CHAPTER 1402: CHAPTER 1402: THE GLORY OF THE VILLAGE, REGRET COMES TOO LATE

When Luo Qiao came out, she brought some seasonings and was about to start cleaning the fish. Lu Yichen quickly took it from her hands. "Let me handle it. The fish smells strong; you just stand aside and watch."

Stone and Taifeng used materials on the spot to build a makeshift stove out of rocks, preparing to grill the fish on it later.

Having undergone wilderness survival training during his time in the military, Stone was quite experienced at grilling fish. The kids helped out with whatever tasks they could manage, while Luo Qiao was given the "command post" role by Lu Yichen.

He even took the time to wash a peach for her and let her sit there leisurely munching on it, occasionally giving directions to the children.

As they were busying themselves, they spotted someone walking toward them. When the figure got closer, they realized it was the Zhao Family Brothers, whom they had helped before.

Luo Qiao greeted them with a smile. "Long time no see."

Zhao Lizhong walked over with a grin and turned to introduce the young woman following behind him. "This is who I told you about—our family’s benefactor, Sister Luo."

Luo Qiao smiled. "Is this your wife?"

Zhao Lizhong chuckled sheepishly. "Not yet, but soon. We’ve set the date—it’s happening on National Day."

He didn’t rashly invite them to the wedding, as the distance between the Capital City and Ji City was substantial. He didn’t want to bother them.

Luo Qiao glanced at the slightly shy girl standing in front of her. "Hello. You’ve got good taste—he’s a responsible and dependable guy. I wish you both happiness."

The young woman extended her hand. "Hello, I’ve heard a lot about you from Lizhong. He always says that if it weren’t for your help back then, neither of the brothers would be where they are today. Thank you so much."

After speaking, she gave a deep bow.

Luo Qiao quickly helped her up. "Oh, don’t say that. The opportunity might have been given, but it’s the brothers themselves who made the most of it. They worked hard, are capable, and disciplined. They’re the ones who truly deserve thanks."

Hearing Luo Qiao’s words, the girl seemed either touched or heartbroken, and her eyes suddenly turned red. "Regardless, thank you for extending a helping hand. Without the opportunity you gave them, they wouldn’t be where they are today—that’s the truth."

Luo Qiao didn’t argue further. Instead, she gestured toward the nearly-finished grilled fish. "Come have a taste."

The young woman nodded. "Sure, then we’ll join in and impose for a bit."

Luo Qiao smiled softly. "The more, the merrier."

During their chat, they learned that Zhao Lizhong had already graduated two years ago and was now working at the Ji City Finance Bureau. The young woman, a native of Ji City, had been assigned a position at the financial department of the Ji City Education Bureau.

No doubt, Zhao Lizhong owed a lot to this girl and her family.

His younger brother, Zhao Lijun, was doing well too. He had gotten into Normal University and would graduate next year. Wherever he’s assigned, it’s going to be a stable government job.

After chatting for a while, Luo Qiao turned to Zhao Lizhong. "How’s your grandfather’s health these days?"

Zhao Lizhong’s face brightened with a smile. "He’s doing okay. He’s living with me in Ji City now. He keeps saying he’s not used to living in the city, but I can’t leave him alone in the village by himself. Every year, when the weather warms up or when Lijun is on break, we let him go back to the village for a while."

The aroma of grilled fish had drawn quite a crowd. Many people gathered around, each hoping for a taste. In the end, they grilled all the fish from the bucket, sharing it with anyone who came to join the fun.

As the evening grew late, they packed up and headed back.

Since they were returning to the Capital City the next day, Luo Qiao invited the village party secretary and his wife, as well as the village accountant and his wife, for dinner that evening. Auntie Gao had initially planned to host them, but Luo Qiao managed to persuade her otherwise.

Later, realizing it wouldn’t look good to leave out the village chief’s family, they invited them too. Everyone gathered for a meal.

During dinner, the Zhao Family Brothers came up in conversation. Gao Jiefang remarked, "They’re the pride of the village. The kids in the village look up to them as role models."

Luo Qiao curiously asked, "After all these years, has their mother ever come back to visit?"

The accountant’s wife, Ding Caifeng, replied, "I heard she’s been back before, but she never came to see the two boys. Apparently, her family said that after she remarried and had another son, her life’s been going okay."

The village chief’s wife chimed in, "It’s not that their mother didn’t want to visit. Some relatives from her side prevented her, saying that since she remarried, it’d be best to cut ties to avoid any awkwardness."

Ding Caifeng sighed. "It’s all because they were afraid the boys would turn to her for help, worried she wouldn’t be able to sever ties completely and might end up bringing trouble to their doorstep."

Auntie Gao cut in, "She was so heartless back then. Now, she must regret it—it’s no different from what happened with the Sun Family."

After saying that, Auntie Gao seemed to realize she had spoken too freely and awkwardly added, "Listen to my big mouth."

Stone chuckled. "It’s fine. I stopped caring about it a long time ago."

The village chief’s wife glanced at Stone. "Stone, are you still studying?"

Stone put down the cup in his hand. "I just graduated from college this year."

The village chief’s wife’s eyes lit up, sparking her interest. "Have you been assigned a job yet?"

Everyone turned to look at him upon hearing that.

Stone didn’t hide anything. "Yes, I have. I graduated from a military academy and have been assigned to a unit in the Capital City."

Gao Jiefang and Sun Guichang already knew this, so they weren’t surprised. However, the village chief grew excited. "Wow, a military academy!"

Everyone started peppering Stone with questions. When they learned he had been assigned directly as a deputy company officer, they kept congratulating him with envy in their eyes.

They couldn’t help but think: If the Sun Family knew about this, they probably wouldn’t be able to sleep from frustration.

As for the Sun Family, their spirits were already crushed, like withered eggplants after frost. None of them had the energy to lift their heads.