The group stood at the entrance of the service area. Old Madam Qin looked around and asked, "Why aren't the little girl and the young lad here yet?"
Song Xinya took out her phone. "I'll give my sister a call."
Before she could even dial the number, Jian Yiyi came running over in a hurry. "Grandpa, Grandma, Sister, Brother-in-law, we're late."
She had studied until two in the morning last night. Because she went to bed so late, she had fallen asleep in the car just now.
After Jin Ruizhi woke her up, she leaned against the seat in a daze for a while, which was why they were late.
Jin Ruizhi ran over right behind Jian Yiyi. His long legs moved quickly, and his white shirt was blown by the wind, the hem fluttering wildly to reveal a glimpse of his firm, lean waist.
Jian Yiyi ran up to Old Madam Qin, Old Master Qin, Song Xinya, and Qin Yuhe.
Song Xinya asked, "Why are you so late?"
Making elders wait for the younger generation was indeed a very impolite thing to do.
When Song Xinya asked the question, her tone was strict.
Jian Yiyi lowered her head, her fingers clutching the hem of her shirt. "Just now, I..."
Jin Ruizhi rushed to Jian Yiyi's side like a breath of cool wind. "I fell asleep in the car just now. Yiyi was late because she was waiting for me. It's my fault. Grandpa, Grandma, Teacher Song, Mr. Qin, I'm sorry."
Jian Yiyi looked up in astonishment at Jin Ruizhi.
Perhaps the sun was too bright today, for the moment she looked at his face, her eyes were dazzled.
Old Madam Qin smiled kindly. "It's fine, you're only a little late. Grandma ate a lot for breakfast today and isn't hungry at all right now. Standing here is a good way to burn some energy so I can eat more for lunch. Speaking of which, you two little ones actually helped increase my appetite."
Jin Ruizhi said sweetly, "Grandma, not only are you beautiful, but you're also the kindest grandma I've ever met. They say kind people are rewarded. Grandma will definitely live a long life, as long as the southern mountains."
Old Madam Qin was coaxed into a hearty laugh. "If Grandma's life was as long as the mountains, wouldn't I become an old monster?"
Jin Ruizhi replied, "Grandma isn't an old monster, Grandma is a fairy. Grandma's features are as picturesque as a painting, with an alluring beauty. If you stand next to me, others would think you're my sister."
Old Madam Qin burst out laughing. "You child, stop talking nonsense. Grandma has a head full of white hair, how could I possibly look like your sister?"
Jin Ruizhi said, "Silver hair is trendy right now. Even when us young people go to the salon to dye our hair, we can't get a color as beautiful as yours. Grandma is not only beautiful, but your hairstyle is also incredibly fashionable."
Old Madam Qin was praised so much she was practically dizzy with joy, completely losing her bearings.
The group beside them stared at Jin Ruizhi, completely dumbfounded.
This kid...
This kid...
Saying an eighty-year-old grandma looked like his sister...
To be able to say such things out loud, he would definitely... make a name for himself in the future!
After all, someone this shameless was truly a rare sight!
Old Madam Qin couldn't stop grinning, Old Master Qin smiled along, and the people around them chimed in in agreement. The atmosphere was harmonious and joyful.
The fact that Jian Yiyi and Jin Ruizhi were late was completely tossed to the back of their minds; no one cared anymore.
The adults walked in front, with the two youngsters following behind.
Jin Ruizhi maintained a gentlemanly distance of half a meter from Jian Yiyi.
Suddenly, the sweet and soft scent of the girl wafted toward him, and her warm body heat brushed against his bare arm.
Jian Yiyi leaned close to Jin Ruizhi and whispered, "Thank you for bailing me out, Jin Ruizhi."
Jin Ruizhi turned to look at her, his pupils reflecting the young girl's bright and beautiful face. "You're welcome, Jian Yiyi."
Jian Yiyi looked at him and smiled, then stepped back, maintaining her half-meter distance from him.
The Qin family preferred light flavors, so the butler had booked a Cantonese restaurant located at the innermost part of the service area.
As Song Xinya walked inside arm-in-arm with Qin Yuhe, her gaze was drawn to a small shop.
At the entrance of this small shop were fluffy, soft, pastel-pink clouds made of cotton, along with a small archway tied with pink balloons. The decor was overflowing with a sweet atmosphere.
Song Xinya peeked inside and saw what the shop was selling—
Pink cotton candy.
This was her favorite snack when she was a child.
When she was little, they were too poor. She had no pocket money, couldn't afford it, and couldn't bear to spend money on it, so eating cotton candy had become a luxurious dream.
When she was young, other children's dreams were to become scientists, astronauts, entrepreneurs, or singers when they grew up. Song Xinya's dream was different. When she grew up, she wanted to set up a stall selling cotton candy so she could eat cotton candy every day.
Thinking of her childhood grand ambitions, Song Xinya let out a soft chuckle.
Qin Yuhe asked her, "What are you laughing at?"
Song Xinya withdrew her gaze from the pink cotton candy. "Nothing, let's keep walking."
Upon arriving at the Cantonese restaurant, the six of them sat around a round table as various exquisitely crafted dishes were served.
Qin Yuhe waved over a male waiter and whispered something in his ear.
Three minutes later, the waiter brought over a small dish of bright red, fragrant chili sauce and placed it next to Song Xinya's hand.
Over the course of the meal, having savored both the fresh flavors of the Cantonese cuisine and the spicy kick of the chili, Song Xinya was thoroughly satisfied.
As they got up to leave the private room, Old Madam Qin said to Song Xinya and Qin Yuhe, "By the time we get back to Jingbei from here, it will be ten o'clock at night. I've made an appointment with a nationally renowned burn specialist to examine Little He."
Ten o'clock at night was naturally past working hours, but with the Qin family's power and status, they could have this burn specialist examine Qin Yuhe whenever they wanted.
Song Xinya's eyes gleamed with light. "Is the specialist coming to our house, or are we going to him?"
Old Madam Qin replied, "After the examination, there will be some treatments. We don't have certain medications and medical equipment at home, so I made the appointment with the specialist at the hospital where he works."
Song Xinya was full of anticipation. "After we arrive in Jingbei, we won't go home. We'll go straight to the hospital."
Old Madam Qin and Old Master Qin loved their grandson dearly. Even though it would be the middle of the night, they insisted, "When the time comes, we will all go together."
The group walked toward the outside of the service area, with Qin Yuhe holding Song Xinya's hand as they trailed at the very back.
He tugged at her arm. "Wait for me a moment."
Song Xinya asked, "What is it?"
Qin Yuhe replied, "I left something in the private room."
Song Xinya stood in place waiting for him as he turned and walked back.
She looked around, thinking to herself that while Qin Yuhe went back to the room to get his things, she could satisfy her childhood wish and buy herself a pink cotton candy.
Turning around, Song Xinya saw Qin Yuhe holding up a pink cotton candy.
He was dressed in a black suit, exuding a mature and steady aura, yet holding a pink cotton candy in his hand. This visual contrast struck Song Xinya's eyes and was instantly etched into her mind. She asked in astonishment, "You..."
Qin Yuhe said, "I didn't leave anything behind. I just went to buy you cotton candy. I wanted to give you a surprise. The reason I didn't buy it for you before the meal was that I was worried you wouldn't eat your food properly if you had something sweet."
He offered the pink cotton candy in his hand toward her.
Song Xinya took the surprise into her hands.
She looked down and took a bite. The sweet taste felt like a cloud landing in her mouth—rich, smooth, and melting instantly on her tongue.
"Do you like this surprise?" Qin Yuhe asked.
Song Xinya loved it so much she was on the verge of crying. The corners of her eyes flushed red, and little pearly tears threatened to spill over once again.
Qin Yuhe pulled her into his embrace and gently ruffled her hair. "Why do you have so many tears today?"
"Haven't you heard the saying?" Song Xinya replied. "Women are made of water."
"You certainly are quite wet," Qin Yuhe teased.
Song Xinya was speechless.
She shot him a playful glare. "Jerk. You dirty man."
"Why are you calling me names?" Qin Yuhe asked.
"You were talking dirty to me," Song Xinya said.
"Where did your mind go? I was talking about your tears," Qin Yuhe replied.
"Really?" Song Xinya asked.
"Nope. Just kidding, haha," Qin Yuhe laughed.
Song Xinya stood on her tiptoes, leaned in, and gave his lip a light bite. "That is your punishment."
