Cultivation Daddy-Chapter 83: The useful Piece on her Board

Li Jain was moving around Fan Ruyin while finishing up his activity, he couldn’t understand why she was spacing out and just standing there.

Li set up the table and called out to the children: "Breakfast is served, clean up and come eat."

The children hurriedly went to clean up. Unfortunately, not everyone was excited for this morning breakfast. After all, it was all vegetable based.

Jingsheng, on the other hand, was very excited. He loves his father’s vegetable dishes. They were more complex and flavorful than simple meat dishes, after all, they were made with spiritual herbs. Unfortunately, his brothers were all meat lovers, and so his father could only make a tiny portion of veggies. But today is different, for the entire three meals, they’re going to be eating veggie-based dishes.

Yuhan, Zhang, and Jingxuan had long faces as they sat at the table.

"I bet Dad’s going to serve the Spring Willow Salad." Jingxuan whispered to Li Zhang, who shuddered in response.

"Don’t jinx it!" Li Zhang whispered back, glancing fearfully at the plates Li Jain was setting down.

The Spring Willow Salad is a well selling dish in the Tavern; it is packed with vital energy and it’s also affordable. But it was mostly made of bitter herbs, and it was their most hated dish.

As soon as Li Jain set down the Spring Willow Salad, Li Zhang felt his soul leaving his body.

Li Jain chuckled: "This Spring Willow Salad is my breakfast. You won’t have to eat, don’t worry."

Li Zhang breathed a sigh of relief and said ’that’s good’ a few times.

When all the dishes were served, the table was filled with more colors than they expected. Vegetable congee, a sweet pumpkin porridge, vegetable dumplings, carrot stir-fry, and braised jade tofu.

"Tofu?" Li Zhang reached out for a serving: "At least it’s fried."

"It’s not just any tofu, it’s Jade Tofu. Very expensive and highly refined." Li Cheng corrected him, as he served himself a portion of the stir-fry carrot.

"Father, all the dishes you make are wonderful." Li Jingsheng said with a smile: "Look how happy they all are eating."

"Eat more, if these are not enough, there’s more in the kitchen." Li Jain said with a smile, serving Juanxin the sweet pumpkin porridge.

"I will, thanks Dad," Jingsheng said in a deliberate sweet voice while staring at Li Zhang provokingly.

"Oh, how considerate of you, Li Jingsheng." Jingxuan said between grit teeth. After all, he was one of those suffering, even though he didn’t even get to participate!

Fan Ruyin sat at the far end of the table and watched their exchange with a slight frown. She had been totally ignored and couldn’t find the chance to jump into the conversation. She looked at the high-grade spiritual food on the table and hesitantly took a bite of the veggie dumpling. Her eyes widened instantly. The texture was smooth and it was very flavorful. It also has a powerful wave of spiritual energy, not inferior to the high-quality spiritual dishes she had eaten.

"This... this is excellent." She said loudly, all pairs of eyes on the table were instantly turned towards her.

She coughs awkwardly and tries to cover reaction: "You’ve truly become skilled, Li Jain."

Li Jian only gave a faint smile in response, focusing on the children: "This new ’who gets to decide daily meal game’ you all are playing, how long will it last?"

"Untill, I get my turn to eat all of my favorite dishes." Li Zhang said as a matter of fact.

"Well, then you’ll have to wait very long. Because from tomorrow onwards, I’ll be victorious in every game."

Jingxuan rolled his eyes: "What are you talking about? I will be the one to obtain victory today, just you watch."

"According to the rules, the winner of every game would have to decide the next game." Li Cheng kindly reminded them.

"You want Sheng to win again?" Li Zhang was puzzled: "I know you don’t like vegetables, so don’t pretend you do. If Sheng wins, we’re going to become vegetarians!"

"I never said I like veggies, I was only stating the rules. And besides, switching meals up once in a while is not bad." Li Cheng argues back

"Huh!"

The usual playful atmosphere returned all thanks to the so-called game ’Who gets to decide daily meals?’ The tension from Fan Ruyin arrival was slowly fading away. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Today will be just as busy as yesterday." Li Jain said, announcing his plans for the day: "I will be going to the bank right after breakfast to get the banknotes, and also head to the Academies to finish up the registrations, collect your materials, including books and uniforms."

"I will escort you." Li Yujian offers

"You don’t need to."

"But you have never gone to the bank before and don’t know the way or the process to open an account." Yujian pointed out.

Li Jain pauses and laughs: "Ok boss, I’ll be counting on you."

"I want to go too." Juanxin held his father’s hand, making a cute face.

Li Jain’s expression immediately softens: "You want to come?"

Juanxin made a fist and nodded: "Yes, I can also help you out if you run into any trouble."

"I feel more safer now." Li Jain laughed and shook his head helplessly: "Anyone else wants to join us?"

Li Jingsheng thought for a while and shook his head: "I am currently on the third form of my new sword technique. I want to stay behind and perfect it."

Jingxuan wanted to follow his father, but he didn’t want to be left far behind by Jingsheng, so he decided to stay as well: "I’ll also stay and practice."

"Zhang and I would stay as well and help out in the restaurant." Yuhan said, wrapping his arm around Li Zhang’s shoulder.

Li Zhang nodded in response: "Yeah, you can rest assured Dad, we’ll handle it."

"What about you, Cheng’er?" Li Jain asked Li Cheng who was in thought.

"I’ll stay and watch over them, making sure nothing goes wrong. Jian-ge is leaving, if I leave as well, we can’t guarantee that we’ll meet the house in one piece, when we return." Li Cheng said without looking up.

Li Yuhan frowned: "Hey, what do you mean watch over us? I am the second oldest in case you’ve forgotten."

Li Cheng rolled his eyes: "You just said you’ll be helping out with the Tavern, how would you have the time to look after our younger siblings?"

Li Yuhan scoffed: "That’s why I’m perfect, I can do both."

"You can barely manage yourself." Li Cheng mutter flatly

"What did you say, I dare you to say it again!" Li Yuhan stood up and snap

"Oh, I’m so scared. Do you want to fight?" Li Cheng also stood up.

Li Zhang’s eyes sparkled and he did the drum roll: "Fight, fight, fight..."

"Enough!" Li Jain said to them seriously: "I am expecting you guys to work together while I’m not here. Fighting foolishly is a bad example for the younger ones."

He stared at Li Cheng, waiting for him to recognize his mistake. Li Cheng knew he was wrong, so he bowed slightly and apologized: "I’m sorry, Han-ge."

"You’re still a kid; I can’t bother with you." Li Yuhan scoffed

Li Cheng immediately flew into a rage: "Why you...!"

"Guys!" Li Jain sighed helplessly

"I would like to go with you. I want to see what the banks here look like." Fan Ruyin who had been silent finally spoke.

Li Jain wasn’t against her following them, he looked at her and then at Juanxin and hesitated. Before he could make a decision, Yujian beat him to it.

"Aunt," Li Yujian called out, the single word made Fan Ruyin smile stiff

Yujian pretends not to see her expression and continues: "You’ve just arrived and haven’t gotten yourself familiar with the place yet. And besides, Xinxin is wary of you. It’s better you stay so you won’t make him uncomfortable."

His words were raw, as he states the obvious.

"Xiao Jian is right; you should stay back and rest." Li Jain also agrees. To him, his children are first priority.

Fan Ruyin’s smile twisted again as she stared at Li Juanxin thoughtfully. A realization suddenly hit her; the entire family doted on Juanxin. If she wants her plans to go smoothly, her first step would be winning him over.

She hadn’t expected the sickly son with the worst talent to be the most useful piece on her board.

Fang Ruyin’s smile brightened again: "You’re right, I’ll stay behind and get familiar with the area."

Li Jain nodded: "That’s fine." He was glad that she was so understanding.

Fang Ruyin lowered her eyes, hiding the calculation within them. Li Yujian frowned, keeping a watchful eye on her.

If he was only suspecting her before, now he was certain that the woman was up to no good.