Chapter 989: Chapter 989 Secret Mission Chapter 989: Chapter 989 Secret Mission Luo Qiao was busy helping her fourth brother prepare for his wedding when she was approached for a secret mission that required her cooperation.
They mentioned that the mission carried a high level of danger, due to the complex environment of the location, and demanded a doctor proficient in both Chinese and Western medicine to accompany them, which led them to him.
Luo Qiao asked about the departure time and was told it would be tomorrow afternoon. Knowing that she had been specifically sought out, she knew there was no other choice and she couldn’t back out at this moment.
After a brief consideration, Luo Qiao agreed.
Upon returning home, she told Rong Daniang and Elder Rong that she had to leave for a long trip tomorrow, which would last about half a month. She then cooked lots of delicious food in the kitchen and called Lu Yichen, telling him she would pick up the children from kindergarten today.
Standing at the forefront, Luo Qiao watched the children come out: “Yanyan, Yueyue, mommy is here to pick you up.”
The two little ones were very excited and ran over, introducing her to their friends: “This is my mom.”
“Gu Xiyan, Lu XiYue, your mom is really beautiful.”
Yanyan smiled, showing off her tiny teeth with pride, “My mom can also make a lot of delicious food, it’s especially yummy.”
A little boy nearby looked on enviously: “Next time she makes something tasty, could you share some with me to try?”
Yanyan looked at her mom upon hearing this: “Can we, mommy?”
Luo Qiao smiled and took a lunchbox out of the bag she carried, originally intending to take her daughters to the park later: “Inside is some chicken rice popcorn I just made, you can share it with your friends.”
Yanyan jumped up happily: “Thank you, mom.”
Luo Qiao then took out another lunchbox, turning towards Yueyue standing beside her: “Yueyue, yours is here.”
Yueyue took the lunchbox, but did not share it with the other children. Instead, she walked to a spot not far outside the kindergarten where a little boy was standing, handing him the box: “Here you go.”
The little boy didn’t take it, just looked on. Luo Qiao had not expected her daughter to do this, but she stood a bit further away and remained quiet. Yueyue, possibly getting impatient waiting for a response, stuffed the lunchbox into the boy’s hands and then turned back.
From the mouth of an Elder nearby, Luo Qiao learnt that the boy was with his unmarried, remarried mother at his stepfather’s home. His stepfather’s previous wife had passed away, leaving behind a son and a daughter, but they treated him quite well; however, since the stepfather’s family hadn’t split assets, they couldn’t afford to send him to kindergarten.
He would come to watch the kindergarten across the iron fence every day, wearing hand-me-downs from his older step-siblings, looking pitiful.
Luo Qiao smiled at the child before she took her daughter’s hand to leave, Yueyue not forgetting to shout, “Remember to return my lunchbox tomorrow.”
By then, Yanyan had finished sharing her chicken rice popcorn from the lunchbox and the children were praising how delicious it was, coming over to thank her. Their parents also came over to ask how the popcorn was made.
Luo Qiao generously shared the recipe.
The parents who heard the recipe chuckled: “Just hearing how it’s made, I can tell it’s delicious, but it does sound like it uses a lot of oil.”
Luo Qiao also smiled: “It’s okay to eat this kind of fried food occasionally. Eating too much isn’t healthy.”
Everyone felt that Luo Qiao was a really good person. She was giving them an excuse to not try the recipe, oblivious to the fact that Luo Qiao was being honest. It was a beautiful misunderstanding.
When leaving, Luo Qiao arranged a morning off for her daughters the next day, telling them she would bring them back in the afternoon.
Luo Qiao thought, since she would be gone for nearly half a month, she wanted to spend more time with her daughters.
Upon Lu Yichen’s return, he occasionally glanced at Luo Qiao, who definitely felt his gaze.
After finishing the bedtime story for her daughters and returning to her room, Lu Yichen embraced her: “Is there anything you want to tell me?”
Luo Qiao leaned on his chest: “Do you know something?”
Lu Yichen said nothing, just held her more tightly, then lifted her into his arms. Neither of them spoke further, merely communicating their inner unease through body language.
After their passionate encounter, Lu Yichen kissed her forehead gently, tidied up and then both drifted off to sleep.
The next day, Luo Qiao spent the morning in the park with her daughters. After lunch, she told them about her business trip and that if Daddy was too busy, Grandma Rong and Grandpa Rong would pick them up.
Yanyan and Yueyue kissed their mother on the cheek. Yanyan spoke, “We will be good.”
Yueyue added, “Mommy, come back soon.”
After the teacher had taken the daughters inside, Luo Qiao turned and went to the designated meeting place, where a military truck was already waiting.
Luo Qiao, carrying her modest luggage, boarded the truck without fuss.
To her surprise, upon boarding the truck, she saw Lu Yichen.
Luo Qiao frowned: “Brother Chen, what are you doing here?”
Lu Yichen had applied immediately after knowing Luo Qiao was assigned to the mission, because he had been to that location before during his military service and was familiar with the geography. He was not at ease with her going alone.
After some deliberation, his request was approved.
Lu Yichen pulled her into the seat beside him: “I’m coming with you.”
Luo Qiao was deeply moved: “Did you tell the kids?”
Lu Yichen smiled softly, thinking of their daughters’ understanding, his heart felt soft and warm, and he nodded: “I did. I told them I’m going to protect you.”