On the evening of August 30th, everyone gathered at their usual spot for another meal.
Seeing Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan arrive in a new car, Zhang Peng and the others were astonished.
Later, upon learning that the car was a gift from Xia Nuannuan's parents to Qin Tian, everyone was even more shocked, their jaws nearly dropping.
Zhang Peng, and Xue Kai who had just returned from a family trip, were so envious they felt like crying.
The young couple seemed to have already grasped what it meant to be a true winner in life.
The day after the gathering, which was also the last day of August, the class monitor Mu Nan and Liao Juan prepared to head to Modu.
Their schools still had a few days before opening, but the two decided to go ahead to familiarize themselves with the new city and explore Modu for a few days.
Having each other for company, neither of them had their parents accompany them.
At ten in the morning, Qin Tian, as arranged during the previous dinner, drove to pick up Xia Nuannuan, and together they went to Yucheng Train Station to see the two off.
At this moment, Qin Tian was standing with Mu Nan's parents, chatting idly.
Not far away, three girls were saying their reluctant goodbyes.
"Nuannuan, when you and Qin Tian come to Modu for National Day or any other time, we'll show you around!"
Class monitor Mu Nan suggested with a bright smile.
"Okay, we'll come over when we have time."
Xia Nuannuan nodded enthusiastically.
"Nuannuan, let's hug!"
Liao Juan happily spread her arms.
Xia Nuannuan felt a slight sting in her nose. After smiling and nodding, she opened her arms and hugged her.
"Juanjuan, you and the class monitor must take care of yourselves, and we need to stay in touch by phone!"
"Of course, you and Qin Tian too. Everyone must take care. Once you get to university, keep showering each other with affection, we won't be hurt anyway, haha..."
Liao Juan's voice was filled with laughter as she spoke.
"At a time like this, you're still making fun of me!"
Xia Nuannuan, her face flushed with shyness, released her and then turned to hug Mu Nan.
It wasn't until the station announcer began broadcasting the boarding call for Mu Nan's train that the three girls ended their farewells.
Afterwards, Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan, hand in hand, together with Mu Nan's parents, watched them enter the station.
"Goodbye, Class Monitor, Juanjuan..."
Xia Nuannuan's eyes were a little moist and red. She raised her free left arm high, waving goodbye to the two.
It wasn't surprising that she was so emotional; she hadn't had such good friends for many years since starting junior high.
As she had said at the promotion banquet, this small group, formed around Qin Tian and herself, had filled all the regrets of her dim high school life.
"Nuannuan, Qin Tian, goodbye..."
"Keep in touch by phone!"
The two, carrying suitcases and bags in both hands, turned to wave goodbye to Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan.
...
...
After seeing off class monitor Mu Nan and Liao Juan, Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan returned home and also began packing their luggage.
The two had long planned to set off for Jiangcheng the next morning, September 1st.
Since he had just obtained his driver's license and there was no driver with over three years of experience in the passenger seat, Qin Tian couldn't use the highway. He decided to take the national road.
Fortunately, Jiangcheng wasn't too far from Yucheng, so it wouldn't take much longer even without the highway.
Xia Nuannuan had also invited Su Yan to go over with them in advance, but Su Yan politely declined, planning to report directly to school on the fourth.
Zhang Peng and Tian Jiajia's schools were opening a few days later, around the seventh.
During the gathering a couple of days prior, everyone had suggested that the two should travel together. However, upon learning that Tian Jiajia planned to report to school with her father, Zhang Peng timidly refused, stating he would go alone.
In the morning, Tang Xiuxia uncharacteristically made a simple breakfast herself.
After mother and son had eaten their fill, Qin Tian put his luggage in the trunk.
In fact, there wasn't much luggage, just one suitcase with some clothes.
The rest of the daily necessities would be bought new upon arrival.
Tang Xiuxia had originally offered to prepare things for him, such as bedding and sheets, worried that he might carelessly buy poor quality items. She wanted to buy them for him at a department store in Yucheng to take along.
However, Qin Tian repeatedly refused, citing the hassle of carrying too much luggage.
"Mom, I'll be going then. Take care of yourself!"
Qin Tian said with a bright smile as he closed the trunk and looked at his mother.
He wasn't accustomed to the sentimentality of farewells, and since Jiangcheng and Yucheng were close, it wasn't really a parting.
Tang Xiuxia nodded, walked forward, and raised her hand to adjust his collar, saying softly, "You too. Take care of yourself and Nuannuan. Call me if anything comes up. Come back when you have time during holidays, it's not far anyway!"
"Okay, I got it!"
Qin Tian nodded with a smile.
"Alright, go on now, go pick up Nuannuan!"
Tang Xiuxia patted his shoulder with a smile.
Qin Tian nodded, walked over, opened the car door, and got in.
"Drive carefully on the road, don't be careless!"
Tang Xiuxia came to the car window and said earnestly.
"I know!"
Qin Tian replied, started the car, and looked at his mother through the car window, saying, "Mom, don't tire yourself out too much. Just let the employees manage the clothing store. Go shopping or play cards with Aunt Su when you have time. Enjoying life is most important. Whatever you want to buy with the money in that card, buy it. With your son here, our family won't lack money in the future!"
The bonus money from the Education Bureau and the school for his top score in the college entrance examination had been deposited into his mother's card.
"Whatever you want to buy, buy it. I've already said that money is for you and Nuannuan to buy a house later. The car was bought by someone else, but we have to buy the house!"
Tang Xiuxia said with a serious expression.
"Mom, that's years away. You're thinking too far ahead, and I can earn money to buy a house myself!"
Qin Tian fastened his seatbelt, saying with a wry smile.
"Then I have to save it for you. You can earn some money now, but who knows what the future holds? You'll need money for many things then."
"Okay, okay, as long as you're happy. I just want you to not be too tired and relax a bit. You've worked hard enough all these years."
"I know, I know, you brat, telling your mom what to do now!"
Tang Xiuxia rolled her eyes in annoyance and waved her hand, urging him, "Stop the nonsense and go pick up Nuannuan, don't be late."
"Then I'm really leaving!"
"Go, go!"
"Mom!"
Qin Tian called out solemnly.
"Hmm?"
Tang Xiuxia looked at him with a questioning gaze.
"Love you!"
Qin Tian suddenly grinned, then stepped on the accelerator, and the car sped away.
Tang Xiuxia stood frozen on the spot. After watching the car disappear from sight, she couldn't help but chuckle.
"You brat, you're becoming more and more out of line!"
After scolding him playfully, Tang Xiuxia looked in the direction the car had gone, a hint of loneliness flashing in her eyes.
"He's grown up so quickly..."
She shook her head with a wry smile, took a deep breath, and walked towards the department store.