Chapter 296: Finding a Relative Who Can Foster

When everyone had arrived, Lu Beitang held a cup of tea and sat in the main seat.

"Everyone's here, ha, today we'll hold a small family meeting, and I'll say a couple of words first…"

Chen Xianglan was kneading dough on a nearby board and casually added, "We have Group Leader Lu and Director Lu here, what's with the airs? It's like holding a big meeting at the factory; just listen to the daughter and son's opinions and that's enough."

The cotton mill held meetings all day today, aiming to boost production to supply disaster‑area compatriots, and after returning home, there's another meeting!

Lu Beitang glared, "He's the Lu Minister, and I have to speak first in this family.

And you, holding a meeting, what are you kneading dough for? Come sit properly!"

Chen Xianglan was unperturbed, "If I don't steam the buns quickly, you'll have to go hungry tomorrow morning."

Lu Beitang opened his mouth, "Well, then you steam them, and pay attention to the talk."

"By the way, where did I just leave off?"

Lu Cheng shook his head helplessly, "I said I'd say a couple of words."

"Right, a couple of words." Lu Beitang took a sip of tea, set the cup down, and with a solemn face said, "Ning Ning was brought back by us; she's sensible and a pitiful child, and she has a sort of fate with our family, so we can't just ignore her, but…"

Lu Beitang said this while glancing at Ning Ning on the bed; fortunately the child had already fallen asleep.

"But, this child has no real ties to our family. My view is whether we can find Ning Ning's relatives, as being raised by her own kin would be best."

Lu Ying added, "But her family no longer has any direct relatives."

Lu Beitang had thought about this issue.

"If there are no direct relatives, we can look for other kin. Lu Cheng, what's your opinion?"

In truth, holding this meeting today was unavoidable; we can't keep Ning Ning living here any longer, or over time feelings will inevitably develop, and then the child will be reluctant to leave.

But not moving her out is definitely impossible, just as dad said, we have no blood relation with this child.

The only thing the old Lu family can do is find a place to settle the child, and Lu Beitang's suggestion to have Ning Ning's relatives raise her is undoubtedly the best solution.

Lu Cheng nodded, "Hmm, I agree with dad's view. I'm on leave these few days, so I'll go to the hospital and inquire."

Lu Cheng recalled that while transporting the wounded, there was a person who lived not far from Ning Ning's family and should know something about their situation.

Lu Ying then took the floor again, "But what if we can't find anyone, or they're unwilling to raise her?"

Lu Cheng thought there's no chance of not finding anyone; with careful inquiries, a related relative can surely be located, though the degree of kinship is uncertain.

As for whether they'd be willing to raise her, that question truly is hard to say.

Lu Cheng glanced at his sister and noticed she seemed to have already formed an attachment to the child, while Ning Ning appeared to only want to be close to Lu Ying.

Lu Cheng tentatively asked, "Sister, what's your opinion?"

Lu Ying at first didn't know how to answer, "I… I don't really have an opinion; I'm just a bit worried about Ning Ning. If her relatives refuse to raise her, we'd have to send her back to the Welfare Institute."

"But the last time I went to the Welfare Institute, a few kids were bullying her, so Ning Ning doesn't want to stay at the Welfare Institute."

Lu Cheng understood his sister's point: the child has no family left and needs care; growing up in a bullying environment would make her childhood full of pain, and the trauma would follow her for life.

"Sister, don't worry. First we'll find Ning Ning's relatives; if they're willing to raise her, that's perfect. If not, we'll think of another solution."

For now we can only take it one step at a time; that night, when they went to sleep, everyone seemed preoccupied and didn't fall asleep until very late.

In the early hours, Chen Xianglan steamed the buns; fresh out of the pot they were especially fragrant, and Lu Cheng ate two before finally falling asleep.

The next day, Lu Ying took Ning Ning to a department store, while Lu Cheng rode his bicycle to the hospital receiving disaster‑area wounded.

As he was bending over to lock his bike, someone tapped his back.

He turned his head and saw Wu Zhekun; Lu Cheng was quite surprised.

"Hey, Haodazi, why are you at the hospital? Transporting the wounded?"

Wu Zhekun shook his head, "Our rescue batch is finished; other units have taken over."

Lu Cheng stood up, "Then shouldn't you be returning to your unit? Why are you at the hospital?"

"No, the Company Commander gave me a few days off, so I'm here for a check‑up."

"A check‑up? What's wrong with you?"

Wu Zhekun gestured to the medicine bag in his hand, "Lately I can't sleep and I keep getting headaches, so I came to the hospital for some meds, not sure if they'll work."

Lu Cheng knew this wasn't a physical illness; Wu Zhekun was suffering from a mental disorder, specifically post‑traumatic stress disorder.

And the cause was certainly linked to this disaster rescue.

Lu Cheng patted his shoulder, "Don't overthink it; it's a natural disaster, no one could have prevented it."

He said it like that, but how could he not think about it? Now each night when he shuts his eyes, those scenes flash in his mind.

For the young Wu Zhekun, it truly was a strong shock.

Wu Zhekun took a deep breath; he knew the medicine wouldn't do much, and if his mother hadn't forced him to come to the hospital for a check‑up, he'd just want to lie in bed and stare blankly now.

"Old Lu, why are you at the hospital? Are you sick too?"

"Hey, don't mention it." Lu Cheng pulled out a pack of cigarettes; Wu Zhekun didn't usually smoke, but had only started smoking at home these past few days.

He casually took one and started smoking.

"Do you still remember the Ning Ning we rescued?"

Wu Zhekun looked bewildered, stared at his hands covered in wounds, and gave a wry smile, "I have no idea how many people I've dug up—dead, alive, missing arms or legs…"

As the images flashed again, a sharp headache surged, and Lu Cheng quickly steadied him.

"Forget it, you'd better not listen any more."

Wu Zhekun inhaled deeply, "It's fine, go ahead. Which Ning Ning?"

Lu Cheng exhaled smoke, "The little girl who has no family left."

Wu Zhekun recalled, that was the first survivor he had pulled out.

"I remember, she wasn't sent to the Welfare Institute, and I was thinking of going to see her before rejoining the unit."

Lu Cheng shook his head, explained Ning Ning's situation, and Wu Zhekun was a bit surprised, "At your home?"

"Yes, we sent her to the Welfare Institute several times, and my sister couldn't resist taking her back. But don't worry, Ning Ning's mood has now stabilized."

Wu Zhekun nodded: "But staying at your house forever isn't really a solution."

Lu Cheng gestured toward the Inpatient Ward: "I'm not here to inquire, just to see if we can locate Ning Ning's relatives."

Wu Zhekun understood; this was to prepare to hand Ning Ning over to relatives for upbringing.

"Then let's go, I'll go with you."

Lu Cheng dropped his cigarette butt, glanced at him: "Can you handle it? Inside are all the wounded sent from the disaster zone; if you get emotional again, your headache could worsen."

"It's fine; actually seeing the wounded is okay, it's somewhat comforting."