After the festive opening, due to Mom Qiu's busy work, Uncle Qiu's enjoyment of the warehouse, and Grandpa and Grandma Qiu's immersion in their retirement life, the remaining tasks fell to Dad Qiu and Qiu Xi.
Because of the promise to Qiu Ge, Qiu Xi did most of the work, and Dad Qiu mainly ran errands.
Dad Qiu even sighed theatrically, remarking that days without cooking were quite leisurely and comfortable.
After eating the meal meticulously prepared by his sister, Qiu Ge felt he had performed well.
As soon as the last exam ended, this young man walked out in his own unique way.
Head held high, his face beamed with a smile so wide it seemed he wanted everyone to know how happy he was.
"What are you grinning about, kid? Your eyes are looking so high up, can you even see people?"
Dad Qiu came to pick him up and, upon seeing the boy, playfully tapped him on the head, mimicking Grandpa Qiu.
Don't think you're so smug just because you're a little taller than your old man!
Your father is still your father, and when you deserve a tap, you'll get one!
"Dad, what are you doing! I'm finally free, can't I relax a bit..."
Getting tapped by his dad completely ruined his good mood.
"You're spoiled, it's only been a few days!"
"Get in the car quickly, we need to pack your things and go back for dinner."
The moment the exams ended and he stepped out of the examination hall, this treasure was already like a weed.
Dad Qiu demonstrated this situation perfectly.
"Dad, where are we going to eat later?"
Before Dad Qiu could even speak, Qiu Ge's mind was already flooded with memories of spicy crayfish, braised pork ribs, and soy-glazed pig trotters...
Thinking about it, he couldn't help but swallow his saliva.
"We're not going out, who told you we were?"
Dad Qiu's words shattered Qiu Ge's fantasy.
Feeling a bit dejected, "We're not going out..."
He thought about his sister's feast last year. How come he, as a child being doted on, was faring so poorly...
"Not going out, eating at home."
"Okay..."
He immediately deflated.
Alas...
It's fine if we're not going out, eating at home is also pretty good.
At least after being served by his sister and dad for three days, he felt he had gotten his due.
Qiu Ge, now very aware of his "family status," had learned to adopt the spirit of Ah Q.
Dad Qiu nodded, "Mhm."
With the appetites of this large family being spoiled by him and Xi'er, they now looked down on outside restaurants.
When he mentioned booking a table at noon, he was immediately rejected before he could even finish his sentence.
No choice, they finally decided that their daughter would cook, and he would run errands and assist.
Everything was mostly done before they came, so a bit more work back home should be enough for them to start eating.
So, they needed to hurry during this time.
"Have you finished packing everything?"
"Yes."
He had packed everything before returning home to rest a few days ago; now it was just a matter of transporting it.
"Then let's hurry, after we move the things, we still need to get back and cook quickly."
Yearning for his daughter's cooking, Dad Qiu also couldn't wait to go back and start eating right after assisting.
"Okay..."
It's still Dad cooking, when can he taste his sister's cooking again...
These two people, not on the same wavelength, managed to have a rather fitting conversation.
Truly father and son!
Because they were both rushing home, they moved things quickly.
In less than fifteen minutes, father and son were ready to drive home.
...
As soon as they arrived home.
"Little Pigeon, I don't know where you want these things put, so I'm off to do my own thing. You can move them in yourself."
With that, Dad Qiu tossed a sentence to his son and went straight inside.
Qiu Ge looked bewildered...
What did he mean he didn't know where to put them?
His things would naturally go in his own room, and he could tidy up the miscellaneous items himself...
Really, Dad, couldn't you find a better excuse?
After a moment of grumbling, Qiu Ge still had to fend for himself.
Fortunately, his uncle helped him by bringing over the dusty little cart his dad used for hauling goods, otherwise, it would have taken a lot longer...
With two "clangs," a pile of things was loaded onto the little cart.
But when he finally got back to his room, put his things down, and just went to wash his hands, everyone else was already seated at the dining table.
"???"
Looking at his dad, Qiu Ge was completely lost.
He felt like his dad had tricked him several times in the past hour.
"Little Pigeon, come quickly, it's almost time to eat."
Qiu Xi, smiling brightly, called her brother to come and eat.
"Your sister personally cooked this. While it's not a full banquet, it's all according to the menu you ordered."
"Sis! You're the best to me!"
Looking at the fragrant pig trotters, ribs, fish...
And this season's beloved spicy crayfish!
The aroma of the dishes filled the air with happiness.
"Pfft~"
Mom Qiu was the first to laugh, "You child, you're too dramatic, eat quickly."
Otherwise, your saliva is going to drip down.
"Gulp!"
Qiu Ge swallowed involuntarily.
"Don't mind him, eat quickly. Our daughter's cooking is much better than mine."
"Dad, Mom, eat more."
Dad Qiu said, while also serving Grandpa and Grandma Qiu.
"And Big Brother, eat up!"
Saying that, Dad Qiu ate with great gusto.
"Dad! Serve me some too..."
Seeing the spicy crayfish already significantly diminished, Qiu Ge felt a pang of sorrow.
His dad's "Nine Yin White Bone Claw for Peeling Shrimp" was a skill honed over many years, true mastery!
Thus, Qiu Ge couldn't spare any more compliments. He put on his gloves and started directly.
Finally, after the whole family was full and satisfied, Qiu Ge felt completely content.
After this meal, his little thoughts of not being able to go out had long since drifted away.
However, in the end, Qiu Ge was the one who cleaned up.
In the words of his family, since his sister made the meal, it was only fitting that he wash the dishes.
...
After eating, lounging like Ge You and then going for a stroll had become a small tradition for the Qiu family.
However, as everyone was about to head out today, Qiu Xi stopped them.
"Mom, Dad, let's not go out today. We can just chat in the courtyard."
"Besides, I have something to tell you all."
"Okay, then let's sit in the courtyard."
"And bring out some drinks too~"
"Alright, just tell us what's on your mind, Xi'er."
The post-meal stroll had suddenly turned into a family meeting.
"Dad, besides bringing Little Pigeon to his exam, I came back this time to tell you something."
"I bought two apartments in Chongxi City, and I wanted to ask if you would like to move there with me?"
"What?!?!"
Apartments? Two of them?
These words stunned the entire family.
This honest family had only seen two apartments in their entire lives.
And those were both owned by the older generation after half their lives' hard work...