Chapter 820: Chapter 820 Why So Late? Chapter 820: Chapter 820 Why So Late? Her new novel “We’ll Meet Again If Destiny Allows” was about to have a book signing event organized by the publishing house. She was going to meet with the person in charge today to discuss the details in person. She had not wanted to participate, but having already declined twice before, to refuse again would seem ungrateful.
Upon reaching the agreed location, she saw a lady with an elegant demeanor sitting by the window. Luo Qiao walked over and saw her own book “We’ll Meet Again If Destiny Allows” on the table: “Hello, I am Luo Qiao.”
The elegant lady put down the book she was holding, stood up, and extended her hand: “Hello, Tiong Qiufeng.”
Luo Qiao’s first reaction was that the name didn’t match the lady’s elegance. Tiong Qiufeng might have noticed what Luo Qiao was thinking, as she smiled and explained, “My late grandmother named me.
I was born in autumn, and the generations before me had only boys. My grandmother said I was the phoenix that the Tiong family had been longing for, so she bluntly named me Tiong Qiufeng. I’m just glad she didn’t name me Phoenix.”
Luo Qiao’s eyes twinkled with amusement: “It indeed doesn’t match your demeanor, but it’s filled with a deep love from a relative.”
Tiong Qiufeng laughed, the first time anyone had interpreted her name that way: “Thank you, you are absolutely right. Please sit, let’s discuss the specifics of the book signing event.”
A pot of tea, two people— they talked until dusk, finding more and more in mon as they discussed their work, life, and future aspirations, until at last they both smiled and extended their hands: “See you at the book signing event.”
From then on, a friendship that would last decades began between Luo Qiao and Tiong Qiufeng.
They parted at the entrance of the teahouse, with Luo Qiao hurriedly heading to the bus stop, only to run into Ning Xueling at the bus platform. They exchanged glances and then looked away, each hiding their awkwardness in silence.
After a while, Ning Xueling broke the silence, “I hear from your uncle that your second brother is getting married?”
Luo Qiao thought this was a rhetorical question, but still nodded and hummed in acknowledgment.
Ning Xueling took fifty yuan out of her pocket: “Give this to him for me, as a small token of my goodwill.”
Luo Qiao stepped back: “If you really mean it, you should give it to my second brother in person. I don’t feel fortable acting as the intermediary.”
Just then, the bus Luo Qiao was waiting for arrived, and she quickly got on. She found a seat and glanced back at the dumbfounded Ning Xueling holding the money and thought, “Why delay until now? It’s too late.”
As the bus pulled away from the station, the startled Ning Xueling’s hand was suddenly empty. Only then did she realize what happened and, looking at her empty hand, she yelled, “Robbery! Catch him!”
It was clear that other people at the station had noticed the fleeing figure too, with several kind-hearted souls giving chase. But the robber was very familiar with the local area and soon disappeared without a trace.
Ning Xueling was furious. Ever since her leg had healed, she had been very cautious, but today, over fifty yuan, she had forgotten the doctor’s advice to avoid vigorous exercise for a year.
When she got home and felt a twinge of pain in her leg, fear set in. She stepped out of the alley and called her Big Brother, Ning Hongda, to tell him what had happened.
Ning Hongda, concerned there might be a mishap, hastily arranged to meet at the entrance of the hospital to have a doctor re-examine her.
Upon returning home, Luo Qiao found that Rong Daniang had already prepared dinner, and after greeting the Xiao Family in the courtyard, she went into the living room to call her second brother and recounted her encounter with Ning Xueling.
Luo Xuyuan responded, “You did the right thing. Don’t bother with her.”
Soon enough, it was the ninth day of the first lunar month. Early in the morning, the Xiao family relatives who had e for the wedding began to boil water, preparing a bath for Xiao Ya and helping her with her make-up.
Luo Qiao, judging by Xiao Ya’s facial features, helped her with her hair and make-up, earning praise from the Xiao family members.
By ten-thirty, the wedding procession arrived. Xiao Ya’s sisters-in-law, female cousins, and other relatives blocked Luo Xuyuan from entering, giving him a series of challenges. But who was Luo Xuyuan, to be outwitted by them?
Amidst laughter, Luo Xuyuan successfully overcame the obstacles and entered the house, flashing a big smile as he gazed upon Xiao Ya, who looked even more enchanting than usual.
Luo Qiao could see clearly—this was probably the most expressive Luo Xuyuan had ever been in his laughter.
In the hustle of the activities, they finally brought out the bride. The car started and a basin of water was thrown out behind it.
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