After a thoroughly enjoyable two days in Sanya, Tang Xiuxia brought up a matter for discussion during lunch at a specialty restaurant.
Qin Hongwen and his sister, Qin Tian's aunt, planned to visit Sanya to meet them.
Qin Tian fell silent after hearing this.
As for the Xia family, except for a bewildered Xia Xue, Xia Nuannuan and the other two looked at Qin Tian with questioning eyes, clearly expecting him to make the decision.
"If they want to come, let them. This place isn't ours, after all."
Qin Tian replied indifferently.
He wanted to meet his aunt, even if he wasn't sure about his father yet.
Upon hearing this, everyone at the table broke into brilliant smiles.
"Sis, what's going on?"
Xia Xue covered her mouth with her hand and leaned towards Xia Nuannuan, asking in a whisper.
Xia Nuannuan gave her a look, signaling her to not ask further and to discuss it later when they returned to their room to rest.
Xia Xue nodded and didn't press the matter.
After everyone finished their meal, Tang Xiuxia made a phone call.
Around four in the afternoon, as Qin Tian and the others were basking in the sun on the beach, they saw Tang Xiuxia walking towards them with two people whose facial features bore a resemblance.
The woman was Qin Tian's aunt, Qin Lu. She looked to be around thirty, but her actual age was likely a bit older.
She was dressed in a white shirt and women's suit pants, projecting an image of a successful career woman, possibly having flown directly after finishing work.
Qin Tian recalled his mother, Tang Xiuxia, mentioning that this aunt was a very capable lawyer who owned her own law firm in the capital, a true member of the elite.
If one were to consider it, putting aside how his late grandmother was as a person, this pair of siblings had indeed fulfilled her wishes.
Everyone promptly stood up to greet them.
"Aunt!"
After his mother introduced Qin Lu, Qin Tian called out.
He was still hesitant to acknowledge his father, but he was willing to acknowledge his aunt.
"Xiao Tian!"
Qin Lu's eyes immediately welled up, and she stepped forward to hug him.
Qin Tian was momentarily stunned, feeling somewhat unaccustomed to it, and stood stiffly without moving.
"It's so good, after so many years, I finally get to see you all. It's so good..."
Qin Lu's voice trembled slightly.
Behind her, Tang Xiuxia couldn't help but also tear up, while Qin Hongwen, standing beside her, gently comforted her by putting an arm around her shoulder.
After a while, Qin Lu released him and her gaze shifted to Xia Nuannuan beside him.
"Hello, Aunt!"
Xia Nuannuan said nervously and flusteredly.
"Good, good. I've already heard about you from Xiao Tian's father. Nuannuan, you are truly beautiful. Our Xiao Tian has excellent taste!"
Qin Lu praised with a beaming smile.
Xia Nuannuan's face flushed red with embarrassment. "Aunt, you're the beautiful one!"
Qin Lu chuckled happily at her words.
Afterward, Qin Tian, with a smile, introduced Mr. and Mrs. Xia Zhengping and Xia Xue.
Following some pleasantries, everyone quickly became acquainted.
Later, Qin Lu treated them to dinner at a relatively upscale hotel nearby.
It was Qin Hongwen and Old Xia's first meeting, but they clearly hit it off, and after a few rounds of drinks, they were already addressing each other as brothers.
...
...
The group spent another four or five days exploring various sights in Sanya and trying out local delicacies.
There wasn't much more to do, and with the Lunar New Year just two days away, they booked their flights for the next day, preparing to return to Yucheng for the holidays.
That evening, after dinner in a private room at a restaurant, a waitress suddenly entered with a large bouquet of vibrant roses.
Everyone in the private room was immediately surprised.
The Xia family and Tang Xiuxia instinctively looked at Qin Tian, assuming he had prepared a surprise for Xia Nuannuan.
However, Qin Tian also appeared bewildered and shook his head, indicating it wasn't from him.
When the waitress handed the flowers to Qin Hongwen, everyone finally understood, and their gazes shifted to Tang Xiuxia.
A hint of panic flashed across Tang Xiuxia's face, clearly indicating her bewilderment.
"Sister-in-law, you've missed so many years. It's time for a perfect ending."
Qin Lu said with a congratulatory smile. "My mother was wrong back then, and my brother and I were immature. My brother and I have thought of you all these years, filled with guilt and self-reproach. Now, our family should be reunited!"
As she spoke, Qin Hongwen knelt on one knee before Tang Xiuxia and took out a small box from his pocket, opening it to reveal a sparkling diamond ring.
Tang Xiuxia covered her mouth, tears gushing from her eyes and streaming down her cheeks.
"My dear, I hope to make up for the mistakes of the past with the rest of my life. Will you marry me?"
Qin Hongwen offered the diamond ring and flowers with both hands, his eyes filled with sincere pleading.
The Xia family members at the table, regaining their composure, all wore smiles of blessing.
Xia Nuannuan and Xia Xue, the sisters, had their eyes shining and fumbled to take out their phones to record the moment.
Tang Xiuxia didn't reach out to take them, her tear-blurred eyes looking towards her son.
Any resentment she had towards Qin Hongwen had long faded with time, and the mother who had pushed for her son's success was no longer alive.
Deep down, she certainly desired a family reunion.
But all of this was contingent on her son's approval.
After twenty years of relying on each other, her son was the most important person in her life.
Everyone's gaze followed hers, focusing on Qin Tian.
"Xiao Tian..."
Qin Lu looked at her nephew with a pleading gaze.
She knew that the success of this matter ultimately depended on this nephew.
This plan was also her arrangement. Her brother felt he owed the mother and son and was hesitant to be too forward, wanting more time to bridge the gap.
However, she felt that this matter needed to be handled decisively.
"Mom, please do what your heart desires. You've worked hard all these years, and you deserve happiness."
As Qin Tian spoke the last sentence, his voice also trembled slightly.
To his right, Xia Nuannuan couldn't help but shed tears.
Hearing her son's words, Tang Xiuxia's tears flowed even more uncontrollably. She raised her hands to wipe them away, but it seemed they wouldn't stop flowing.
Qin Lu quickly handed her tissues from the table to help her wipe her tears.
After her emotions had slightly stabilized, Tang Xiuxia reached out and accepted the flowers, allowing Qin Hongwen to help her put on the diamond ring.
"Clap clap!"
Xia Xue put down her phone and led the applause.
The others snapped out of their daze and joined in with their blessings.
Xia Nuannuan clapped her hands vigorously, moved to tears and laughter.
That night, Qin Tian lay on the hotel bed, unable to sleep for a long time.
Memories of the past years spent with his mother flashed through his mind. At some point, a smile curved his lips, and he drifted off to sleep with a contented expression.