Chapter 302 Family Portrait

"Of course it's true. How could I possibly lie to you? I'm the only one in the Northwest, so you don't have to worry. I'm a grown man, so why can't I take care of myself?"

"You're pregnant and still have to work. If you go back to Jincheng, you'll have to worry about everything there. I'm worried about you, too."

"I can't bear to leave you!"

After hearing what Jiang Haitang said, Lu Liangchen knew that she had made her choice.

He held her face in his hands and made her look into his eyes, his gaze sincere and firm.

"I know you can't bear to leave me, and I'm the same way. I can't bear to leave you and the child. But it's precisely because we care about each other that we have to choose the safest and best path for you."

"We'll be reunited soon. You can rest assured and give birth to our child safely in the capital and take good care of your health. That way, I can focus on completing my mission in the northwest as quickly as possible. Then, I can apply to be transferred back, and our family can be together forever."

If Jiang Haitang hadn't found her grandfather, it wouldn't have been a problem for them to stay in the Northwest for a few more years, but Grandpa Jiang needed his granddaughter's company, so he had to be transferred back as soon as possible.

"Maybe I can complete the mission quickly, and then the transfer order and the new life will arrive together, which will be a double blessing."

Jiang Haitang listened to Lu Liangchen's words, snuggled in his arms and nodded slowly.

His words made her feel more at ease, and she finally made up her mind.

"You're right," she said softly, "I was distracted and just couldn't bear to leave. Staying in Beijing is indeed the best choice for the children, for me, and for my work."

"You have to promise me that you'll eat on time, be safe, and don't overwork yourself. Think of me and the kids."

"Silly girl, even if you don't tell me, I will always think about you." Lu Liangchen promised solemnly and lowered his head to kiss her forehead.

After dinner, the family sat in the living room, drinking tea made by Aunt Wang.

Lu Liangchen told the couple the result of their discussion.

Mr. Lu cleared his throat and spoke first, "Liangchen, Haitang, you made the right choice. Staying in the department to work for a while is a good thing for Haitang. This opportunity is very rare and will allow Haitang to grow faster."

This granddaughter-in-law has sufficient abilities, but her platform is a little lacking. After working in the department for a period of time, she can make up for this shortcoming, and then she can get a good position when she is transferred.

This child is someone who truly cares about Liangchen. Otherwise, she would not have given up such a good opportunity when Minister Zhou asked her to stay in the capital last time.

But the Lu family cannot always let the daughter-in-law who marries into the family sacrifice for the family.

He looked at Jiang Haitang's bulging belly and said to Lu Liangchen, "Haitang's body is in such bad condition. We are worried about her if she goes back to the northwest. The medical facilities in Beijing are good and there are many people at home. They can take good care of her."

Old Man Jiang Guozhu also nodded in agreement. "Old Lu is right. Haitang, work is important, but you and the child's health are more important. Grandpa can't bear to see you travel so far again."

Lu Liangchen knew that this was a statement from the two old men, indicating that they would take good care of Jiang Haitang.

In fact, he had nothing to worry about as he had his family taking care of him. Just as he was about to speak, He Wanyi had already spoken.

"Liangchen, don't worry. Mom, your second aunt, and your eldest sister-in-law will definitely take good care of Haitang and will never let her suffer any injustice."

Yuan Yinan also continued: "Yes, wait until the baby is one month old. If Liangchen's situation hasn't ended yet and Haitang has recovered, it won't be too late to go back."

After hearing the assurances from his family, Lu Liangchen had nothing to worry about. Everyone in his family was sincere to Haitang.

Jiang Haitang felt the care of her whole family and was deeply moved. The last bit of uneasiness she had felt disappeared.

"Grandpa, Dad, Mom, Second Uncle and Second Aunt, I know everyone is doing this for the good of me and the child, so I'm going to bother you for the next while."

Yuan Yinan laughed and said, "You kid, you have different opinions even though we're from the same family."

The important things were agreed upon and everyone was laughing. Although Xiao Taozi didn't quite understand what was happening, she felt that everyone was very happy and laughed along with them.

Lu Liangchen looked at his daughter's lovely smiling face and thought about how much he missed Xiao Taozi during this period of time. If he couldn't even see Jiang Haitang, he would miss her even more.

He suggested, "How about we take a photo tomorrow? Let's take a family photo, and also take a photo of Haitang and Xiaotaozi. Come to think of it, they've never had a photo taken before."

Hearing Lu Liangchen's suggestion, Mr. Lu waved his hand and laughed loudly, "Great! That's a good idea! We should take a photo to commemorate it! Haitang won another big prize, so we have to take a photo!"

This proposal was immediately agreed by everyone.

He turned around and instructed the staff around him: "Xiao Zhang, go make some arrangements and find a photo studio. We'll go take pictures tomorrow morning."

When Xiao Zhang heard that his leader wanted to take a photo, he hurried to contact him.

Are you kidding? What is Mr. Lu’s identity? What is Mr. Jiang’s identity? How can these two go to a photo studio to take pictures?

He Wanyi called Lu Simin and asked her family to come back tomorrow to take photos together.

Just after nine o'clock the next morning, an old master wearing a neat Zhongshan suit and carrying a heavy camera bag and tripod came to the yard of the Lu family's old house under the guidance of Xiao Zhang.

It was obvious that this was not the first time for the old master to come to such a large courtyard to take pictures. His attitude was respectful but neither humble nor arrogant.

"Hello, Commander." The old master greeted with a smile. "Where do you think we should shoot? The light in the yard is good, and the background is also open."

Mr. Jiang had no objection to not being able to go to the photo studio to take pictures.

Finally, they chose the old crabapple tree in the yard. Although there were no flowers at that time, the branches were strong and vigorous, with a unique style.

The staff helped bring in a few armchairs.

"Let's take the biggest family photo first!" said Mr. Lu.

So, the two old men were invited to sit in the middle, and Mr. Lu even adjusted his collar.

Old man Jiang Guozhu smiled so much that the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.

"Xiao Taozi, come here, come to your great-grandfather!" Old Master Jiang waved to his great-granddaughter.

Little Taozi put on the new red coat that He Wanyi had changed for her today. She ran over happily and was held in the arms of the two great-grandfathers, one on each side.

Then, Lu's father and mother, Lu's second uncle and second aunt, Lu's younger aunt and her family of four, Lu Liangjin and Shi Shulan and their five half-grown boys stood in the back row in order of seniority and height.

Lu Liangchen carefully supported Jiang Haitang and stood in the center behind the two old men, highlighting her status as the "protagonist" today.

Everyone stood still, the atmosphere was solemn yet joyful.

"When Liangqi and Liangqi return with their children, our family will be truly reunited."

Mr. Lu felt a little regretful when he saw that none of the children from the second wife were around.

"It will be better soon, almost!" Jiang Guozhu said in a low voice.

In order to avoid catastrophe, many families have scattered their children everywhere. After the Lu family was targeted, they had to scatter their grandchildren everywhere.

Because there were outsiders present, the two of them didn't say much, but started taking pictures attentively.

The old man was adjusting the camera behind the camera, and his voice came: "Okay! Everyone, look here! Smile! Yes, be natural!"

"one two three!"

Snap!

A flash of white light captured the first family portrait filled with glory and reunion.

After taking the whole family portrait, the master said with a smile: "Commander, how do you think we should take the next shot?"

Mr. Lu said to Jiang Guozhu, "Old Jiang, take a photo with Haitang, Liangchen, and Xiaotaozi."

The old photographer didn't know the relationship between these people, but Xiao Zhang knew. He was very curious why the leader arranged for Director Lu's family and Mr. Jiang to take a photo together?

Could it be that the rumor outside that Mr. Jiang is planning to become a godparent of the Lu family is true?

If you think about it carefully, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong. After all, the two old leaders have a good relationship, and Director Lu is said to have grown up under the care of Mr. Jiang.

Old Mr. Jiang has no children and is alone. It would be nice to have a godparent.

Jiang Guozhu nodded repeatedly, with a barely perceptible glint of tears in his eyes.

He had a turbulent life, and only in his later years did he find his only relative thanks to his ancestors' blessing, but he still cannot recognize him.

The staff brought a chair and Jiang Guozhu sat on it. Maybe because it was his first time taking a photo with his granddaughter, the old man was very energetic, even his back was particularly straight.

Jiang Haitang and Lu Liangchen stood behind Jiang Guozhu, one on the left and one on the right. Jiang Haitang's hand was gently on her grandfather's shoulder, while Lu Liangchen stood straight with one hand protecting his wife's waist.

As Xiao Taozi was jumping around trying to find where she should stand, she heard Jiang Guozhu shout, "Come, come, our Xiao Taozi wants to sit on Grandpa's lap."

Little Peach thought for a moment, tilted her head and said, "But Grandpa's health is not good, and I'm fat. Is it okay for me to sit on his lap?"

The little girl was really worried. What if her great-grandfather was crushed?

Jiang Guozhu laughed heartily: "Grandpa is not so fragile that he can't even hold a little girl like you."

The others also laughed.

Little Taozi then climbed onto Jiang Guozhu's legs obediently, sat down in Jiang Guozhu's arms, and carefully turned her head to see if her great-grandfather had been crushed by her.

Xiao Taozi felt relieved only after she was sure that there was no expression of pain on Jiang Guozhu's face.

As long as great-grandfather doesn’t feel any pain, that’s enough!

Jiang Guozhu stretched out his big hand, which was covered with age spots but warm and dry, and gently held Xiao Taozi's small hand. He placed his other hand on his knee, his back straight, and a smile of incomparable satisfaction and relief on his face.

At this moment, the warmth of blood ties flowed quietly in the air, and Xiao Zhang, who was unaware of the situation, suddenly felt inexplicably moved.

He felt that these people who were not related by blood were actually connected by blood!