Chapter 1629: Chapter 1629: A Surge of Pride

Before getting home, Luo Qiao received a phone call from Lu Yichen: "Have you arrived home yet?"

"Not yet, I just went for a walk with the kids. They behaved well today, so I gave them a small reward."

"Are the kids okay?"

"They’re fine. You can talk to them, I’m driving."

"Kids, can you hear me?"

"Dad, we can hear you. Go ahead."

"I’ve heard from the uncles who came back today about your performance. First, I want to thank you for assisting our police department in capturing these criminals. Second, I am happy, proud, and impressed with you. You did an amazing job.

Because of my profession, I may occasionally bring some trouble to you. The reason why I’ve trained you rain or shine over the years and enrolled you in martial arts and taekwondo classes is to give you more self-defense abilities. Today, I saw the results. You delivered a stellar answer; I’m deeply touched.

Lastly, I hope you can remain humble and composed about today’s events. In future situations, always think carefully, stay calm and avoid recklessness, and always remember there’s always someone better out there."

The kids replied in unison, "We will remember, Dad."

After hanging up the phone, the kids were no longer as excited as before; instead, they fell silent.

As Luo Qiao was about to reach home, she finally spoke: "What are you thinking about?"

Xiao Ye spoke up: "Mom, I won’t become proud because of this success, nor will I feel I am extraordinary because of it. I will continue to train diligently in all weather, never dragging Dad down."

Yanyan also said: "Xiao Ye is right. We are Dad’s soft spot, but we will never become his burden. We will continue to work hard to become the pride of both Dad and Mom."

Luo Qiao was deeply moved; the children have truly grown up, and a sense of pride welled up in her heart.

******

Lu Yichen hung up the phone, and someone walked up behind him: "Director Lu, I heard your kids are quite skilled. Those who wanted to kidnap them were instead captured."

Lu Yichen laughed: "They are not as impressive as they say. The kids do join me for morning practice and have some skills, but today’s success was definitely due to luck."

The person laughed heartily: "Your wife took down three people in the morning, and now the kids took down another three in the evening. If that’s luck, then it’s too good to be true. There’s no need to be modest; it’s clearly a matter of capability."

He finished by giving Lu Yichen two thumbs up: "It’s something for everyone to learn from; they’re practically our unofficial special training members."

Both laughed heartily.

Lu Yichen thought that as long as his wife and children were safe, he could be at ease.

The case was about to be wrapped up, and their final struggles were futile. Those who only had eyes for profit and no national loyalty would face severe legal sanctions.

Soon, the meeting room upstairs was filled with people. Lu Yichen glanced at his watch, looked at those present, and began to lay out the evening’s operation plan.

After the briefing, he solemnly and seriously said: "Comrades, tonight’s operation must be executed with utmost caution. Not a single target must escape, and we must ensure the absolute safety of this batch of artifacts. We cannot let the criminals take the treasures left by our ancestors out of the country."

Everyone stood up and saluted in unison: "Yes, we guarantee to complete the mission."

Lu Yichen returned the salute, surveyed the room, and the ceremony concluded.

Everyone knew that tonight would be a tough battle, not only ensuring that no criminal escaped but also safeguarding the artifacts – the level of difficulty was obvious.

As the watch hands pointed to 9 PM, Lu Yichen’s loud voice rang out again: "Move out."

Lu Yichen and Qiu Guangming boarded the command vehicle, watching as a fleet of police cars drove out. They were merely a decoy; the real operatives had long since changed into plain clothes and were waiting at the designated locations.

After Luo Qiao returned home, he found himself unable to fall asleep late into the night. He was worried about Lu Yichen but feared that calling might disrupt his work. So, holding a medical book, he stared at it for half an hour without turning a page.