Lady Zhang spoke up to this point and then said no more.
"If I could persuade, I would have..." Lian Shouxin also began to say something but abruptly stopped.
"Persuade who, about what?" Lian Manman looked at Lian Shouxin and then at Lady Zhang, pressing for an answer.
Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang exchanged a glance but remained silent.
Suddenly, Xiao Qi let out a cry.
"What's wrong, Xiao Qi?" Lian Manman asked hastily.
"My rice cake, several pieces are missing." Xiao Qi was holding a pastry bag in both hands, a look of heartache on his face.
"Keep your voice down." Lian Shouxin quickly said, "You're even counting those pastries? How do you know two pieces are missing, did you forget you ate them?"