The time to disembark the ship was around noon.
The ship's staff had inquired if a full meal should be prepared, but Xia Qing Tian and the others declined. After all, most of them had been away from home for several days, and many were still at an age where they weren't entirely accustomed to being away. Besides, the disembarking time was reasonable, and it would be nice for everyone to return home and have a meal with their families.
After thanking the diligent ship staff before disembarking, and thanking Bai Yu Qi, who had hosted them, the group boarded the cars sent by the Xia family. Shi Xing Wu was the first to be taken home, followed by Li Xiao Zhong. Then came Xia Qing Tian, her sister, and Miao Tong. The last person remaining in the car was Nie Qing Kong.
“Let me know on your phone when you get home,” Miao Tong said, waving. “Get some good rest today.”
“Okay.” Nie Qing Kong nodded and looked at Xia Qing Yu, only to see her walk away with big strides without looking back.
Soon, an elegant and mature woman emerged from the house and gave her a big hug. This woman was likely Xia Qing Yu’s mother. Nie Qing Kong squinted slightly, then saw the woman hug Xia Qing Tian as well. The three of them went inside, chatting and laughing, with Miao Tong following behind, also chattering cheerfully. It was lively and warm.
“Classmate, I’ll take you home now. Is your home at…” the driver began, wanting to confirm the address with Nie Qing Kong.
“No need, I’ll get off here,” Nie Qing Kong said.
“Huh? Here?” the driver was surprised. Wasn’t this the Xia family’s house?
“Yes,” Nie Qing Kong replied, opened the car door, and got out with his backpack.
As Miao Tong reached to close the door, he saw Nie Qing Kong standing by the roadside and looked surprised. “Nie Qing Kong? Why did you get out?” Was he not going home?
“I forgot to tell my family I’d be taking a car home, so they’ve come to the port to pick me up,” Nie Qing Kong said, smiling a little shyly. “I just sent them my location and told them I’d wait here.”
“It takes at least an hour to get here from the port. Why don’t you come in and sit for a while?” Miao Tong waved. “When your family arrives, you can meet up with them then.”
“No, that’s too much trouble,” Nie Qing Kong waved his hand. “I’ll just wait here.”
“That won’t do. Standing outside for an hour in the middle of the day, you’ll get heatstroke or just be worn out. Come in and have a meal,” Miao Tong insisted, pulling Nie Qing Kong into the Xia family home.
Aunt Liu looked surprised to see the person Miao Tong had pulled in. “And this is…?”
“He’s Qing Yu’s classmate and also went to the competition. His name is Nie Qing Kong,” Miao Tong explained. “It’s not a short trip from the port to here.”
“Then go wash your hands first, we’re about to have a meal,” Aunt Liu said with a smile. “You can put your things down first.”
“Yes, thank you, Auntie,” Nie Qing Kong replied with a gentle and refined smile.
“Come, I’ll take you to wash your hands,” Miao Tong enthusiastically led Nie Qing Kong to the shared bathroom to wash his hands. Then they returned to the living room, sat on the sofa, ate some fruit, and chatted.
Before long, Xia Qing Tian and Xia Qing Yu came downstairs. The sisters had changed into comfortable home clothes. Xia Qing Yu was a little surprised to see Nie Qing Kong when she came downstairs. She hadn’t spoken a single word to Nie Qing Kong since their falling out on the deck that day, nor had she even looked at him. She figured that even if Nie Qing Kong wanted to make things difficult for her at school tomorrow, that was a matter for tomorrow; today, she wanted to be happy and spend time with her family. Who knew Nie Qing Kong would actually… Did he really hate her that much?
“Hey? You didn’t go home?” Xia Qing Tian was the first to ask.
Miao Tong immediately explained Nie Qing Kong’s situation and poured him a glass of water.
“These kinds of mix-ups happen often,” Xia Qing Tian said with a smile. “Aunt Liu, when do we eat? I’m so hungry.”
“We can eat now, we were just waiting for you sisters,” Aunt Liu said, beckoning everyone towards the dining room.
The round table was filled with delicious dishes, and there were also juices and various drinks. Miao Tong didn’t stand on ceremony and pulled Nie Qing Kong to a seat. Nie Qing Kong’s other side was Xia Qing Yu’s seat. After a moment’s hesitation, Xia Qing Yu sat down obediently. She didn’t want her family to notice any discord between her and Nie Qing Kong; she wanted her family to believe she was doing well. She had long been accustomed to reporting only good news and hiding bad news. Moreover, nowadays, only the oddball Nie Qing Kong was still opposing her; everyone else had stopped bullying her long ago. Setting aside Nie Qing Kong, she was indeed doing very well.
“Wow, all my favorites,” Xia Qing Tian said, smacking her lips. “Aunt Liu, were you lonely while we were gone?”
“Of course! Without you all, and with Er Ya not back either, your father and I just stared at each other all day,” Aunt Liu said, resting her chin on her hand and smiling at Xia Qing Tian. “There were originally two spicy dishes, but Qing Yu said your leg was injured and you needed to be careful with your diet, so I had them removed.”
“Qing Yu, this little nanny. Whoever marries her in the future, it’s hard to say if it’ll be a blessing or a curse,” Miao Tong said with a laugh, thinking of how Xia Qing Yu had taken care of and nagged Xia Qing Tian these past few days.
Hearing this, Nie Qing Kong’s gaze shifted, and the corners of his lips curved into a faint arc.
“Pfft, whoever marries my Qing Yu is lucky enough to have smoke coming from their ancestors’ graves; it’s a blessing cultivated over eight lifetimes,” Xia Qing Tian said, tilting her chin up. “I’m not planning to let Qing Yu get married so soon, she has to accompany me for another ten years or so!”
“I’ll accompany you for eighty years too,” Xia Qing Yu said, looking at Xia Qing Tian, her smile gentle. “I won’t get married, I’ll just stay with you.”
At this moment, the smile on Nie Qing Kong’s lips gradually disappeared.
“Don’t say such childish things,” Aunt Liu said, laughing. “I want to see both of you sisters marry the people you love.”
“Our family’s two great beauties are truly not for ordinary men,” Miao Tong said, resting one hand on his chin. “How about… considering my brother?”
“Do you want us to be hunted down by Er Ya?” Xia Qing Tian asked speechlessly, rolling her eyes at Miao Tong. Who didn’t know that Xia Shang was Er Ya’s most precious treasure? Compete with Er Ya for Xia Shang? Did they think they had too many lives?
“Little Uncle, it’s impossible for me to marry my own little uncle,” Xia Qing Yu said helplessly. “You should just take care of yourself, and don’t go trying to matchmake randomly.”
“Hehe, I was just saying,” Miao Tong chuckled.
“You have a brother?” Nie Qing Kong looked at Miao Tong. According to the organization’s information, Miao Tong’s brother had been lost in childhood and was found to have already become a member of the Xia family. This was a detail Nie Qing Kong had always found confusing. Was it a coincidence, or was someone deliberately arranging it?
“Yes! My brother is not talkative and has a rather reserved personality, but he’s absolutely stunning!” Miao Tong boasted, puffing out his chin proudly. “He looks as handsome as I do!”
… Nie Qing Kong had been hoping to elicit some information, but seeing Miao Tong like this, he choked. Very well, he had lost interest in asking further.