"I haven't acknowledged you as my father, so there's no need for you to give me anything."
Qin Tian said calmly.
"Whether you acknowledge me or not is your business, whether I give it or not is mine."
Qin Hongwen, as if he had anticipated this, replied with composure.
"Whatever you say, I won't accept it."
Qin Tian turned his head and focused back on the television screen.
"If you don't accept it, then I'll have your mother hold onto it for you for now."
Qin Hongwen said, looking at him.
Qin Tian didn't respond further, continuing to watch the television.
A sense of disappointment settled in Qin Hongwen's heart, but he didn't try to force conversation.
The room fell into a heavy silence once more.
Fortunately, it wasn't long before Xia Nuannuan and the two mothers returned after washing the dishes.
Seeing that both men were merely watching television and not interacting, the three women felt quite helpless.
Tang Xiuxia’s questioning gaze fell upon Qin Hongwen, who could only offer a helpless smile and then hand her the two bank cards in front of him.
"What is this?"
"All my savings. One card has two million yuan, which is for Xiao Tian, as compensation for the apartment I bought him in Jiangcheng. The other card is for you. He refused to accept it, so you should take it all!"
Qin Hongwen explained concisely.
Tang Xiuxia was stunned.
Xia Nuannuan and Su Xia exchanged glances, surprise evident on their faces.
Su Xia, her face well-maintained, smiled with admiration, fully approving of Qin Hongwen's gesture.
Aside from funds needed for business operations, Su Xia had always managed the family's finances.
Tang Xiuxia looked at her son and shook her head, refusing, "Don't give it to me, take it back."
"Please, take it!"
Qin Hongwen pleaded with his eyes.
Tang Xiuxia looked conflicted, unsure of what to do.
She was, of course, pleased that Qin Hongwen trusted her this much, willing to entrust her with his life's savings. However, they hadn't truly reunited yet, so what did it mean for her to accept this money?
Yet, Qin Hongwen's sincere and earnest gaze made her reluctant to refuse him again.
"Aunt Tang, you should take it. My mom once told me that when my dad was pursuing her in his youth, he already handed over his finances to her."
Xia Nuannuan suddenly chimed in to support her.
Tang Xiuxia froze for a moment, looking at Su Xia with astonished eyes.
Su Xia smiled and nodded, "That is indeed true. At that time, he only had a few thousand yuan in that card, but it was all his savings. That's why I fell for him."
Tang Xiuxia fell silent, glanced at the bank cards in Qin Hongwen's hand again, then looked up at him, her voice earnest, "Are you sure you want me to hold onto it?"
"Yes, if not you, then who else?"
Qin Hongwen nodded with a smile.
A faint blush spread across Tang Xiuxia's cheeks. She cast a glance at her son, still engrossed in the television, and then reached out to accept the two cards.
"Then I'll keep them for now. If you need them back, I'll return them to you."
"That won't happen. I hardly use money at the institute. My future salary and project bonuses will all be deposited into the card I gave you."
Qin Hongwen said with a smile.
Tang Xiuxia nodded, feeling quite pleased.
She wasn't greedy; the family wasn't lacking money at the moment.
But she greatly appreciated Qin Hongwen's attitude.
After sitting and chatting for a while, Qin Tian drove Xia Nuannuan and her future mother-in-law home.
At Su Xia's suggestion, the three walked home.
The distance wasn't far, and the temperature had risen, making a stroll quite pleasant.
Xia Nuannuan held her mother's arm, walking on the inner side of the road, while Qin Tian walked on the outer side.
"Xiao Tian!"
Su Xia suddenly called out.
"Hmm?"
Qin Tian looked at her, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Can you tell me what you're thinking?"
Su Xia asked gently.
Qin Tian knew exactly what she was asking about. After a moment of thought, he replied, "For now, I truly can't accept or forgive him. As for my mother... I'll let nature take its course. I won't interfere in their affairs!"
Su Xia nodded, "That's good."
Xia Nuannuan let go of her mother, moved a step closer to Qin Tian, and sweetly embraced his arm.
"Brother, no matter what you think or do, I will always be by your side and support you."
"Okay!"
Qin Tian smiled dotingly and raised his hand to pat her head.
...
...
The next day at noon, after making another meal for his mother at home, Qin Tian prepared to return to Jiangcheng with Xia Nuannuan.
Qin Hongwen didn't plan to accompany them. He intended to stay in Yucheng for another two days before returning to the capital on his own.
After tidying up the dishes together, Qin Tian prepared to drive over to Xia Nuannuan's place to pick her up.
"Mom, I'm leaving."
Qin Tian opened the driver's side door and bid his mother farewell.
"Go ahead!"
Tang Xiuxia nodded with a smile.
Qin Hongwen stood beside her, also smiling as he watched his son.
"Don't just eat out every day. Make yourself a couple of dishes. When you have time, you can come to Jiangcheng, and Nuannuan and I will take you around. The weather in Jiangcheng is quite good now."
"I know, hurry up and go!"
Tang Xiuxia waved her hand.
Qin Tian glanced at the person beside her, wanting to say something but hesitating.
He ultimately said nothing and got into the car.
As he started the car and turned it around, Qin Tian suddenly rolled down the window.
"Mom, you're home alone. Be careful at night!"
He deliberately emphasized his tone, especially on the words "home alone."
"Why are you so nagging? Go quickly!"
Tang Xiuxia retorted with feigned annoyance.
Qin Tian gave the person standing there grinning foolishly a threatening glance before driving away.
"This brat, every word has a thousand intentions."
Tang Xiuxia said, torn between amusement and exasperation.
Qin Hongwen smiled and nodded, "I understood. He's reminding me!"
"Not just you, me too."
Tang Xiuxia smiled.
Qin Hongwen said nothing more, simply watching the car disappear from view.
Tang Xiuxia turned her head to look at him and said seriously, "Let's be clear, I won't be letting you stay at my place tonight."
"Don't worry. Until Xiao Tian forgives me, I won't shamelessly insist on staying. I'll still stay at a hotel tonight,"
Qin Hongwen promised with a smile.
"That's good. Remember what you said."
Tang Xiuxia turned and went back inside.
"Speaking of which, why are you all guarding me like I'm a thief?"
"Aren't you?" "Where am I?"
"Doesn't a heart thief count? Didn't you steal my heart and body back then?"
"What 'steal,' that sounds too harsh. I pursued you with a sincere heart."
"Ugh... Xiao Tian just left, and you're already this thick-skinned?"
"Ahem, just stating the facts!"