Chapter 445: Second Cousin

After the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, the festive atmosphere faded.

People working outside left in batches, starting another year of rushing about for a few pieces of silver.

Every year at this time, many children left behind at home would have their hearts broken.

Like Tang Wen, those who had the conditions to be with their parents and whose families had already established a foothold in big cities were, after all, only a minority.

Generally speaking, after eating sweet dumplings on the Lantern Festival, this Spring Festival was truly over.

The start of the university semester was also basically after the Lantern Festival.

In the senior high school class group, everyone also began to prepare to set off one after another.

Class Monitor Mu Nan and Liao Juan were the first batch to leave. Shanghai was quite far, so the two prepared to go a few days early to settle down first; they had nothing to do at home anyway.

In the days before leaving, everyone, who had gone from being treasures to weeds in their parents' eyes, transformed back into treasures. They were served delicious food and drinks every day, and no one cared if they slept in; they might even be told to sleep a little longer.

This morning, classmates in the class group were seeing off the class monitor, Liao Juan, and two others who were leaving.

"Class monitor, have a safe trip. See you at the end of the year."

"Wishing the two beauties a smooth journey. Bring back a boyfriend next year."

"Hahaha... there are many rich people in Shanghai. With our class monitor and Liao Juan's attractiveness, finding a tall, rich, and handsome guy should be easy, right?"

"What are you talking about? Does the class monitor need to look for one? Tall, rich, and handsome guys are lining up to find her!"

Everyone chatted one after another, and as they chatted, they gradually went off-topic.

"Stop messing around. We're on the train. See you all at the end of the year!"

Class Monitor Mu Nan also popped up, sending a message to the group and tagging everyone.

Seeing this, everyone typed "See you at the end of the year" to fill the screen.

Unsurprisingly, once everyone returned to school, this class group would sink into silence again.

But as long as there was a class monitor like Mu Nan, and such cohesion, no matter how many years passed, everyone would still be able to gather together happily when they returned home for the New Year.

Qin Tian, who had just woken up from a sleep-in and was leaning against the head of the bed scrolling through his phone, also typed "See you at the end of the year" and sent it out.

Suddenly, a message notification sounded.

Qin Tian exited the class chat group and saw that his second cousin had sent a message. 【445

"Report, have successfully arrived at the designated location, target locked, mission about to begin 【funny】 【funny】"

"Please seize the opportunity, act with caution!"

Qin Tian replied with a chuckle.

"Received!"

Tang Heng replied with two words.

Qin Tian laughed silently and sent a screenshot of the chat to Xia Nuannuan.

This guy was sparing no effort to get a girlfriend; he had begged Xia Nuannuan for help, found out the train schedule for Mu Nan and Liao Juan, and bought a ticket for the same train.

According to his plan, he was going to manufacture a fateful encounter on the train.

"Second cousin is so funny!"

Xia Nuannuan replied quickly.

"Is it 'funny' or 'silly'?"

"Heehee... no, don't talk nonsense."

"They've all left, when are we going to school?"

"Tomorrow afternoon?"

Qin Tian typed to ask.

There were still four or five days until school started, but he planned to go early.

The two houses there had already been aired out; if they went early to buy appliances and furniture, and picked up various daily necessities, they could move in.

"Okay, I'll listen to you."

Xia Nuannuan readily agreed.

"Then come over with your mom tonight; I'll cook a few good dishes, and we'll have a meal together."

Qin Tian invited.

Two days ago, the future father-in-law had already set off for Jiangcheng, and tomorrow the two of them would have to leave too, so they should have a good meal with their two mothers today.

"Okay, my mom agreed, we'll be over in a bit."

"Alright."

By six o'clock in the afternoon, it was already dark outside.

In the brightly lit main room, Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan sat together, having dinner with their two mothers.

On the table were delicious home-cooked dishes, all from the hands of Chef Qin.

"Aunt Tang, has Uncle Qin returned to the Imperial Capital?"

Xia Nuannuan asked.

Tang Xiuxia nodded with a smile and said, "He left yesterday afternoon."

"I see!"

"He also asked me to tell you to come to the Imperial Capital to play when you have time."

"That would be great!"

Xia Nuannuan gave a sweet smile and glanced at Qin Tian beside her.

Qin Tian buried his head in his food, pretending not to hear their conversation, and naturally couldn't grasp the deeper meaning behind it.

"Sister Xiu, Brother Qin works at the research institute, what field is it in?"

Su Xia asked with a smile.

"Hmm... I'm not really sure about that. It seems to be something like bioengineering, I don't understand it, and he can't say much either; many of the projects they participate in are under confidentiality agreements."

Tang Xiuxia replied.

"It seems there's a reason why Xiao Qin's talent for learning is so strong."

Su Xia smiled.

"Can we stop talking about him?"

Qin Tian put a piece of meat into Xia Nuannuan's bowl, his tone somewhat helpless.

The two mothers smiled and didn't continue the topic.

"Brother, what time are we leaving tomorrow afternoon?"

Xia Nuannuan asked with a sweet smile.

"Shall we leave after lunch?"

Qin Tian suggested.

"Okay!"

Xia Nuannuan nodded in agreement.

"Then it's settled."

"Mm-hmm!"

The next day, after having lunch at home with his mother, Qin Tian packed his few belongings and prepared to set off.

"I'm leaving now, take care of yourself."

Qin Tian opened his arms to hug his mother and said goodbye.

"Mm!"

Tang Xiuxia responded with a bright smile.

Qin Tian didn't waste words; after letting go, he opened the car door and got in.

After starting the car, he rolled down the window and looked at his mother outside.

"I'm off!"

"Drive slowly on the road, be careful."

"I know."

Qin Tian nodded in response, then turned the car around and headed toward Xia Nuannuan's house.

After driving a distance, he looked in the rearview mirror and saw his mother still standing there watching him, her thin figure appearing somewhat lonely.

This made him think of that father he didn't want to acknowledge; if his mother had him by her side right now, would he still feel this way?

Thinking of this, Qin Tian shook his head vigorously, casting the thought from his mind.

He drove the car directly into Xia Nuannuan's residential complex, parked, and went up to help move her luggage.

Including the clothes bought during the Spring Festival, Xia Nuannuan had more luggage than when she had returned.

After saying goodbye to Xia Nuannuan's grandparents, her future mother-in-law saw them off to the car.

"Mom, I'm leaving!"

Xia Nuannuan sat in the passenger seat and waved goodbye to her mother outside the car.

"Go on, Xiao Tian, drive slowly."

Su Xia urged with a gentle smile.

"Okay."

Qin Tian responded, started the car, and left.

This time it was just the two of them; Xia Nuannuan had called Su Yan, who said she had a banquet to attend and wouldn't be able to return to Jiangcheng for another two days.