After dinner,
It was a bit late, so Qiu Xi didn't plan to send news back home.
She was ready to rest, and then the three of them would go shopping tomorrow, and incidentally bring back some gifts for everyone.
"Linglong, Tangtang, I'll go to bed directly after I wash up. You two should also go to bed early."
Hua Linglong, who was busy editing the photos she had just taken, replied without looking up when she heard Qiu Xi's voice, "Okay, Xiao Xi, you go to bed first."
"Mhm."
...
The next day.
After sleeping soundly, Qiu Xi felt very energetic when she got up.
"Xiao Xi, you're up." Tang Siran smiled from the side.
Qiu Xi nodded, "Mhm, I slept so well, I feel great."
"Then shall we get ready and head out directly?"
It was just right to go out for a meal now, and then go shopping later.
"Sure, give me a moment."
Saying that, Qiu Xi moved quickly.
Before going out, they greeted Teacher Yang, told her they would be back early that evening, and the three of them went out.
"Tangtang, why don't you lead the way?"
As soon as they went out, Hua Linglong called out.
Tang Siran nodded in agreement, "Sure~"
"Let's go eat something first to fill our stomachs, and then I'll take you to the famous sights here."
"After lunch, we'll go for drinks and relax, and then go shopping for gifts in the afternoon..."
Tang Siran had the whole day's itinerary planned out perfectly.
"Okay~"
"Then we'll have to trouble you, Tangtang~"
Before even leaving, everything was arranged. Qiu Xi was naturally happy.
"Alright, leave it all to me. You just focus on having fun." Tang Siran's smile was especially joyful.
They hadn't seen each other for years; before, it was all through video calls. It was rare to see each other in person these past few days, and happiness was the most important thing.
"Alright~"
"Xiao Xi and I will carry your bags today~"
"Hahahaha~" Tang Siran laughed heartily, "Then I won't be polite~"
Qiu Xi also nodded, "Feel free to order us around~"
Chatting and laughing, they had already arrived at the place for breakfast.
"Here!"
"I've been here for almost four years, and this is what I love the most. The breakfast here is so much like home~"
As Tang Siran spoke, she led the two inside.
In the few days they had been here, she had taken them to try most of the decent breakfast places abroad.
She even knew Qiu Xi well, understanding that she ate very Western-style meals during the competition and the days leading up to it.
So today, they came here!
Inside, it was all domestic breakfast fare, which she had eaten for years without getting tired of.
Whenever she craved it or had time, she would come here to eat.
"Let's go, I'll take you inside to try~"
Saying that, she walked in first.
As soon as she entered, she called out, "Uncle Zhao, I'm here to patronize your business again~"
"It's you, young lady~ You're here again."
It was the boss!
At this moment, he looked kindly, with a smile on his face.
"What do you want to eat today? The usual?"
The series of questions showed they were very familiar with each other.
"Of course, I'll have the usual~ But today, I'm really here to patronize your business, Uncle Zhao."
Reaching out to pull the two people beside her, Tang Siran introduced to the boss, "These are my two friends. They came to visit me, so I brought them here to try your cooking, Uncle Zhao."
The boss glanced at them, "Oh my~ You're all family, and from the same hometown~"
"Come, you two, go sit down and order whatever you like!"
"Later, I'll give you a discount!"
"Thank you so much, Uncle Zhao!" Tang Siran said thankfully with a smile.
After the boss turned to busy himself, she turned back to greet Qiu Xi and the other.
"Xiao Xi, Linglong, the boss is really great today!"
"He's never given anyone a discount before~"
At least, she had never seen it!
There had been other fellow townsfolk before, but no matter how they spoke, Uncle Zhao had never agreed.
It was truly an unexpected gain today~
"Alright~"
"Then we can really say we've had a great start! We're definitely going to have a fun day today!"
Hua Linglong echoed Qiu Xi, "That's right, the three of us will definitely have a great time today~"
Even if they did nothing, just sitting together, they would be happy.
"Hehe~"
"Quick! What do you want to eat? We'll go out shopping after we're done!"
"Alright~"
Thus, the three began to enjoy their hometown-flavored breakfast.
...
Meanwhile, it was already noon back in China.
"Old Du!"
"Did you see!"
This was Ding Yujing.
He had just woken up from his half-hour nap and the first thing he saw when he picked up his phone was the message Qiu Xi had sent.
"Brother Ding, what's wrong?"
Li Minglan was a bit confused by his urgency.
He was already old, why was he still so rushed.
"Sister Minglan, where's Old Du? I have good news to tell you!"
Li Minglan didn't understand, "He's still in the back..."
"What's so urgent that you can't call?"
"No one answered when I called!"
He had called several times, and finally decided to come over directly.
Such good news, they brothers could have a drink~
"It's about that child Xiao Xi, she won the championship in this overseas competition!"
After saying that, Ding Yujing called out again, "Sister Minglan, I'm going to find Old Du!"
"Prepare some good food for us later... um! And drinks!"
"I'll come pick it up later~"
With that, he walked in quickly.
"Xiao Xi... competition? Champion?"
"Champion!!!"
Li Minglan, who was left behind, was stunned for a while before reacting.
"This is great news!"
It was incredibly great news!
Indeed, they should prepare some good food...
Mhm... they could also have some good drinks today!
After murmuring for a while, Li Minglan also quickly followed.
However, she didn't follow Ding Yujing. Instead, she went to find another old woman in the house, as well as Xiao Xi's parents.
As she entered, everyone was there. It was a good time to announce the good news!
"Auntie Li, what's wrong?"
Panting, what major event had happened?
"Oh my~"
"Brother Ding came and told us some good news..."
"..."
At a crucial moment, she paused...
"What good news?" Mom Qiu played along.
"It's Xiao Xi!"
"This child went to Country Y to compete this time, and she's the champion!"
"Really?!" they exclaimed.
"Yes!"
"This is truly wonderful news!"
After Du Shifu's explanation, they were no longer unfamiliar with this competition.
Hearing this news now, the surprise was no less than that of Ding Yujing and Li Minglan.
"Isn't it!" Li Minglan continued, "I'm going to prepare some good food for Old Du and Brother Ding first, and we should all join in and celebrate~"
Having lived in a peaceful life for a long time, it was rare to have such great news, so why not celebrate together~
"Sure!"
"Auntie Li, I'll join you. Let's make more, we can just treat it as afternoon tea!"
The one who said this so generously was naturally Dad Qiu!
The last time the family was this lively seemed to be when Little Pigeon got good news in high school...
"Okay~ Xiao Qiu, your cooking skills are good, it makes my job easier."
"Let's go, let's get ready."
"Alright~ Coming right up."
After the two left, Mom Qiu stayed with the two elders and chatted for a long time.
Finally, she sent a message to the child and then went to celebrate.
Mhm... celebrating without the main character present was also exceptionally flavorful~
It was wonderful!