Chapter 281: Reunion and Recognition

Several elders smiled and said, “Good, welcome home.”

Each of them handed over a red envelope. Luo Qiao didn’t want to accept it at first, but Luo Siyuan said, “Take it. It’s a token of the elders’ kindness.”

The old couple from the Luo family, who had been so happy they forgot about this earlier, also presented their gifts. The grandfather gave a red envelope, and the grandmother took out a pair of jade bracelets.

Seeing her grandmother’s gift, Luo Qiao hesitated to accept it. It was too valuable and might cause trouble, plus she didn’t lack such things in her own space.

Grandmother Luo could clearly read her granddaughter’s expression and thought to herself that this child was thoughtful. She said, “Don’t worry, just accept it. Your cousins also received gifts, they won’t mind.”

At this moment, her cousin Luo Jialin and younger cousin Luo Jiayue stepped forward. Luo Jialin smiled and said, “Cousin, I’m your elder cousin Luo Jialin, and this is your younger cousin Luo Jiayue. Take it, it’s Grandma’s gift, and besides, Jiayue and I have ours too.”

Luo Qiao had no choice but to thank them, accept the gift, and then warmly greet her cousins.

Luo Siyuan then introduced the other family members: eldest cousin Luo Xudong from the uncle’s family, cousin-in-law Shang Jie, their son Luo Pengrui, and daughter Luo Ziyao, as well as second cousin Luo Xunan, his wife Wang Lanxiang, and their daughter Luo Ziqian, and youngest uncle’s son Luo Xufei.

Luo Qiao greeted them all one by one, and once everyone was seated, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward because the main people she was supposed to meet—her biological parents—were not in the room.

Grandmother Luo spoke up, “Your mom and dad will be back soon. Your mom originally took the day off, but this morning her workplace called, saying there was an inspection from higher-ups, so she had to go get the locked account books.

Your dad should be home soon. His office building isn’t far from the family compound, so he’ll definitely come once he hears the news. He’s been excited for days.”

Just as she finished speaking, they heard someone rush in from outside. “Qiaoqiao, I’m sorry, Dad’s back!”

The person who ran in was none other than Luo Haotian, whom Grandmother Luo had just mentioned. He was holding a bowl of tofu pudding and a large plate of fried dough sticks. He said, “Qiaoqiao, you haven’t had breakfast yet, right?

When Dad heard that you had returned, he ran to the breakfast shop in the alley to bring you something to eat. Come over quickly and eat, Master Lu’s cooking is really good.”

Luo Qiao was touched, and her eyes became misty. “Thank you.”

Luo Haotian grinned and said, “As long as my daughter likes it, there’s no need to thank me. Come on over, let’s eat first and talk later.”

Grandmother Luo nodded and said, “Go ahead, Grandma also prepared some porridge for you. I’ll get you a bowl. You can choose whatever you like.”

Soon, her elder cousin and younger cousin helped bring out porridge, eggs, cold dishes, salted duck eggs, and small buns from the kitchen. Everyone was smiling warmly.

Luo Haotian sat beside them, keeping his daughter and son company while they ate in the dining room. The others stayed in the living room chatting but occasionally glanced toward the dining room, thinking how Luo Qiao truly belonged to the Luo family, far better than Zhao Jianing.

After Luo Qiao finished eating, Luo Haotian brought her water to rinse her mouth, then cleaned up the dining room and took her to sit in the living room, completely ignoring Luo Siyuan the entire time.

Her cousin Luo Jialin said, “Luo Qiao, I didn’t expect you to be in high school already! I’m only in my third year.”

Luo Qiao smiled and replied, “Yes, I just wanted to save on tuition, and I already learned most of the material from my teachers while working on the farm.”

Luo Jialin curiously asked, “You have teachers?”

Luo Qiao smiled, “Yes, they’ve all returned to Beijing now. I plan to visit them while I’m here.”

Her younger cousin Luo Jiayue looked at her and said, “Second cousin, your skin is so nice.”

Luo Qiao touched her face and smiled, “When I have some free time, I’ll make some skincare products for you. I’ve been using them on my face, and they work pretty well.”

Her aunt overheard and became interested too. “Qiaoqiao, you can make skincare products?”

Luo Qiao looked up at her aunt and noticed the freckles on her face, then replied, “Yes, my teacher studied both Chinese and Western medicine and taught me a lot while I was on the farm.”