Chapter 349: Chapter 181 December_2
"There’s no such justice in this world! Just watch." Lian Manman scoffed, "If she had even a shred of conscience, she would’ve promptly repaid the money." Even without a conscience, for their own good, they should pay off the debt.
Because of this thought, Lian Manman did not take it too much to heart. After all, they had officially separated themselves from the family, and the debts owed by Lian Huahua were not beyond her ability to pay. Even if Lian Huahua couldn’t pay, the next in line would be Lian Shouren and Lady Gu, followed by Old Master Lian and the second and third households who hadn’t separated from the family. It had nothing to do with their Fourth Household.
It was best not to get involved in this matter.
...
In the afternoon, Lian Shouxin, Lady Zhang, and Lady Zhao returned from the shop. Wu Lang and Xiao Qi didn’t come back; the two stayed at the shop, both to watch over it and to study.
Lian Shouxin then went to the Upper Room to visit Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou. Since he started the shop, he didn’t stay at the old residence at night and had formed a habit of visiting the Upper Room every day in the afternoon, whether there was something to do or not.
In the countryside, there was no such practice as paying respects, yet Lian Shouxin did so naturally.
This time, Lian Shouxin stayed in the Upper Room for a bit longer, and when he returned, his face was filled with worry.
"What exactly has happened now?" Lady Zhang asked upon seeing him.
"Old Jin came in the morning," Lian Shouxin replied as he sat on the edge of the kang bed with a sigh.
"Has he come for the debt?" Lady Zhang was alarmed.
"Old Jin didn’t say anything; he just ate and left," Lian Shouxin said.
"Well, there’s nothing more to say," Lady Zhang counted on her fingers. "The money that’s due by Laba Festival is coming up soon, and there aren’t many days left."
"Father, how do you know Old Jin came?" Lian Manman asked.
"Your grandma told me," Lian Shouxin said.
"Then, did Grandpa and Grandma mention any rules and regulations?" Lian Manman asked further.
"What rules and regulations? They said to wait another two days for the elder brother to bring the money... it was all agreed upon before. Even if Sister Huahua forgot, elder brother and elder sister-in-law can’t forget. Being late by even a day would mean a significant loss of money," Lian Shouxin explained.
Lady Zhang, Lian Manman, and Lian Zhizhi were all silent for a moment.
"Let’s just wait then; Old Master must have a plan," Lady Zhang remarked, clearly unenthusiastic about the topic and Lian Shouxin’s comments.
"Right," Lian Manman eagerly agreed, "Father, to Sister Huahua, those sums of money are nothing. Remember what they said at the start! Anyway, we have separated and started our own household. Some matters we can’t help about, and we shouldn’t get involved with. We should focus more on the affairs of our own shop."
"That’s the very reason," Lady Zhang agreed.
Though they said this, Lian Manman still spent a bit more thought on this matter, paying attention to it.
Three days passed with no sign of activity from the county town. Old Master Lian’s complexion grew worse day by day. On the twenty-ninth of the winter month, Old Jin came again. He arrived in the evening this time. Lian Manman was chopping pickled vegetables; they planned to stew pickled vegetables with frozen tofu for dinner.
"Old Jin has come," Wu Lang said as he came inside carrying a bundle of firewood.
The knife in Lian Manman’s hand paused briefly.
"Has he gone to the Upper Room?"
"Hmm."
"The Old Master is still hoping his elder brother sends money back. Could it be they’ll return only on the day of the deadline?" Lady Zhang muttered to herself in the room. "Even if he doesn’t take it seriously, he should consider the Old Master’s temperament. At his advanced age, he can’t withstand any trouble."
The day to repay the debt was fast approaching. What would Lian Shouren and his family do? Lian Manman had no way of knowing.
The family quickly finished their dinner, tidied up, and were about to head to the shop when Lian Xiuxiu came from the Upper Room and blocked the doorway.
"Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister-in-Law, Father and Mother want you to come over," Lian Xiuxiu said with a cold face.
"We’ll be right there. Xiuxiu, you go back first," Lady Zhang promised, while nudging Lian Shouxin with her elbow, whispering, "You go to the shop first. I’ll see what Father and Mother want."
Lian Xiuxiu stood at the door, motionless.
"Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister-in-Law, Father and Mother are waiting for both of you... You both must go," Lian Xiuxiu said.
Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang exchanged glances and had no choice but to go to the Upper Room. Only then did Lian Xiuxiu move aside, following closely behind them as if to ensure they wouldn’t escape.
Old Jin must have put more pressure on Old Master Lian just now, reminding him that the repayment day was nearing. At this moment, calling Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang over, and with Lian Xiuxiu putting on such an act, what could it be for? Lian Manman felt a stir in her heart and frowned. "Mother, wait for me. I’ll come too," Lian Manman called out to Lady Zhang hurriedly.
Upon hearing Lian Manman’s call, Lady Zhang stopped. Lian Manman quickly followed.
"Mother, can you guess why Grandfather and Grandmother are calling us over?" Lian Manman pulled Lady Zhang aside, away from Lian Xiuxiu, and spoke in a lowered voice.
Lian Xiuxiu’s attention seemed more focused on Lian Shouxin, without paying much heed to Lady Zhang and Lian Manman.
"I’ve guessed it." Lady Zhang glanced toward the Upper Room, her brow deeply furrowed. Precisely because she had guessed it, she had wanted Lian Shouxin to go to the shop, to avoid this matter. Unfortunately, it was unsuccessful.
"Mother, keep an eye on Father later... don’t let him make a fool of himself," Lian Manman whispered her instructions.
Lady Zhang nodded solemnly.
Lian Manman followed Lady Zhang into the Upper Room and immediately felt the unusually oppressive atmosphere inside.
Old Master Lian, Lady Zhou, Lian Shouyi’s family, and the couple, Lian Shouli, were all there, everyone with stern faces.
Lian Manman didn’t speak; she sat down next to Lian Shouxin.
"Old Jin came again today." Old Master Lian began to talk slowly after everyone had assembled.
That was all he said before he started puffing on his dry tobacco pipe.
Old Master Lian appeared to have smoked quite a bit already. With the doors and windows tightly shut against the winter’s chill, the room was filled with smoke. Lian Manman was choked by the smoke and wanted to cough, but she managed to hold it back. She took the opportunity to glance at Old Master Lian.
Old Master Lian sat there, his normally straight back now slightly curved as if bearing a heavy stone.
No one in the room spoke.
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The second update, begging for support. 555, I’ve been adding extra Chapters for so many days now, but the number of votes is still pitiful, not even making it into the top 15. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
