Just as Jimo Cheng had anticipated, not only had Old Master Luo and Luo Xihan returned home, but even Luo Xisi, who should have been in the military area, hurried back.
So when Luo Qianqian, still groggy from sleep, got out of the car, the scene in front of her made her think she was still dreaming. She saw the eldest uncle and the second uncle practicing boxing, while Baozi trembled and cowered to one side?
Old Master Luo sat on the steps, staring straight ahead?
"Grandpa? Eldest uncle, Second uncle?" Luo Qianqian, bewildered by the sight of the three people who looked amiss, hesitated before calling out.
"Qianqian?" Old Master Luo hurried over, with Luo Xihan and Luo Xisi following in his footsteps.
Old Master Luo took Luo Qianqian’s hand and scrutinized her carefully multiple times, almost to the point of tears, his voice trembling, "It’s good you’re okay, it’s good you’re okay..."
Then, seeing Jimo Cheng and Qin Nuan, and Cong Rong behind Luo Qianqian, he hurriedly pulled her into the house, saying, "Quick, come inside."
Luo Qianqian looked towards Jimo Cheng, her face showing confusion and some guesses, then watched as Jimo Cheng gently nodded.
Instantly, she was at a loss for words. So having too prompt a source of news could also be a mistake. Look how quickly things unfolded. Even the eldest uncle was back. Was this really okay?
"I suddenly remembered, I think I have a class tonight?" Luo Qianqian blinked, only to be directly pulled by Old Master Luo, "What class? Just rest well!" His voice was harsh, with a hint of the fright he had felt. If that news had been true... What would he have done? How would he explain it to his second son who was no longer here?
And how would he explain it to his grandson, who was missing and only occasionally contacted Qianqian? And what about Qianqian’s mother, who had just given birth...
He dared not think about it, nor did he wish to: "Your grandma has made you some delicious food." Then he turned to Qin Nuan, "Nuannuan and Cong Rong will stay here today to keep Qianqian company."
"Okay, Grandpa Luo," Qin Nuan immediately agreed, even if Old Master Luo hadn’t said it, she would have stayed anyway.
Cong Rong also nodded in agreement on the side.
Jimo Cheng also breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Old Master Luo, "Grandpa Luo, I won’t stay," he said with a smile, which seemed to cheer Old Master Luo up.
Old Master Luo looked at Jimo Cheng, "Wishful thinking. Finish dinner and go home to keep your grumpy old man company."
A trace of relief crossed his face too, his granddaughter safe and sound, that’s what mattered.
Luo Xisi glanced at his little niece and Old Master Luo, then frowned slightly and leaned in to Luo Xihan, "Should we take Qianqian for a check-up first?"
Luo Xihan glanced at Jimo Cheng, who smiled and nodded his head slightly, giving a salute.
As if understanding something, "It seems there’s no need. The boy must have taken Qianqian for a check-up already; otherwise, he wouldn’t look so unconcerned."
Luo Xisi looked towards Jimo Cheng, slightly furrowing his brow, "So what do we do now?"
"Waiting for news,"
"Qianqian, you’re finally back," Yue Tingyu said cheerily, "Your eldest uncle said he missed you, and he didn’t even need to call you. He said you’d miss him too and naturally come back. Is this what they call telepathy?"
Seeing Yue Tingyu’s demeanor and the relieved expressions of the two aunts, I knew that Grandma was unaware. I let go of Old Master Luo’s arm and hopped over to Yue Tingyu’s side, "Grandma, I just missed your cooking. It’s with you that I have a telepathic connection, who would feel that with Uncle, that rough guy? With Grandma, at least I can inherit a bit of your graceful demeanor, right?"
"Always sweet-talking," Yue Tingyu laughed, then looked behind Luo Qianqian and tapped her on the nose, "Ah Cheng, Nuannuan, and Cong Rong are all here too? Good thing we prepared a lot of food, otherwise this little glutton here would have starved."
Luo Qianqian stuck out her tongue, "Grandma wouldn’t bear it. Look, you prepared everything I love to eat."
"Exactly, Mom, you didn’t even say you’d prepare anything for me," Luo Xisi complained playfully as she approached, looking at the dumplings the three women were making, as well as the marinated chicken wings and ribs on the side, all kids’ favorites.
"What do you like? Isn’t it just meat? Greasy, oily pork knuckle? What if your dad gets tempted by you eating it since he can’t eat it now?" Yue Tingyu was straightforward, "These dumplings are made with lean meat and corn. Eat more of these."
Luo Xisi rubbed his nose awkwardly. Did he like greasy meat? Thinking it over, it seemed that he did.
Luo Xihan patted his shoulder, "Stop complaining. I love vegetables, and Mom doesn’t make them for me either."
"Can’t help it, Qianqian doesn’t like dishes with just greens," Luo Xisi responded empathetically and gave Luo Xihan a reassuring pat on the shoulder. The brothers hugged each other as if they had found kindred spirits, but they were also immensely relieved that Qianqian was fine.
Luo Qianqian quickly washed her hands, calling for Qin Nuan and Cong Rong to come help make dumplings. As for Jimo Cheng? Luo Qianqian unapologetically assigned him to... take care of Baozi.
Touching Baozi’s soft fur, Jimo Cheng said, "Hey, Baozi, come on, let’s comb your fur."
With Luo Qianqian and the others joining in, the speed of making dumplings increased significantly. Yue Tingyu couldn’t help but exclaim, "Granddaughters are truly wonderful. Otherwise, the men in our family only know how to eat! Granddaughters will help make dumplings and will even help find granddaughters-in-law."
This comment caused Qin Nuan and Cong Rong to blush while Luo Qianqian chuckled mischievously, showing no sign of embarrassment.
"I’m the best Luo Qianqian, naturally the best." Her skin was thick, not showing a hint of reddening.
"Right, you’re the best, and you have great taste. How else could you have found such good friends as us?" Qin Nuan was more outgoing than the reserved Cong Rong; she had already become very familiar with the Luo family even before anything happened with Luo Yanran.
"Pfft, hanging out with Qianqian even includes training to thicken one’s face," Jia Ning said chucklingly. She was quite happy with Qin Nuan as a daughter-in-law, though, every now and then, she felt like finding something to pick on. Could this also be a parent’s bias? Feeling that their own child is perfect, so no one else is good enough, that’s why they always try to find something to nitpick?
The six people making dumplings all laughed together.
Luo Qianqian looked at the dumplings she made, "Mine are the ugliest, huh? But it’s okay, once they’re boiled, you won’t be able to tell."
Her gaze swept over the cutting board and noticed that the dumplings in front of Yue Tingyu started to look well-formed since they came in to help, each one plump and proud, while the ones made before their arrival were lopsided and misshapen.
Looking at Yue Tingyu, Luo Qianqian also felt a touch moved. Even if Grandma knew nothing, she was worried about her in her own way. With both her eldest and second uncles back, and Grandpa and three others had gone to the entrance, such a commotion, how could Grandma not have noticed anything?