Chapter 494: Chapter 494: Want to give you a surprise Chapter 494: Chapter 494: Want to give you a surprise Zhou Guifang’s eyes reddened as she heard these words: “Those early years were indeed tough, but we persevered and became successful. The bitterness has turned into sweetness now.”
When Luo Siyan returned, it was already late. Hearing the sound at the gate, Luo Qiao got up and went out to the yard: “Third Brother, you’re back.”
Upon hearing his sister’s voice, Luo Siyan spoke softly, “Why haven’t you gone to bed yet? Didn’t I tell you that you just needed to leave the door open for me?”
Luo Qiao replied, “I haven���t fallen asleep yet. Grandma saved some dumplings for you; they’re being kept warm on the stove. Do you want to eat some?”
Luo Siyan had eaten before hurrying back, but by the time he reached the city, there were no more buses, and he had walked all the way home. The dinner he ate had long been digested.
Warmed by what his sister said, he responded, “Okay, I’ll just go to the kitchen myself. You should hurry up and go to sleep.”
Luo Qiao didn’t follow her brother’s suggestion; instead, she went to the kitchen, “I’ll keep you company while you eat, then I’ll go back to my room.”
She brought out the saved dishes onto the table and served the dumplings from the stove, creating a particularly heartwarming scene as the siblings ate and chatted.
The next morning, Luo Haotian found the person in charge of the other party. Unexpectedly, the person in charge was also a retired military officer, straightforward in character. The two quickly reached a consensus. After wrapping up the business, Luo Haotian declined an invitation to lunch and headed straight back.
He felt that today was a special day for their family, so even if he couldn’t join them climbing the Great Wall, he wanted to surprise the children.
The five siblings had originally wanted to take their grandparents with them, but the elderly couple said they needed to visit their elder brother that day and told the youngsters to enjoy themselves.
Thinking of the camera Jing Wanpeng had given her, Luo Qiao decided to make use of it today. After the meal, she took the camera out.
Seeing the object in Luo Qiao’s hand, Zhou Guifang asked, “Qiaoqiao, where did this come from?”
As Luo Qiao loaded the film into the camera, she answered, “It was a gift from the Jing Family when I gave Elder Jing a follow-up exam last time.”
Luo Daoren frowned and said, “That camera isn’t cheap. How could you just accept it?”
Luo Qiao knew what her grandfather was thinking, “Grandpa, I didn’t really want to accept it either, but they said it was payment for the medical consultation. I guess they didn’t want to owe us anything, so I had no choice but to accept it.”
Upon hearing his granddaughter’s explanation, Luo Daoren considered that it might be just as she had said and didn’t pursue the matter further.
It took several bus rides for the five siblings to reach the foot of the Great Wall. After buying tickets, Luo Qiao noticed a notice board on the wall concerning hygiene and the environment, stating that violators would be fined.
Perhaps because school was out, there were quite a few visitors, and the place bustled with activity.
As they ascended the Great Wall, the rolling green mountains on both sides stretched out before them. Looking into the distance, they beheld the rugged and powerful northern landscape. The Wall itself wound along the mountain ridges, zigzagging through the steep and lofty hills, like a dragon soaring skyward.
Reflecting on its history and purpose, and thinking of the heroes who were gone while the Wall still stood, was deeply moving and commanded respect.
The siblings’ attractive appearance occasionally drew the attention of passersby. Luo Qiao took out her camera and took many photos of each of them. When they encountered a particularly picturesque scene, she even asked someone to take a group photo of all five siblings—these pictures would become cherished memories.
When they descended from the Great Wall and saw Luo Haotian not far away, smiles sprang to their faces, along with a sense of happiness they had never felt before. Indeed, having their grandparents and father was enough.
Luo Qiao ran over, “Dad, what are you doing here?”
Luo Haotian replied, “I wanted to surprise you. You were all here; how could Dad be missing?”
After having someone take a few group photos at the foot of the Great Wall as keepsakes, the family of six chatted merrily as they walked toward the bus station.
And just like that, by a twist of fate, Ning Xueling, accompanied by her stepson, stepdaughter, and a friend’s family, was also descending from the Great Wall, preparing to catch the bus home.
Watching the departing figures, Ning Xueling was filled with complex emotions. She had seen how normal her eldest son appeared, and as a mother, she was oblivious to everything; no one had told her anything.
Thinking of seeing Luo Xuyan and Luo Qiao at the exam site yesterday, the smiles on their faces, and then considering her own current life, she couldn’t help but feel regrets. But it was too late now, things could never go back to the way they were.