Chapter 207: Late Night in the Capital City, a Family Reunion

In the deep night, two luxury cars sped along the empty Capital City street, their wheels grinding against the bluestone pavement with a muffled sound.

The sycamore leaves lining the street swayed lightly in the night breeze, and occasionally the silhouette of a night‑returning passerby flashed by in haste.

After swapping drivers a few times, now Lu Qingshan gripped the steering wheel, a hint of fatigue in his eyes but far more excitement at about to meet his family.

His palms were slightly sweaty, and his heartbeat raced a few beats faster than usual.

"Qing Shan, I'm nervous," Lin Yue'e clutched her handkerchief, her voice trembling, "It's my first time meeting your parents; what if they don't like me?"

She recalled the rumors she had heard back in Shanwan village, that Lu Qingshan's parents were cultured officials in the Capital City, and wondered if they would look down on her, a country girl.

"Don't overthink it," Lu Qingshan squeezed his wife's hand, his palm equally damp, "My parents are reasonable people, and Xiao Xue is so cute, how could they not like her? Besides, my mother has been longing to hold a granddaughter for a long time."

In the back seat, Xiao Xue, clutching a toy bear, had already fallen asleep, her little face appearing especially serene under the streetlamp.

Her tiny mouth was slightly ajar, occasionally emitting a faint snore. Jin Hu lay at her feet, occasionally lifting his head to glance out the window, his nose lightly sniffing the unfamiliar scent in the air, vigilantly fulfilling his duty.

The car turned into a narrow alley, and the blue‑brick, gray‑tile courtyard house lay silent and tranquil under the moonlight.

The red‑painted main gate appeared especially solemn in the night, and the two stone Lions beside it seemed to silently guard the home.

Lu Qingshan skillfully parked before the gate, and as he gazed at the courtyard that held countless childhood memories, a wave of indescribable, complex emotions rose within him.

Here lay his happiest recollections and his most painful farewells.

"We've arrived," Lu Qingshan whispered, fearing he might wake Xiao Xue.

The moment they stepped out, hurried footsteps echoed through the courtyard.

Obviously, the family members were waiting for them.

The gate creaked open, and a slender yet spry figure appeared in the doorway.

"Qing Shan!" Lu Hua saw his son, his eyes instantly moist, his voice trembling, "You finally made it; we've been waiting all night."

The former revolutionary veteran now looked like an ordinary father, his eyes full of longing and affection for his son.

"Dad!" Lu Qingshan hurried forward, tightly embracing his father, feeling the familiar hold, "I made you worry. I drove carefully all the way, didn't dare to speed."

"Just being back is enough, just being back is enough," Lu Hua patted his son's back, his voice choked, "You've gotten thin; haven't you been eating well out there?"

At that moment, Wang Guilan jogged out of the house, her steps a little hurried.

Seeing her son, daughter‑in‑law, and granddaughter safe, tears instantly welled up.

"Qing Shan!" Wang Guilan seized Lu Qingshan in a hug, "It rained a little this afternoon, just stopped; Mom was terrified, worried the road would be hard to travel."

"Mom, I'm back now," Lu Qingshan gently patted his mother's back, his eyes also a bit moist, "The road conditions are much better now, very safe."

Lu Hong and Lu Xiaoyu also emerged from the house, and upon seeing their brother return, smiles long absent appeared on their faces.

"Qing Shan, the road was hard," Lu Hong said concernedly, "Come inside quickly; it's cool outside, don't get cold."

"Sister Yue E!" Lu Xiaoyu was the first to walk up to Lin Yue'e, taking her hand, "Welcome home! We've been wanting to see you for a long time."

Lin Yue'e felt the sincere kindness, and the tension in her heart eased considerably.

She squeezed Lu Xiaoyu's hand tightly, her voice trembling, "Xiaoyu, thank you."

"This is Yue E," Lu Qingshan led his wife's hand, introducing her to his parents, "And Xiao Xue, who fell asleep in the car."

Wang Guilan, excited, walked to the car, and through the window saw the sleeping Xiao Xue, her eyes full of affection, "Oh my, how handsome this child is! The features resemble Qing Shan, the face shape follows Yue E, truly a little beauty."

Her voice trembled; it was her first time seeing her own granddaughter.

"Mom, Xiao Xue is sleeping soundly; let's not wake her," Lu Qingshan said softly, "She was excited all day, only just fell asleep a moment ago."

"Right, right, let the child sleep," Wang Guilan nodded quickly, then took Lin Yue'e's hand, "Yue E, you must be tired from the journey, come inside and warm up; I've prepared hot water for you."

"Mom…" Lin Yue'e's voice trembled as she called the word, tears glistening in her eyes.

The title, she had practiced many times, but when she finally said it, her emotions were still stirred.

"Ah! Good child, good child!" Wang Guilan patted Lin Yue'e's hand, "From now on we're family, don't be formal. You've endured hardships; raising Xiao Xue alone all these years hasn't been easy."

Lu Qingshan carefully lifted Xiao Xue out of the car; the little one mumbled a few words like "dad" and "little bear" in her sleep, then fell quiet again.

Jin Hu followed his master, vigilantly observing the surroundings.

"This is Xiao Xue," Lu Hua said, looking at the granddaughter in his arms, his eyes full of affection, "What a little angel, just like Qing Shan when he was a child."

"Grandpa, this is our Jin Hu," Lu Qingshan introduced, "He's well‑behaved, won't run off."

"Good dog, you look clever," Lu Hua nodded, "The courtyard is spacious enough; it has room to move around."

The group entered the courtyard, and Lu Qingshan looked around, noticing the yard was kept very tidy.

The rose bushes were in full bloom, and beneath the grape trellis stood stone tables and chairs, presenting a completely warm family scene.

"Qing Shan, you can settle in the back yard for now," Lu Hua gestured toward the rear courtyard, "The rooms are a bit cramped; we'll figure something out tomorrow."

"No problem, Dad, as long as there's a place to stay." Lu Qingshan carried Xiao Xue toward the back yard, "We don't mind. In a few days the courtyard next door will be cleared up as well."

The rear yard had a side room; though small, it was kept very clean.

Wang Guilan had long prepared brand‑new bedding, and even specially set up a little bed for Xiao Xue, with a small tambourine for the granddaughter placed at the head of the bed.

"Mom, you're so thoughtful," Lin Yue'e said, looking at the preparations, a warm feeling rising in her heart, "When did you prepare all this?"

"I've had them ready for a while, just set them up today," Wang Guilan replied, bustling, "Xiao Xue is our little princess, of course she must be well cared for."

Lu Qingshan gently placed Xiao Xue on the little bed; the youngster turned over, muttering "dad" in her mouth, then fell back asleep.

Jin Hu circled the room once, finally choosing to lie at Xiao Xue's bedside, faithfully guarding his little master.

"Qing Shan, what's the arrangement for those people outside?" Lu Hua asked.

"I sent A Qiang and the others to stay at the inn at the alley entrance," Lu Qingshan said, "We'll arrange details tomorrow."

"Alright, as long as you've thought it through." Lu Hua nodded.

After sorting out the lodging, the family gathered around the main hall.

Although it was already late night, no one wanted to sleep; the excitement of meeting Yue E and Xiao Xue for the first time kept everyone thrilled.

"Qing Shan, the trip back to Shanwan went smoothly, right?" Lu Hua asked concernedly, "I heard from your call that the factory business is doing well?"

"Luck's been good; I've earned some money," Lu Qingshan said modestly, "But the most important thing is being able to bring Yue E and Xiao Xue back to see you."

"It should be, it should be," Wang Guilan said, holding Lin Yue'e's hand. "Yue E, this child has been wronged; Qing Shan didn't understand before, but now he's better."

"Mother, please don't say that," Lin Yue'e blushed. "Qing Shan is now very good to us."

"Qing Shan really has changed a lot," Lu Hong said from the side. "Before we all worried about Yue E, but now it seems we were overthinking."

Lu Qingshan heard this and felt a surge of guilt in his heart.

In his previous life he really made his family worry too much; now being able to regain their approval feels more precious than anything.

"By the way, there are still many things in the car," Lin Yue'e suddenly remembered. "They're all hometown specialties, brought for you two elders."

"It's too late; we'll talk tomorrow," Lu Qingshan stopped his wife. "The weather is cool, the food in the car is fine."

"You're right, it's already this late," Wang Guilan nodded. "Seeing it tomorrow won't be too late."

At that moment, Xiao Xue suddenly began crying in the backyard, perhaps because the new environment unsettled her.

"Xiao Xue is awake," Lin Yue'e quickly got up and ran toward the backyard.

"I'll go take a look," Lu Qingshan followed.

Xiao Xue sat on the bed with wide eyes, frightened by the unfamiliar surroundings, her little mouth pursed and eyes watery.

Seeing dad and mom come in, she immediately reached out her little hand for a hug.

"Good girl, Xiao Xue, this is grandpa and grandma's home," Lu Qingshan lifted his daughter, soothing softly. "Tomorrow morning you'll be able to see them; they've missed you."

"Dad, I want water," Xiao Xue said in a baby voice, "and I need to pee."

"Alright, dad will fetch you water," Lu Qingshan was about to go out, when Wang Guilan already came in carrying a cup.

"Xiao Xue, Grandma has poured you warm boiled water," Wang Guilan said gently. "Drink slowly, no rush."

Xiao Xue curiously watched the kind old grandmother; though somewhat unfamiliar, she could feel the goodwill.

She took the cup and sipped little by little, her eyes fixed on Wang Guilan.

"Grandma," Xiao Xue suddenly called out, her voice crisp.

"Ah!" Wang Guilan, so moved that tears were about to fall, exclaimed, "Xiao Xue is really clever, she recognized Grandma at once."

"Tomorrow Grandma will buy you candied hawthorn," Wang Guilan stroked Xiao Xue's head. "There are also many tasty things: roast duck, donkey roll, fried dough ring, sweet bun, mung bean juice."

"Thank you, Grandma," Xiao Xue smiled sweetly. "Grandma is the best."

Watching this warm scene, Lu Qingshan felt his heart filled with happiness.

This is the life he wants, the home he will protect for a lifetime.

Night was already deep, and the family only then returned to their rooms to rest.

Lu Qingshan lay on the bed, listening to his wife's steady breathing, watching his daughter's sleeping face, his heart full of anticipation for the future.

Tomorrow, a new life will begin.