CHAPTER 1366: CHAPTER 1366: DON’T LOOK FOR TROUBLE IF THERE’S NONE, STAY AWAY IF YOU CAN’T STAND IT

On the sixth day of the New Year, Lu Yichen had already officially returned to work.

Early in the morning, Luo Qiao took a few children to visit her mentor’s home. Ever since her mentor’s children returned to the Capital, her visits had become increasingly rare.

Because the rest of the Yang Family wasn’t too kind to her, Luo Qiao had no desire to visit frequently. However, she never skipped sending New Year’s gifts.

When the car stopped, someone glanced over. Auntie Qiu spotted Luo Qiao stepping out of the car: "Luo Qiao, coming over to greet your mentor and his wife for the New Year?"

Luo Qiao beckoned the children to get out of the car, smiling warmly: "Happy New Year, Auntie Qiu! I’m here with the kids to check in on my mentor and his wife."

As Luo Qiao exchanged greetings with the neighbors, Feng Shumin stepped out of the house: "Finally, you’re here?"

Luo Qiao smiled and said, "Happy New Year, ma’am."

The children chimed in together: "Happy New Year, ma’am."

Feng Shumin smiled and patted the children’s heads: "Happy New Year to all of you, too. It’s been so long since you’ve visited. Did you miss me?"

Yanyan grinned: "We did! But Mom’s been very busy the last few days and couldn’t bring us over."

Feng Shumin clasped Yanyan’s hand with a laugh: "Quickly, come inside and warm up."

Luo Qiao retrieved the prepared nutritional supplements from the trunk before heading into the courtyard with the children.

Outside the gate, the neighbors commented: "Ever since the Yang Family’s grown kids returned to the Capital, Luo Qiao has been coming less often."

"Those folks aren’t easy to deal with. Who’d want to leave the peace of their own home just to see their sour faces?"

Upon entering, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yang Family, Bai Sulì, spotted them: "Oh, Luo Qiao is here! Truly a rare guest."

Ignoring her completely, Luo Qiao turned to the mentor who had stood up and said, "Happy New Year, mentor! I brought the children here to see you."

Yang Jiancheng replied with a smile: "Come in and warm up. There’s a breeze today; it’s quite chilly outside."

He glanced at the children and asked, "Are you cold?"

Yanyan gleefully stretched out her hands: "Grandmentor, try touching my hands! Did you miss us?"

Yang Jiancheng held Yanyan’s hands: "Hmm, they’re okay. Your grandmentor and I have been waiting for you these past few days."

Yanyan responded excitedly: "Mom made a phone call that day. Did no one at home tell you about it?"

Luo Qiao looked pointedly at Bai Sulì, who had received the call that day: "Eldest sister-in-law, didn’t you inform my mentor and his wife that I wouldn’t be able to visit until the sixth day?"

Bai Sulì appeared awkward and said, "Ah, I was busy and forgot."

Yang Jiancheng shook his head, even more disappointed at his eldest daughter-in-law. He invited everyone to sit down and personally fetched candies and assorted nuts for the children.

Not long after, several grandsons and granddaughters-in-law of the Yang Family arrived. When the mentor and his wife weren’t around, their conversation was clearly intended to pressure Luo Qiao for support, hinting at the importance of gratitude and repayment.

Seeing the atmosphere, Luo Qiao worried that things might escalate into a confrontation that would distress her mentor and his wife.

So, when the mentor and his wife returned to the room, after chatting a bit more, Luo Qiao expressed her intention to leave.

Feng Shumin handed out red envelopes to each child, instructing them to save the money for school supplies.

Bai Sulì, seated quietly on the side, suddenly remarked, "Having a lot of children is nice—just the red envelopes they collect each year must add up to a good amount."

Feng Shumin shot back curtly, "Don’t start trouble for no reason. If you can’t stand it, then don’t bother coming over."

The mentor and his wife intended to invite Luo Qiao and the children to stay for dinner. However, Luo Qiao explained that she needed to head to the military housing area, as she had to return to work on the eighth day and time was tight.

The mentor and his wife reluctantly told Luo Qiao to bring the children back for a visit once she had spare time. Deep down, they understood—while the eldest family was around, Luo Qiao was unlikely to stay. The strain in their relationship was bound to grow, something they hadn’t wished for.

Luo Qiao agreed cheerfully, but inwardly decided to minimize the children’s visits. If necessary, she’d invite her mentor and his wife to her place instead—she just didn’t want the Yang Family’s comments to negatively impact the kids.

Having anticipated this situation, Luo Qiao had already called her godmother, Tiong Shulan, the day before to let her know she’d visit her for lunch today.

Leaving the Yang Family home, Luo Qiao made a call to Tiong Shulan while driving, informing her that she was already on the road and would bring the children over soon.

Tiong Shulan, who had received Luo Qiao’s call the previous day, had thus prepared in advance for their visit.

She calculated the time and waited at the entrance, worried they might have trouble getting inside.