Chapter 111: Distant blood relatives

"Pfft."

Old Master Lu burst out laughing first, followed by hearty laughter that lingered in the courtyard.

Shen Man turned a deaf ear, went inside, took out the tea set, and brewed tea for her grandfather.

As usual, she added a drop of Spiritual Liquid to the teapot and prepared a special brew for her grandfather.

"Manman, you take after your mom—clever, exceptionally smart, unlike your brother, who always suffers at the hands of that mother‑daughter."

Old Master Lu was in high spirits; he couldn't help recounting in detail how his grandson had suffered at the hands of his stepmother over the years.

Not to mention Shen Man hearing it made her fists clench—Pei Yan Ting's fists were cracking.

"Also blame my poor health—my hidden ailment flares up every few days, so I can't stay home for long."

"Back then your brother was as thin as a monkey; when I came home, I could hardly recognize him…"

"Zhang Xue Mei pretended to be good to your brother in public, chasing after him to feed him, asking after his cold and warmth, putting on the act of a good stepmother, making your brother look clueless…"

"Your dad's brain is smaller than a walnut, he has no sense at all, constantly punishing your brother—your brother is stubborn too, and their constant clashes have driven a wedge between father and son…"

Old Master Lu recalled the past, feeling bitter.

He took a sip of tea, then another, then another.

Besides, his granddaughter brews tea so well—how can it be this delicious?

"Grandfather, are you bad‑mouthing me behind my back again?"

Lu Xiu Bai had returned, his face grim; anyone could see he'd run into someone he disliked.

He spoke, then reached out and snatched the teacup from his grandfather's hand, draining it in one gulp.

"Turtle grandson, why did you grab my teacup? You can't pour your own?"

Old Master Lu had wanted to savor the tea slowly, to feel its flavor, but seeing his grandson snatch it and gulp it down in one go, he felt a pang of heartache.

This stubborn donkey, gulping down tea like there's no tomorrow!

Lu Xiu Bai darted aside with lightning speed, dodging his grandfather's swinging hand, and still didn't forget to fire back:

"Grandfather, if I'm a turtle grandson, what are you? An old turtle?"

"You little brat, stand still!"

Old Master Lu flew into a rage—what a fine grandson he has!

If he doesn't give that guy a few lashes today, he's not a Lu!

"Nyah nyah nyah, no way!"

Lu Xiu Bai made a face, not caring that his wife and sister were present—he was just squaring off with his grandfather.

"Stand still."

Old Master Lu wanted to save face; without a word, he grabbed his cane, circled the courtyard, and gave chase.

Besides, since he came to Sea Island, he's felt his body grow more limber.

He runs without getting winded, his waist doesn't ache, and his legs are more agile!

"No way."

Lu Xiu Bai was like a weasel in a melon field, hopping about to tease his grandfather.

He knew his limits; whenever his grandfather paused to catch his breath, he'd keep provoking him.

But he hadn't expected that his usual foolproof trick would fail this time with his grandfather.

All they saw was Old Master Lu feigning fatigue, pausing to catch his breath, waiting for his grandson to let his guard down, then leaping in swiftly and striking the grandson's rear with his cane—a quick, precise, brutal blow.

"Ouch!"

"Grandfather, are you really going to whip me that hard? Don't you want to hold a great‑grandson? If you miss, will I still be able to have children?"

Lu Xiu Bai clutched his sore buttocks and hopped several steps in pain.

"That's the lashing you get—to make you not hold your tongue."

Old Master Lu didn't go all out; he just gave his grandson a lesson, pulling his punch.

Seeing that his strike landed, his anger eased considerably.

He rubbed his waist—and, hey, it didn't hurt.

Strange—could the climate of Sea Island really be conducive to recuperation?

Old Master Lu fell into thought; he figured he'd observe for another month or so, and if it really worked, he'd send a telegram calling his old buddies to come to Sea Island for recuperation.

"Grandfather, the offerings are ready—we can begin the rites."

Jiang Ye happened to walk out of the kitchen just then, wiped his hands with a rag, simultaneously defusing the situation for his uncle‑in‑law and giving his grandfather a way out.

"Hmm, thank you for your trouble, Xiu Bai—drop the smirk, come over, stand with your sister, and offer rites for your grandmother and your mother."

When the talk turned to the matter at hand, Old Master Lu's easy smile faded.

Originally he only performed rites for his own wife; he hadn't imagined his daughter‑in‑law would die so young.

Now that he knows, he only hopes his wife will look after his daughter‑in‑law over there.

"Hmm."

Lu Xiu Bai shook himself, wiped the smirk from his face, stepped forward solemnly, took his wife's hand, and gripped it tightly.

"Together we'll offer rites for our grandmother and mother."

Pei Yan Ting sensed her husband's distress and, for the first time, soothed his emotions with a gentle tone.

"Good."

Lu Xiu Bai nodded, then silently went to the main hall to move the tables.

Shen Man kicked the gifts that Lu Manman had sent over to the wall, not giving them a second thought.

For now, the rites are urgent.

Jiang Ye saw his wife's little gesture, raised an eyebrow—it was clear she truly disliked Lu Manman.

Although I don't know why my daughter-in-law is acting all money‑grubbing, and she said she'd take Lu Manman around the Sea Island tomorrow, as long as she doesn't get the short end of the stick, that's fine.

As for the person who will suffer a loss, what does it matter to him?

Chinese people, deep down, have a habit of remembering their ancestors and deceased relatives.

Although superstitions are being eradicated and the Four Pests eliminated nowadays, the traditional notion of ancestor worship ingrained in people's hearts cannot be easily dispelled.

At the very least, in Old Master Lu's heart, he cannot refrain from burning paper money for the old woman.

"Xiuying ah, this year we're on Sea Island, not in the Capital, so don't take the wrong road."

"Come take a look—this year our grandson has married a granddaughter‑in‑law, she is the Old Pei Family's granddaughter, and our granddaughter has also married a fine young man; keep an eye out, recognize people, from now on, on every festival they will become the main force for the ancestral rites......"

Old Master Lu gazed gently at the empty chair, leaning on his cane with a smile, murmuring words to himself.

When his parents were still alive, they instructed him that during ancestral rites, one should sing verses, call out the names of the departed, and chat about family matters; only then can the deceased follow that path to the ritual site and enjoy the incense offerings.

For non‑close blood relatives, the deceased cannot enjoy the incense offerings.

So he repeatedly chants the old woman's name, hoping she won't lose her way.

As for his parents, he can't even remember their real names anymore.

Never mind, we're all one family; he burns paper money for the old woman, and she will also look after him in return.

"Mom, I'm Xiu Bai, this is my wife Yan Ting; rest assured, we'll take good care of your younger sister and won't let her brother‑in‑law bully her."

"Mom, I'm Yan Ting, I'll take good care of Xiu Bai and also treat your younger sister well."

"Mom, I'm Jiang Ye, your son‑in‑law; rest assured, I'll take good care of my wife and won't let her suffer hardship; just look at my future performance........"

"Mom, I'm doing very well now—I have a grandfather, an older brother, an older sister‑in‑law, and Jiang Ye's care; in the netherworld you can rest easy."

Shen Man silently added in her heart, Mom, having taken your daughter's identity, I will help you take revenge on your former self; after you reunite with your former self there, please rest in peace.

I will deal with those scumbags who harmed you one by one, and won't let them continue to roam free.

I will make them suffer social death, reap what they sow, lose their dignity, unable to live or die......