Ning Hongda sighed: "I can’t help with this, you should let He Qiuping think of another way."
Ning Xueling didn’t expect that Big Brother would refuse her.
Her eyes reddened instantly: "Big Brother, you’ve changed. How can you ignore me? Aren’t you afraid that I’ll be aggrieved in that household?"
Ning Hongda stood up: "I know what I’m capable of. To transfer your stepdaughter’s job, I can only ask Xuyuan and them for help, after all, their connections are much wider than ours now.
But you’re not unaware of my current situation. Because of your issues before, I’ve offended those five badly. Now, I don’t have the face to go to them again, let alone to help your stepdaughter. You’re clearly making it difficult for me on purpose."
Right at this moment, Zhang Yuehua stormed in, furious: "Ning Xueling, how old are you now, can’t you be sensible? Can you consider others’ feelings for once?
In all these years, has your Big Brother ever wronged you?
Just for Dad’s dying wishes, no matter how hard it was, he has always protected and helped you. But what good has come to him from it?
Not only has he offended the five nephews without redeeming himself, but he hasn’t seen any gratitude from you either. If you’re capable, you go talk to them. No matter what, you’re their biological mother. Always making your brother pass messages — what do you mean by that?"
Ning Xueling, fueled by anger, stood up: "Brother, you think the same?"
Ning Hongda looked at his wife and knew that if he sided with Xueling again today, there would be no peace at home. So he spoke up: "What your sister-in-law said is not wrong."
Upon hearing Big Brother’s words, Ning Xueling’s face changed instantly: "Fine, Big Brother, I will not trouble you again from now on."
After speaking, she picked up her bag and walked out.
********
After eating, Luo Qiao cleaned up and set off.
She originally wanted to bring Rong Daniang and Elder Rong with her, but the old couple refused to agree, saying that He Qing spent the New Year with them and it was freer at home.
Knowing that they were sincere and not merely being polite, she didn’t press the issue.
When Luo Qiao and her group arrived, they happened to run into Big Uncle Brother’s family at the front gate.
Lu Ran and Lu Hao were delighted to see their cousin and cousin sisters, and it didn’t take long for the children to get familiar with each other.
Wang Xiaoxin pulled Luo Qiao aside: "It’s great that you’ve finally returned after completing your studies, no need to leave again. Yichen has finally made it through."
After speaking, she even laughed exaggeratedly.
Gu Qianru came out to greet them: "What’s the happy news, look at you giggling like that."
Then she called out to the children: "Come in with your Grandma, it’s very cold outside."
After bringing everything inside, Luo Qiao looked towards Gu Qianru: "Auntie, has Yiting returned?"
Gu Qianru was serving them rock sugar pears that had been stewed in advance and said: "She’s back, she just came over asking if you were back."
Everyone had a bowl of rock sugar pears, and while enjoying them, they heard Old Master Gu’s voice coming in: "Qianru, have the children returned?"
Gu Qianru walked to the door with a smile: "Yes, they’re all back."
Old Master Gu wasn’t as physically strong as before, but he was still spirited.
Upon entering and seeing all the children back, he smiled, "Great Grandfather has been waiting for you."
Ran Ran, now grown up, went up to help Old Master Gu: "Great Grandfather, knowing that we were coming today, why did you go outside?"
Old Master Gu was not upset by Ran Ran’s complaint: "It’s all to prepare gifts for you."
Ran Ran helped Great Grandfather sit down and personally served him a bowl of rock sugar pears: "Have a bowl to cool off."
Old Master Gu smiled like a child: "Alright, alright, alright, our Ran Ran has grown up."
After a good while, when everyone had finished their bowls of rock sugar pears, Wang Xiaoxin and Luo Qiao helped to clean up.
It was then Old Master Gu smilingly took out a handkerchief-wrapped package from his upper jacket pocket.
Upon opening it, several passbooks were revealed, spiking everyone’s curiosity.
Gu Qianru took the lead: "Dad, what’s this all about?"
Old Master Gu said: "I’m getting old, and I wanted to leave something behind for the children, these are the bank accounts I’ve opened for the little ones, and I’ve deposited some money for each of them. It’s not much, but it’s my sentiment."
Everyone felt uneasy after hearing this, and Gu Qianru complained a bit: "Dad, what are you talking about?"
Old Master Gu said seriously: "That’s enough, everyone has their time, I just want to be prepared early. Don’t think too much."
Lu Yichen stepped forward: "Grandfather, after the fifth day of the new year, let us accompany you back to Chongqing to visit Grandmother’s grave."
Old Master Gu nodded with a smile: "Alright, it’s about time for a visit. I haven’t chatted with your Grandmother in a long time."
While speaking, he distributed the passbooks in his hand: "Keep it safe, this is Great Grandfather’s special token of affection."
The children each looked to their parents for confirmation, then reached out to take the passbook from Great Grandfather’s hand and gave their thanks.