On the eighth day of the first lunar month, work resumed. On the eve of the seventh, Xia Qingtian had to pack her things and return to Xiaoyao Pavilion. The car to the program group would pick her up early the next day, and she also had a video conference to attend with Wen Ning on the way back.
There was quite a bit to do.
"Do you have to leave?" Leaning against the doorframe, Xia Qingyu had a sullen expression, appearing unhappy.
Before and after the Lunar New Year, Xia Qingtian had only stayed at the Xia family's home for about ten days.
If it were in the past, Xia Qingyu would have found every moment of Xia Qingtian's presence at the Xia family’s unbearable.
However, Xia Qingtian had changed. She no longer opposed Xia Qingyu and had fulfilled all of Xia Qingyu's fantasies of an "older sister."
She didn't want Xia Qingtian to leave.
"It's work. I have a bit of buzz right now, so if I don't seize the opportunity to show my face more, I don't know when I'll be eliminated," Xia Qingtian said as she finished packing. "I'm entrusting my father to your care."
"Don't be fooled by his usual appearance as the pillar of the family; he actually has many lingering health issues from over the years, and his body is worn out."
"Aunt Liu too. Tell her she doesn't need to attend those social gatherings for wealthy ladies if she doesn't want to. Our Xia family doesn't need to give face to anyone."
"And Xia Shang, tell him to go out and get some sun when he has nothing else to do, not to stay cooped up in his room all the time. He doesn't even know how to open the curtains; he'll grow mushrooms."
"And you, study hard." Xia Qingtian dragged her suitcase to Xia Qingyu and gently placed her hand on Xia Qingyu's head. "Sis is going to make money."
"The Xia family doesn't need you to make money..." Xia Qingyu pursed her lips, her voice soft.
"The Xia family's money is the Xia family's, not mine. Only my own money gives me peace of mind," Xia Qingtian said. "I'm going to chase my dreams and make money, not suffer hardship. Don't worry, after this program shoot ends, I'll be back, at most in a month."
Xia Qingyu didn't reply, only quietly stepped aside, making way for Xia Qingtian.
Xia Qingtian dragged her suitcase out of the room and took the elevator to the first floor.
Xia Honglang never wanted Xia Qingtian to be a "little celebrity" and held a grudge, so he naturally wouldn't come out to see her off.
Aunt Liu, afraid that Xia Honglang might do something out of line, simply stayed in the master bedroom to keep an eye on him.
Xia Shang was the worst at handling such farewells and had also avoided it.
Only Xia Qingyu accompanied Xia Qingtian all the way out of the Xia residence.
"Then!" Seeing Xia Qingtian about to get into the car, Xia Qingyu couldn't help but call out, "If I earn a lot of money, if I give you all the money I earn... when you have money, can you come back?"
Xia Qingtian was slightly stunned, then immediately thought that this might be a common motivational scene in TV dramas.
At this moment, she should be encouraging the child's initiative.
"Mhm!" She nodded firmly and waved as she got into the car leaving the Xia family’s home.
Xia Qingyu watched the car drive away, her lips pursed in silence for a long time, making a silent decision in her heart.
She was determined to earn a lot of money and keep Xia Qingtian by her side forever.
On the second floor of the Xia residence, from behind the master bedroom curtains, Xia Honglang watched the departing car and sighed heavily. "Children grow up, and you can't keep them."
"It happens one day," Aunt Liu said, standing beside Xia Honglang and linking her arm with his. "I remember Qingtian was born around this time, wasn't she?"
"Yes, her mother had a bit of a difficult labor when she gave birth to her. She was in labor from dawn till dusk, and she was born around this time," Xia Honglang recalled, seemingly remembering Xia Qingtian when she was just born.
A tiny bundle, so light and small, yet her voice was so loud and her cries so energetic…
Now she had grown so tall, a beautiful young woman, and her voice was still loud when she argued with him.
"We celebrated her birthday at noon, and she left as soon as it got dark," Xia Honglang said, feeling a bit disheartened.
"Now Qingtian is just going to work, and you're already like this," Aunt Liu teased him. "If she were to go see a boyfriend right now, wouldn't you tear the house down?"
"How dare she! Letting her make a fuss is already spoiling her. And letting her randomly find a boyfriend? Not a chance!" Xia Honglang immediately retorted unhappily. "She's not thinking about dating before she turns thirty!"
"Alright, alright, don't get all huffy and puffed up," Aunt Liu said, trying to placate Xia Honglang. "Let the children handle their own matters."
"Hmph." Xia Honglang felt a pang of worry, concerned that Xia Qingtian might casually start dating in the entertainment industry.
But when he remembered what Mr. Gu had told him before—that the company had clear requirements and Mr. Gu would help keep an eye on her—Xia Honglang felt much more at ease.
Yet, looking at the car that disappeared as soon as it turned the corner, he still felt a little heartache.
Meanwhile, as soon as Xia Qingtian returned to Xiaoyao Pavilion, without even unpacking her luggage, she knocked on the neighbor's door. "Mobius, Happy New Year~"
Mobius, who opened the door, smiled at Xia Qingtian. "Happy New Year, come in quickly."
"Okay!" Xia Qingtian entered Mobius's home and looked at his consistently clean, tidy, and austere style, then thought of her own home and couldn't help but sigh.
People were truly different.
Immediately after, Xia Qingtian smelled a rich aroma that made her mouth water. "What's that smell? It's so fragrant!"
"It's your birthday today, so I baked a four-inch cake and made a few dishes." Mobius had wanted to do something for Xia Qingtian on her birthday after receiving his gift from her.
Knowing she was returning to the Xia family for the New Year, Mobius wasn't sure if he'd have the chance. He hadn't expected her to return tonight.
This warmed Mobius's heart, and in his enthusiasm while preparing the meal, he accidentally made too much.
"Wow..." Xia Qingtian looked at the dining table, which was usually used for meals with Mobius, now filled with plates of food, and she was stunned.
From French cuisine to Western stews, from traditional Chinese dishes to modified Italian dishes—birds of the sky, creatures of the land, inhabitants of the sea, and hidden treasures of the mountains—the table was truly lively.
"Can we finish this?" Xia Qingtian had said earlier at the Xia family's that she needed to manage her figure and had skipped dinner.
But even if she had come on an empty stomach, she couldn't possibly eat all this.
"Let's eat the cake first..." Mobius didn't answer Xia Qingtian's question but gave a dry chuckle and brought out a small four-inch cake from the kitchen. "Do you need candles?"
It had rich cream, a simple design, and was adorned with fresh fruit.
"No need. I already celebrated with my dad and them earlier with the full works. Let's just do whatever's comfortable for us," Xia Qingtian said, waving her hand.
"Okay." Hearing Xia Qingtian speak as if she wasn't an outsider, the smile on Mobius's lips deepened.
The feast tonight was paired with a bottle of creamy liqueur. It was smooth to drink, with a strong milky fragrance, but the alcohol content was quite potent.
Mobius noticed it right after the first sip and immediately reminded Xia Qingtian. However, Xia Qingtian, on the other side, downed a whole glass like she was drinking juice.
Her bold action made Mobius gasp silently. "You, you should eat some of the dishes first."
"Hiccup..."