Recipes To Expand Family Tree

Lu Lijun looked at his brother questioningly as he silently waited for an answer from his older brother, who was startled by Lu Lijun's sudden appearance. When Lu Lijun didn't get any reply, he quickly continued.

"But elder brother, you don't like pets, then why are you bringing it? I don't like cats. If you want a pet in the house, bring a dog. I like dogs," Lu Lijun said without a pause, a cute smile on his chubby face and a tinge of anticipation in his eyes.

Everyone broke into laughter as they heard the innocent words of Lu Lijun and it confused the young boy.

"Come here." Smiling, Lu Qiang called his little brother to stand next to him.

"My dream would become impossible if your brother brings a dog instead of a cat. I would have to go to my deathbed without seeing the next generation," elder Lu commented.

"What do you mean, grandpa?" Lu Lijun asked with a confused expression.

Lu Qiang coughed involuntarily to hide his scandalized expression.

"Lu Lijun! What's that in your hands?" Lu Qiang asked, hoping to distract the young boy before the grandpa could break into another dialogue about lewd things and corrupt his innocent brother.

"Oh, this?" Lu Lijun looked at the gift in his hands. "This is the birthday gift I have prepared for you. Happy birthday, elder brother." He gently passed the box to his brother.

"Thank you so much," Lu Qiang said as he received the gift.

"Won't you open it?" Lu Lijun asked.

"Of course, I will."

One could hear elder Lu grumbling in dissatisfaction as Lu Qiang started to open the gift. "He's not getting late for office now. Rascal!"

"No, I am not. I have all the time in the world for my little brother," Lu Qiang declared in a firm voice.

Hearing it, Lu Lijun had a pleasant smile on his face  and a teasing look intended for his grandfather.

The family members were well aware of the biased reactions they would get from Lu Qiang when it came to his younger brother. His words, which were precious gifts for others, were showered freely on his brother. His attention and love belonged to Lu Lijun alone.

If one were to calculate the amount of attention and time spend on each, Lu Lijun would win with a swooping seventy-five percent, while the remaining family and others would gain only fifteen and ten percent, respectively.

While outsiders envied the warm treatment his family received from Lu Qiang, the entire family felt envious of the little brother who was treated like a prince compared to them.

"What's that in your hand, brother?" Lu Lijun asked quietly as he stared at the white packet.

Lu Qiang was at a loss for words. He surreptitiously looked at the package. "This? It's noth—"

"There are various recipes to expand our family tree."

A voice interrupted Lu Qiang's words. Lu Qiang turned to the source with a fierce expression on his face.

He saw elder Lu sitting with a smirk on his lips, his expression emoting his thoughts. 'Now explain this to your precious younger brother for whom you have all the time in the world.'

"Recipes? Brother, are you going to cook?" Lu Lijun asked.

"Well! Don't pay attention to grandpa. I am not—"

"I want to cook, too."

Lu Qiang was  interrupted yet again. This time it was Lu Lijun jumping with happiness.

"You are next in line to cook after your brother creates beautiful dishes." Saying, elder Lu mischievously smiled as he threw a glance at Lu Qiang.

"I will cook nothing. Let's open the gift first. I am excited to see what my brother brought for me," Lu Qiang said with a forced smile on his face, suppressing the annoyance caused by his grandpa.

Opening the box, Lu Qiang saw a tiny white robot kept inside it. He took it out from the box and asked his brother, "Did you make it? It's really  nice."

Nodding, Lu Lijun instructed, "It will wake you up in the morning. It has a feature that allows you to set an alarm!"

Lu Lijun took the robot from his brother's hand and pressed on a few things. The robot reacted immediately, moving its limbs.

"Good morning, brother. It's time to wake up!" The words were recorded in Lu Lijun's voice.

"Do you like it, elder brother?" he asked.

"Yes! I like everything that comes from you." Lu Qiang hugged his brother, patting his head with one hand.

"You liked his gift, but what about mine?" Grandpa was sulking like a child.

"Grandpa, you gave brother Lu Qiang a gift? Where is it?" Lu Lijun asked with a little curious expression on his face.

"It's there, in your brother's hand." Elder Lu replied while pointing towards a white paper packet.

"Did you give him a recipe book? Do you really want the elder brother to cook?" Lu Lijun asked.

Grandpa nodded with an innocent expression on his face.

"Is that so? Then I'll help him too. Elder brother, give me the recipe book."

"It's not a recipe book. Grandpa is just trying to pull your leg. These are some important documents related to the company, so you can't touch it. Have you done checking all the features of the laptop I gifted you?" Lu Qiang suddenly changed the topic.

"Not yet, brother!"

"Then go and  check it out. Later, we will play games on it together."

"You will play with me?" he rejoiced. "I will do it right away. I am going back to my room, then." Saying, Lu Lijun left for his room upstairs.