"Want to go back to my place first?" Nan Hua sat in the passenger seat and looked at Qiu Xi next to him.
"Mm, back to your place." She had come to pick him up, so of course she had to take him home first.
"I haven't seen Aunt Chu in a while, and Grandpa Nan too. It's a good opportunity to visit them."
"Okay, then let's go to my place first." Nan Hua smiled and nodded.
It was just that the weather was too cold, otherwise, they would have stayed outside for a while before going back.
But now, going back home to stay was also a good option.
When the two arrived at the Nan family's home, the family members didn't react at all.
The moment Qiu Xi stepped inside and the warm air hit her, she walked in, changed her shoes, and had already taken off her padded jacket.
As a southerner, coming to the north in winter, what she liked most was this heating system.
However, going out was truly bone-chillingly cold.
Although there was no one in the living room when they entered, Chu Sheng quickly came downstairs soon after.
"You two coming back here without saying anything. If Auntie hadn't called me, I would still be lounging around," Chu Sheng said as she looked at them and hurried over.
She knew about Xiao Xi going to pick him up; they had talked about it on the phone a few days ago.
But she didn't know that they would come back to the Nan family's place first.
Usually, they would go out to play or visit the Qiu family first before coming over.
Today, it was unusually out of character, going straight home from the airport.
"Ms. Chu, look at your expression. Are you unhappy that I came home first?" Nan Hua asked his mother with a grin.
"Get lost!" Chu Sheng smiled and glanced at her son.
"Go tidy up your things. Xiao Xi and I will chat first."
"Alright!"
"Then you two chat, I'll go upstairs first."
With that said, Nan Hua picked up his suitcase and went upstairs.
"Xiao Xi, come here."
"Sit here." Chu Sheng patted the seat beside her.
Seeing Qiu Xi sit down, Chu Sheng noticed the padded jacket she had just taken off and continued, "It's so cold outside. I knew I should have let Nan Hua come back by himself, so you wouldn't have to suffer from the cold."
"Look at our Xiao Xi, her face is all red."
Qiu Xi looked at Chu Sheng's actions and started to smile.
"Aunt Chu, it's actually not that bad."
"I wanted to pick him up myself. It was just a bit cold when we came out."
"The car's air conditioning is still quite warm."
"You are such a good talker, my dear." Chu Sheng patted the girl's hand and said happily.
"Tell Auntie what you want to eat later, and I'll have someone prepare it. You two should eat something good before going out."
"Aunt Chu, I'll eat whatever you have."
"Aunt Chu's cooking must be good, I'm not picky."
"..." Chu Sheng gave a gentle roll of her eyes. "Xiao Xi, you really know how to talk."
"That's good. After knowing you for so long, Auntie knows what you like. I'll have the kitchen make it for you later."
"Okay~"
"Thank you, Aunt Chu~"
"Don't be so polite!"
"Your Grandpa Nan is bored in there by himself. Go keep him company."
"I'll go prepare the meal for you. We'll eat early later."
"Okay~" Qiu Xi nodded.
As soon as Chu Sheng finished speaking, she got up and went to the kitchen to find people.
Qiu Xi didn't linger alone and soon got up to go inside.
She had been to the Nan family's house several times, so she knew the way.
Grandpa Nan had a study on the first floor. Aunt Chu must have been referring to this study just now.
"Knock, knock~" Qiu Xi walked to the door and knocked gently.
"Who is it?"
"Grandpa Nan, it's me, Xiao Xi."
"Xiao Xi, my dear, come in." Upon hearing it was Qiu Xi, Nan Shan stood up from his desk.
When Qiu Xi heard the reply, she didn't hesitate. She turned the doorknob and walked in.
"Grandpa Nan, what are you doing in here?"
"It's perfect timing that you're here, my dear. I've been itching to play recently, and no one is here to play with me. You've come at just the right time. Keep me company for a round first."
Nan Shan, who had walked over, became much more excited.
There were people at home, but no one could play chess with him.
Qiu Xi looked at the excited old man in front of her and suppressed a smile.
It would be strange if Grandpa Nan found someone to play chess with.
In the past, they only played a round when her master was in a good mood.
As for her, she just wanted to make the elder happy.
"Okay, I'll play with you."
"But only for a little while. Aunt Chu said we'll be having dinner soon."
"Okay, okay, soon is soon. Let's play first."
Qiu Xi smiled and agreed, "Okay, let's play first."
Saying this, the two quickly cleared a nearby table and started playing chess.
...
"No, a little slower. Let me think."
"Okay."
"Hmm, this one..."
"...Okay."
"Wait a moment..."
"Okay..."
Nan Hua, "..."
After tidying up, Nan Hua was about to come to call them for dinner as instructed by Ms. Chu.
However, the door was not closed, and before he could enter, he heard their extremely dull conversation.
He walked in and took another look.
It looked even more lively.
His grandfather was holding many chess pieces, his eyes keenly focused on the chessboard.
If you didn't hear his words, he would look like a chess master.
What a shame...
Looking at Xi Xi opposite him, there was only helplessness.
Qiu Xi had noticed someone at the door long ago, so as soon as Nan Hua entered, she immediately looked up and gave him a look.
Nan Hua glanced, then lowered his head and leaned closer to his grandfather.
"Grandpa, how about we eat after this round? It's time for dinner."
"Just a little longer..." Grandpa Nan mumbled.
"But... Xi Xi went to pick me up, and the weather was cold. We should go eat now."
When Grandpa Nan heard this, he immediately put down the chess piece in his hand and glared at his grandson.
"You're always causing trouble!"
"You had the girl come pick you up!"
"Aren't you ashamed!"
Nan Hua, "..."
"Grandpa, my fiancée picked me up, so I'm not ashamed~" Nan Hua said, deliberately looking at Qiu Xi.
"Grandpa, you should hurry up. Let's go eat first."
"..." Her thick-skinned grandson was no longer the obedient grandson from his childhood.
"Hmph!"
"Xiao Xi and I will go first. You can come over after you've finished tidying up here."
Saying that, Nan Shan stood up, then looked at Qiu Xi beside him. "Xiao Xi, come, help me out first. Let this kid clean up here."
Qiu Xi curled her lips. "Okay, I'll do as Grandpa Nan says. We'll go out first."
"Mm, let's go."
With that, the old man and the young woman walked out of the study.
Nan Hua stood in place for a while, then finally shook his head helplessly.
"I'll tidy up if I have to!"
Muttering a few words, Nan Hua quickly started cleaning up.
...