"Come, dinner's ready!"
The father and daughter's first collaboration was quite pleasant. Even the tone in which Dad called for dinner was happier than usual.
And surprisingly, if Qiu Xi had previously thought her cousin's words on the way back were exaggerated, she was now truly impressed by her father's cooking skills.
It had to be said, her dad's talent was indeed considerable. No wonder he had won over the hearts of the family members in just a few months.
As soon as the dishes were served, Dad Qiu started urging, "Xiao Xi, come quickly and try your dad's cooking."
Holding his chopsticks, Dad Qiu's mind was filled with thoughts of his daughter, who had lost weight from studying away from home, needing good nourishment.
Mom Qiu watched, finding it somewhat amusing. When her son, Xiao Ge, returned home for a break, he hadn't seen such enthusiasm from her husband.
There was no help for it, so Mom Qiu turned to her nephew, "Xuan Ming, you eat more too, get your strength up."
"Okay."
Even if his aunt hadn't said it, he wouldn't have held back with his chopsticks. After all, this was something he had managed to get for himself.
...
After dinner, with only a "dishwasher" left in the kitchen, the Qiu family of three sat in the living room and started chatting.
Initially, Dad Qiu was the one doting on his daughter, but before long, the conversation shifted to Mom Qiu and her daughter discussing the clothing business.
It turned out that seeing her daughter had suddenly reminded Mom Qiu of the clothes her daughter's three roommates needed. Her interest piqued, she had pulled her daughter into a lengthy discussion and research session.
"Xiao Xi, tell me more about these girls. What do you think about my ideas here..."
Mid-conversation, Mom Qiu directly brought out the design sketches and began to debate with her daughter.
Although Qiu Xi didn't understand design herself, she could read sketches. She knew what looked good.
So, she offered a few opinions from her layman's perspective, alongside her mother.
Mom Qiu nodded from time to time, "Mm... mm..."
Several of her daughter's suggestions were things she hadn't considered before.
"Mom, I don't have any other ideas right now."
Looking at the sketches at the end, Qiu Xi felt they were good enough... at least much better than her own outfit.
Mom Qiu smiled, "Alright, then I'll refine them tonight and start working on them tomorrow."
Qiu Xi nodded in agreement, "Mm."
"Okay, after Mom is done, I'll make one for you and your brother too, just in time for the New Year."
Seeing her daughter like this, Mom Qiu's smile grew even wider. Her daughter had been raised so well; how could she not understand her?
She had already started preparing the New Year outfits for both siblings, she could hint.
Qiu Xi stamped her foot and called out, "Mom!"
Qiu Xi watched her mother's smile grow wider. After hearing that remark, she understood everything!
She had merely felt a moment of emotion; there was nothing else to it.
She just hadn't expected her mother to understand her own child better than she did, seeing through her at a glance.
"Alright, alright, I won't talk to you anymore. I'm going upstairs to take another look."
Seeing this, Mom Qiu said no more. It was also a good time for her to go upstairs and make revisions.
"Then you go ahead."
...
Xu Xuan Ming, after finishing the dishes, saw that only Qiu Xi was left in the living room. He said his goodbyes and prepared to leave, casually bringing up the topic of taking her to the company again.
"Xiao Xi, I'll be heading back now. I'll pick you up the morning after tomorrow to go."
"Okay, Ge."
Qiu Xi stood up, nodded, and reminded him, "It's late, drive carefully on the road."
"Mm."
After seeing him off, Qiu Xi went upstairs to rest.
...
Meanwhile, at the Nan family residence-
"You rascal! Didn't you promise to bring your future granddaughter-in-law to see me?"
The old man, seated, tapped his cane on the ground with a resounding "dong dong dong," full of energy.
Without looking, one could guess the owner's mood from the sound of the cane.
"Grandpa! Let me finish speaking!"
As soon as Nan Hua spoke upon his return, his grandfather cut him off.
Then came a barrage of cane strikes, making the usually aloof young man on the outside flee in disarray.
Once he managed to get his grandfather to sit down, he finally managed to utter a complete sentence.
"Then speak!"
Let's see what excuses you can come up with!
"She agreed. I'll bring her to meet you after the New Year."
Phew! Finally!
He had managed to get the words out!
"Ha!"
"What did you say!"
"Say it again!"
The sentence so excited the old man that he could hardly believe it.
Could this grandson of his actually reach this day?
"..."
There was no choice; Nan Hua had to repeat what he had just said.
"Really?"
"Mm, really."
"You're not lying to me?"
"The truth!"
"Hahahahaha~"
"Good! Good! Good!"
After confirming it multiple times, the old man finally believed it. He was now extremely excited, as if his granddaughter-in-law had already arrived.
"No, I have to go up and take a look. What can I prepare to gift her..."
"Xiao Yang, come here quickly..."
"Old Master?"
"Let me tell you..."
Then, the old and the young man went upstairs, leaving Nan Hua alone and speechless.
"Oh, right! You boy, after the New Year, hurry up and go. You can also go see your Grandpa Du then."
Halfway up the stairs, the old man turned back and said.
His tone was as if he couldn't wait to send this grandson of his to Jinhai City right now.
"I..."
Before he could finish speaking, the man had already disappeared around the corner.
"..."
I'm afraid I'm not raising a grandson; perhaps he has a biological granddaughter...
For the first time in his life, Nan Hua doubted his own standing.
Suddenly, he began to look forward to the scene at home when Xi Xi would arrive.
...
Having traveled all day, Qiu Xi had washed up and gone to bed early.
Just as she was about to sleep, she received a video call from Nan Hua.
"What's up?"
Hadn't they just sent messages before showering?
"Nothing, just wanted to tell you about my experience just now, and to show you my current standing in the family..."
"Hahaha~ Grandpa Nan is that cute!"
After listening to Nan Hua's vent, Qiu Xi couldn't help but laugh happily.
She thought to herself that Nan Hua's grandfather must be a lively old character, so cute!
"..."
Shouldn't the concern be for him?
"Alright, you wait a moment, almost there!"
Besides this, Qiu Xi had nothing else to say. After all, she really found Grandpa to be cute!
"..."
"Okay... I'll wait then..."
As soon as the New Year was over, he would go right away!
"Mm-hmm!"
...
"Alright, rest well. Goodnight."
"Goodnight~"
Chatting about this and that, covering a lot of ground, and seeing that the time was about right, the two decided to end the conversation and get some proper rest.