Chapter 33

Such a meal was so rare that even her younger brother felt like eating fish was a luxury, like a feast of rare delicacies. Her parents, not wanting to eat too much, only drank the soup. A half-foot-long fish barely fed four people, and they couldn’t even finish half of it.

Liu Yu called her family to the table: “Mom, Dad, the fish is cooked and ready to eat, so let’s dig in!”

Nie Xiaocui smiled and said, “Your father and I are older now and don’t need to grow. You two kids should eat more! Here, the fish on the belly doesn’t have bones, so you eat this piece!”

Liu Yu quickly blocked her bowl with her hand to stop her mother from putting the fish in her dish: “I don’t want any more! I’ve had two bowls of soup and two big cornmeal buns. I’m already full!”

Liu Jianjia, unlike his wife, didn’t stop serving his daughter and picked up the largest cornmeal bun. “Sweetheart, why are you eating so little? Come on, have another bun!”

The love from her parents was overwhelming, and Liu Yu, who was trying to lose weight, couldn’t resist. She reluctantly took the bun: “Fine, I’ll eat one more bun, but you two have to eat the fish!”

Just then, Chen Shi suddenly pushed the door open, her wrinkled face breaking into a smile. “Granddaughter, your father and mother work so hard! They can’t enjoy any rest! This fish has been passed around and is cold now, so if they don’t want it, I’ll take it!”

Saying that, she reached for the bowl of fish, seemingly intent on taking both the fish and the bowl.

Seeing this, Liu Yu narrowed her eyes and swiftly grabbed her chopsticks, slamming them down on Chen Shi’s hand with a sharp strike.

Chen Shi, caught off guard, screamed out in pain, quickly pulling her hand back. She rubbed the red mark on the back of her hand and glared at Liu Yu, shouting, “What do you think you’re doing!”

Nie Xiaocui, seeing what had happened, couldn’t help but laugh, thinking, Well done, daughter. Liu Yu, with a cold expression, responded, “Grandmother, this fish belongs to our family!”

Liu Yu, who was particularly protective of food, knew that her grandmother wasn’t there with good intentions. Without giving Chen Shi another chance, she lifted the bowl of fish off the table and held it in her hands.

Seeing the fish about to be taken, Chen Shi was furious. “What do you mean ‘our family’? Your father is my son! Our family hasn’t been divided yet!”

Liu Yu nonchalantly cleaned her ears and replied, “Didn’t you say we should eat separately? You’ve already eaten, so why are you still coming over now?”

Chen Shi, unashamed, said, “I wasn’t full. I saw you guys eating and thought I’d come and have a bite. Don’t forget, I’m your grandmother! Your dad shows me respect, and that’s how it should be!”

Her words were audacious, but they held some truth. As the mother of Liu Jianjia, Chen Shi could treat her son however she pleased, but Liu Jianjia and his family were still obligated to honor her.

Because of this, Chen Shi could bully the eldest branch of the family without consequence, knowing they had a duty to care for her in her old age. Everyone had their own moral compass, and the word filial piety carried heavy weight.

Liu Yu spoke up: “Little brother, your grandmother wants some fish, so give her a bowl!”

Liu Ye hesitated, clearly unwilling. His parents hadn’t finished their share of the fish, so why should they give any to this troublesome old woman?

Liu Yu snapped, “What are you hesitating for? Just do it!”

Before Liu Ye could act, Liu Yu herself filled a bowl of fish and slammed it down in front of Chen Shi. “Grandmother, you can have some fish, but this is for you. Take it if you want, but don’t even think about taking the whole bowl!”

Chen Shi’s face turned pale with anger. “You little brat! How dare you tell me what to do!”

Liu Yu remained indifferent. “Since we agreed to eat separately, once you’re full, we can talk about how much food you’re going to give us for the month!”