"Alright, that's all for the morning. Go out and rest for a while."
Looking at his disciple who was absorbing information with such high quality, even though it wasn't the first time he'd realized it, Du Bin couldn't help but sigh.
This young disciple, taken in by an old man like himself, was truly exceptionally gifted.
"Teacher, I'll head out then."
"Go ahead."
In the courtyard -
"Grandma Li, what are you doing?"
As soon as she came out, Qiu Xi saw Grandma Li standing alone in the courtyard and called out from a distance.
"Little Xi, why are you out so early today?"
She hadn't even started preparing lunch yet, and the girl was already out.
"Mhm, today's lesson was quite fast."
Qiu Xi walked over and realized Grandma Li was looking at the flowers.
Coincidentally, these were the Jinsha Shuju flowers she had planted during the New Year.
"Then you're the smart one!"
"Wait a moment, I'll go prepare lunch for you all."
"Grandma Li, let me do it."
She had already finished her tasks and had free time. There was no reason to let an elder prepare food while she sat around waiting to eat.
"Alright, then Little Xi, you go ahead."
Li Minglan didn't argue with the young girl, especially since the girl's cooking skills were truly exceptional.
"Mhm."
"Oh right, Grandma Li, where is Ah Hua?"
She hadn't seen him at all since she came out, so Qiu Xi asked.
"You didn't ask, and I almost forgot. That kid went out for something."
"He didn't say what it was. Don't worry about him, if he doesn't come back by mealtime, we'll eat first."
As she spoke, Li Minglan pulled her into the house.
"Okay~"
Grandma Li didn't know that she'd ask again when it was time for the meal.
Evening.
"Nan Hua, what were you doing all day?"
Qiu Xi hadn't seen this person at the Du family's place all day.
Now that she had the time, she couldn't help but ask.
"What? Is my little girlfriend worried?"
Nan Hua looked at the person beside him, her lips pursed. He found it amusing and wanted to tease her.
Qiu Xi turned her head away, "No way!"
Nan Hua followed her gaze, "Really?"
"Fake!"
Qiu Xi looked at this thick-skinned fellow, nudged him with her head, put her hands on her hips, and said, "So, you better confess quickly!"
"Pfft~"
She looked quite cute when she pretended to be fierce!
"Alright, I won't say. You'll know when you go back later."
"Hm? You went to my house?"
"That's right. Auntie mentioned the online shop a couple of days ago. I went to help today and got a bit busy."
"So soon?"
Her mother had only spoken to Aunt Zhang not too long ago. She was there at the time and had said they would help together later.
"Well, I was free recently, so I told Auntie and started ahead of time."
"Is it done now?"
"Yes, Aunt Zhang did a very thorough job with the preparations. Now we're just waiting for the review."
"Alright~"
It seemed there was no role for her to play.
But then she thought, this was also good.
"Ah Hua, thank you!"
Nan Hua's eyes flashed, and a smile played on his lips. "Then how do you plan to thank me, Xi Xi?"
"Is this enough?"
As she spoke, Qiu Xi tiptoed and kissed Nan Hua on the cheek.
It was a fleeting touch.
Nan Hua touched his warm cheek, feeling happy but not satisfied.
This was still far from what he wanted!
"Xi Xi, this won't do!"
"It should be like this!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Nan Hua leaned in and captured that soft spot.
He kept kissing her...
"Mmm!"
This guy!
He was getting better and better...
A few minutes later, Qiu Xi clung to Nan Hua, her watery eyes fixed on him, not speaking.
"Xi Xi!"
"Stop looking, I'll take you back first."
If he kept looking, he was afraid he would "fall into the old trap" again.
Qiu Xi, having recovered her senses, glared at him. "Then are you still giving me a ride? Do you plan to walk back yourself later?"
"How could that be! I parked my car at home this afternoon, and I'll go get it."
"Where did you get a car?"
She knew he hadn't driven here this time; he had taken a plane.
"Cough cough..."
Nan Hua rubbed his head, his eyes darting around, and finally uttered, "Well... Grandma Li's mobility scooter."
"..."
You're still the best dog...
He could even use a trick like this.
Thinking this, Qiu Xi imagined her tall boyfriend driving Grandma Li's grocery-getting mobility scooter.
"Pfft~"
It seemed... a little bit... funny!
Nan Hua was helpless. "Stop laughing!"
Although he also felt it was a bit silly, it wasn't enough to make her laugh like this!
"Okay... Hahahaha..."
I'm sorry!
She really couldn't hold back.
"..."
"Laugh all you want!"
"I'll wait until you're done laughing before I leave!"
It only took about a dozen seconds. Qiu Xi looked at the serious-faced man and finally stopped laughing.
"Okay~ I'm not laughing anymore."
"Boyfriend, you're so cute!"
She had stopped laughing, but her mouth hadn't stopped.
"Mhm?"
"Xi Xi, don't you want to go back?"
Nan Hua looked at her, a bit troubled.
"I do, I do! Let's go quickly!"
She didn't want to tease him too much, as she would be the one to suffer.
Saying this, she obediently sat in the car.
Nan Hua's lips curved upwards. "Little coward~"
"..."
The enemy is strong, I am weak, I shall endure for now.
I'll make a note of this for later.
...
More than ten minutes later, at the Qiu family's house.
"Mom, I'm back."
Upon arriving home, Qiu Xi saw her mother sitting in the living room.
"Ah! Ah Hua, perfect timing, come help Auntie take a look at this."
Her mother ignored her daughter and called out to Nan Hua.
Qiu Xi felt as though she hadn't seen Nan Hua for just one day, and he had already become her mother's biological son...
"Okay, Auntie."
"..."
Speechless!
Then, Qiu Xi watched the two of them, their gazes meeting, but neither of them reacted.
After a few more minutes, they finally finished their conversation.
Mom Qiu looked up and saw her daughter, seeming a bit puzzled. "Little Xi, why are you still here?"
"..."
So I shouldn't be here now...
"Heh heh... I was just looking."
This is still my home...
Nan Hua, standing beside her, smiled at his girlfriend's little thoughts.
"Auntie, I have something to tell Xi Xi."
"Is that so... Then you two talk, I'll go upstairs and look at what you said."
Pretending to suddenly realize, Mom Qiu finished speaking and went upstairs.
"..."
She must have been picked up from the trash heap by her mother!
"Now, we're even."
"..."
This boyfriend must also be fake!
Annoying!
"Alright, alright, it's getting late, you should go back too."
Nan Hua didn't expose her. "Okay~ I'll listen to you!"
"Mhm."
Qiu Xi looked, and the slight annoyance she had felt earlier was long gone.
"Oh right, Auntie's shop will likely need a helper, preferably someone who knows how to operate a computer."
Mhm, before leaving, he didn't forget to clarify things.
"Alright, I know."
"Then, am I leaving?"
"Mhm, mhm! Be careful on the road."
Qiu Xi ultimately didn't get to see Nan Hua drive Grandma Li's mobility scooter.
That guy was too cunning; the car wasn't parked at the Qiu family's house at all.