended to politely decline, but then he heard Mr. Xia's voice.
"Xiao Qin, don't be silly. Eat first, then leave. We've already called your mother."
"Alright then, we'll be there soon."
With no other option, Qin Tian smiled and agreed.
"That's more like it. Okay, we'll be waiting for you. Have a few drinks with me!"
"Okay."
"I'm hanging up now, hanging up."
"Mhm!"
After the call ended, Qin Tian looked at Xia Nuannuan in the passenger seat with a helpless expression.
"Grandpa used to dote on me the most, but now it's you."
Xia Nuannuan said with a hint of jealousy in her tone.
"My mom is the same. Now you're her real daughter, and I'm just a younger brother."
Qin Tian feigned a look of heartache.
Xia Nuannuan was amused, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she laughed.
Soon, the car drove into the complex. After finding a parking spot and parking, Qin Tian carried Xia Nuannuan's luggage down, and they went home together.
...
...
The old man helped open the door, and the aroma of delicious food immediately wafted out.
"Grandpa!!"
Xia Nuannuan greeted him with a sweet smile.
"Hey, you're back!"
The old man responded with a look of kindly affection, nodding, and then looked at Qin Tian behind her.
"Grandpa, you look even better!"
Qin Tian complimented him with a smile.
"Haha... it's because you're back, I'm happy!"
The old man laughed heartily, beckoning them, "Quick, come in, you're just in time for dinner."
Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan exchanged a smile and carried their luggage into the house.
Grandma also came from the kitchen, looking at the two with a beaming smile.
"Grandma!"
Xia Nuannuan quickly put down her luggage and went to give the elder a hug.
Grandma was immediately overjoyed, her wrinkles creasing as she affectionately patted Xia Nuannuan's back with her withered hand.
"Nuannuan, are you hungry?"
"A little bit."
"Your mom and I made your favorite dishes, and we also made dumplings, pickled cabbage and pork filling."
"Wow, my favorite."
Xia Nuannuan cheered with delight.
"Hurry and unpack, dinner will be served soon."
Grandma said with a full smile.
"Mhm mhm!"
Xia Nuannuan nodded like a pecking chick, then, with Qin Tian, took the luggage into her room.
After coming out of the room, Qin Tian quickly went to the kitchen, greeted Su Xia who was busy there, and helped carry the dishes from the counter to the table.
Soon, all the dishes were on the table, and Xia Nuannuan had arranged the bowls and chopsticks.
The family sat around the dining table. The steaming, appetizing home-style dishes filled the table, with a large plate of plump dumplings in the center.
The old man went to get a bottle of good wine. After Qin Tian opened it, he poured for the old man and grandma first, then for himself.
"Brother, aren't you driving back later?"
Xia Nuannuan poured two glasses of fruit nectar and asked.
"It's fine, I don't have much luggage, just one suitcase. I'll get it down later and take a taxi back. The car will stay here."
Qin Tian replied with a smile.
"Okay, drink less then."
Xia Nuannuan said with concern.
Qin Tian nodded with a smile.
"Oh dear, Xiao Qin, are you already being managed? You're not doing well!"
Old Master Xia teased with a chuckle.
Qin Tian shrugged noncommittally and smiled, "I learned from Uncle Xia. I think it's great."
Upon hearing this, the old man burst into hearty laughter, unable to contain himself.
Su Xia and Grandma also smiled brightly.
"Grandpa, what are you talking about? I'm concerned about your health, not managing you!"
Xia Nuannuan pouted and complained, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"Alright, alright, good granddaughter, don't be angry. I didn't say it was bad. Good men aren't afraid of their wives, they cherish them. Xiao Qin is right, this is a very good habit!"
The old man soothed with a full smile.
"But I don't see you afraid of Grandma!"
Xia Nuannuan muttered softly.
Her voice was very low, but everyone heard it clearly.
For a moment, cheerful laughter filled the room again.
"Your grandma has this personality, and I don't cherish her?"
After laughing, the old man said seriously.
Grandma, who was beside him, reached out and gently patted his arm.
"What are you saying, you shameless old man!"
"We're both old, what's there to be shy about."
The old man was dismissive.
"Alright, alright, let's eat first!"
Su Xia, with a bright smile, interjected.
Only then did everyone start to pick up their chopsticks.
Xia Nuannuan picked up a dumpling, dipped it in some vinegar, and placed it in Qin Tian's bowl.
"Brother, try it quickly. My grandma made these pickled cabbage and pork dumplings, they're really delicious."
"Okay!"
Qin Tian picked up the dumpling and took a bite. After chewing a few times, he looked at Grandma with surprise and gave her a thumbs-up, praising indistinctly, "Delicious, Grandma, your cooking is amazing."
Grandma was once again pleased, her aged face blooming like a flower.
Beside him, Xia Nuannuan also ate dumplings with a smile.
"Xiao Qin, has the renovation on your place been finished?"
Su Xia put some vegetables in his bowl and asked casually.
"Yes, it was completed a few days ago. Nuannuan and I bought some potted plants and put them in. We've opened the windows for ventilation, and we've asked someone to keep an eye on it. After school starts next year, we'll furnish it and move in."
Qin Tian nodded in reply.
"That's very efficient. And you've thought of everything!"
Su Xia expressed her admiration.
"Yes, the renovation master recommended by Brother Sun was very responsible."
Qin Tian smiled and said.
Of course, he wouldn't mention that due to certain reasons, he had gone to urge them on several times in the past half-month. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been completed before they returned.