Chapter Thirty-Two: Family Reunion

"Double Luck Village... I understand. I have some business to attend to, so I'll be leaving now." Qin Zhengde bade farewell to Lu Chengren and departed.

"Manager Lu, how did you know we were trapped in the Wanhua Restaurant?" Lin Sangqian asked curiously.

Lu Chengren chuckled and replied, "I have to thank Yang Shi. He was the one who told me."

It turned out that after Yang Shi posted the notice, someone came to dine and, after tasting the chicken feet, couldn't stop praising them. He immediately bought three plates at once. Lu Chengren saw great business potential in the chicken feet and, in his delight, rewarded Yang Shi with two taels of silver, since he had brought Lin Sangqian to him.

Yang Shi was naturally overjoyed, but felt he shouldn't keep the silver all to himself. So he went to the Wanhua Restaurant to find Lin Wenyen, but couldn't locate him. Asking a staff member, he learned that the Lin family seemed to be in trouble with Bao Mingzhi.

Frightened, he hurried to find Lu Chengren. Lin Sangqian was so important to Lu Chengren now, he could not simply stand by, and so he came immediately.

After sorting out the sequence of events, Lin Sangqian smiled, "So that's how it is. It seems I really owe Yang a big thank you. Manager Lu, I should thank you as well. But today, because of us, you've made an enemy of Bao Mingzhi. That man is truly malicious—please be extra careful in the future."

"Don't worry. I've long known what kind of person he is. Besides, we've had grievances for years—without you, it's still impossible for us to reconcile," Lu Chengren said, unconcerned about today's events.

After a pause, he smiled and added, "If Miss Lin truly wishes to thank me, then perhaps..."

Make more dishes for Fortune Restaurant!

Lin Sangqian knew exactly what Lu Chengren meant. She blinked and said, "Manager Lu, rest assured, I always repay kindness."

"Hahaha, that's good!" Lu Chengren laughed as he left. By then, her brothers had already packed their luggage, and Liao Shuxia led them over.

"Girl, ready to go home?"

"Yes!" Lin Sangqian looked at her three brothers, her heart surging with excitement. "Let's go home together!"

The five of them walked to the edge of the town. Lin Beitao glanced around suspiciously, but found nothing amiss.

"Third Brother, what's wrong?" Lin Sangqian asked.

"Nothing," Lin Beitao turned back and smiled.

They continued forward, unaware that in a dark corner behind them, a tall man was grumbling, "Guo Da, can you handle this or not? You said there'd be a pretty little lady and plenty of money, that's why I came. Now what is this?"

"How should I know where they found three little brats?" Guo Da replied resentfully. "Those three boys aren’t very old, but together, they're not easy to deal with. Better not cause trouble today."

"So what now?"

"Why rush? I don't believe they'll never come to town again! When the woman and that brat come alone, we'll make our move!"

...

Lin Hongda never expected that upon returning home, he would find his three sons at home as well, and the table laden with dishes.

"What day is it today?" Lin Hongda asked in surprise. "Why are you all back? And you've made so much delicious food!"

Stir-fried pork, Kung Pao chicken, shredded pork with spicy sauce, braised eggplant... He was nearly dazzled by the sight.

"Father, you're back," Lin Sangqian entered carrying a large basin of stewed potatoes and chicken. "Go wash up, then let's eat!"

Her three sons, for once, greeted him with smiles. Lin Hongda's heart nearly leaped out of his chest from joy—this feeling was even better than seeing all the food.

Lin Hongda bounded off to fetch water and quickly washed up. Liao Shuxia went to help and, in the process, recounted the events in town that day.

He was so angry he almost fainted.

"It's all my fault! If only I'd gone with you today." Lin Hongda said, blaming himself. "I’d like to see Bao Mingzhi act so arrogant in front of me!"

"It's alright, nothing happened after all," Liao Shuxia comforted him. "But now you must realize how important you are to us."

Lin Hongda scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

Still, an idea blossomed in his mind.

Now that he had three sons, why not teach them Taekwondo?

He had long wanted to teach Lin Sangqian, but the girl stubbornly refused and spent all her time buried in medical books.

Now with three sons, surely at least one would show talent!

Lin Hongda grinned from ear to ear.

The six of them gathered joyfully around the table, and Lin Sangqian poured the remaining wine for Lin Hongda.

Lin Wenyen looked at his cup and frowned slightly.

Lin Hongda hurried to say, "Just this bit! Son, don't worry, I'll never drink to excess again."

Lin Wenyen said nothing, only nodded. Lin Beitao, however, burst out laughing, "If you stop drinking, pigs will climb trees!"

Lin Sangqian couldn't help but snicker. Lin Hongda shot her a plaintive glance.

Liao Shuxia gently tapped her youngest son's head. "Don't speak about your father like that."

Lin Beitao pouted but was clearly obedient, making a face at Lin Hongda.

Lin Hongda resolved that when he began Taekwondo lessons, he'd make sure to give this boy a hard time.

During dinner, Lin Sangqian tallied up her current points and silver.

Today in town, she gave Aunt Niu an egg pancake, gave her eldest brother chicken feet, and rescued her brothers from the grasp of the ruthless boss. Altogether, the system rewarded her fourteen points.

Though much of it was thanks to Mr. Qin and Manager Lu...

Once again, it proved the system was generous to her.

Moreover, Lin Hongda had spent the past days helping villagers, and the system awarded her twenty points for that.

When she saw it, she wanted to hug her father and kiss him.

She had twenty-two points left before, and with today's gains, she now had fifty-six in total.

So, she boldly exchanged them for a pound of rice, a pound of pork, a chicken, a sack of potatoes, and a sack of eggplants—creating the sumptuous dinner before them.

Her brothers had returned; of course, it called for celebration!

Though only thirty points remained, Lin Sangqian wasn't worried.

After all, they still had money!

Ten taels of silver and over five hundred copper coins—enough to secure their livelihood.

After dinner, the sky was still bright. Lin Hongda washed the dishes, Liao Shuxia continued embroidering handkerchiefs, and Lin Sangqian went for a walk with her three brothers.

On the way, they met many villagers. Seeing the Lin Wenyen brothers back, most assumed they were just home for a break. Some, upon asking further, learned they had actually quit their jobs.

Reaching the riverbank, they found Lin Shuimei sitting alone, clearly upset, furiously tossing stones into the water.