Gu Lanyan looked at the pineapples and said, "They really are pineapples. I've seen them at the market. So many? Did Captain Ye take the wrong ones and bring the ones he took back to the provincial capital to us?"
Hua Kai understands Ye Yifan's personality; he's not impulsive. Besides, this stuff has a very strong smell; he brought it down, so how could he not know? Therefore, this is something he brought for his own family.
She then opened the box next to her; it contained mooncakes from Yuanquanfeng, a well-known local brand.
Next to it is a box of Fuji apples. Changyuan City also has apples, but they are all local varieties and are relatively small. This kind of Fuji apple produced in Bincheng is not common here.
She said to Gu Lanyan, "Mom, this is what Captain Ye gave us. Don't worry about it. Captain Ye was very satisfied with our cooperation this time, so he was in a good mood and brought us these things to show his sincerity. Don't overthink it. These things are sold in the city's farmers' markets. They're not rare in the city, but they're rare here."
Gu Lanyan looked at Hua Wanjiang: "Her father, since the child has said so, let's accept it. We shouldn't let Captain Ye suffer any more in the future. What goes around comes around, right?"
Hua Wanjiang said to Hua Kai, "Kai Kai, in the future, when you do business with Captain Ye, you'll have to suffer more losses. After all, without his help, we don't know what our family would be like."
Hua Kai quickly agreed, "Okay, Dad, let's move these things inside."
"Look at all this stuff, how much does this cost?" Gu Lanyan muttered as she took things out of the house.
Hua Qingyang, carrying a box of pineapples, asked, "Mom and Dad, can we try some of these pineapples first?"
Hua Wanjiang said, "How can we eat such good stuff ourselves? Wouldn't that be a waste? We should give it as a gift. This is a rare item to give as a gift. Since it's a holiday, you can go to your maternal grandmother's house and give her one, a few apples, a bag of mooncakes, and some meat or something."
Hua Kai had some impressions of her maternal grandmother's house, but not many, because the original owner's diary didn't contain much information. She only knew that her maternal grandmother's house was in the countryside, and it would take almost an hour to get there by bus.
Her maternal grandfather passed away early, leaving behind three children: her mother, who was the eldest, an aunt, and an uncle. Her maternal grandmother lived with her uncle's family. Because her family was poor and not very close, Gu Lanyan rarely went back to her parents' home. She would only go back once a year for a few major holidays, and she had no memory of going back more than that.
Gu Lanyan felt a pang of longing for her family as Hua Wanjiang talked about her own, but she had to go to the market the next day, and the autumn harvest would begin that afternoon.
So she said, "Then let Kaikai take Qingyang to his maternal grandmother's place tomorrow. I have to go to the market in the morning, and let's not miss the corn-picking in the afternoon."
Hua Wanjiang said, "That's fine. After the autumn harvest, we'll find some time to go again. This time, let the children visit the elderly. That will show our appreciation."
Hua Kai knew that her family was busy, so she said, "Mom and Dad, my brother and I will leave first thing tomorrow morning and come back in the afternoon to husk corn with you."
Hua Wanjiang said, "No need, you two are both students, just focus on your studies."
Hua Kai knew there was no point in talking about it; she just needed to come back early tomorrow.
But at this moment, Hua Qingyang held a pineapple and looked at it longingly: "Give one to Grandma's family, there are still five left. Give one to Grandpa, there are still four left. Surely I can have one to try?"
Hua Kai looked at her younger brother and laughed uncontrollably: "You glutton, do you really think Mom and Dad won't let you eat? I'll cut it for you right now. Go get a bowl, put in a little salt. The pineapple will taste even better if you soak it in salt water after cutting it."
Hua Qingyang happily skipped away to prepare the diluted salt water.
Hua Wanjiang also laughed and said, "This kid only has a heart for food."
Besides the pineapple, Huakai also washed two apples, which she will cut together later. Otherwise, her parents will be reluctant to eat either of them, but once they are cut up, they will at least have a few bites.
A short while later, Hua Kai brought in a plate of cut fruit. Since there were no toothpicks or forks, she brought a few pairs of chopsticks instead.
Hua Qingyang called out enthusiastically, but he was very well-behaved, waiting for his parents, brothers, and sisters to start eating first.
Hua Kai cut the pineapple into large pieces. She used her chopsticks to pick up two pieces of pineapple and gave them to Hua Wanjiang and Gu Lanyan first: "Mom and Dad, you eat first."
Hua Wanjiang and Gu Lanyan knew that the children were sensible; if they didn't eat, the children wouldn't eat either. So, they went over, took a bite, and said the fruit was delicious, urging Hua Kai and the others to eat as well.
How could Hua Kai in her past life have imagined that a pineapple could bring such joy to a family? In her past life, she had never lacked food or drink, but she had never experienced this kind of happiness.
While eating, Hua Wanjiang said, "You guys should send one over to your grandfather later."
Although she didn't like that side of the village, Ye Yifan had come today and brought these things. Some people in the village saw it, and since her family was supposed to be filial, they would have done their duty. So, this was something Hua Kai had expected, and she agreed along with her brother and younger brother.
Hua Wanjiang and Gu Lanyan each tried a piece, then said they wouldn't eat any more, saying it was too sweet and they couldn't get used to it.
Hua Kai sighed inwardly, thinking that every parent had probably told such a lie, and that children only understood it after they had their own children. Perhaps she understood it earlier than most people because she envied her stepmother's treatment of her stepbrother in a past life.
“Old man, look at this. They bought a bunch of rare things, but didn’t even think to send us any. I’m their stepmother, so it’s one thing, but you’re their biological father. This is so unfilial.” Zheng Shuzhen’s voice came from the doorway.
Hua Kai and the others were chatting and laughing loudly and didn't notice anyone coming in. Of course, Zheng Shuzhen also had this habit; she would come in very quietly, just to hear what was being said inside.
When Hua Kai and the others heard Zheng Shuzhen's voice, they all looked over.
Hua Wanjiang, who was closer to the door, quickly said, "Father and Mother, you've arrived. I was just saying I'd have the children bring you pineapples and apples later, and here you are."
Zheng Shuzhen said sarcastically, "Oh, now that we're here, we see you. If we hadn't come, how would we know if you'd seen us off or not?"
Hua Kai couldn't stand it anymore: "Grandma, since you're not sure whether we'll send it or not, then don't use your own ideas to judge us."
Zheng Shuzhen swallowed hard as she smelled the pineapple: "I think you just don't want to send it. If you had that kind of filial piety, why didn't you send it over sooner?"
Hua Kai smiled and said, "My older brother and I just got back half an hour ago. It's my brother's first time leaving home. Doesn't he need to tell our parents about his experiences during this time? Doesn't he need to say some heartfelt words to our parents?"
After saying that, Hua Kai asked Zheng Shuzhen, "Grandma, this is the first time my brother has left home, and you all come here to find fault? Why don't you even ask about your grandson, whether he has suffered outside? We understand that he is not a blood relative and doesn't love us."
These words left Zheng Shuzhen speechless for a moment.
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