Chapter 376 - 374: Falling Leaves Return to Their Roots

Chapter 376: Chapter 374: Falling Leaves Return to Their Roots

"You haven’t met him. Lin Qiao’s father’s biological parents have been found. Your cousin-in-law is a cousin from Lin Qiao’s real uncle’s side of the family. His name is Lin Su."

Gu Nuan Nuan blinked at Wen Xiu’s words. "They found them?"

"Yes, they found them."

It had been a while since she’d seen Gu Nuan Nuan, so when she suddenly appeared, Lin Qiao was naturally thrilled. As they chatted, the conversation naturally turned to the recent major events in her family. "Nuannuan, you’d never guess, would you? After all these years, my real grandparents actually managed to find my dad!" Lin Qiao’s face was flushed with initial excitement as she chattered away, telling Gu Nuan Nuan about how her biological grandparents had returned from abroad to search for their family. But as she spoke, her tone grew more and more indignant.

"If my real grandpa and grandma hadn’t come looking, who would have thought they could be so despicable and shameless? Hmph, they were just servants in my real grandparents’ household! They only managed to escape back then with money my great-grandmother gave them. But instead of being grateful, they turned around and tried to pull a real-life version of the ’civet cat for a prince’ story. Not only did they treat my father, the young master, like a servant, but they even stole his name... Thank goodness my grandparents found us. Now that whole family of theirs has lost all face. Even their own Lin family’s Clan Leader isn’t on their side. Everyone who knows about this despises them."

Lin Qiao spoke with both satisfaction and indignation. "Otherwise, just the thought of having to call two villains like them ’Grandpa’ and ’Grandma’ for the rest of my life... And my dad would still have to support them for their entire lives. And even if we kids weren’t happy about it, as long as they were alive, we’d have to treat them like saints to be worshipped whenever something major happened in the family. The very idea makes my skin crawl."

"It’s not worth getting so angry over people like that that you make yourself sick. The important thing is that your real grandparents found you. It’s been over forty years... to be reunited after nearly half a century is incredible." Even though she already knew this would be the outcome, Gu Nuan Nuan couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion as she heard it again. "Did your real grandparents suggest you move abroad to live with them?"

’Now I’m even more curious. Everything is so different in this life, so what will happen to the other Lin family in the end? But then again, Lin Qiao’s real grandparents aren’t fools. They probably won’t make a move just yet. It would be too obvious. They’ll settle old scores eventually, but they certainly won’t start now.’

"They did. My real grandpa and grandma want our whole family to move abroad. They even said they’d give us a small island! The island has a villa, a yacht, and even a private airstrip..." As she spoke, Lin Qiao’s eyes shone brightly, her face a picture of amazement. "Whoa, Nuannuan, you have no idea how rich my real grandparents are. The way I see it, when they offered to give us all that, it was as casual and nonchalant as if they were offering us a fountain pen."

She shook her head, clicking her tongue. "Just how rich do you think they are? No wonder someone couldn’t resist the temptation to steal my dad’s identity."

"Well, that’s because your dad is their biological son. Why else would they give it away so easily?" Gu Nuan Nuan found Lin Qiao’s story interesting, but also a bit strange. ’Why does it feel like she’s talking about someone else’s family?’ She was a little puzzled but didn’t let it show. "So, did your parents agree?"

"How should I put it? Anyway, they accepted the island. They had to. My dad tried to refuse, but my grandma started crying and kept saying she was so sorry." Lin Qiao nodded, a look of amusement and helplessness on her face. "I even heard my parents discussing how they’d plant a huge bamboo forest and raise more bamboo partridges on the island once we’re abroad."

’They’re already thinking about raising bamboo partridges on the island? That must mean they intend to settle there, right?’

Gu Nuan Nuan laughed too. "That’s not a bad idea. Since you have an island, besides bamboo partridges, you could also set up a ranch, or do some saltwater aquaculture. Hmm, you’ll probably leave right after your cousin and my cousin’s wedding, won’t you? In that case, I’ll just wait a little longer and leave after I see you off."

’Lin Qiao’s family is leaving, and it won’t be easy to see them again. Grandpa will definitely suggest a farewell dinner for their family. Everyone can eat together.’ Gu Nuan Nuan secretly made up her mind. ’When the time comes, I’ll be a little more generous and dissolve some of that Hundred Herbs Rejuvenating Ointment I gave to Mr. Mu into the wine... It can be a small token of our friendship.’

"You’re leaving? Where are you going?" Lin Qiao hadn’t finished what she was saying when this news made her eyes go wide, and the topic shifted abruptly.

"To start fulfilling my dream of traveling the world." Gu Nuan Nuan shot Lin Qiao a sidelong glance. "It’s not like you don’t know my lifelong dream has been to visit every corner of the world. I’ve finally graduated. If I don’t start now, am I supposed to wait until I’m seventy or eighty?"

"Well then, why don’t you make your first stop with us?" Lin Qiao said with an expectant look.

"No, I already have a plan. As for your family’s island, maybe I’ll have a chance to drop by in the future. You can host me then; it’ll be the same. By that time, I might even get to see your ranch and a magnificent bamboo forest. What’s there to see if I go now?" Gu Nuan Nuan rejected the idea flat out. ’Why would I, an outsider, intrude on Lin Qiao’s reunion with her grandparents?’

"Come on, please? Otherwise, by the time you’re passing through and decide you want to visit, we might not be on the island!" Lin Qiao said, shaking Gu Nuan Nuan’s arm.

"Not there? You’re not planning to live there permanently?" Gu Nuan Nuan was momentarily confused, then it dawned on her. "That makes sense. An island is mostly a place for vacations and relaxation. It’s not really suitable for long-term living. A place like that is better suited for your grandparents to retire in at their age."

"You’re right."

Lin Qiao nodded in agreement. "Actually, our family moving abroad is only temporary. My parents were hesitant at first. They felt that at their age, it would be pointless to leave their homeland and go abroad to adapt to a new environment and a new language. They didn’t even want the island initially, but they couldn’t bear to see my grandparents so sad. So, they decided that from now on, during the winter and summer breaks, when we kids are on vacation, they’ll take us to visit them. I’m not sure what they discussed later, but in the end, my grandparents stopped insisting that my parents had to move abroad to live permanently. Instead, they’ve decided to move back here themselves. A return to their roots, I guess."