Around the bonfire sat the same five people, along with the invisible presence of Gu Xingzhao.
Lu Xingyao pretended not to notice them as he focused on grilling eight skewers of meatballs and six large chicken wings. He thought to himself, as long as I don’t see them, I don’t have to share. After all, it’s not much food, and even if he ate it all, it would barely satisfy him. If he gave some away, it wouldn’t even be enough to fill their teeth.
And let’s not forget that earlier, when the fish was grilled, none of the elders offered him any!
By now, the meatballs and chicken wings were perfectly grilled, especially the wings, which were sizzling and releasing a delicious aroma.
Many people around the camp began to glance over, wondering, where’s that amazing smell coming from? It doesn’t smell like fish…
Lu Xingyao licked his lips. He liked his food a bit more charred, so he decided to let it cook just a little longer…
But in the blink of an eye, one of the eight skewers of meatballs suddenly vanished, and one of the chicken wings was gone too!
Lu Xingyao froze for a moment before realizing—could it be that the ancestor had come?
Ever since she graduated from university, barbecuing had become one of Gu Xingzhao’s favorite social activities. Smelling the fragrant meatballs, she silently gave Lu Xingyao a thumbs-up. He’s got skills—if this were the modern day, his barbecue stall would be a huge hit!
Meanwhile, Lu Yang and the others had already reached out and taken three skewers of meatballs and two chicken wings, while Lu Qing took a single chicken wing.
In an instant, half the food was gone, and Lu Xingyao was left speechless.
“???”
They didn’t even ask; they just took it?
His face flushed with anger as he bit down hard, fuming, This is too much!
The next second, he snatched the remaining meatballs and wings into his hands, biting into one of the still-hot meatballs so quickly that he scalded his mouth.
Lu Qing ate his chicken wing, watching his grandson’s actions with amusement. He nearly laughed out loud, thinking, Where did this kid learn such behavior?
The meatballs were gone in no time. Lu Zhou cleared his throat, hoping his son would offer him some food, but his son acted as if he were deaf and blind.
…
It’s just some food, Lu Zhou thought. When times are better, I’ll make sure to give him back plenty. But did it have to come to this?
Meanwhile, Lu Xingyan was still taking his time, leisurely eating his chicken wing.
Having eaten one skewer of meatballs and one chicken wing, Lu Yang placed his hand on his nephew’s shoulder and stretched out his other hand in front of him, speaking meaningfully, “My dear nephew, we’re all family. It’s not a good habit to eat alone.”
Lu Xingyao hesitated for a moment, then handed over the last remaining meatball from one of his skewers to his uncle.
Lu Yang’s face darkened—his nephew had plenty of food left in his hands, but he only gave him a single meatball?
Seeing this, Lu Zhou retracted his hand, having thought about asking for some food himself. What if he only got a single meatball too…?
Better wait a bit longer.
Lu Xingyao happily gnawed on his chicken wing, thinking smugly, No one’s getting any more food from me!
Just as he had this thought, Gu Xingzhao came up beside him, reaching out to take one of the chicken wings and a skewer of meatballs from his hand. She tugged at the stick, silently asking him to let go.
The defiant attitude that had been burning inside Lu Xingyao vanished. With everyone watching, he reluctantly released his grip on the food, his face full of reluctance. “…”
How could I forget the ancestor is here?
Taking advantage of the moment when Lu Xingyao loosened his grip, Lu Yang swiftly snatched another chicken wing from his hand and bolted off. Despite his size, he moved with surprising agility.
Seeing this, Lu Zhou glanced at his son, and at that moment, their eyes met. He saw his son clutching his food tightly, as if guarding it from a thief.
His father’s brow twitched. What is he guarding against?
Lu Zhou was a man of pride. He wouldn’t stoop to the level of his younger brother and steal food from his own son. With all eyes on him, he walked over to his son’s side.
Gu Xingzhao, still chewing on a meatball, looked up with a smirk, curious to see what would happen. Would Lu Zhou, a dignified father, really copy his younger brother and steal food from his son?
Without saying a word, Lu Xingyao clutched his remaining food even tighter, eating faster, his cheeks puffed like a squirrel’s.
With all eyes on him, Lu Zhou reached out and firmly said, “Give me one of those chicken wings.”
Gu Xingzhao nearly choked. She’d thought he would grab it directly, but instead, he just asked outright!
Both Lu Qing and Lu Xingyan were equally startled. What’s gotten into him?
Lu Xingyao was stunned. “…”
If his father had tried to grab it, he could have resisted—after all, no father should be stealing food from his son. But when his father asked directly, what choice did he have? If he didn’t give him the chicken wing, he’d be seen as an unfilial son.
Feeling utterly defeated, he handed over the last chicken wing, his expression deflated.
Gu Xingzhao looked at Lu Xingyao, who had once been holding plenty of food but was now left with only two skewers of meatballs. Poor kid—he couldn’t compete with the adults.
With a sigh, she placed the chicken wing she hadn’t yet eaten back onto the wooden rack in front of Lu Xingyao.
Better eat at home instead.
Lu Xingyao blinked in surprise when he saw the chicken wing reappear on the rack. He rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was seeing things. But no, the wing was really there!
The other three pairs of eyes also locked onto the wing, but no one dared to take it.
At this point, it was clear—the chicken wing had been given by the ancestor.
Even though Lu Qing’s mouth watered, he couldn’t bring himself to lower his dignity and beg his grandson for food, like his second son had done. Nor could he act as shamelessly as his eldest son.
He watched as his grandson happily bit into the chicken wing, still puzzled as to why the ancestor favored this boy so much.
In terms of intelligence and skill, how could the boy compare to me?
In terms of looks and bearing, my youngest son is far more outstanding. If it’s a matter of being likable, surely my granddaughter, Youtang, should be the favorite.
What does the ancestor see in him? It can’t be his silliness, can it? No, absolutely not!
As Gu Xingzhao sat cross-legged nearby, propping her chin on her hands, she watched Lu Xingyao eat with amusement.
He really does have quite the appetite.
The more she got to know Xu Zian, the more she appreciated Lu Xingyao’s carefree attitude. Xu Zian was always so shrewd and inscrutable, especially with those eyes of his, which seemed to see right into a person’s soul.
Worse still, he exuded an irresistible charm while maintaining an air of seriousness, making him seem both dangerously alluring and unapproachable.
Gu Xingzhao chuckled as she watched Lu Xingyao. It was easier to get along with someone a bit silly and oblivious; it made interactions more relaxed.
Lu Xingyao continued gnawing on his chicken wing, his eyes glistening with emotion. The ancestor is the only one who truly cares about me!
As for my father, uncles, and grandfather—they treat me like a servant! How unfair!
Gu Xingzhao couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Two pairs of eyes immediately turned toward Lu Xingyao.
Lu Qing narrowed his eyes, sensing that his grandson might be slandering him in his heart.
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