After the Lunar New Year's second day visit, even though his maternal grandparents tried their best to keep them, his mother would take him back to Yucheng that day or the next.
This year, his mother decided to stay a few extra days to spend more time with her relatives, whom they rarely got to see.
Yucheng wasn't far from his hometown, and with a car now, it was much more convenient; they could go back anytime they wished.
Most importantly, Tang Xiuxia no longer had to worry about the gossips of the village women affecting her beloved son.
Firstly, her son's mind had matured, and secondly, he had become successful. The title of top scorer with a perfect score in the college entrance examination, in a village where having a university student was already enviable, undoubtedly had the effect of a golden phoenix flying out of a humble nest.
Nowadays, when people in the village talked about Tang family's grandson, they were full of praise and flattery.
"The first day morning, the second day morning, the third day sleep in!"
Just as the folk rhyme said, the third day of the Lunar New Year had the custom of sleeping soundly and waking up late.
Of course, it was also because they were too exhausted from New Year's Eve to the second day. On the third day, with nothing much to do, they could rest assuredly and gather their strength.
The new house rebuilt with the help of his maternal uncle had many rooms; both the second and third floors were habitable. His uncle also had spare rooms, so Qin Tian and his mother didn't have to worry about not having a place to stay.
Last night, Qin Tian slept in the same room as his maternal uncle, while his mother slept with his cousin and aunt.
There were rooms available to sleep in alone, but after not seeing each other for so long, everyone wanted to chat and catch up before sleeping.
There's a well-known saying in the countryside: "A nephew is often like his uncle," meaning nephews are usually very similar to their uncles and are more intimate with them.
This was especially true for Qin Tian, who had been missing a father's love since childhood.
That night, they talked about everything from relationships to college entrance exams and university life. Qin Tian rarely had the opportunity to open up and have such a heart-to-heart talk with someone.
His uncle also spoke about his experiences doing business outside over the years, which were not as glamorous as outsiders perceived; there were many hardships and setbacks. Fortunately, he had smoothly navigated through them all.
After chatting for an unknown amount of time, after a brief silence, Qin Tian heard his uncle's snoring.
He slept until he naturally woke up.
Feeling for his phone under the pillow, he checked the time. It was almost eleven o'clock.
His uncle was still asleep, so Qin Tian didn't wake him and went downstairs alone to wash up.
Just as he finished brushing his teeth and washing his face, his cousin Tang Wen and his mother came over.
"Brother, where are we going to play later?"
Tang Wen asked with a beaming smile.
"You just woke up and you're already thinking about playing?"
Qin Tian looked at her with amusement.
"Of course! We rarely get to come back for the New Year, so we naturally have to have some fun!"
Tang Wen suddenly thought of something, her eyes brightening, and suggested, "Why don't you drive, Brother, and take us to Yucheng? We can invite Sister-in-law too!"
"Good idea!"
Tang Xiuxia, standing nearby, nodded in agreement with a smile.
She was naturally happy to see the younger generation of the family getting along well with her future daughter-in-law.
"Nuan Nuan said they usually come back on the third day. I wonder if they're back yet."
Qin Tian said with a smile.
"Then call and ask quickly!"
Tang Wen urged excitedly.
"What's the rush? You go wash your face and brush your teeth first!"
Qin Tian gave her a playful glare.
"Got it, Auntie. We're going to brush our teeth. Brother Tian, hurry up and call!"
Tang Wen urged again, then quickly walked into the bathroom to wash up.
"Xiao Tian, you're awake? Are you hungry?"
His maternal grandmother came from the front room, asking with a kind smile.
"A little."
Qin Tian nodded.
"What do you want to eat?"
"Hmm..."
"Grandma, do we have ciba? I want to eat the pan-fried ciba you make."
As Qin Tian was thinking, Tang Wen's voice came out.
"Yes, yes, we do."
His grandmother replied with a smile and looked at Qin Tian for his answer.
"Then let's have ciba. That sounds good."
Qin Tian also nodded in agreement.
"Okay, I'll make it for you!"
His grandmother, her face full of smiles, went to the kitchen.
Qin Tian took out his phone and dialed Xia Nuannuan's number.
"Hello?"
The call was answered quickly, and Xia Nuannuan's sweet voice came through.
"Nuannuan, what are you doing?"
"I just woke up, and I'm eating. What's up?"
"Oh, okay. When are you guys coming back? My cousin wants to come to Yucheng to play with you."
Qin Tian replied with a smile.
"Ah?"
Xia Nuannuan was taken aback when she heard that.
"Happy New Year, Sister-in-law!"
Tang Wen's little head popped out, her mouth full of toothpaste foam, and she shouted indistinctly.
Xia Nuannuan on the other end clearly heard it and quickly said, "Ask my dad after eating, and tell him to go back early?"
"It's fine, no need to rush. They aren't leaving these few days. Just let me know when you guys head back to Yucheng."
Qin Tian comforted her with a smile.
"Okay, okay."
Xia Nuannuan obediently agreed.
"How are things on your end? Is it fun?"
"Yes, it's very lively here too. Oh, what are you doing?"
"What?"
"Didn't I tell you I was talking to my cousin? She suddenly stuck her head over to eavesdrop and was smiling strangely, which scared me."
"Haha..."
Qin Tian was amused.
After chatting for a few more sentences, they hung up the phone.
...
...
The brown sugar ciba made by his grandmother was a nostalgic delicacy for everyone.
After eating their fill, spurred on by his cousin, Qin Tian prepared to drive back to Yucheng.
His younger cousin Tang Heng also came along. Tang Chen was invited but politely declined.
After saying goodbye to their elders, the three got into the car and headed towards Yucheng.
"Little brother, when did you get your license? You drive quite skillfully!"
Tang Heng asked with surprise.
"I had nothing to do after the college entrance exams, so I got it."
Qin Tian replied with a smile.
Tang Heng nodded and said enviously, "When school starts this year, I'll have to get a license too."
Sitting in the passenger seat, Tang Wen turned her head to look at him and teasingly said with a smile, "Just like Brother Tian, find a rich and beautiful girlfriend to buy you a car, and you'll immediately reach the peak of life."
"Good idea!"
Tang Heng rubbed his chin with his right hand, looking thoughtful.
"No way, Brother Heng, you actually believe that!"
Tang Wen looked at him strangely.
"What's wrong? Can't I? If little brother can do it, why can't I?"
Tang Heng said with a touch of annoyance.
Tang Wen rolled her eyes and held her phone up, its screen black, facing him.
"What for?"
"Look at yourself. Do you think you're as handsome as Brother Tian?"
"Uh... I'm a little bit short, but that doesn't matter, does it? Men don't win based on looks."
"Then what do they win on? Talent?"
Tang Wen asked with a playful smile.
Tang Heng hesitated, remembering that his cousin was the top scorer with a perfect score in the college entrance examination, while he was just drifting through a second-tier university.
When it came to talent, it seemed even worse!
"Little sister, you can't be this discouraging!"
Tang Heng said with a resentful look.
"It's okay, Brother Heng. It might be a bit difficult for you to find a rich and beautiful woman, but if you focus on just the middle word, finding a rich sugar mama shouldn't be a problem,"
Tang Wen said seriously.
Tang Heng was dumbfounded.
"Pfft, hahaha..."
Qin Tian couldn't help but burst into laughter.