A group of people got off the plane and were directly picked up by Yipin employees and taken to the hotel that had been booked in advance. Qiao Hua had already arranged everything beforehand.
After checking into the hotel and settling the kids, Luo Qiao finally called Lu Yichen. The phone rang only once before he picked up: "Hello, Qiaoqiao."
"Brother Chen, where are you?"
"I’m on duty at the station."
"Does the station start the holiday?"
"Yeah, I’m on duty today, and then I’ll have time to pick you up at the airport."
"Okay, then on behalf of my son and daughter, I want to say ’thank you for your hard work’."
"It’s not hard work, I’ve been missing you guys to death. I wish I could see you right now."
"You’re not afraid of others laughing."
"What’s there to be afraid of? They don’t know the hunger of someone well-fed."
"Alright, enough with the jokes."
"Where are Yanyan and Yueyue?"
"They’re out eating. It’s getting late, and after all the car and plane rides, the kids are pretty tired too. It’ll be good to let them rest early after eating."
"Qiao Bao, you’ve worked hard."
While they were speaking, Luo Qiao heard laughter from Lu Yichen’s side, followed by him saying, "Qiaoqiao, go eat first. I have a few people here who need a lesson, I’ll call you back after I’ve sorted them out."
After hanging up, Luo Qiao started laughing, sure that people outside had heard what he just said. Now let’s see how smug you are.
On the other side, after hanging up, Lu Yichen gave the guys who had disrupted his conversation a beating, but the more he beat them, the harder they laughed, almost to the point of cramping up.
Lu Yichen eventually stopped paying attention to them and sat down on the sofa: "If there’s something to say, just spit it out, don’t be an eyesore here."
It took a while for the guys to stop laughing and bring over the previously collected data. When it came to work, they stopped laughing. After discussing the official business, Qiu Guangming stood up first: "Brother-in-law to Qiao Bao, we’ll head out now."
Then they all hurriedly left, chuckling.
Following Qiu Guangming, Xiao Ding said, "Who would have thought that the strict director would be so mushy when calling his sister-in-law Qiao Bao."
Qiu Guangming knocked on Xiao Ding’s head: "You know nothing, this is the tenderness of a tough guy. You’ll understand when you have a wife."
Xiao Zhao, who followed behind, started laughing: "Our director only shows his gentle side once in a blue moon. Whispering sweet nothings on the phone is totally normal. Xiao Ding, you better keep your mouth shut tight, don’t stir up trouble. If you slip up by accident, be careful the director cuts you down. Qiu and I will definitely help pass the knife."
Xiao Ding could no longer laugh: "Why don’t you mention yourselves? Why are you always picking on me? My lips are sealed."
********
After dinner, Luo Qiao and her group washed up and went to bed early.
The next morning, after breakfast and getting ready, they headed to the airport together.
They exchanged boarding passes, checked their luggage, and passed through security to wait for their flight.
Old Madam Qiao had a good night’s rest and was in high spirits. Seeing the three little ones walking steadily, she said, "Time flies, these little ones can already run around and play on their own."
Rong Daniang continued, "As the old saying goes, where there’s a sprout, there’s no worry it won’t grow. These three started walking early, and in less than a week they were stable. Together, they learn from each other as if they’re competing."
Old Lady Qiao was somewhat envious: "I don’t know when my Qiao Hua will start a family. While I’m still fit, I could help her take care of the children for a few days."
Qiao Hua looked at her grandmother with a smile: "Are you hinting at a marriage push again?"
Everyone laughed after hearing this.
Luo Qiao looked at Old Lady Qiao: "Actually, fate is predestined. When the time comes, it will come."
Old Lady Qiao nodded: "That’s also true. When we first learned that his injury might not be curable and saw him endure the pain, I just hoped he would suffer less. After trying various treatments and wishing for his pain to end, knowing that you could cure his leg, I just hoped that he could stand up and work, study, and live like a normal person. And now that his leg is healed, I feel that he has been delayed for so many years, and it would be great if he could marry sooner. So human desire, once satisfied, seeks something even better."
She laughed and added, "Well, I won’t rush you anymore. Take your time and choose someone you really like. Grandma can’t accompany you for a lifetime. You need to find someone who matches your heart so that you can lead a fulfilling life."
Qiao Hua gave her grandmother a big smile: "Thank you, Grandma, I will find a kind-hearted girl, and together we will take good care of you."
Old Lady Qiao looked at her grandson affectionately: "Good, I am looking forward to our little Hua bringing home a good daughter-in-law, waiting for my grandson and granddaughter-in-law to look after this old lady."
Qiao Hua looked at his grandmother: "You’re not old. I heard from a classmate that there are beauty spots in Capital City. I’ll take you there, and we can enjoy it too."
Old Lady Qiao was amused by her grandson’s words: "At my age, still doing beauty treatments, won’t people laugh at me to death?"
Luo Qiao chimed in: "There are many old ladies who go there for beauty treatments; proper care can delay skin aging. That shop is owned by a friend of mine. You can mention my name when you go, and she’ll take good care of you."
Qiao Hua held his grandma’s hand: "Did you hear that? Lots of old ladies go there. We should also become exquisite old ladies."
Old Lady Qiao lived a refined life in her youth, had stayed abroad for a long time, and was quick to embrace new things, so she said with a laugh, "Alright, I’ll listen to you guys, we’ll make time for it when we return to the country."
Luo Qiao said with a smile: "That’s the spirit. Let me know in advance, and I’ll have someone pick up Rong Daniang, you can keep each other company."
Rong Daniang laughed: "Is it similar to the stuff you usually apply on my face?"
Luo Qiao replied with a smile: "There are still some differences."
Old Lady Qiao, afraid she would refuse, quickly added: "Old sister, it’s settled. If we go, we go together. If you don’t, I won’t either."
Rong Daniang said with a laugh: "It seems I must go."
Everyone laughed again.
Qiao Hua looked at Luo Qiao: "That shop isn’t yours, is it?"
Luo Qiao nodded, smiling: "It’s a joint venture between my friend and me, but I just invested, my friend is the one managing it."
"From what I heard, there are already five shops in Capital City doing great business. They’re also planning to open branches in provincial capitals. This is quite a big business venture, isn’t it?"
"My friend is very capable. Besides, as long as the finances and staff training are in place, as soon as the shops open up, which woman doesn’t want to be beautiful? It’s unlikely the business will do poorly."
"You have a point. Women’s money is indeed easier to earn these days compared to in the past."
"Yes, you’re absolutely right."
Just then, the boarding announcement came on.