CHAPTER 602: CHAPTER 362: UNCERTAIN LIFE AND DEATH / LUO LIAN’S ORIGINS

Luo Lian stared intently as the workers loaded her much cared-for ironing board onto the truck, then gave the workers a detailed address and returned to Luo Ye’s side: "Luoluo, let’s head over first, I just called my stepfather, he’s already gone to help tidy up."

"Okay, I’ll go up and say hi to Male Emperor, then we can go." Luo Ye headed towards the upstairs office area, the manager’s office being the first one around the corner.

The door was open, Wu Zetian was on the phone, and when he saw her come in, he smiled and gestured to the sofa opposite: "Luoluo, take a seat, I’ve notified all the store managers, but I just can’t get through to the CEO, I’ll try again."

"Old Wu, I’m here to tell you, we’re going to Lianlian’s place first, and then to the old age home, if you have time, come find us there." After speaking, Luo Ye waved her hand and went downstairs.

"Got it, I’ll come over once I’m done." Wu Zetian’s response echoed from afar.

Halfway down the stairs, Luo Ye saw Zhuang Aiqiang half-crouched beside a table, his shoulder weighing heavily on the edge. He didn’t stand up straight, which prompted her to hurry over and pull him away: "Uncle Zhuang, that table is so heavy, what if you hurt your back?"

"Uncle Zhuang, didn’t we agree that you would move lighter things? Please, don’t try to show off, okay?" Qu Yue came over as well, her face expressing helplessness.

Zhuang Aiqiang’s face showed his unwillingness to accept this: "President Qu, I’m only forty-five this year, my strength is not far off from the young guys’, don’t believe me, let’s arm-wrestle and find out."

"It’s just that the right person to help you wasn’t available." Qu Yue said with a bitter smile, "Let’s not arm-wrestle, how about we team up instead, Uncle Zhuang? You really are meant for labor."

Zhuang Aiqiang chuckled: "President Qu, you got that right. I feel lost when I have no work, but I’d better not team up with you, I’ll go move something else." Saying this, he walked off towards the distance.

"Luoluo, wait for a second." Qu Yue hurriedly called out to Luo Ye, wanting to stop her from leaving: "I want to ask Uncle Zhuang to work at the old age home. He’s a kind-hearted and diligent man, he comes to help every day after work, and the elders all like him."

Luo Ye pondered briefly and nodded: "I don’t mind, but it’s best to let Aunt Miao gauge Uncle Zhuang’s thoughts first. After all, he has been at his current place of employment for 20 years. If he doesn’t want to leave or is too embarrassed to say no, that would be awkward."

"It shouldn’t be a problem, I’ve inquired about Uncle Zhuang’s employment with Aunt Miao. He’s still a common worker in the workshop, very responsible, but not favored by the foreman. I think he’s stuck there because he has no other option."

"In that case, why don’t you talk to him later? If he’s willing, we could even take his wife to the old age home, so he won’t have to worry, and it’ll be safer." Luo Ye suggested with a wave of her hand, "I won’t interfere further, Lianlian has arranged for us to go to the design studio first, then I’ll head to the elderly home to find you."

Qu Yue responded, and just as Luo Ye took a few steps to leave, she called out to her again: "Ye’er, the elders at the old age home have been craving hotpot, how about we all have it together tonight, is that okay?"

"Sure, their health has been well managed lately, just don’t buy too many high-fat ingredients..." Luo Ye said, motioning to Luo Lianxing and others to leave with her. Getting to Liu Xing, she gave him a smile: "See you tonight, Liu Xing."

"See you tonight." Liu Xing waved back, the bed frame on his shoulder slipping down, startling him into reaching out to steady it. Xing Nong chuckled, patting him: "Dude, heh heh..."

Liu Xing ignored her, his face turning red as he quickened his pace toward the loading area. Luo Ye playfully tugged on Xing Nong’s ear: "Troublemaker."

Xing Nong gave an embarrassed smile: "Who knew his skin was so thin, Male Emperor is much more fun."

"Lu Lu is also quite fun." Luo Ye giggled, whispering something into Luo Lian’s ear, Luo Lian’s eyes glittered as she stared at Xing Nong: "Congratulations, congrats!"

"Hmph!" Xing Nong turned her little head away: "I’m not talking to you guys."

Everyone got into the car and, as they hit the road, Luo Lian reflected: "Coming back home was truly the right choice. I love your life, Luoluo, I feel like you are like a family head, worrying about so many things."

Luo Ye glanced at her through the rear-view mirror and laughed: "Is Lianlian trying to say I’m quite the mother hen, and a nagging one at that."

"No, no..." Luo Lian shook her hands hastily: "I never experienced this aspect of life before, I find it so fresh. The family-like affection you all have, how you can be together often, it’s something I envy a lot."