Chen Chen immediately said, "Uncle Song, Uncle Qin's leg is injured and not fully recovered, so it might not be convenient."
"It's fine. I can manage," Qin Si Ye said dismissively, slowly standing up from his chair.
Shen Xi did not stop him. Instead, she met his gaze with a gentle look and quickly walked over to hand him the cane leaning against the wall.
The two soon left the hall and went outside.
Of the people sitting at the table, only the three children and Yin Zhe were still eating with their heads down. The other three had all put down their chopsticks, each with their own thoughts.
They wondered how the conversation outside was going.
After a moment, to break the tense atmosphere, Shen Xi quickly picked up her cup and stood up, saying, "Mr. Qin, Auntie, you are both elders, and it is a great honor to have the opportunity to gather at our home today. I will toast you with a drink instead of wine."
"Good," Qin Xiu Yi said with a smile, raising his wine glass. "However, since Si Ye already calls your auntie 'Auntie Mei,' shouldn't you change your address as well? You can call me Uncle Qin, or Little Uncle."
Shen Xi thought about it and felt that her relationship with Qin Si Ye was not yet fully established, so calling him Little Uncle seemed a bit inappropriate. Calling him Uncle Qin would be more suitable.
"Alright. Then I will call you Uncle Qin from now on," Shen Xi said with a smile, looking at him. She then raised her cup and drank first.
Mei Yun glanced at Qin Xiu Yi, thinking that this man really knew how to seize an opportunity.
She took a large sip of her drink.
Next, Yin Zhe and the three children also stood up and toasted them.
For a moment, the lively atmosphere returned to the dining room.
Ten minutes later, Qin Si Ye walked in, leaning on his cane.
Shen Xi quickly went to help him and asked, "Where is Brother Kai Cheng?"
"He's gone." Qin Si Ye's voice rose slightly as he looked towards the dining table. "He said he had an urgent matter and wouldn't come in to say goodbye, asking me to pass on his regards to everyone."
"Okay. It's fine, he's busy. Let's continue eating," Mei Yun said with a smile, gesturing for everyone.
After dinner, everyone chatted in the living room for a while. Mei Yun helped Shen Xi with all the tidying and washing up before taking off her apron and preparing to leave.
Shen Xi walked her to the main entrance. "Auntie, you worked too hard today. You don't need to come over tonight. And for the next few days, I'll be home, so you don't need to travel back and forth anymore."
"Alright," Mei Yun said with a smile, patting her hand. "Don't forget to bring everyone to my place for dinner tomorrow at noon."
"Yes. I know," Shen Xi said goodbye to her with a smile. She had only taken a few steps when she saw Qin Xiu Yi also coming out of the door.
"Uncle Qin, are you leaving too?"
"Yes. I've had a bit too much to drink and want to go back to the hotel to rest." Qin Xiu Yi's face was slightly flushed, and he couldn't help but look in Mei Yun's direction.
Shen Xi immediately understood and quickly turned around to call out to Mei Yun, "Auntie, Uncle Qin seems a little drunk. Could I trouble you to send him back?"
Mei Yun paused slightly, pondered for a moment, then turned to look at the man behind her and said calmly, "Let's go."
Shen Xi watched them disappear from her sight before turning back with relief.
Walking back into the living room, she saw that Qin Si Ye and Yin Zhe had both dozed off, while only the three children were playing spiritedly.
"Can you three stop making so much noise? Can't you see Uncle Qin and Uncle are about to fall asleep?"
As soon as Shen Xi finished speaking, the two who were dozing sat up straight in embarrassment.
The three children also apologized to them.
"There's nothing much to do this afternoon, everyone can go back to their rooms and rest," Shen Xi said, then looked at the three children, "Even if you three aren't tired, you must stay in your rooms. Don't run around and disturb others' rest."
The three little ones stood in a neat row and replied in unison, "Yes, Mommy."
Yin Zhe and the three children went upstairs first.
As Shen Xi helped Qin Si Ye to the second floor, Qin Si Ye unhesitatingly raised his leg and headed towards the master bedroom on the right.
"What are you doing?" Shen Xi stopped and looked up at him.
"Resting. My things are all in the master bedroom," Qin Si Ye replied righteously.
However, in the next moment, he was met with Shen Xi's slightly angry gaze, "Qin Si Ye, you admitted it yourself. You never moved out of my bedroom those few days."