"Xiao Xi, will you accompany Auntie out for a bit today?"
For the past two days, she had been taking the young girl out to do all the things she had wanted to do with her own daughter.
They went shopping for clothes and jewelry, indulged in spa treatments and beauty sessions, and now they both felt refreshed and incredibly happy.
"Aunt Chu..."
"No way, this little one has to play chess with me today!"
"We agreed on this last night. You can't whisk her away again today."
Just as Qiu Xi was about to explain to Aunt Chu that she might not be available today, Grandpa Nan, who had just entered, pulled her aside.
Nan Shan looked at his daughter-in-law with a hint of wariness, pulling the young girl behind him as if to hide her.
"..."
"Dad, what are you guarding against! I won't snatch her from you."
Honestly!
Chu Sheng found it both funny and exasperating, she couldn't even get angry.
This old man, despite his age, was acting like a child.
"Come on, little girl, let's go to the back. Play a game with me first."
As if afraid she would disappear the next moment, Nan Shan pulled her away.
Qiu Xi had no choice but to say to Aunt Chu, "Aunt Chu, I'll go with Grandpa Nan for now."
Chu Sheng smiled and waved her hand, "Go, go."
Then Qiu Xi followed the old man to the back.
For the past two days, not only Grandpa Nan, but even her master would drag her to play chess whenever he had free time.
Perhaps surprised by how good the young girl was at chess, now that they had finally met, they naturally wanted to play to their heart's content.
Meanwhile, Nan Hua, who was also sitting in the living room, watched the people coming and going, but no one paid any attention to him.
He felt a bit forlorn...
On his second day back, he realized that his girlfriend's schedule was packed from morning till night, and he was simply not part of the plan...
He thought about how she was forced to wake up early and exercise, and was dragged by his grandfather for Tai Chi first thing in the morning.
He used to accompany her, but now he had become a mere tag-along, following behind to make up the numbers.
Then, the rest of the day was spent either accompanying his mother or some elders, but never him.
When night came, he thought he could steal a kiss, but then his mother would drag her off for skincare and beauty treatments...
How miserable could it get!
"Ah Hua, why are you sitting here?"
"..."
Seeing his mother's expression, as if asking why he was so idle, Nan Hua really wanted to roll his eyes...
"Ms. Chu! Can't your son just sit here and do nothing?"
"It's not that you can't..."
"It's just a bit of an eyesore."
"!!!"
Listen to that! What kind of talk is that!
"Alright, I'm going upstairs."
He'd rather stay by himself.
Watching his retreating figure, Chu Sheng turned and went into the kitchen, preparing to have someone prepare something delicious to replenish the young girl later, as using her brain too much could be tiring.
...
In the blink of an eye, Qiu Xi had been staying at the Nan family's for several days.
During these days, besides the initial accompanying, the remaining time was spent helping her master and Grandma Li tidy up the house.
The elderly couple owned two houses in Chongxi City. They rented one out and kept the other, fearing they might need it and not have a place available.
Now it seemed that the two elderly people's foresight was indeed accurate.
"Alright, after a few days of busy work, we've finally finished tidying up."
"You two have worked hard."
Looking at the two busy children, Li Minglan felt a little gratified.
"Grandma Li, it's nothing. We're not tired."
Qiu Xi's words were not untrue, as they had hired professional help for moving and tidying.
As for her and Nan Hua, they had only planned the layout and added a few items.
"Alright, now that the house is tidied, if you have nothing to do at school, Xiao Xi, you should come back often. When you're not in class, just keep me and your master company."
In such a large place, it was a bit lonely for just the two of them.
But it was good that it was close to the Nan family's and Xiao Xi's school, making it convenient.
"Grandma Li, please don't worry. I'll definitely come back often."
In just these few days, she had already decided that once the back-to-school matters were sorted out, she would buy two houses nearby, which would also be convenient for her.
Then she would ask her parents if it was possible, and if so, when Xiao Gezi finished her college entrance exams, the whole family would move here, which would be less hassle.
"Good~"
"Grandma Li, since the house is tidied, Nan Hua and I will go buy some groceries. We'll cook here tonight."
"Okay, listen to you. Call your Grandpa Nan and the others over then. They'll be lucky to taste Xiao Xi's cooking."
"Alright, we'll go tell them when we get back."
"Mm."
"Ah Hua, let's go."
With that, Qiu Xi pulled Nan Hua, who was lounging on the sofa, and they headed out.
"Xi Xi!"
"Don't you think you've been neglecting me these past couple of days?"
In the stairwell, Nan Hua held the girl's hand, his voice filled with a little grievance.
He had been acting as a tool for several days...
"Pfft~"
Looking at Nan Hua's face and imagining his slightly wronged expression, Qiu Xi couldn't help but pinch him with her fair, tender hand.
"We've been busy these past two days. Isn't it enough once school starts the day after tomorrow?"
She said as she pinched him, enjoying herself immensely.
"Mmm!"
Nan Hua let the girl's small hand pinch him, and only after a while did he gently pull it away.
"I've really suffered a great loss!"
"I brought you back home, and I didn't expect myself to be the one not favored!"
"Hahaha~"
"Alright! Don't be angry anymore. I'll compensate you when school starts~"
Thinking that they hadn't really talked properly these past few days, Qiu Xi felt a little guilty.
She planned to spend more time with her little boyfriend once school started!
"Xi Xi, you promised!"
After coming back, he had been asking his senior brothers and sisters in the group to work overtime because no one was accompanying him.
He had already finished the thesis that was supposed to be done after school started, and was just waiting to find his professor at school.
So he was no longer the same as he was last semester. Although he would still be busy after school started, he wouldn't be as busy as before.
He had time to spare now!
"I promised!"
"Can we go now!"
Qiu Xi's small face turned a little red, as if she had applied blush.
He had her cornered in this small elevator, and wasn't he afraid that someone would suddenly come in?
"Okay~"
Hearing her agree, Nan Hua happily released his hold and changed his grip to holding her hand.
"Should we buy groceries first, or should we inform my grandfather and the others first?"
As soon as he fastened his seatbelt, he remembered they would be eating together later and asked.
"How about we buy the groceries first, and then we can drive back to pick them up together?"
"Okay, I'll listen to you. Then let's go buy things first."
"Mm."
With that said, the two of them drove out.