CHAPTER 1398: CHAPTER 1398: NO PROFIT, NO EARLY RISING

For dinner, everyone clinked glasses and enjoyed lively conversations.

After spending a day on the road, they didn’t stay up talking too late. Gao Jiefang suggested getting some rest early and discussing things tomorrow.

At night, after settling the kids, Luo Qiao and Lu Yichen returned to their room. Revisiting familiar surroundings stirred emotions in both of them, making them a little excited. That night, their passion flared high. To avoid awkwardness the next day, they simply entered their personal space, indulging in activity until very late before falling asleep in each other’s arms.

The next morning, the two groomed themselves inside the space before coming out.

After tidying up the room, they knocked on the kids’ door and urged them to prepare quickly so they could all head up the mountain to enjoy the scenery.

Yesterday, it was agreed with Gao Jiefang and Accountant Sun Guichang that they’d accompany Stone to visit Sun Mei’s grave early today.

Meanwhile, their own family planned to hike halfway up the mountain to breathe fresh air and check out the pond to see if anything had changed.

Once everyone assembled, Gao Jiefang and Sun Guichang arrived just in time. Stone carried the pre-prepared offerings, greeted those in the courtyard, and followed them out.

On the way, Stone hardly spoke. All these years, he hadn’t returned—not wanting to deal with the Sun Family, not wanting to burden his brother and sister, and perhaps carrying resentment toward his mother deep down.

Back then, if his mother hadn’t prioritized her maiden family over everything, sending everything back to them, maybe his careless dad wouldn’t have abandoned them and gone back to the city on his own.

His mother was pitiful, but if she hadn’t blindly obeyed Grandma, she might not have met such an end. And he wouldn’t have lived so painfully at such a young age.

Still, his mother genuinely cared for him. Now that he was grown and capable of standing on his own, he figured it was time to return to her resting place and share his experiences over the years.

Sun Mei’s grave was visibly neglected for a long time, which left Stone feeling uneasy. Setting his offerings down, he silently began pulling up weeds and tidying the surroundings.

After helping him straighten things up, Gao Jiefang and Sun Guichang quietly stepped aside.

Stone arranged the items he’d brought, lit candles, dug a small pit in front of the grave, and burned paper money while murmuring about his life since he’d left.

Standing some distance away, Gao Jiefang and Sun Guichang still overheard Stone saying he’d graduated from military academy, had been assigned to a unit, and would soon officially report there once he returned—assuring Sun Mei that she could be at ease.

When the paper money was all burned, Stone knelt and bowed three times. "Mom, rest easy now. Your son will visit often from now on."

On their way down the mountain, Gao Jiefang finally said, "Stone, your father came looking for you before."

Stone gazed toward the village at the foot of the mountain, saying, "I know. He’s already found me. I’ve graduated from college and can make my own decisions now. That’s why I came back to pay respects to my mom. From now on, no one can hurt me again."

Hearing Stone’s words, Gao Jiefang thought to himself, "No wonder this kid hasn’t returned all these years—he really understands everything."

When they reached the village, Luo Qiao and Lu Yichen had just returned with the kids and were chatting under the big willow tree in the village center.

Stone walked over, and someone asked, "Stone, do you still recognize me?"

Stone thought for a moment. "You’re Uncle Gao, Doctor Gao’s son."

The man laughed. "I knew Stone would remember me."

Just then, Sun Family Main Wife, Du Chunfang, approached. "Stone, it’s rare for you to be back in the village. Why not come home for a meal?"

Stone replied politely but distantly, "There’s no need. Brother Huo will make arrangements."

Du Chunfang suppressed her irritation. "Now that you’re back, there’s no need to trouble others."

Stone’s eyes carried a hint of mockery. "If I hadn’t troubled others back then, I wouldn’t have survived. Don’t you find it laughable to bring this up now?"

Infuriated by Stone’s remark, Du Chunfang lashed out, "I’m your aunt! Don’t you know how to respect your elders at all?"

Stone suddenly chuckled. "We cut ties long ago. Where does ’elders’ even come into this?"

Du Chunfang wanted to retort, but Sun Baowen intervened, "Alright, back then it was just because we were poor. Now that the village’s conditions have improved, your aunt and I mean no harm—we just want to make up for things."

Luo Qiao seemed to have thought of something and said, "If you want to make up, how about reimbursing us for what Stone spent over the years? How does that sound?"

The Sun Family Main Wife couple hadn’t expected Luo Qiao to speak out. Their plan was to win Stone over and get money out of the Ning Family—not to give money away. They started dodging the topic in their replies.

With a hint of sarcasm, Luo Qiao said, "Shouldn’t the performance be complete? Seems like you need more practice."

Then she turned to her kids and called out, "Children, let’s go—we’ll head home for breakfast."

Under the willow tree, villagers watching the Sun Family Main Wife couple get shut down mostly felt they deserved it. Everyone knew the Sun Family wouldn’t make any effort unless there was something to gain.