It was another short while later that the two heard a group of people chattering, and they looked towards the direction of the voices.

As Liu Duo and the gang approached, they found Liu Quanfu and his wife waiting for them in front of their house.

Liu Duo was surprised to see their sudden appearance. Why had they come?

Liu Ran called out to them, "Dad, Mom, are you here to visit?"

Liu Ran seemed to have gotten bigger and fitter. Reunited with her son, Liu Liushi held back her tears.

"Yes, we're here to visit you and your sister."

Liu Quanfu was also on the verge of tears as he looked on.

Liu Duo merely frowned as she wondered what had happened to them.

Ye Yang opened the front door. Hei Xiaomeng ran out and circled around the guests in a threatening stance, its tail wagging non-stop.

"Come in, we'll talk," Liu Duo said to them.

And then she entered the house with Ye Ling in hand.

Little Lian, Aunt Li, and Ye Ling went to prepare lunch in the kitchen. The rest sat in the yard.

Liu Duo sat in her rocking chair, waiting for her parents to speak.

Liu Ran looked at them. He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say, as though the distance between them had widened.

Ye Liu spoke first, smiling. "So, how have you two been recently? Were you able to find jobs in town?"

In truth, he had met them several times on the street. He thought about stopping for a chat but they seemed to be avoiding him, so nothing happened.

Li Wazi was carrying Little Huzi. He looked from the couple to Liu Duo and the gang. He would be the quiet bystander this time.

"We're hanging in there, and yes, we found permanent jobs." Liu Quanfu nodded as he replied.

Ye Liu added, "When you have the time, feel free to come visit. Liven up the place."

As though on cue, the couple looked at Liu Duo. She was the one who had said they wouldn't stay in contact.

Her husbands did the same thing. She was the one who called the shots here.

They believed Liu Quanfu and his wife weren't bad people, just stubborn when it came to loyalty.

Liu Ran looked eagerly from Liu Duo to his parents.

"What brings you here, all of a sudden?" Liu Duo questioned them.

She had the feeling they were here for a reason. They wouldn't show up on her birthday, so there must be a driving force behind this sudden visit.

The two stayed silent for a while, before Liu Quanfu spoke. "Liu Qing kidnapped Ran Er. Have you made a report?"

"Yes."

Could these two be here under Grandmother Liu's orders? Were they here to ask her to withdraw all charges?

Liu Duo frowned as she beamed at them, waiting for their response.

"Duo Er, don't drop the case."

Her frown diminished.

If they were here to beg for mercy, she would most definitely lash out at them. Luckily, she wasn't disappointed. "Of course we won't, you don't have to tell me that! We're not letting it slide that easily."

There was a short pause, and she added, "If you want to see Ran Er, you can come anytime."

Since Liu Ran wanted to see them too, she wouldn't want to get in his way. What kid wouldn't miss their parents?

At least they had shown some improvement. That's a good sign.

Liu Ran cheered up when he heard the news. Liu Quanfu and his wife seemed happy too, but they were at a loss for words.

"Since Little Duo agreed to that, then you two can visit Ran Er whenever you want. You can even stay over a night or two. We have enough rooms."

Ye Liu observed the look of disbelief on their faces as he said that.