The final count of prize tickets was enough to redeem the grand prize.
The grand prize was an iPad 4, released in October of the previous year. Its price was actually higher than what Xia Nuannuan had paid, but no one would have thought to do it that way.
Receiving the prize from the store clerk, Tang Wen's face lit up like a blooming flower.
She had wanted a tablet for a long time, but her father worried she would become obsessed with frivolous things and neglect her studies, so he had never agreed to buy her one.
"Nuannuan jie, thank you, I love this gift so much."
Tang Wen excitedly hugged Xia Nuannuan, burying her small head in her embrace and nuzzling it, making Qin Tian’s eyes go wide.
"I'm glad you like it."
Xia Nuannuan smiled and gently stroked her head.
"Alright, don't cling to your Nuannuan jie."
Qin Tian reached out, grabbed his cousin’s collar, and pulled her back slightly.
"Hehe… Tian ge, why do you sound so sour?"
Tang Wen turned her head, looking at him with a mischievous smile.
"You're hallucinating."
Qin Tian tapped her forehead with his right index finger, annoyed.
"I'm not hallucinating, you're just envious and jealous."
Tang Wen rubbed her forehead and stuck out her tongue at him, making a face.
Xia Nuannuan, now understanding, blushed with embarrassment.
"Little Wenzi, you talk too much."
Qin Tian raised his hands, pinched his cousin’s cheeks, and tugged slightly.
"I’ll stop, I’ll stop."
Tang Wen blinked pitifully, apologizing and admitting fault indistinctly.
Qin Tian snorted and finally let go.
"Since we got the prize, let's go eat, I'm hungry," Tang Heng suggested.
Naturally, everyone agreed.
Thus, the group of five left the arcade and headed to the dining area upstairs.
After some discussion, they decided to have some barbecue.
They entered a Korean barbecue restaurant and were led to their seats by a waitress.
The waitress handed them the menu. Tang Heng took it and smilingly passed it to Liao Juan.
"You order first, it's my treat, order whatever you like."
"Okay, okay!"
Liao Juan was stunned for a moment before taking the menu and starting to select dishes.
Qin Tian and the other two looked at their second cousin with knowing glances. Tang Wen playfully nudged Liao Juan with her chin, signaling him to put in more effort.
"I've ordered a portion of pork belly and a portion of chicken thighs, along with some lettuce. The rest is up to you guys, ordering two dishes each should be enough."
After selecting two dishes, Liao Juan handed the menu to Xia Nuannuan beside her.
The menu went around, and the dishes were almost all ordered.
"What would you like to drink?" Tang Heng asked with a smile.
"You decide, but no alcohol, I still have to drive you guys later," Qin Tian replied.
"Then let's have this red date juice, something hot is good for the body," Tang Heng suggested.
Qin Tian and the others nodded in agreement.
After returning the menu to the waitress, everyone started chatting and laughing while waiting for the food to arrive.
Tang Heng brought up a topic, pretending not to know where Liao Juan went to school. After Liao Juan replied that she was in Shanghai, he feigned surprise and said he was in Hangzhou, indicating that it wasn't far.
Liao Juan felt a bit strange, but also a little confused.
She echoed Tang Heng’s words while casting an inquisitive glance at Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan sitting opposite her.
Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan, who had been looking at the pair with slightly brightened eyes, quickly shifted their gaze to each other when Liao Juan’s attention fell upon them.
"Ge ge, what delicious food did you eat in your hometown today?"
"I slept in late and only had some pan-fried sticky rice cakes."
"Sticky rice cakes? Are they the millet sticky rice cakes your family makes? Those are very delicious."
The two made small talk with great coordination.
"Yes, yes, my grandma’s sticky rice cakes are delicious. Nuannuan jie, when you go with Tian ge, ask Grandma to make them for you."
Tang Wen also forcefully joined the conversation.
"Okay!"
Xia Nuannuan nodded with a sweet smile.
Liao Juan’s gaze swept across the three faces, then lingered on Tang Heng. It was as if she suddenly understood something.
Good heavens, they were trying to set her up with him?
She knew that these two had played a significant role in Tian Jiajia and Zhang Peng getting together, and now they were targeting her as well.
"Here, have some tea."
Tang Heng poured a cup of tea and pushed it towards her.
"Thank you!"
Liao Juan thanked him with a composed smile, though she felt rather speechless inside.
Soon, a waitress pushed a small cart, bringing their ordered dishes and red date juice. She then helped them light the fire and oil the paper on the grill pan.
"Can we start?"
After the grill pan heated up, Tang Heng rubbed his hands together with a smile.
Qin Tian nodded, picked up two pairs of tongs from the side, and handed one to him.
The two started grilling the meat, while the three girls went to prepare the dipping sauces.
Xia Nuannuan knew Qin Tian's preferences and prepared a dipping sauce for him that was his favorite flavor.
"Wenzi, what about me? Why didn't you make one for me?"
Tang Heng looked at his sister in surprise.
"How would I know what you want? Go get it yourself!"
Tang Wen sat down calmly.
"Sigh, you're such a fake sister."
Tang Heng sighed, glaring at her.
"Do you want this one I made?"
Liao Juan pointed to the dipping sauce in front of her and suddenly asked.
Tang Heng looked at it blankly, then nodded in pleasant surprise, "You have the same taste as me, just a little dry dip is fine."
"Then I'll give this to you, I'll go get another one."
Liao Juan pushed the dipping sauce in front of her back to him and got up to go to the condiment area again.
In the surprised eyes of Qin Tian and the other two, their second cousin, Tang Heng, continued to grill the meat with a calm expression, pretending nothing had happened.
However, the slightly upturned corners of his mouth and the unconcealable hint of a smile on his face had already betrayed him.
"Stop pretending, just laugh if you want to, you silly goose!"
Tang Wen pouted disdainfully.
"You little brat, what do you know?"
Tang Heng glared at her unhappily.
"You're the little brat!"
Tang Wen rolled her eyes.
"Here, eat!"
Qin Tian picked up two slices of grilled beef and placed them into the small bowl in front of Xia Nuannuan.
Xia Nuannuan happily picked up a piece, blew on it, dipped it in sauce, and ate it.
"How is it?"
Qin Tian asked with a smile.
"Mmm, delicious!"
Xia Nuannuan smiled and nodded in approval.
"Tian ge, don't just focus on showing affection, what about me?"
Tang Wen looked at the two with a wronged expression and then eagerly glanced at the few pieces of meat Tang Heng had already grilled.
"Dream on."
Tang Heng picked up the grilled meat and placed it in Liao Juan's and his own bowls, respectively.
"You guys can't be serious, I'm your smart and cute sister, and you're just showing affection and being attentive? I want meat, I want meat!"
Tang Wen whined with a crestfallen face.
"Here you go!"
Xia Nuannuan picked up the remaining piece of meat in her bowl and handed it to her.
"Wuwu… Nuannuan jie, you’re the one who pampers me the most. From now on, I’ll be your loyal little fan."
Tang Wen acted cute while picking up the meat, dipping it in some sauce, wrapping it in a piece of lettuce, and eating it with relish.