Who sent the gift?

  Early in the morning, Manman just got up to wash her face. From the window of the bathroom, she could see children laughing and running around in the streets and alleys outside the village yard.

  The sunshine rises in the mountain, some passing vendors may hear that there is a joyful event here and come to join in the excitement, selling things among the children.

  Mangmang can see that there are children holding the most traditional kind of folk handicraft - sugar people.

  Breakfast was eaten with my husband in our own little house. I heard that there were too many guests coming and going in the courtyard these days, so it's inconvenient to have meals together. Before the banquet, I ordered each household to have their meals in their own rooms.

  Eating the kitchen-sent northern authentic scallion pancakes and steamed buns, Manman felt that the northern staple foods, especially those made from grains grown in rural areas, were particularly delicious. The texture was just right, neither too hard nor too soft, making one's appetite open up widely.

  The kitchen sent over some authentic soy milk, and Manman drank two bowls of it. As for her husband, who had a special love for good food, he drank five bowls in one breath.

  "Look at you, can you still eat lunch in the afternoon?"

  "Alright." Two long legs stretched out from under the table, continuing to open his belly. "My father-in-law sent someone over this morning to say that later he wants to take me for a stroll around these mountains nearby. This whole table of food will definitely be digested in just a few hours."

  She was just pregnant and the fetus was unstable. Of course, it wasn't good to ask her to go to Lu's ancestral home for a visit, so her husband took care of everything on her behalf.

  Fill up the water bottle brought by your husband with water and ask him to carry it before leaving.

  The thermos his wife brought from home was not a green military canteen, but rather a pale green floral pattern that seemed more suitable for women. Jiang Dashao weighed the pros and cons of wearing it, worried he'd be laughed at, but still decided to wear it, determined to show it off all the way and make everyone jealous.

  When leaving, as usual, a light kiss on his daughter-in-law's face: "I'm leaving, wait for me to come back."

  Her husband's simple words warmed her heart several times more than his "I love you".

  Leaning on the railing, I watched my husband until he disappeared from view. Just as I was about to turn back, I saw a familiar little figure emerging from the road that came here.

  Jiang Mei brought Xiao Dongzi over for a visit.

  "Second sister, Ah Yan and Dad went mountain climbing." said Manman when she opened the door for her mother and son.

  Last night, she and her husband discussed the matter of Cheng Si Quan and unanimously decided to go back and negotiate with Jiang Fu. As for Jiang Mei and Xiao Dongzi's side, they must be kept in the dark. After all, it's not convenient to discuss things when going out, and making a big deal out of family troubles is never a good thing.

  Then, Jiang Mei suddenly came to find them early in the morning, didn't she hear something?

  A little nervous in her heart, she stretched out her hand to beckon her younger nephew: "Xiao Dongzi, come and tell your aunt if you've finished breakfast?"

  "I've eaten. I ate with Mom and Grandpa." Xiaodongzi quietly walked over to her side, sat down, and looked very well-behaved, like a little squirrel that had just been scolded.

  "Second sister, let me pour you a cup of tea." Manman saw that the mother and son weren't speaking, the atmosphere was quite awkward, Yue'er's eyebrows were furrowed, she went to pour water while observing the mother and son.

  Jiang Mei's face was half pale, with a clear circle of dark eye circles around her eyes, and her hair was messy. The signs of not sleeping well all night and having low spirits in the morning were all there.

  The teacup with spilled water was carefully placed in front of Jiang Mei sitting beside the tea table: "Second sister?"

  Jiang Mei, who had been silent and still, suddenly seemed to have been electrocuted, and only then did she come back to her senses. Her stunned expression was as if she had no idea what she was doing before. She reached out to take off her glasses and wiped them clean, her mouth twisted in a bitter self-mutter: "How did I end up here?"

  "I and Ah Yan are here, originally it's a place where Second Sister and Xiao Dongzi often come, what's strange about that?" Manman smiled.

  This is indeed true. At some point, she had gotten used to relying on her younger brother and sister-in-law.

  "Come here, Dongzi." A hand stretched out, beckoning to the younger son.

  Xiao Dongzi quickly ran to his mother's side, grabbed her hem: "Mom, aren't you angry anymore?"

  "Where did I get angry?" The gloom between her eyebrows didn't dissipate, but since it was her own son, Jiang Mei naturally relaxed her brow and smiled, her bright face overflowing with a mother's love and tenderness for her child.

  Meng Meng, who knew the truth, suddenly felt that Jiang Mei was very beautiful at this moment.

  Can't help but feel annoyed: that Cheng Si Quan, is simply blind, doesn't want a wife who sacrifices everything for the family, instead wants to pursue some special fantasy emotions.

  Using love as an excuse for divorce, scumbag!

  "If Ah Yan comes back, don't tell him first." Holding her younger son in her arms and pressing him against her chest, Jiang Mei's face was calm like the surface of a sea after a storm, with a light in her eyes that was like sunlight on water, without any fear or intimidation. As for sadness, perhaps there was some, but it couldn't replace the sunlight. Her voice was cold, clear and calm as she said, "I'm only worried about my dad's heart now, nothing else worries me. So if this matter needs to be handled, I hope it can be done without telling my dad."

  "Second sister?" Manman was shocked and suspicious, her eyes seeking confirmation from Jiang Mei.

  Jiang Mei nodded slowly but firmly.

  She knew everything now.

  Her husband wants to bring up the topic of divorce with her.

  Her heart was hanging in her throat, she didn't know where to start, and even more so, she didn't know what to say to Jiang Mei who knew everything. She murmured: "That little Dongzi..."

  "It's my son, can't he be strong?" The proud aura of a career woman mother was fully embodied in Jiang Mei at this moment.

  Not only has she excelled in her career, rising through the ranks to become a department head at such a young age and earning people's respect. At home, she is absolutely deserving of the title "good mother".

  Xiao Dongzi's small hands grasped tightly at the hem of his mother's clothes, and he buried his head in her bosom, covering his little face.

  Seeing such a Jiang Mei, who seemed to be unbeatable from any angle of attack, Yan Yan suddenly felt a surge of hot blood in her chest.

  Do you think men who use divorce as a threat to women are intimidating? You figure it out yourselves.

  Pull over a chair and sit down, and say to Jiang Mei: "I let Ah Yan send someone to his troops to understand the situation, and must make sure to understand the whole situation clearly."

  "It's not needed." Jiang Mei said firmly and decisively, with a tone that didn't allow anyone to belittle her, especially her husband who had proposed the divorce.

  So he wouldn't think she was making an excuse to keep him from leaving.

  Does she care?

  Even if she had emotional attachment to this marriage, even if the elderly might have advised her later to take care of the children, she would never deserve such humiliation!

  He wants to leave, and she lets him go!

  She Jiang Mei isn't someone who can't live without a man!

  "Sister." Holding Jiang Mei's hand tightly, Yue's eyes shone with a cold light, sharp as a knife. "Isn't it said that if we give in to his demands and let him get what he wants, it's all over? Of course, we won't be foolish enough to entangle ourselves with someone like him. But the person who did wrong, if we don't make them pay the price, are we not indulging them?! Not only will you suffer this unwarranted injustice, but also the social atmosphere will, due to our indirect tolerance, continue to foster the arrogance of people like him and harm female compatriots. This kind of thing, absolutely cannot be tolerated!"

  The most straightforward and powerful words made Jiang Mei look at her brother-in-law in a new light.

  Appearing calm and peaceful, like a person with no desires or demands, yet having such a firm belief in their heart, an unshakeable will, and a responsible mindset.

  She felt that she and her son were no longer lonely and helpless, with someone unconditionally supporting them from behind.

  Hold onto Mengmeng's hand with your backhand and grip it tightly.

  What Manman said is very right, something that seems like a family matter can actually affect the social atmosphere as a whole.

  How many years of marriage, Cheng Si Quan had no reason to suddenly bring up divorce at this time, must be something that happened in between.

  Thinking that there might be someone, a woman, a young woman, who would fool around with her husband and family, Jiang Mei's heart was more than just hurt: being women themselves, why were they so eager to torment each other?

  Cannot tolerate, absolutely cannot tolerate!

  His face turned blue and white and red in turns, he couldn't wait to dig out the truth and punish it according to law, but now he can't be impatient, impatience will spoil things.

  Jiang Mei clenched her fists and struggled to suppress her rapid breathing.

  Manman knew she needed to calm down, so she pulled over the little Dongzi who was lying on her knees, squatted down and showed off her white teeth to the little boy: "Do you want Auntie to make a toy for you right now?"

  "Toys?" The little kid was still a kid after all, and the two words "toys" immediately caught Xiao Dong's attention. But he didn't want to be led by his aunt's nose, so he rubbed his own nose and said, "I'm not at an age where I play with toys anymore."

  "This toy is for you to make yourself." Manman said with a cute pout.

  Did you make this toy yourself? Little Dongzi blinked in confusion.

  The aunt who wears glasses is becoming more and more mysterious.

  Then took the kids to the kitchen to help Jiang Mei reduce her burden.

  The people in the kitchen were surprised when they saw her coming.

  Manman smiled and asked them for something: "I just want to borrow some flour, is there any?"

  The tools were all borrowed soon, and everyone didn't know what she wanted to do. And she, obviously not wanting to disturb others at work, took Xiaodong with her, a big one and a small one moved two small stools, found a quiet corner that wouldn't be discovered by people, and started busy.

  The bright little eyes stared at Auntie Rou and asked, "Auntie, are you going to make noodles? But noodles aren't toys."

  "You're wrong. Aunt is making Mianmian noodles."

  "Who is it?"

  "Yes, it's a hairstyle invented by your aunt, so it's called Manman Mianren."

  Her lips pursed into a round shape: "Auntie, are you thinking of applying for a patent?"

  Look at this kid, even knows how to protect intellectual property rights.

  Stretch out your hand, with flour stuck on the tip of your fingers, and draw two strokes on a child's cheek.

  The little face with a frown, but at the same time, was teased by her and finally let go: "Auntie is bad."

  Man man le.

  Move the small stool next to Auntie, roll up your sleeves and study hard.

  ……

  Early in the morning, except for Manman, a group of Lu family members went to their ancestral land to worship their ancestors under the leadership of Old Master.

  The old man had five sons, one of whom was sacrificed, and the remaining four all married and had children. The grandchildren, some of whom were studying abroad and couldn't come back, the rest, those who could come, all came. It can be said that it was a rare family reunion for this family.

  Some relatives and close friends of Lu's family accompanied him.

  All the way, Jiang Dashao got what he wanted and used the new thermos his wife gave him to attract a lot of envious glances.

  "Is that for me to take?" Little uncle Lu He Dong, raising the thick eyebrows unique to the Lu family, put his hand on Jiang Da Shao's shoulder and showed strong interest in his water bottle.

  Before they left, the younger brother had all the maternal and infant supplies he had bought overseas with his son's help delivered to their home. He took the opportunity to thank his younger brother on behalf of himself and his daughter-in-law: "The water bottle is for Mianmian, I didn't bring my own. The things that the younger brother had someone buy from overseas, when my daughter-in-law and I opened the box, there were five or six kinds of baby bottles alone. My daughter-in-law and I both said that the younger brother was really thoughtful."

  "As long as you and Mianmian like it. When my little grandson is born, he will drink milk from the bottle I gave him as his uncle, and I'll be so proud. You should know that the only one in our whole family who will give birth to a child is your family."

  Does this little grandson have an only child?

  Flushed with pride and yet burdened with pressure.

  Lu He-dong's boastful words had not finished, when the other two brothers of the Lu family heard them. Upon hearing that someone had taken the important milk bottle first, they naturally became unhappy and said: "How can the things for our little grandson be given by only one person? Our little grandson is the only one, so we must plan and divide everything beforehand, with each person giving some. Now that our little grandson has been born, it's not like we would say which uncle is biased. You're not being fair, making it hard for everyone in the family to do things."

  "How can I be blamed for that? There's no rule that says you can't send it, right? You can just send it yourself." Lu He Tong narrowed his eyes, looking smug.

  No matter how the brothers quarrel, whoever gets there first is the one who gets there first.

  The Second Grandfather was more cunning than people thought, pulling Jiang Yan into his own camp from Lu He Dong's side, saying: "I'm not unwilling to send it, Ah Yan. It's your aunt who thinks that this matter can't be entrusted to young people, lest it seem that she is doing the elder's job perfunctorily. She has decided to take matters into her own hands and go to various countries to find the best maternal and infant products. Your aunt has already found a suitable baby bottle for the little one. When you see them compared, you'll know which kind of baby bottle is the healthiest and most suitable for my little grandson."

  Jiang Yan's crazy sweat: This child hasn't been born yet. The bottle-feeding war has already started with a bang.

  Of course, it's not just the baby bottle, but also what the child wears, eats and uses. Everyone is competing to show that they are this close relative, very close, so close that others can't even get a foot in.

  Lu Huan, standing under the big tree to enjoy the shade, propped up his eyebrows and saw his brother-in-law Jiang Dashao surrounded by a group of elders. He looked like he was about to be bombarded by intense fire at any moment. Lu Huan couldn't help but laugh at the commotion, saying: "Ah, I knew this day would come."

  "You mock your brother-in-law, aren't you afraid that your sister and brother-in-law will say that Grandpa's family is so fond of their younger grandson, what about your family? No movement, no signs." With nothing to do, Yao Zibao chatted with him for a while.

  "What's the point of saying that?" Lu Huan pushed him, "Isn't my brother always the guardian angel for my sister and her child? Who can take on this heavy responsibility for my brother? Besides, my sister's nutrition is taken care of by my mom personally. My dad and I are just supervisors."

  "Your dad being a supervisor is no big deal, but you as a supervisor?" Yao Zibao teased, pointing at his nose.

  "How can I not be a supervisor? My brother dares to scold my sister, and I immediately rush forward to rescue her, helping my sister withstand the cannon fire, with a spirit of sacrifice." Lu Huan said, adjusting his collar, calmly awaiting his fate.

  Cough.

  A faint, icy cough echoed in his ear from Ge.

  Lu Huan hastily re-buttoned his open collar and wiped the cold sweat from his back, regardless of how hot it was outside.

  It's just that when he speaks, it seems like he's bullying his sister on purpose, is he?

  His icy gaze swept past a row of people, each one dodging away in fear of being caught and forced to tell the truth: "Old brother, you do, really do."

  Mrs. Lu and Mrs. Yao, along with a group of people, started talking, and it was all about the tangled matters.

  It was one of the ladies who mentioned it and whispered into Mrs. Yao's ear, "I seem to recall that Nangnang was engaged to your family's son?"

  "This is not right, when Nannan got married, she didn't even come back home." Mrs. Yao felt more and more regretful.

  It's not that his own son is not promising, it's just that he missed the opportunity for a good marriage.

  Compared with Jiang Daxia being surrounded as a husband of Yan Yan, the place where Master Yao stood was much more peaceful.

  Standing on the higher ground of the half slope, overlooking the mountain below, the smoke is lingering, the green cloud is slender, this kind of beauty outside the dust, makes him easily think of that clear and delicate figure.

  Her narrow eyes blinked slightly: he knew what he could do for her.

  Yao Zibao opened his eyes and saw that his brother was alone in search of a quiet place, with an unsmiling expression.

  Want to find a woman like Manman, who can shift her brother's attention, if it's hard, it's really hard, but not impossible.

  Lu Huan saw that everyone around him had climbed up the mountain and were all gathered there, and couldn't help but let out a cry of surprise: "Damn!"

  "What's wrong?" Yao Zibao asked.

  "Damn it!" Lu Huan shouted again, slapping his thigh. "Look, everyone's here, but my sister isn't."

  "Isn't your sister pregnant? Can she climb mountains?"

  "No, I'm saying everyone has come here, who's taking care of my sister?"

  The crowd was shocked by his words and then burst into laughter.

  "Huan'er, are you in love with your sister or what?" Little uncle Lu He Tong wrapped his arm around her shoulders and smiled with narrowed eyes.

  "Little uncle, don't talk nonsense!" Lu Huan glared with her eyes wide open.

  "Your sister-in-law doesn't worry about it, your parents don't worry about it, even your brother doesn't worry about it, only you do." Lu Hedong presented the evidence one by one.

  "That's what they didn't think of, right? Leaving my sister alone in the yard, and she's not familiar with this place at all. What if something happens?" Lu Huan said logically.

  "Huan'er, you're wrong to say that. What do you think your grandfather's soldiers are fed? This is just a joke to comfort this young nephew, but if taken seriously, it would be an offense against the emperor."

  Lu Huan swallowed his saliva and stole a glance over there, fortunately the old man didn't hear him speaking.

  Uncle came over and pressed on his younger brother's head: "Remember to go apologize to Grandpa."

  Lu Huan scratched his head, okay, he admitted that he was infatuated with his sister, but: "I'm not good to my sister, how can my sister be good to me?"

  Everyone is delighted: Is he treating Mianmian well just to win her favor?

  "That's because my sister is not like my brother." The words slipped out in a moment of urgency.

  So, Jun Ye was found guilty of "abusing" his younger brother and sister that day.

  The angry young master grabbed the boy's collar and took him aside for a lecture.

  "Brother——" cried out for help in a panic, but unfortunately, the sister who was the only one who could stand up to him was not around.

  "Am I not trying to be good to you?" The cold voice of Jun Ye fully expressed the authority of this elder brother.

  Lu Huan simply closed his eyes and waited for death.

  Manman didn't know about the fun things happening around her on the mountain, but she was having just as much fun playing with Xiaodongzi.

  Kneaded dough figurines are placed in a large pot and steamed until cooked, then some natural dyes are applied to the surface.

  "I saw Sun Wukong at the temple fair and have been wanting to make one myself." Xiaodongzi was very pleased with the small Wukong he had made with Mianmian's help, his little face beaming with pride, the unease brought by the changes between his parents momentarily forgotten.

  There is nothing better than doing what makes you happy to get rid of troubles.

  She can help alleviate the troubles of the children, perhaps this is what she thinks is the best thing she can do for Jiang Mei's family. To let the children know that whether their parents are divorced or not is unimportant, what's important is that there are people who love them.

  A couple without feelings barely stay together, but the harm to the child is even greater. In Wen's family, she watches Xuyu and Shixuan quarrel every day, and Shixuan silently endures for her sisters. If they divorce and Father can be happy, then as a daughter, she can also feel happy. Xiaodongzi is the same, watching his parents argue every day is not a good thing at all.

  Here, let Xiao Dongzi pinch his favorite Journey to the West master and apprentice four people, happily letting the children hold the dough figurines and Jiang Mei back home.

  Jiang Mei looked at this rich and vivid face person, her heart suddenly opened up: "Man Man, you really have a good heart, good heart!"

  Two consecutive sentences with heart, bring out the warm current from the heart, in an instant, tears are about to fall.

  Before, when she heard her husband yelling about wanting a divorce, she didn't shed a single tear.

  Sorrow is not the reason people shed tears, but when their heart is touched, then there are tears.

  "Second sister, I want you and Xiao Dongzi to be happy." Yuè ér's eyebrows slightly raised upwards as she smiled and pulled Jiang Mei's hand.

  Jiang Mei was worried that her old father would discover some signs and didn't dare to stay for long, so she quickly took her son back.

  Seeing off Jiang Mei and her mother, Manman starts making her own wontons.

  She thought it over and through Jiang Mei and her mother, she thought even more clearly.

  I don't want to put on a show in front of everyone and give some big work to Old Man Lu. That's not the way for a granddaughter to express her true feelings to her grandfather. A child who truly loves their elders should be quiet and unassuming, quietly caring for them. For example, when giving gifts, it should be a surprise from behind the scenes.

  A carefully made rice ball, placed in a hand-cut paper box, at noon after lunch, the people who went up the mountain had not returned, and there were few people resting in the yard. She walked to Lao Lu's two-story small wooden building, avoiding the guards.

  ……

  Jiang Yue spent the whole night in a state of panic and confusion.

  It turned out that she and Cheng Si Quan's affair had been discovered by someone.

  If she and Cheng Si Quan both got divorced and were discovered, it wouldn't matter. But now, they are both having extramarital affairs. And what's most frightening is that they are both military personnel, and their marriages are also military marriages.

  Not only will his military career be ruined for life, but he may also face imprisonment.

  My whole body was covered in cold sweat, and the entire night was filled with nightmares.

  Early in the morning, a mysterious person who was unknown to anyone had left another note on the table in her living room.

  Open the note and take a look, it's asking her to do something.

  This thing is actually not difficult to do, she just needs to enter Lao Lu's study, search for Lao Lu's photos and take them with her mobile phone.

  However, Lu Lao Tou is a man who can cause alarm with the slightest movement, and if he finds out that it was her little trick, she will be dead.

  Besides, I don't even know who he is and why he's interested in Mr. Lu's photo, it's too strange.

  She can't do it, she can't take this risk.

  She soon went into the bathroom and came out again. On the table was another note: If she didn't do as told, the consequences would be dire.

  Sitting in the living room, I feel like there are eyes staring at me all around.

  She was being watched all the time, intimidated and threatened, and because of this shameful secret she had committed, she couldn't even open her mouth to her father, nor could she seek help from anyone.

  Rather than being exposed for the secret of an extramarital affair and getting sentenced, it's better to take a risk with Old Lu. After all, they just want Old Lu's photo, not to steal any secrets from him.

  Repeating this over and over in his heart, he suffered greatly.

  She finally chose to take action during the quiet lunch break when there were fewer people. Because she knew that the Lu family went to pay their respects to their ancestors and wouldn't be back so soon. This time slot had the fewest people, making it the best time to act.

  She is a person beside Lao Lü, breaking through the defensive line of the Lü family's courtyard and entering directly into Lao Lü's study without any problem.

  I remember helping Old Man Lu sort out his documents, bookshelves were a must-have, can't recall if Old Man Lu had placed photo albums on the bookshelf.

  It's strange that Lao Lu doesn't like taking pictures. Previously, I heard from colleagues that they had interviewed him many times, but couldn't get a single photo of him.

  It's said that Old Lu wants to keep a low profile, but refusing to take photos is a bit too eccentric and makes people want to investigate.

  After finishing the bookshelf, she opened the drawer of the office desk, which was Lao Lu's private territory that she had never touched before. She carefully covered her fingertips with paper to operate, lest she leave fingerprints behind.

  At the bottom of the third drawer, a notebook-like book was finally found.

  Open it and found a blank notebook with no words, but there was a photo inside.

  There is no old man in the photo, but a baby girl who was born not long ago. Her hair is sparse and her small face is wrinkled, but she has a familiar shadow that is quiet and calm, as if unaffected by anyone's influence.

  Recalling the performance of Shangshang in front of Old Man Lu last night, it was the same: quiet, very quietly writing, an inner world that is not affected by anyone, powerful and awe-inspiring, yet extremely envied.

  Everyone is living a life of utmost caution in society, and she alone is so carefree; isn't it all because of the favoritism shown to her?

  Including her beloved elder brother.

  No need to think much, this temperament is Meng Meng's birth photo.

  It turned out that she was right, on the back of the photo, written in Old Man Lu's old pen: Nangnang, born at XX o'clock on XX month XX day, XXXX.

  She surprisingly used her mobile phone to take pictures of this birth certificate from front and back.

  The wooden stairs have one advantage: whoever goes up or down can't hide their movements.

  The stairs suddenly transmitted a faint sound of footsteps.

  Manman had become very cautious with her footsteps, knowing that Old Master Lu wouldn't be around and there shouldn't be anyone on the second floor of the study either. But, "a thief is always nervous". Manman rarely did such sneaky things, so she felt a little anxious in her heart, yet also excited at the thought of surprising the old couple, which made her footsteps lighter without realizing it.

  At this moment, when sending off Old Master Lu, she suddenly had a kind of intimacy with him as if she were his granddaughter.

  A paper box with a human face on it gently fell onto Old Lu's office desk, and Yuèyár's eyes couldn't help but smile, as if sneaking a laugh, the corners of his mouth curled up, and his eyebrows flew upwards.

  Grandpa gave his granddaughter a test question when they met, testing whether she had a kind heart and a clever mind.

  Now it's her turn, this granddaughter, to give Grandpa a test, to see if Lao Lü has a spiritual connection with the gift she gave him.

  Think about it, this idea of mine is really great.

  At this moment, Manman and Old Master Lu's distance was pulled very close.

  Jiang Yue, who was hiding under Lao Lao's table with her cat body, took out a small makeup mirror from her pocket and examined her reflection carefully, making sure every expression and movement was perfect.

  Her smile was infectious, her self-satisfaction was palpable, and the raised eyebrows that seemed to say "I'm so pleased with myself" all made her blush.

  Having secretly put away the gift, just as I was about to take advantage of Old Man Lu's absence to slip away quickly, I suddenly heard a faint thud, as if something had been knocked against.

  Jiang Yue hastily withdrew her hand which had accidentally touched the leg of the chair, holding her breath.

  The moon's eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and she looked around cautiously, afraid that she might have accidentally damaged one of the old man's treasures. After a circle of inspection, nothing was found to be amiss. However, it seemed that a book on the bookshelf had been placed askew, but it was unclear whether it was her own doing or if Old Master Lu had not placed it properly when he put it away.

  As she heard the sound of footsteps approaching, Jiang Yue bit her lip so hard it was about to cramp. But Mengmeng's canvas-shoe-clad feet stopped at the bookshelf just a foot away from her, tiptoeing and seemingly browsing through books.

  After tidying up the bookshelf, Jiang Yue patted her hands contentedly and left the study. Her clothes were as if she had just been pulled out of water, looking like she had made a round trip through the gates of hell.

  Crawled out from under the desk, at first glance, locked onto the paper box placed on the desk by Manman.

  The cardboard box looks unimpressive, a plain square cut out of ordinary cardboard, with four sides decorated with a bit of colorful color to avoid being too simple.

  In fact, it is simple and crude.

  Hmph.

  He casually opened the paper box with one hand, wondering what kind of trick this girl could come up with in such a simple box.

  Inside was a vivid and lifelike statue of a general. At a glance, it was clear that it was a carving of Old Master Lu himself.

  Even if this general is like the one above, Lao Lao didn't wear old flower glasses, but that majestic gaze was dug out from the old man's eyes without missing a single point. At the same time, Mianmian didn't carve Lao Lao into a straight-standing serious military man or an old general commanding thousands of horses on the battlefield. He just put Lao Lao sitting on a small stone, with his legs propped up on a book, half-tilted, and in the elegant and free-spirited manner, revealed the warmth hidden deep within the old master's heart.

  Able to carve a person's demeanor into the depths of one's soul, as if Lao Lu was right in front of him. The author's rich artistic foundation is not to be mentioned, but what's even more rare is the emotional connection between the author and the subject being sculpted.

  Only a granddaughter can carve out such a general grandfather.

  Jiang Yue couldn't imagine what Lao Lu would think when he saw this painting.

  It's impossible for anyone who has an elderly family member not to be moved.

  Her face was like a layer of faint, indistinct shadows, emitting an irresistible radiance that grew brighter and brighter, as if it had completely enveloped her in its darkness.

  Was her elder brother also attracted by Manman in this way?

  The outstretched hand clenched into a big fist, involuntarily wanting to slam heavily onto the person's face.

  "Grandpa, last time I borrowed a book with my little uncle, but he said that the book belongs to you. I wanted to borrow it to read."

  Lu Jia's second son's voice came from the staircase entrance.

  The Lu family actually returned at this time, such a large team, when entering the door, she should have been startled, but not, it can be seen that she was pinched by Manman's face, surprised to what extent, so that nothing could be detected.

  It's too late, his hand retracted, and even the paper cover couldn't be closed.

  Lu Huan bounced up, full of youthful energy, and in a moment, he rushed ahead to the second floor study. As soon as he saw a strange woman standing in the study, his eyes widened slightly: "Are you Journalist Jiang?"

  "Yes." Jiang Yue reluctantly replied with her back turned against him.

  "What are you doing in my grandfather's study?" Lu Huan raised an eyebrow, asking bluntly, instinctively disliking this woman because of her relationship with his sister Manman.

  Jiang Yue was thinking of a suitable answer in her mind when Old Master Lu led a group of people, mainly his sons, grandsons and friends' grandchildren, to come up. After returning, everyone went to the old master's study to rest their feet, have some tea and chat. Among them was her brother Yan.

  She secretly glanced at Jiang Dashao, but Jiang Yan treated her with great candor, just taking her as an ordinary friend, and after a glance, nothing was left behind.

  This annoyed her more than his avoiding her did.

  Lu Lao saw her here and also had doubts: "Is Jiang coming to find me?"

  Jiang Yue had made up her mind at this time, and smiled slightly, without answering for the moment.

  Lü Lǎotóu walked up to the office desk and at first glance, he saw the open box on the table with a human face inside.

  Itself is expressed in a special form of art, and the work is full of warmth and beauty.

  Lü Lǎotóu's gaze was shocked, his daze quickly infected the people around him.

  It's rare for Old Master Lu to have such a shocked expression.

  Everyone leaned over to look.

  Lu He-dong, who was closest to the old man, first let out a cry of surprise and then picked up the figurine from the box with both hands, showing it off to everyone in the room as if to say: "It's really like him, this is a real likeness."

  The face person held up in mid-air, subjected to scrutiny from all sides. From every angle, a closer appreciation, the crowd's applause is endless.

  Manman does things very carefully, from front to back, even the base of a face is done with great effort.

  However, looking at this work, there is no trace of the author's signature, nor are there any inscriptions with blessings for the elderly.

  That's what Manman thought, letting the old man have a spiritual connection and guessing for himself.

  Everyone suddenly pondered: Who sent it? It's so thoughtful.

  But before they could find out who it was, wasn't there already someone standing in the study?

  It was only natural that Lu Hedong asked on behalf of the old master to probe: "Reporter Jiang, are you here looking for the old master?"

  What I meant to ask Jiang Yue is if she saw who sent this gift, for example, was it sent by Manman?

  In fact, everyone on the scene, including Lao Lu, was thinking: Was it sent by Manman?

  Among these people, only Mianmian has the most artistic talent, and Mianmian's artistic attainments are well-known to all. Moreover, this time Mianmian came to see the old master, he must have brought a gift for the old master.

  Among the crowd, the most impatient one was Commander Lu. Rubbing his fists, Commander Lu was so excited that he almost wiped away tears: Look at how great his daughter is! Which child in the family can give their elderly parents such a handmade art piece? Simple, elegant, and beautiful, all were his daughter's masterpieces.

  In the midst of a solemn and quiet wait, Jiang Yue seemed to smile awkwardly, revealing his teeth: "Sorry, I originally wanted to deceive Lao Lu. But I didn't expect everyone to come so quickly."

  Was it sent by her?!

  Everyone's face was a sight to behold, with all sorts of expressions on display, but one thing was certain - they couldn't hide their disappointment.

  Lu He-dong regretted it, regretted it so much that he couldn't regret it anymore. If only he had known earlier, not asking this question would have been better, and everything would have been fine with Man-man's gift.

  Looking at Lu Hedong's careless movement of putting down the mask, Jiang Yue bit her lip on the spot: How is it that she gave it to him, and he doesn't even care about it?

  "I've been pinching for a long time, and the work I did early this morning may still be a bit hasty, I hope Old Man Lu will like it."

  Originally intended to use this to defeat Lao Ye Zi's army.

  Behind her, a sudden voice came from her elder brother: "How come I don't remember Jiang Ziya being able to pinch faces?"