Shen Xi, seeing this, came back to her senses and quickly called out in the direction of the kitchen, "Fang Sao, please get a set of bowls and chopsticks for Mr. Qin."
Hearing her voice, Qin Si Ye slowly turned around and walked towards the dining table.
Everyone stood up to make space for him.
The three children were ecstatic. Their mommy had finally agreed to let Uncle Qin stay for dinner.
After everyone was seated, Jian Fan poured Qin Si Ye a glass of white wine. Song Kai Cheng was the first to stand up, raising his glass to Qin Si Ye and saying,
"Mr. Qin, I was wrong about what happened that day. I wanted to treat you to a meal to apologize, but you were too busy with work and had no time.
Coincidentally meeting today, I'll use Xi Xi's wine to make amends."
After speaking, he tilted his head back and drank it all in one go.
"Mr. Song, please sit. Let's not mention past matters," Qin Si Ye said, glancing at him indifferently and gesturing for him to sit down.
Song Kai Cheng, however, remained standing and asked Jian Fan to pour him another glass of wine, "No. Mr. Qin, I still have something to say. That night, searching for my aunt, Xi Xi told me you searched every bar in City K.
This glass of wine is to express my deepest gratitude."
After speaking, he again tilted his head back and drank it down.
Qin Si Ye felt a pang of inexplicable annoyance hearing him call her "Xi Xi" so familiarly.
"Mr. Song, you really don't need to do this. What I value most is a person's attitude and sincerity. In fact, after talking to you last night, I had already let that matter go. There's no need for further thanks."
After speaking, he picked up his wine glass and took a sip, accepting his apology and gratitude.
"Last night," Shen Xi's heart skipped a beat upon hearing these words.
He had brought up last night himself, which meant he remembered the phone call with Song Kai Cheng.
So, had he been drunk last night? Did he remember everything he had said? Were they all true words?
At this moment, Mei Yun tugged at Song Kai Cheng's collar, urging him to sit down. She then stood up with her wine glass.
"Mr. Qin, I'd like to toast you too. Thank you for your help and understanding."
Qin Si Ye quickly stood up as well, looking at her with his usual expression, "You're too kind. Helping you was to thank Dr. Shen for treating my grandmother, and it was just a small gesture. Please don't take it to heart. Please sit."
"No. Mr. Qin, you must drink this glass of wine, or I won't feel at ease," Mei Yun said, looking at him with a smile.
"Alright. I'll drink," Qin Si Ye replied readily, picking up the wine glass and drinking it in one gulp.
The gathering tonight was originally to send Song Kai Cheng off and should have been a joyful occasion. However, ever since Qin Si Ye arrived, the meal had become quite agonizing.
Besides apologies and thanks, there seemed to be no other topics of conversation.
Fortunately, the three children occasionally interjected a few words to ease the awkwardness, preventing the situation from becoming too uncomfortable.
But beneath the surface of harmony, everyone harbored their own thoughts, even appearing somewhat absent-minded.
Qin Si Ye's gaze would invariably fall upon the faces of the three children. He had too many questions he wanted to ask Shen Xi clearly.
After the meal, Song Kai Cheng, citing his early morning flight, left with Mei Yun.
Jian Fan, who hadn't been drinking, drove them away.
Shen Xi held Mei Yun's hand and escorted them to the main gate, "Brother Kai Cheng, I'll see you off at the airport tomorrow morning."
"No need. Tonight's dinner was to see me off, wasn't it? You go and attend to your own matters," Song Kai Cheng said with a thoughtful smile.
"Sigh!" Shen Xi sighed helplessly, "I forgot he would be coming tonight. I'm sorry, this meal was a bit too difficult to endure."
"It's alright. I think it was good. It allowed all the issues to be discussed openly," Song Kai Cheng said calmly.
Mei Yun, however, frowned slightly and said, "Xi Xi, what do you mean by that? Does Qin Si Ye come every Friday?"
"Yes. The children really like the cakes he buys, and they've arranged for him to bring one every Friday," Shen Xi replied with a neutral expression.
"Oh. I see," Mei Yun said, waving goodbye to her with a thoughtful look.
As soon as the car started, she looked at Song Kai Cheng beside her anxiously, "Kai Cheng, you're leaving just like this?"
"What else can I do?" Song Kai Cheng leaned back against the seat, pinching his brow.
Hearing his response, Mei Yun couldn't help but lightly hit his arm, "What's your attitude? In Country B, you promised me you'd confess to her when you got back."