Chapter 223

Qin Qin Hengzhi stopped the car because Section Chief Jia had already gotten off his bicycle.

He pointed toward the direction of the Research Institute's family quarters and said: "Lu Qiao was just at the Security Section, and now she has gone to the Research Institute's family quarters."

Qin Qin Hengzhi glanced at Zhang Zhang Zhuliang and said: "If you need support, call the duty room of the Military Representative Office."

Section Chief Jia nodded: "Hmm, let me check the situation first. I might really need your Military Representative Office's help."

Afterward, he waved at Qin Qin Hengzhi, got on his bicycle, and left.

Meanwhile, Lu Lu Qiao had already arrived at her Fourth Uncle's house.

She happened to see her Fourth Aunt in a wheelchair and her cousin Lu Lu Qiaoqing, who was standing beside her; she was the Fourth Uncle's eldest daughter.

Lu Lu Qiaoqing was the same age as Lu Qiao Ling and had taken over her Fourth Aunt's job, working at the Workers' Cultural Palace.

When she saw Lu Lu Qiao, her eyes lit up. She glanced inside the room and said softly: "Second Sister, you're here."

Before the Fourth Aunt could speak, an old woman walked out of the courtyard. Her hair was combed meticulously. Seeing Lu Lu Qiao, she said: "Oh my, Lu Qiao is here. How is your grandmother doing lately?"

This old woman was the Fourth Aunt's mother.

Lu Lu Qiao said with a smile: "My grandmother is doing quite well. She even asked me to send her regards to you all on her behalf."

Grandma Lu was not one to favor boys over girls, but when her fourth son wanted to live with his parents-in-law, Grandma Lu rarely visited her fourth son's home.

It wasn't that she was angry or looked down on her daughter-in-law; it was just that the Fourth Aunt's mother was a bit eccentric and talked nonsense all day long. At first, it was fine, but after they got married and had Lu Lu Qiaoqing, when the old lady wanted to come and help take care of her, she said: "Mother of Xiaocheng, you can't come to my house. Your horoscope and my granddaughter Qingqing's are incompatible; there will be a clash."

Not to mention a dozen years ago, even now, these were not very nice words to say.

Grandma Lu really didn't say a word and turned around to leave.

When Lu Cheng returned from work and found out, he ran to his eldest brother's house and knelt before his mother, weeping bitterly.

Grandma Lu was a reasonable person. She told Lu Da at the time: "Your wife is quite good, but you mustn't have a falling out with her because of this. Fourth son, don't say your mother has your eldest brother's whole family; even if I didn't have your eldest brother, your mother wouldn't cause you any trouble."

Lu Cheng and the Fourth Aunt had a good relationship, and the Fourth Aunt was a decent person. Knowing she was in the wrong, she compensated with money and supplies.

But that only lasted for a few months, and then it stopped.

Then everyone was in difficulty, and it really became a case of no one being able to look after anyone else.

The Fourth Uncle's family had three children: two daughters and one son.

Come to think of it, every family has its own difficult scripture to chant.

Lu Lu Qiao took down the iron bucket and pushed the Fourth Aunt, carrying the bucket into the courtyard.

Because of the Fourth Aunt's illness, after they returned, Director He specifically had their housing moved to the first floor and provided a courtyard.

She heard from her grandmother that the Fourth Aunt's parents were on bad terms with their son, which was why they had to live at their daughter's house.

But one had to admit that over these years, they had raised three children and were still taking care of the Fourth Aunt now. Just for this, Grandma Lu didn't say a word.

Lu Lu Qiao said: "This is the fish and shrimp I caught this afternoon. My mom said to give you half. Whether you fry them or make fish paste, it's all fine. These two crucian carp can be used to make soup, which is good for the Fourth Aunt's health."

Lu Lu Qiao didn't come here often, so she prepared to leave after putting the things down.

The Fourth Aunt there didn't insist on her staying and asked Lu Lu Qiaoqing to pour out the water bucket and wash it clean.

After Lu Lu Qiaoqing poured out the fish and shrimp, she scrubbed the bucket until it was spotlessly clean.

The Fourth Aunt pointed to a bag placed on the corner table. Lu Lu Qiaoqing took it over, put it in the water bucket, and handed it to Lu Lu Qiao.

She didn't know what it was, but it felt heavy.

The Fourth Aunt said: "If you hadn't come, I would have waited for your Fourth Uncle to return tonight and send it to your grandmother. Since you came, it's just as well."

"Lu Qiao, I also want to thank you for the wheelchair you had custom-made for me. It's really too convenient. Thank you."

"We're all one family; why be so polite?"

"Lu Qiao, sigh, I don't know how to talk to you."

Lu Lu Qiao placed her hand on the Fourth Aunt's shoulder and said softly: "Fourth Aunt, you are very impressive for being able to persevere. Besides, Grandpa Jiang and Grandma Jiang have contributed greatly. My grandmother knows this in her heart; no one blames you..."

Afterward, she beckoned to Lu Lu Qiaoqing: "Qingqing, come over here; I have something to tell you."

Lu Lu Qiaoqing glanced at her grandmother but followed her outside anyway.

Lu Lu Qiao said: "The night school at the Xiang Yang neighborhood office is reopening, and I've signed you up."

Lu Lu Qiaoqing was stunned: "But I still have to work?"

"You didn't even finish your first year of middle school. Don't you want a middle school diploma or even a high school diploma?"

Lu Lu Qiaoqing hesitated: "I... my grandmother said she is preparing to use her connections to recommend me for a specialized secondary school."

Lu Lu Qiao frowned. Schools entered through recommendations, while not all the same, are definitely not as good as those entered through one's own efforts in the long run.

Lu Lu Qiao said decisively: "Attending night school doesn't conflict with you going to study. It's settled; you can go back now."

Lu Lu Qiaoqing: "..."

She didn't argue but nodded obediently.

Lu Lu Qiao didn't go to see Director He because she was very busy now. Even Sun Qin had gone to the base to take care of her and several other elderly researchers.

Lu Lu Qiao had just pushed her bicycle out of the alley entrance when she saw Qin Qin Hengzhi's car driving toward her.

Xiao Si waved happily: "Second Sister, I'm here too."

Then he whispered: "Is it okay if I don't go to Fourth Aunt's house? I'm afraid of Grandma Jiang."

Then don't go. That old lady's territorial awareness is too strong.

Lu Lu Qiao didn't like her either.

Qin Qin Hengzhi put the bicycle in the car's trunk.

Xiao Si asked worriedly: "Will the bicycle damage the trunk?"

Qin Qin Hengzhi rubbed the little guy's head and said in a deep voice: "It's fine, it won't break."

Lu Xiaosi immediately asked worriedly again: "Will the trunk damage my Second Sister's bicycle? How about you drive the car, and I'll ride it? I know how to ride a bicycle now."

Lu Lu Qiao: "Don't worry, neither will damage the other."

Xiao Si said "Hmm," but didn't insist. He touched the bicycle, took one more look, and then got into the car.

Qin Qin Hengzhi smiled and said: "When you get into middle school, I'll buy you a new bicycle."

Xiao Si's eyes widened in surprise, and he immediately looked at his Second Sister.

Seeing that his Second Sister was also smiling, he then said loudly: "Thank you, Brother Qin!"

Qin Qin Hengzhi was still smiling.

Hmm, that's several years away; he liked this kind of promise.

It gave a feeling of the future being infinitely stretched out.

When they arrived at the Lu house, Qin Qin Hengzhi was stunned. The swallows, pigeons, and sparrows were actually squatting on a single tree branch.

It looked bizarre no matter how he viewed it.

The tabby cat was also at home and was the first to pounce on Lu Lu Qiao, only to be picked up by Lu Lu Qiao and stuffed into Xiao Si's arms.

Then Lu Lu Qiao learned one thing.

It was indeed the Sun family's big black dog that bit Yaya.

There were many eyewitnesses.

Things flying in the sky, running on the ground, and crawling on vegetable leaves—but there wasn't a single human among them.

Did really no one see it?

Lu Lu Qiao didn't believe it, but this would have to wait for tomorrow to continue investigating.

However, this incident served as a reminder to Lu Lu Qiao: she had to hold a meeting for these little animals.

Not to mention anyone else, even Qin Qin Hengzhi seemed to have guessed it eight or nine times out of ten.

Although he didn't say a word about it, if there really came a day of collision, Qin Qin Hengzhi would be in a very difficult position.

Lu Lu Qiao had warned them before, but now she needed to warn them solemnly.