Chapter 1346: Chapter 1346: Just Be Yourself

Wang Xiaoqin, feeling a bit embarrassed, said, "Thank you for making the trip again. We really ought to show our appreciation somehow."

Luo Qiao patted Wang Xiaoqin’s hand. "As long as the matter’s resolved, it’s fine. It really wasn’t a big deal. The kids are still waiting for us at home—we promised to go back after finishing this."

Xin Yongzhong and his wife expressed their gratitude yet again, and only then did the group part ways.

It wasn’t until after they split up that Xin Yongzhong realized how familiar the name sounded. When he finally made the connection, he slapped his slightly dazed forehead. He hadn’t expected that a casual outing with the kids would lead him to cross paths with such a prominent official.

But he didn’t share this discovery with others. Quietly, he mentioned it to his wife, and the two got excited for quite a while. Still, they stayed tight-lipped and refrained from spreading the word.

On the way home, they passed the machinery plant. Luo Qiao suggested, "We didn’t get to visit on New Year’s Day. Why don’t we swing by and take a look? See if there’s anything we can do to help, just to show how much we care."

As she said this, she chuckled.

She still hadn’t figured out how she should address her new "aunt" after her dad remarried.

Lu Yichen nodded in agreement. "Alright, let’s go take a look. You should call Dad and find out where he is."

Luo Qiao dialed her father’s number and asked, "Dad, we’ll be there soon. Just coming by to see how the renovations on the house are coming along."

Luo Haotian sounded delighted. "Great, come on by. Your aunt is here too."

Luo Qiao widened her eyes in playful curiosity, teasingly asking, "Are we interrupting anything?"

Luo Haotian rubbed his nose. "You’ve learned to poke fun at your dad now. Such a little troublemaker."

After hanging up, Luo Qiao turned to Lu Yichen and said, "My aunt’s here—it looks like she’s here to supervise the renovations."

Soon, they arrived at the residential compound, but the roads inside made it hard to turn the car around. Instead, they parked outside, grabbed some vegetables and fruit from the trunk, and walked the rest of the way home.

Many people greeted the couple along the way, and one inquisitive neighbor asked Luo Qiao, "So, your dad’s getting married—are you all okay with that?"

Luo Qiao cheerfully answered, "Of course we’re okay with it. It’s a good thing. Auntie, make sure you join us for the wedding banquet."

The neighbor could only laugh awkwardly and reply, "Oh, I’ll definitely be there."

When they arrived home, Gu Qianru was cooking in the kitchen. She poked her head out and asked, "You two planning to stay for dinner?"

Luo Qiao laughed. "Aunt, are you asking because you hope we’ll stay, or because you hope we won’t? Please be direct!"

Despite her typically outgoing nature, Gu Qianru found herself a bit flustered by Luo Qiao’s teasing. She glanced at Luo Haotian across the way and then said, "I’ll leave that to you."

And with that, she ducked back into the kitchen, leaving even Lu Yichen laughing.

Luo Qiao chuckled. "Aunt is so adorable."

Luo Haotian quickly changed the subject. "Why don’t you help me check if there’s anything else wrong with the house?"

Luo Qiao and Lu Yichen headed inside. The walls had all been painted fresh white, the living room lights were replaced, and the curtains were clearly chosen by her aunt.

The furniture was all brand-new, too—it was clear a lot of thought had gone into it.

Luo Qiao joked, "Dad, this is great. Looks like you’ve found the real deal—she’s really given it her all."

When Luo Haotian heard this, he worried for a second that his daughter might be unhappy. But when she turned around, the smile on her face reassured him.

The group went upstairs to check out the bedrooms, which had all been freshly painted as well. Every piece of furniture had been replaced. Luo Qiao gave her dad a thumbs-up. "This is quite the investment!"

Laughing, Luo Haotian explained, "Your aunt insisted that if we were going to change things, we’d change them all. She said that now that she’s part of this home, you’ll probably visit more often. She wanted everything arranged perfectly so you’d be comfortable staying here too.

She even joked that besides taking care of me, she plans to spend her time showing off her grandchildren—whether they’re her own or step-grandchildren—around the neighborhood."

Upon hearing this, Luo Qiao’s eyes grew misty. Those words could only come from someone who truly considered them her family. She was deeply touched and immensely grateful. Turning to her father, she said, "Aunt is a wonderful woman. I believe you’ll take great care of each other in the future."

Then, she wrapped her arm around Haotian’s and said playfully, "Dad, you have to be happy, alright?"

Moved by his daughter’s words, Luo Haotian replied earnestly, "Thank you. I will."

Just as Lu Yichen was about to interrupt their heartfelt moment, they heard Gu Qianru calling them from downstairs. Luo Haotian shouted back, "We’ll be right down!"

The three of them headed downstairs to find that the kitchen cabinets had been delivered. The workers were already carrying them into the yard, preparing to install them.

Meanwhile, Aunt had just finished cooking.

Seeing that there was nothing they could help with, Luo Qiao chatted a bit with her aunt before she and Lu Yichen prepared to leave.

Gu Qianru asked, "Not staying for dinner?"

Luo Qiao joked, "Aren’t you afraid we’ll actually stay?"

Gu Qianru burst into laughter. "Go on, go on, hurry up and leave."

With a sentimental smile, Luo Qiao responded, "Now that’s more like it. Aunt, just be yourself."

And with that, she pulled Lu Yichen along and slipped out.