The following day in the central kitchen, Fu Lian busied herself preparing breakfast for the soldiers. Laughter suddenly echoed through the space, drawing the attention of nearby helpers. Glancing up, they spotted several soldiers holding baskets brimming with fruits. Their playful interactions with a girl in a white dress were hard to miss.
Amidst the scene, Fu Qin plucked an apple from a basket. Ignoring Bing Shi's earlier warning, she approached Fu Lian and extended the apple with a beaming smile. "For my dearest sister," she cheerfully offered, "I cultivated them last night. They have revitalizing properties. Our father likes them the most."
As Fu Lian reached out for the apple, it slipped from Fu Qin's grasp and fell to the floor.
