The kids even started competing with each other. In that moment, Shen Yi laughed along with them, his smile as innocent as a child’s.

The thought had barely crossed Qin Jiao’s mind before she immediately dismissed it.

’What a joke. Who could really be as innocent as a child? Not even Shen Yi.’

They all worked up a sweat playing, and it was nearly time for lunch. Sun Jianhua began rounding up the children to head home. The temperature was still low and a north wind had picked up; it wouldn’t do for the kids to get sick.

After everyone returned home, lunch was ready. The group of kids all rushed to wash their hands, and Su Yun asked Qin Jiao to take some food next door.

Xiao Lan offered to go with Qin Jiao to deliver the food. On their way back, the younger girl whispered, "Sis, are you and Brother Shen dating?"

It was a good thing they had already delivered the food, or Qin Jiao would have surely dropped it all on the ground.

She was speechless. "What on earth gave you that idea? Besides, how old are you? What would a little kid like you know about it?"

"Sis, I’m already sixteen! I’m not a little kid like Xiao Shi or Xiao Cheng. When we were out sliding on the ice, sometimes you’d be staring at Brother Shen without blinking, and other times he’d be looking at you, his eyes full of tenderness. Tsk tsk, you two are so subtle about it. The couple dating in my class already holds hands, you know!"

Qin Jiao was genuinely shocked. If she remembered correctly, Qin Xiaolan was only in her third year of junior high. In this day and age, as she recalled, even high school seniors who were dating were incredibly discreet, let alone junior high students. The most they would do was share a Walkman, each person using one earbud.

Of course, Lin Nian and Chen Feng were an exception. After all, Lin Nian wasn’t exactly a local.

Seeing Qin Jiao’s dumbfounded expression, Qin Xiaolan shook her head and tutted. "Oh, Sis, you’re just too innocent and old-fashioned. That’s why you’re clueless about everything. But I think that Brother Shen is pretty great. He’s handsome, and I hear his grades are good, too. I guess he’s barely acceptable as my future brother-in-law."

They were still standing right in front of Shen Yi’s gate! Panicked, Qin Jiao clapped a hand over her cousin’s mouth. "Don’t talk nonsense! We’re not dating!"

Qin Xiaolan nodded obediently, but her smile was pure mischief. "I get it, I get it. You’re keeping it a secret. It’s not official yet, right? A few of the couples in my class are the same way."

Qin Jiao was at a complete loss for words. ’What is all this nonsense? You don’t know a thing!’

Thankfully, her cousin Xiao Lan didn’t bring it up again after they got home. Having eaten there a few times, the girl was completely smitten with the cooking of Qin Zhonghui and Su Yun. While eating, she even said to her own parents, "Mom, Dad, you two really need to learn how to cook from Second Uncle and Aunt! Look at me, you’ve starved me so much I’ve gotten thin!"

Sun Li laughed as she scolded her, "Not even all this delicious food can shut your mouth! Why don’t you talk about learning from your cousin Xiao Jiao? She ranked in the top five of the entire school!"

Xiao Lan glanced at Qin Jiao, her smile sly. "Yes, yes, I’ll be sure to learn from my cousin!"

Qin Jiao was speechless. She had a strong feeling there was a hidden meaning behind her younger cousin’s words.

Overall, though, the large family enjoyed a happy meal together. Sun Jianhua was a very lively person and quickly fit in with the siblings and cousins. Qin Bogang, on the other hand, still seemed to have some reservations about him.

As Qin Jiao went into the courtyard to look for something, she heard her uncle standing under the withered grapevine. He was puffing on a cigarette as he spoke worriedly to Qin Zhonghui, "Second Brother, do Mom and Dad know that Xiao Na is dating someone? Have they met this Sun Jianhua?"