Lian Manman and her siblings exchanged glances, all claiming they didn’t want any fruit. Lady Zhou had always been uncomfortable about them splitting off from the family, and since Lian Xiuxiu was particularly protective of food, there was no need to upset these two again over a mere bite to eat. Even if they didn’t consider anything else, they didn’t want Old Master Lian to get angry over this matter.

"We’ve already eaten, and there’s some left for you young brothers," Old Master Lian said with a smile, "Xiuxiu, go fetch it quickly."

By the end, although Old Master Lian was still smiling, his tone had become more stern. This was a sign that Old Master Lian was on the verge of losing his temper.

Lian Xiuxiu glanced at Lady Zhou, seeking her assistance. Lady Zhou gave Old Master Lian a quick look, said nothing, and just nodded slightly at Lian Xiuxiu. Lian Xiuxiu hummed softly and reluctantly got off the kang to take a container out of the cupboard and set it on the table. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Eat, eat," Lian Xiuxiu said grudgingly, then muttered something under her breath that Lian Manman couldn’t hear clearly, which seemed to be "You’ll never get to eat this in your lifetime."

Lian Manman looked at Lian Xiuxiu as if it was no big deal. They were still so young; the rest of their lives were long, yet Lian Xiuxiu was already writing them off. It was both infuriating and laughable.

Old Master Lian personally opened the container, letting Lian Manman and the others pick out fruit for themselves.

"I don’t want any, I don’t like sweets," Wu Lang said, lifting his eyelids to glance at Lian Xiuxiu, then turning to gaze at Old Master Lian, "Grandpa, when I make money, I’ll buy even better fruits for you to enjoy."

Wu Lang seemed to have also heard Lian Xiuxiu’s comment.

"All talk and no action. Think you can just earn money to buy these fruits? Can you become an official like Big Brother?" Lian Xiuxiu said with a scoff, full of disdain for Wu Lang.

At that time, with underdeveloped transport, the fruit included honey tangerines and dried pineapple from the far south, figs, and betel nuts, which were rarely seen in Qingyang Town. How much could Lian Xiuxiu know? She probably just believed the hype about the Song Family, thinking that not only money but also significant power was needed to get these things.

Wu Lang’s face turned beet red on the spot.

"Go do whatever you’re supposed to do!" Old Master snapped at Lian Xiuxiu.

Lian Xiuxiu pouted and was about to return to Lady Zhou’s side, but stopped after a couple of steps, worried that the others would eat all the fruit in the container.

"Wu Lang is ambitious. A man should be like that. That’s a fine young lad of the Lian Family," Old Master Lian praised Wu Lang with a smile, took the most precious citrus fruits, dried pineapple, and a large pomegranate from the container, and handed them to Wu Lang.

Lian Xiuxiu looked on, her face changing colors as she stretched her neck and glared at Wu Lang.

Wu Lang felt resentful towards Lian Xiuxiu, thinking who would want her few pieces of fruit, so he declined to accept them.

Lian Manman’s gaze shifted between Lian Xiuxiu and Wu Lang, and her mind was as clear as a mirror. She didn’t care much for the few bites of food either, and her first thought was to storm off. But on second thought, she decided not to argue with Lian Xiuxiu and upset Old Master Lian. Instead, she could use the opportunity to annoy her.

Lian Xiuxiu didn’t want to part with the fruit, so Manman decided she would take it just to spite her.

"Brother, if Grandpa gives it to you, just keep it," Lian Manman nudged Wu Lang with her finger.

Wu Lang turned to look at Lian Manman, puzzled. The sisters had always stood united, and Lian Manman was prideful; she should understand his intentions. Why was she telling him to accept the fruit?

Lian Manman stealthily winked at Wu Lang.

"Grandpa, you’re giving fruit to Brother; how about me?" Xiao Qi said in a babyish tone.

Lian Manman turned to look at Xiao Qi, who winked at her. Manman felt joy in her heart, Xiao Qi was clever indeed.

"There’s no way my little Xiao Qi can miss out," Old Master Lian said with a smile so wide he could hardly close his mouth, as he hurriedly picked out a few more pieces of fruit for Xiao Qi.

"Grandpa, we want some too. Grandpa, you can’t only dote on grandsons and not granddaughters," Lian Manman said, feigning dejection.

"There’s enough for everyone," Old Master Lian responded with a laugh as he gave fruit to Lian Manman and Lian Zhizhi, "Pick whatever you like, take whatever you enjoy."

Lian Manman glanced at the nearly empty container of fruit and caught sight of Lian Xiuxiu’s face turning green with rage, laughing to herself.

"Grandpa, we should take less. What will we offer guests if they come?" Lian Manman said with a smile to Old Master Lian.

In rural households, hospitality was a serious matter; families would often save the best food they themselves would hesitate to eat, just for guests. Old Master Lian was no exception. Manman’s words hit his sweet spot, making him feel that she was sensible and not greedy.