Chapter 1349: Chapter 1349: What Are You Thinking Now?

Luo Qiao entered the kitchen: "Auntie, what are we having for dinner tonight?"

Rong Daniang smiled and said: "I made a fish stew and cooked a chicken to nourish Stone. This child has gotten much darker than before, but he looks energetic.

Today, Yipin sent over quite a few shrimp. At noon, Yanyan mentioned she wanted braised prawns, but Xiao Yu has been feeling a bit under the weather these past few days. I thought maybe we’d prepare both—make some shrimp balls for Xiao Yu, something lighter."

Luo Qiao glanced at the ingredients in the kitchen: "Alright, I’ll go change my clothes."

Stone picked up the basin of shrimp and started processing them: "Aunt Rong, should I handle all the shrimp in this basin?"

Rong Daniang smiled at Stone: "Yes, process them all. The kids all love shrimp."

Luo Qiao returned after changing her clothes, by which time most of the ingredients had been prepped. She immediately started cooking, making sure to finish in time for the children to be home.

Once the dishes were done and noticing no movement outside the main gate, Luo Qiao brought Stone into the living room.

She brewed a pot of tea and started, "Go ahead, what’s bothering you?"

Stone looked up at Luo Qiao: "Sister, you figured it out?"

Luo Qiao smiled: "You’ve been with me since you were eight. Though we haven’t lived together for years, your little habits haven’t changed."

Stone took a sip of tea: "The Ning Family found me."

Luo Qiao frowned: "When did this happen?"

"Before I joined the battalion. Taifeng and I ran into Old Lady Ning at the Capital City department store."

"Taifeng sure is tight-lipped."

"Sister, don’t blame Taifeng. I told him not to say anything because I wanted to tell all of you personally. Now that Auntie’s wedding is coming up, I don’t want this to ruin her mood."

"What do you plan to do now?"

"I won’t acknowledge them. So far, they’ve only confirmed I’m in Capital City, but they haven’t found me yet. I’m just worried they might show up, causing a fuss, which wouldn’t be good."

"As long as you’ve decided, leave the rest to us."

"I’ve made up my mind. I won’t acknowledge them—it would be unfair to my mom. Back then, they were the ones who abandoned us. If that woman could have children, they wouldn’t have even thought about me.

When I was eight and needed them most, they chose to leave me behind again. Now that I can support myself, why would I invite trouble? My real family is you all."

While they were talking, Xiao Ye’s voice came from the courtyard: "Grandma Rong, has my mom come back?"

Rong Daniang looked at Xiao Ye, who was holding cotton candy, her expression full of affection: "Yes, she’s back. Your Stone Uncle is here, too. They’re inside talking."

Like a whirlwind, Xiao Ye rushed into the living room: "Mom, look, I brought you cotton candy!"

Entering and spotting Stone, he laughed loudly: "Grandma Rong wasn’t lying. Stone Uncle, you really came back! Did you miss me?"

Stone smiled and picked him up: "Of course I missed you. Did you miss your Stone Uncle? Tell the truth. If you lie, your nose will grow long!"

Xiao Ye looked troubled: "Stone Uncle, I was busy with kindergarten and forgot to miss you. But I really do miss you!"

This made Luo Qiao laugh. At that moment, Yanyan entered from outside, saying, "Xiao Ye, you sure know how to talk."

Xiao Ye looked to his mom for help. Luo Qiao chimed in: "Xiao Ye is indeed very busy every day. But he definitely misses his Stone Uncle, even if it’s just a little. Like the other day when Xiao Ye was wondering if Stone Uncle had saved him any bullet shells."

Yanyan protested: "Mom, does that even count as missing Stone Uncle?"

Luo Qiao laughed: "I think it counts. At least he’s thinking about him."

Then she laughed heartily.

Mid-laughter, Lu Yichen’s voice came from outside the door: "What’s so funny that has you laughing like this?"

Luo Qiao noticed Xiao Ye’s upset expression and immediately decided to check on the food in the kitchen.

Yueyue put down her school bag: "Put your bags away and come wash your hands. Xiao Ye, you too, get down."

Xiao Ye whispered to Stone, "Stone Uncle, don’t tell anyone."

Stone pressed his forehead to Xiao Ye’s: "Alright, Stone Uncle won’t tell."

Relieved, Xiao Ye climbed down: "Sister, where do I put my cotton candy?"

Yueyue pointed to Stone: "Let Stone Uncle hold it for you."

Stone accepted the cotton candy with a smile: "Alright, Stone Uncle will hold it for you. Don’t worry, I promise I won’t sneak a bite."

Xiao Ye huffed: "That’s for Mom."

He knew as long as he said it was for Mom, Stone Uncle wouldn’t dare eat it.

Lu Yichen glanced at his son, amused by the boy’s cleverness, and said with a smile, "Go wash your hands."

Xiao Ye responded with an "Oh!" and as he ran, he shouted to Lu Yichen, "Dad, you haven’t washed your hands either! Watch out, Mom will scold you!"

Lu Yichen shook his head: "This boy sure talks a lot these days."

After dinner, Luo Qiao and Lu Yichen brought Stone into the study, where Stone explained everything again.

Lu Yichen looked at Stone: "You don’t need to worry too much about this. My advice is to let things take their course. You’ll have to face it sooner or later. If they really find you, we’ll address it all at once. What do you think?"

Stone nodded: "Alright. If they really show up, I’ll call you."

After chatting about a few other topics, Luo Qiao asked, "Stone, will you have leave for Auntie’s wedding?"

Stone scratched his head: "When we joined the battalion, the place we went to had poor phone reception. I didn’t learn about Auntie’s wedding until several days later. As soon as I got leave, I came back.

When I got home, I found out Auntie is getting married before the New Year. I’m returning to the camp tomorrow, but I’ll inform them and arrange for extra leave to come back."

After settling the matter, Stone didn’t linger and said he wanted to head back early to pack and chat with the old man before returning to the battalion tomorrow.

Luo Qiao asked Qi Ling to escort him and reminded him not to dwell on the Ning Family’s issues—it mustn’t affect his training. She reassured him that no matter what happens, they’ve got his back.

Stone listened to Luo Qiao’s nagging with a warm feeling in his heart—this is what family is.

After playing with the children for a while, he bid goodbye to everyone. Having shared everything with his brother and sister, he felt a sense of relief.