OFTLHFRO C91

Chapter 91 Family Comes First

The autumn rain gradually eased.

Early in the morning, Luo Mingchen, changing into a high-collared garment, felt the practical benefit of his ability’s enhancement—greater endurance.

After a whole night of torment, his waist was still intact.

Upon hearing sounds, Huo Yuhui looked out and, upon seeing Luo Mingchen, ran to him with reddened eyes, tightly embracing him.

“Little Daddy!”

Though his waist and legs felt sore and weak, Luo Mingchen steadied himself; otherwise, both would have tumbled down.

Rarely showing such emotion, Huo Yuhui’s outpouring moved Luo Mingchen to set aside his wooden ladle and gently pat his back. “Don’t worry, I’m truly fine.”

Though he’d caused it himself…

Yuhui’s voice choked with emotion: “That’s great.”

He truly feared Luo Mingchen might never awaken, like their mother, yet as the elder brother, he must maintain composure to keep his siblings calm, no matter his own fear.

Luo Mingchen knew how hard this was and smiled gently. “Xiaohui, you did well. More dependable than your father.”

Huo Yuhui sniffed. “Daddy only worries about Little Daddy. I can’t do much else, so I do small things.”

Luo Mingchen knew well Huo Yan’s importance; without him, Luo would still be bedridden.

To comfort Yuhui, Luo said, “What you did isn’t small. Without you, your father would be starved or poisoned by his own cooking.”

This made Yuhui laugh. “Not that bad…”

Huo Yan, the fire-tender, kept silent.

Later, Huo Xiang’s reaction matched Yuhui’s—rushing over.

Luo Mingchen could only think: brothers, indeed.

To prevent Huo Xinyue from waking and causing chaos, Luo Mingchen cooked noodles and went to the room to gather his daughter.

Coming in, he found Huo Xinyue awake, no longer crying but quietly putting on her pants and clothes—though unable to tie the strings—making him both surprised and amused.

“Daddy!”

She had just let go of holding her clothes to keep her belly warm when she saw Luo. She opened her arms to be hugged.

“Yueyue.”

Luo Mingchen picked her up, kissed her cheek, and said, “You dressed yourself, huh?”

Huo Xinyue nodded vigorously.

“My little Yueyue is so capable.”

Hearing praise, she smiled absentmindedly.

Luo helped with tying her clothes and put on her other two outer garments and shoes before taking her out to wash and have breakfast.

After eating, Luo Mingchen and Huo Yan took Huo Xinyue to deliver tofu. At the tavern, the owner was surprised to see Huo Yuhui had come, saying there was an important matter at home.

So, upon seeing them, the owner asked, “Are your affairs settled?”

Luo Mingchen smiled. “Yes, all done.”

Later, they discovered Huo Yuhui had visited the tavern and the shop.

No one knew Luo Mingchen had been bedridden for days; they only knew he had business.

That excuse was better than illness.

If it were illness, Luo would have to explain himself repeatedly—very troublesome.

Especially since their business was food; if someone disliked him and claimed contagion, it would hurt their trade.

In this, Huo Yuhui was quite thoughtful.

An aunt who regularly bought tofu noticed Luo Mingchen in the shop, surprised. “Brother Luo, long time no see.”

“Been quite a while.”

Luo Mingchen greeted her warmly.

Soon after, while making cups, Luo heard someone call, “Boss Luo, are you here?”

Wen Liuyun was shocked seeing someone so much like Luo.

The voice sounded familiar; Luo Mingchen stood and responded, “Here!”

Looking outside, it was Wang Chen; standing beside him was his older brother.

“Do you have business?”

Honestly, if not for Wang Chen’s face resembling his, Luo would have trouble associating this confident, bright young man with the previously timid, gloomy Wang Chen.

Now Wang looked spirited and cheerful, no longer lowering his head all the time—much more confident and smiling often.

“We came to repay our debt.”

Wang Chen handed over a bag of money.

Taking it, Luo Mingchen felt its weight and asked, “How much?”

“130 wen.”

For Wang’s family, this was not a small sum.

“Good.”

Luo didn’t count it but asked Wen to write a receipt.

This trust confused Wang Chen. “Aren’t you going to count it?”

“No need, I can feel it.”

Besides, with his enhanced perception after ability upgrade, Luo knew immediately Wang wasn’t lying.

Surprised, Wang praised, “You’re really amazing.”

Being praised sincerely by someone with such a similar face felt odd to Luo Mingchen, who shrugged and casually asked, “Have you earned money?”

“Thanks to the seeds you gave me last time, we sold crops yesterday for three taels of silver.”

But as the family was large and nephews and nieces still waiting for food, they could only repay 130 wen now.

Embarrassed, Wang said, “Next year, we’ll repay more.”

“No rush. The deadline is still far.”

Luo judged by their attitude; with his current assets, that money was trivial.

Hearing that, Wang relaxed. “Thank you.”

Smiling, Luo added, “Don’t thank me; if you don’t work hard, you won’t earn money.”

Before leaving, Wang hesitated and apologized for past rudeness.

“I won’t forgive you,” Luo replied, puzzling those nearby.

But Wang laughed, “I know.”

They exchanged glances; though they looked alike, they knew they were different people.

If Wang was most grateful, it wasn’t for the seeds but for that punch that woke him up—making him realize family was irreplaceable.

After talking, Wang learned his family only wanted his happiness; even if he liked men, it was fine—the key was that the person treated him well—and Chen Ziqi, who dabbled in flings, was clearly no good.

After Wang finished, he left with his brother.

Wang had envied Luo before, thinking him lucky, always having good fortune.

But then he realized Luo was alone here, unfamiliar with the place, hurt and sent to Huo Yan’s home, and had no family searching for him—so envy faded.

Though Luo had little money, he still had family around, a treasure money couldn’t buy.

Luo watched them leave with a bittersweet feeling.

Seeing Huo Yan come holding his little daughter, that feeling vanished and he smiled as he went to join them.

Though not bound by blood, their love was genuine.

He was a man with a family.