My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

Li Chengqian frowned slightly, looked up at Xiao Sizi, and gently gave him some instructions.

"Sizi, your brother is going to the door to get some things. You stay here and watch quietly, and don't move around."

Little Sizi mumbled an "Mmm," her big eyes never leaving the screen.

Li Chengqian shook his head helplessly, maneuvered his wheelchair, and slowly drove away from the warm and brightly lit lobby, heading towards the hotel's main entrance.

The rubber wheels of the wheelchair rubbed against the wooden floor, making a smooth and slight sound.

"Squeak—"

Pushing open the wooden door, the slightly intense afternoon sunlight immediately flooded in.

A small van was parked in front of the door.

The side of the truck was printed with the logo and words of a logistics company.

A middle-aged driver in overalls and a baseball cap was standing next to the car, holding a splint and looking down at something. He looked up when he heard the door open.

"Is it the Time Hotel?"

The driver's gaze swept over Li Chengqian and the wheelchair beneath him.

Please sign for your belongings.

"My things? But I didn't buy anything!"

Li Chengqian looked puzzled.

Just as I was about to take a look, I heard Li Lizhi's voice.

"Brother? What brings you to the door? Is something the matter?"

Li Chengqian turned around.

Li Lizhi was just coming out of the courtyard, wearing a plain apron around her waist, and her hands seemed to be covered in flour.

She walked quickly to Li Chengqian's side, first looking her brother up and down to make sure he was alright, before noticing the small truck.

"This is……?"

Li Lizhi looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"This is the delivery driver."

"Brother, what did you buy?"

Li Lizhi asked in surprise.

Li Chengqian shook his head, looking equally puzzled.

The driver glanced at them, then at the order.

"That's right! This is the Time Hotel!"

The driver walked closer and checked the order information on the tray again.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Li Chengqian?"

Li Chengqian nodded.

"That's right!"

The driver breathed a sigh of relief and handed over the clipboard and pen.

"You have a box of fruit. Please sign for it here."

fruit?

Li Chengqian and Li Lizhi exchanged a glance.

Li Chengqian, in particular, was struck by a sudden thought. He took the pen, signed his name, and asked with an expectant look on his face.

"What kind of fruit is it?"

The driver took back the receipt, turned around, opened the truck door, and took out a sturdy cardboard box.

"I've put them here for you. These oranges are nice, quite fresh."

tangerine?!

Li Chengqian's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly the moment he heard those two words.

He glanced at the cardboard box, looking at the pattern on it.

really!!!!!

Li Chengqian was excited, but his expression remained unchanged as he nodded slightly.

"Hmm...good...not bad..."

Li Lizhi also saw the pattern on the box clearly, and a look of realization and a slight smile appeared on her face.

"Oh, it's oranges. Manager Chen is so thoughtful."

She crouched down and carefully examined the sealing tape and the condition of the box, confirming that it was intact.

"Brother, let me move it inside first; it's not appropriate to leave it by the door."

"Um."

Li Chengqian nodded, but his gaze remained fixed on the box of oranges.

Once the goods were handed over, the driver didn't linger any longer, said "goodbye," and got back into the car.

Soon, the small truck disappeared at the alley entrance.

Li Lizhi tried to move the cardboard box.

She hugged it tightly, and the box barely lifted off the ground before she felt her wrist sink, almost slipping from her grasp. She quickly put it back down, a barely perceptible blush rising on her face.

She glanced at Li Chengqian, coughed lightly, and then exerted force.

The box still didn't come up.

How much did Manager Chen buy?!

Seeing this, Li Chengqian couldn't stop smiling and was about to step forward to help.

"I'll do it."

A voice rang out from the courtyard.

The two looked over at the sound and saw that Liu Ju had walked over from the main hall at some point.

He walked over in a few steps, his gaze sweeping over the box of oranges, then at the slightly embarrassed Li Lizhi and Li Chengqian in the wheelchair.

Thank you for your trouble.

Li Lizhi stepped aside slightly and expressed her gratitude.

"It was just a small favor."

Liu Ju smiled, bent down, and with a surge of strength, steadily lifted the box of oranges.

He even weighed it in his hand and casually remarked, "Hmm, it's a good fruit, quite heavy."

Li Lizhi hurriedly led the way.

"Please come with me, just put it in the kitchen."

Liu Ju nodded, picked up the box of oranges, and followed Li Lizhi toward the backyard.

Soon, the oranges were placed in the basket.

Li Lizhi habitually walked to the sink to wash her hands, naturally planning what to do with her name.

"Brother, please have a seat first. I'll wash some oranges and prepare a few simple side dishes. It'll be ready soon..."

"Wait a minute!"

Li Lizhi stopped what she was doing and turned to look at Li Chengqian.

"Beautiful"

Li Chengqian spoke up, his expression unusually solemn.

"Maybe we shouldn't cook! Let's just order takeout!"

Li Lizhi's face showed disapproval, and she frowned slightly.

"Brother, with Young Master Liu here as a guest, how can we be negligent? Ordering takeout is ultimately inappropriate. Manager Chen previously warned us that takeout food is often oily, has mixed flavors, and the ingredients are unclear. It's fine to try something new occasionally, but how can we rely on it every day? It's not good for our health either!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ju looked at Li Chengqian, somewhat puzzled.

Li Chengqian glanced at him.

That glance was rather complex.

Liu Ju was stunned by Li Chengqian's meaningful glance, blinked, and became even more puzzled.

"Why does Brother Chengqian have such an expression?"

Li Chengqian sighed deeply.

"Alright, alright!!!"

Li Lizhi seemed somewhat embarrassed and annoyed by Li Chengqian's repeated dissuasion, and pushed Li Chengqian outside.

"Brothers, please go out and rest first! Don't bother me here! It'll be ready in a little while, I promise you'll have a satisfying meal!"

"Lizhi, listen to me..."

Li Chengqian still wanted to make a final stand.

"Brother! Just trust Lizhi! I'm sure I can do it this time!"

After speaking, Li Lizhi looked at Liu Ju.

"Young Master Liu, please go to the main hall and have some tea and fruit first. I'll be right there!"

After saying that, Li Lizhi closed the kitchen door.

Li Chengqian tilted his head back slightly, closed his eyes, and sighed deeply.

Standing beside him, Liu Ju looked at Li Chengqian's expression of being on high alert yet helpless, and finally couldn't help but lower his voice and ask.

"Brother Chengqian, why were you so insistent just now?"

Li Chengqian slowly opened his eyes and sighed again.

According to my brother…

Li Chengqian's voice carried a sense of vicissitude, as if he had been through it all.

"Later... when we have dinner, please... be understanding no matter what Lizhi serves. The thought is always kind."

He paused, as if remembering something, and added a sentence in a heavy tone.

If you find the color unusual, or the smell... unusual, just take a small bite and stop; never force yourself to eat it.

Liu Ju: ? ? ?