Chapter 125: Tokens of Gratitude

Luo Qiao said, “You really worry too much. I’ve never taken his words to heart. I don’t see the need to place so much importance on how others perceive me.

As long as I am true to myself and have a clear conscience, that’s what matters. Explaining myself to unrelated people is simply a waste of time. I’d rather spend that time doing something meaningful.”

Song Zhixiong nodded and said, “Well said. You’re quite extraordinary, young lady.”

Qiao Yu stood to the side, noticing that Luo Qiao still didn’t look at him directly. He felt a bit aggrieved, thinking she might still be upset about that day. He blamed himself for not stopping his cousin in time from saying those hurtful words.

At the time, he was also taken aback. Who knew his cousin would say such tactless things? He sighed inwardly, feeling his cousin was blindly defending that woman, Lu Fangfang, as if under a spell. He didn’t know how to deal with him.

Qiao Yu kept looking at Luo Qiao. If it weren’t for this girl in front of him, he might really have been in trouble. Yet, he hadn’t properly thanked her before his temper ran away with him. He felt truly remorseful these days.

After some small talk, Qiao Yu originally wanted to visit her home to express his gratitude. Seeing that Luo Qiao didn’t seem inclined, Zhang Dezheng stepped in, “Why don’t you both come to the brigade headquarters for a drink? You’ve come all this way.”

Song Zhixiong and his wife also sensed that Luo Qiao didn’t want much contact with them. Either she genuinely didn’t want to get involved or his son’s words had hurt her, and she preferred to keep her distance.

In fact, Qiao Aihong quite liked this girl, Luo Qiao.

Qiao Yu was afraid that his aunt might decline, so he quickly responded, “Then, sorry for bothering you.”

He fetched a box of cigarettes from the car and lit up for Zhang Dezheng and the Captain before heading towards the brigade headquarters.

At this moment, Luo Qiao saw that the work had been assigned over there. Zhang Dezheng said, “It’s okay. You’ll go to the warehouse to work in a while.”

Luo Qiao smiled and said, “Thank you, Village Secretary”

In fact, before coming, Qiao Yu had already learned about Luo Qiao’s situation. Knowing that the girl was currently having a hard time, after sitting for a while, Qiao Yu and the others got up to leave.

Qiao Aihong said, “Luo Qiao, we brought some things over. Should we take them home or leave them here first?”

Luo Qiao replied, “There’s no need to leave anything. I appreciate your kindness. In that situation, he disregarded his own safety to protect the people and got injured. If I remained indifferent, would I still be human?

Moreover, if he hadn’t shouted that day, I might have been injured too. So what I did was merely return the favor. You really don’t need to do this.”

Qiao Aihong liked this girl even more now, she was truly perceptive. Ignoring any objections, she directly lifted things down from the car: two full nets filled with wheat milk powder, canned oranges, canned beef, White Rabbit candies, red sugar, white sugar, two pieces of cloth (one velvet and one khaki), a bag of rice, and a bag of flour.

This generosity was eye-opening. Although Luo Qiao initially didn’t want to accept, she couldn’t refuse and ended up going along with them. The main reason was the two bags of rice and flour which provided a good excuse for future meals.

She said, “Alright, please wait for me a moment. I’ll go get some things for you to take away. Otherwise, I won’t accept these items.”

Qiao Yu and his aunt exchanged a glance and agreed. Zhang Dezheng and the Captain conveniently used the yard’s cart to help transport the items back, drawing the curiosity of the warehouse staff who craned their necks to look outside.