CHAPTER 1376: CHAPTER 1376: BE CAREFUL NOT TO LAUGH YOURSELF INTO A FIT

Lu Yiting looked on with admiration: "Really coming back?"

Wang Xiaoxin noticed her expression and poked her forehead with a finger: "You all better use your heads a bit in the future."

Lu Yiting covered her forehead: "Sorry for making it hard on you. It won’t happen again. Thanks, sis-in-law."

After finishing the meal and helping clean up, they finally got up to leave.

At this time, plenty of people were out for a stroll in the neighborhood courtyard after dinner, many of them greeted one another.

Kong Mingyang had stuffed some dried fruit that his second aunt gave him into his pocket. After stepping out, he shared some with his buddies. After eating, they all looked at him with envy.

After seeing off his brother and sister-in-law, the neighbors in the courtyard pulled Lu Yiting aside to chat. They initially wanted to say something critical about He Anmei, but Lu Yiting didn’t join in the conversation, so they awkwardly switched topics.

******

Luo Qiao and the others returned home, only to see the kids gathered around their grandparents, doing handcrafts.

When they saw them come back, they all ran over. Yanyan exclaimed: "Daddy, Mommy, you’re finally back! Come and help us with our crafts."

Luo Qiao smiled and walked over: "Dad, Mom, we’re back."

Luo Haotian looked at them and said: "Great, you’re back just in time. Come help out with these crafts. This detailed work is truly beyond me."

Gu Qianru laughed heartily: "Your dad’s pretty much been rejected outright by your daughter."

Luo Haotian glared at his teasing wife: "Alright, why don’t you laugh a little less. Don’t strain yourself by laughing so hard."

Gu Qianru laughed even harder: "You’re clumsy, but you won’t let others say it? Just look at you—skilled at drawing blueprints and a pro at technical workshops—yet you can’t even manage some handcrafts. And you still mind people laughing at you?"

Luo Haotian, scared she might laugh herself into discomfort, relented: "Fine, I admit I’m clumsy. Stop laughing now, will you?"

Luo Qiao sat there, watching the pair’s back-and-forth, her face full of smiles.

She couldn’t help but glance at Lu Yichen beside her: "Let’s do this together."

Lu Yichen chuckled softly: "Sure."

Turns out, when Lu Yichen first tried, his hands were a bit awkward, but later, he managed to get the hang of it, producing some solid work. With Luo Qiao and Lu Yichen joining in, Yanyan and Yueyue soon completed their assignment.

They grouped their crafts together—theirs, their parents’, as well as their grandparents’ creations.

Yueyue giggled and hugged Luo Haotian’s neck: "Grandpa, putting everything together, yours is definitely the ugliest. But our teacher said participation matters most. It shows that everyone in the family contributed to the project, so thank you, Grandpa and Grandma, for helping us with our crafting assignment."

Initially, Luo Haotian felt hurt, but eventually, his heart warmed and he burst into laughter.

After soothing her grandpa and grandma, Yueyue turned to her parents with a smile: "Thank you too, Daddy and Mommy."

Yanyan chimed in: "Sis is right. Thank you, Grandpa, Grandma, Daddy, Mommy."

After that, the sisters began tidying up, getting ready to bathe and go to bed.

Luo Haotian stood up: "Alright, time for us to head back. The three younger ones already had their baths."

Luo Qiao got up: "Dad, Mom, it’s so late. Why not stay over tonight?"

Luo Haotian shook his head: "I drove here, and the place isn’t too far. Besides, heading back means I won’t have to get up early tomorrow morning."

Luo Qiao didn’t insist. She walked them out to the parking area to send them off and only returned home after seeing their car drive away.

Gu Qianru gazed out the car window at the scenery: "The life we have now—back then, I’d never have dared even to dream of it."

Luo Haotian reached out and held Gu Qianru’s hand: "I feel the same way."

Gu Qianru swatted his hand aside: "Focus on your driving."

Luo Haotian chuckled quietly: "Don’t worry. My driving skills are top-notch. Besides, it’s late and the roads are pretty clear."

Gu Qianru side-eyed him: "Still, pay attention when you’re driving. Don’t get careless. I’m not done enjoying this wonderful life yet. If anything happens to you, I’ll find an old man to shack up with."

At these words, Luo Haotian’s face darkened: "You really are testing my patience. Just wait till we get home—I’ll deal with you then."

Gu Qianru rolled her eyes dramatically, then turned to look out the window: "Remember, no matter what you’re doing, always think about the fact that you’ve got family at home waiting for you to come back. This life we have now—it’s something I dreamed of, and I want to walk through it with you, all the way to the end."

Luo Haotian felt a deep warmth in his heart at her words: "Alright, I hear you. No matter what I do, I’ll make sure I take good care of myself and protect this happiness of ours for as long as possible."

Gu Qianru smiled, feeling victorious: "You’ve promised me now—make sure to keep it in mind at all times."

Luo Haotian kept his eyes on the road and replied solemnly: "Got it. Don’t worry."

Gu Qianru, her mood brightened, started talking more: "This life we have now—it’s worth more than any treasure. Having you, and having the kids—it’s truly wonderful."

Luo Haotian didn’t respond aloud, but his thoughts mirrored Gu Qianru’s exactly. The life they had now really was a dream come true for him—sharing it with a loving partner, enjoying a fulfilling career, seeing the elders healthy, and watching their children and grandchildren getting along harmoniously. It truly was a beautiful blessing.