CHAPTER 363: 363. WITH DISCIPLES IN HAND, I HAVE FINE WINE.

Hey, that’s being blunt and honest!

Lianshan gave Feng Ju, the shameless guy asking for double portions, a fierce look of disdain, then shrugged helplessly in front of Shuzhen: "Oh my, this is so embarrassing. Normally, with everyone being so generous and close, not to mention ginseng tonic wine, it’s only right for everyone to have a share of all the ginseng wine Shuzhen knows and an extract of ginseng essence each.

But with this ’big tightening’ going on, how can we, the ones who slipped through the cracks, dare to show off?

It’s hard enough to stay low-key, isn’t it?

Right now, I wish everyone would just collectively forget, and our little Yanzi wouldn’t be noticed at all. Be it a month-old, hundred-day or first-year celebration, they need to be as low-key as possible. How dare we show off?"

So, well, there’s no one-month celebration, so naturally, there’s no one-month wine!

Are you craving wine?

Haha, you beg me!

Though not explicitly stated in those last two sentences, the implication in the corners of the eyes and brows was clear enough for even a blind person to see, don’t you think?

First throw out the bait and then reveal the hook—this brat is treating him like he’s fishing!

Hmph, he simply doesn’t believe in that nonsense.

With a precious apprentice and Shuzhen at his side, how could anyone be short of wine!

He wants all kinds of ginseng wine, and he shouldn’t be left out of the supposedly classier ginseng extract either.

The two of them, whose combined age must be close to a hundred, played a childish staring game.

Knowing that trying to persuade would only make things worse, Shuzhen simply ignored them and jot down in a small notebook what each household gave and its approximate value. She then directed her eldest son, Lian En, to categorize and place them where she wanted them.

Though still in confinement, her postnatal recovery had been exceptionally well. The family indulged her even if it meant being a bit cramped, keeping windows and doors closed as much as possible.

Shuzhen had no such taboos, unlike other postpartum women who felt restricted in a designated recovery room.

By the time Feng Ju had downed two bowls of zhajiang noodles amid the staring contest with Lianshan, the mother and son still had more than half a box of items to sort through.

Unable to stand the steaming room temperature, Feng Ju practically bolted as soon as he set down his bowl.

Before leaving, he openly declared that he would join Old Yang in the same hardship until Shuzhen finished her confinement.

Of course, if Lianshan wanted, he could always send some of the good food he made over for him and Old Yang to try.

After all, living in the east and west courtyard, less than a hundred meters apart, is quite convenient.

In response, Lianshan could only roll his eyes and say with a full hint of disdain, "Ugly and still want the best!"

Sure, I’m good at cooking, but not just anyone is lucky enough to have me personally make a meal, you know?

Despite such a jab, Feng Ju didn’t mind.

He treated it as a gust of wind past his ears, paying no attention as he turned and strolled coolly out of the house and over to Old Yang’s courtyard next door.

What makes him special is that he has such a considerate and outstanding apprentice, you see?

Even if the apprentice values serving his parents at their knees above life’s ambitions, his respect also means the master’s treatment isn’t lacking!

It’s not an exaggeration; if something is limited to three servings, the good apprentice would rather go without to ensure his parents and master each get one.

No matter how precious or rare the item may be.

After all this time of confrontation, how could Lianshan not understand Feng Ju’s intentions?

Looking stern, he earnestly told Lian En, "Don’t you dare side with outsiders!"

Lian En laughed, "I won’t, I won’t. Dad, rest assured, your son is home. You won’t have to tire yourself with cooking! Recently, I learned some nice Beijing-style dishes, and I’ll cook them for you and mom later."

"Only for your mom and me, not for your master?" Lianshan teased, clearly not believing his son would just obediently comply.

"Hehe, you know, didn’t you always teach me that a master’s kindness is as vast as the sea, and the most important thing as a student is to respect and honor them? Coincidentally, since my master is alone and treats me like his own son, it’s only fair I respect and honor him like I do you, right?" Lian En grinned while tugging on his dad’s arm, showing a seemingly obedient look that he actually listened to his father’s teaching.

Lianshan choked, nearly coughing up a stream of old blood.

Damn it, those were the words he meticulously emphasized back then.

But when he said it, he never thought Feng Ju, that shameless bastard, would actually play along to compete with him for his son, did he?

Lian En held his forehead, unable to comprehend what he had done wrong to make his dad feel so threatened!

They’re not just some three-year-old child you can just snatch away, right?

"Nonsense, my eldest is excellent in every way. How could he not be great?

He’s doing just fine! It’s just that your dad envies and resents not spending as much time with you as your master does.

He’s worried your master will overtake him and steal his number one spot in your heart." Shuzhen, finding her son’s uncertain look over his behavior both amusing and irritating, openly exposed Lianshan’s petty jealousy.

She clearly told Lian En this isn’t your fault; it’s all because of your dad’s jealousy.

Facing the bewildered look from her eldest son, Lianshan confidently said, "What if I’m worried? From when you were just a tiny bundle to such an outstanding son now. It’s natural for me to love and care for you.

Who wouldn’t want to keep their treasure hidden, afraid of it being snatched away?

That’s just human nature!

Now, with our good income, shares in the village and Good Taste, and proceeds from the ginseng wine.

We can fully provide a wealthy and happy life for the kids without needing anyone like Feng to add any extras!"

So, in the dream, did Dad not hold back Lian Mingsi from leaving with the Dai family because he thought Lian Mingsi would have a better, happier life there?

For some reason, recalling this, Lian En suddenly felt a lump in his throat, and large teardrops fell uncontrollably: "Dad, don’t worry, your son will come home right after graduation. I’ll always be by you and mom’s side, no matter who comes, even if it’s the emperor, they won’t take me away."

The eldest son, who rarely cried, began to shed earnest tears, causing Lianshan and Shuzhen to be heartbroken.

They quickly comforted him gently, saying it was just a joke; nobody’s really coming to take him away.

Of course, at that moment, neither of them expected that not only was there someone, but that person would be so relentless. To the point of pulling out all the stops to snatch away their eldest son.

It was a show of excitement and surprise that had yet to unfold.

Fortunately, the father-son bond was strong, and Lian En had a firm will, valuing filial piety above all else.

Otherwise, it’s hard to say how this drama would end!