Inside the room, the Lu family members were all kneeling, leaving the Liu family bewildered. Why had they suddenly started kneeling?

The Liu family looked to Liu Xiangbai for guidance. The Lu family was all kneeling, so should they kneel as well?

The butler, confused, whispered, “Young Master, perhaps we should follow their lead?”

Liu Xiangbai had heard rumors over the past few days about the Lu family being under divine protection. He had observed them closely and, although he was initially skeptical, one night his condition had suddenly improved, and his wounds were mysteriously bandaged. The butler had assured him that no one had touched his injuries.

This convinced him that something beyond the ordinary had saved him. He had also never seen medicine like the one the Lu family provided afterward.

There was no way his rapid recovery could have been due to the simple herbal remedies from a small village doctor.

These events forced him to believe that the Lu family was indeed under divine protection.

Now, seeing the entire Lu family kneeling, he realized that it could only be because of that deity…

Understanding this, Liu Xiangbai led his entire household to kneel in the same direction as the Lu family, expressing their sincere gratitude to the deity for saving his life.

At first, Gu Xingzhao was shocked to see the entire Lu family kneeling, all facing away from her. But when she heard the system’s notifications of increasing offering points, she was overjoyed. On New Year’s Eve, no less—offering points delivered right to her!

She decided she didn’t care if a few backsides were pointed her way.

However, when she noticed the Liu family in the corner also kneeling, she was stunned: “System, can I gain offering points from the Liu family kneeling to me?”

[Host, only gratitude and offerings from members of the Lu family can increase your offering points.]

Gu Xingzhao was disappointed. What a shame—if only she could gain points from saving Liu Xiangbai, she might have earned a lot.

Given the solemn atmosphere, she cleared her throat, and her tone instinctively became more authoritative. “You may all rise.”

Lu Qing then used the ground to support himself as he got up, with the other family members quickly coming to help. The rest of the Lu family also rose, and it was only then that they noticed the Liu family still kneeling.

The Lu family members exchanged confused glances, puzzled. “???”

Wait, our Lu family deity has manifested, so we’re kneeling to our ancestor. Why are you Liu family members kneeling too?

Lu Xingyao was the first to react, guarding the large pot of dumplings with a wary look in his eyes. Kneeling for so long—could it be that the Liu family was trying to curry favor and steal the food?

The other Lu family members quickly caught on, and no sooner had they gotten up than they immediately knelt back down. There was no way they were going to be outdone by the Liu family.

Only when the Liu family finally rose did the Lu family get up again, each casting hostile looks at the Liu family.

In front of the deity, no outsiders were going to outshine the Lu family.

The Liu family members were baffled by this reaction from the Lu family. What was going on with them?

It wasn’t until they noticed the large pot of steaming food in the previously empty corner, with the young master of the Lu family guarding it like treasure, that they finally understood!

So the deity had delivered food to the Lu family, which is why they had all knelt down.

Liu Xiangbai and his household felt embarrassed. They had knelt without knowing the reason, and now the Lu family probably thought they were trying to steal the food.

But heaven help them, that wasn’t their intention at all.

Gu Xingzhao began opening the instant noodle packages and pouring in hot water, filling the room with a delicious aroma.

The Lu family had been blessed with divine provisions along the way, but the Liu family had not. They only had dry cakes to barely fill their stomachs. With no valuable possessions left, it was a miracle they hadn’t starved. Now, smelling the savory aroma, their stomachs couldn’t help but growl.

When they caught the Lu family members’ eyes, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

Catching sight of the Liu family’s envious gazes, Gu Xingzhao quietly prepared a few extra bowls. Well, it’s New Year’s—time for a good deed.

With a wave of her hand, she revealed several dozen bowls of instant noodles to everyone.

“Lu Qing, the Liu family and the Lu family are fated to be together. Since we’ve crossed paths, invite them to join us for the meal.”

Gu Xingzhao thought to herself: As a deity, it’s hard to ignore human suffering.

Lu Qing felt a wave of relief wash over him. “I understand.”

He couldn’t help but marvel at the ancestor’s compassion.

When they heard that the food would be shared with the Liu family, Lu Xingyao and the others were wide-eyed. “???”

Lu Qing stroked his thinning beard and coughed lightly. “It’s the ancestor’s wish.”

Lu Xingyao: “…” They really did kneel their way into this.

At this point, the Lu family had already picked up their chopsticks, holding the warm bowls in their hands. When they lifted the lids, a thick cloud of steam rose, and the aroma hit their noses. They couldn’t resist any longer and began slurping up the noodles, which were perfectly cooked and full of flavor.

Lu Yang’s hands trembled as he ate. How could something in this world be so delicious?

He quickly took a few more bites. This earthly delight… how had he never tasted it before!

The others reacted even more intensely than Lu Yang, who loved good food. In the bitter cold of winter, they were already grateful to have something to eat, but they never imagined it would be a hot, delicious meal. It felt like they were celebrating New Year’s back home in the mansion.

Madam Song turned away to quietly wipe away tears.

Lu Zhou was too focused on finishing his bowl of noodles to notice his wife’s tears. When he finished, he still wasn’t satisfied and picked up the pot to gulp down the broth!

Lu Xingyao, fighting temptation, led a few family members to bring the food to the Liu family.

Liu Xiangbai quickly tried to explain. “Brother Lu, you’ve misunderstood. We knelt just to express our gratitude, not to ask for food.”

The other Liu family members nodded vigorously in agreement, trying to show that they had no intention of competing for the Lu family’s food. But their stomachs betrayed them, growling loudly.

Lu Xingyao pushed the food forward. “Our deity has decreed that you should eat with us. If you don’t eat now, it’ll get cold.”

Didn’t they just kneel? And now they’re acting all reserved?

“Thank you,” Liu Xiangbai and his family said, embarrassed as they accepted the food. It wasn’t until after they had the food in their hands that Liu Xiangbai fully grasped what Lu Xingyao had said. A wave of excitement washed over him from head to toe, making his eyes shine with joy.

The deity has decreed that we should eat together?

The deity has decreed that we should eat together!

Together!

The Liu family was so overwhelmed with emotion that they could barely hold their bowls. This was food given by the deity—how could they not be thrilled?

They began eating the noodles slowly, tears streaming down their faces. They wiped away the tears with their sleeves, overwhelmed by the feeling of being favored by the deity… It was indescribably wonderful.

Lu Xingyao, his emotions in turmoil, returned to his place to eat, but despite the delicious food, his heart wasn’t in it.

Lu Xingyan noticed and asked, “What’s wrong?”

In the past, whenever the ancestor provided food, this nephew would devour it. Why was he so different tonight?

Gu Xingzhao, sitting nearby, also noticed Lu Xingyao’s unusual behavior and looked at him curiously.

“Third Uncle, do you think our ancestor only protects the Lu family, or does he also look after the Liu family, the Wang family… and everyone else?”

Lu Xingyao was puzzled. The ancestor had saved Liu Xiangbai before, and now they were sharing food with the Liu family… But if more people were involved, could the ancestor really protect them all?

Gu Xingzhao paused for a moment, nearly bursting out in laughter. So that’s it—this kid’s possessiveness was acting up, afraid that if she looked after others, she wouldn’t care about the Lu family anymore.

He was jealous.