Chapter 350: Chapter 182 Debt_1
"I think Old Jin is just being superfluous," Lian Shouyi broke the silence, "Big brother should also be sending money over soon."
What Lian Shouyi meant was that it was unnecessary for Old Jin to come and press for debts, as Lian Shouren would surely send the money back on time.
No one agreed with Lian Shouyi’s words. The last time Lian Shouren had been beaten, he had stayed at home behaving himself for a few days, then went back to the county town. After that departure, there was no news from him.
How the high-interest loan was incurred, Lian Shouren surely hadn’t forgotten. As the day to repay the money approaches, had he managed to raise any funds, how much had he raised, and when would he send it back? Even if he was delayed by some matters, he should have asked someone to send a message back home to put everyone’s mind at ease.
But there was not a peep from his end.
Recalling all she had seen of Lian Shouren’s actions, Lian Manman concluded that Lian Shouren was indeed an irresponsible person who could not be trusted to handle affairs.
Old Master Lian was naturally an impatient man, and the fact that he had waited this long without saying anything probably meant he held high expectations for Lian Shouren. Now that he was gathering his sons, it indicated his trust and expectations for Lian Shouren had begun to waver. Old Master Lian couldn’t sit still anymore.
Old Master Lian’s gaze swept over his sons.
"First thing tomorrow morning, Old Second and Old Three, you two go to the county town," Old Master Lian said, "Bring your big brother back home and the money that should be repaid."
"Is big brother going to wait until that day to come back?" Lian Shouyi said, "He’s a busy man nowadays."
"What’s he busy with, isn’t he aware of such a big issue?" Old Master Lian roared.
"Why take it out on me." Lian Shouyi pouted and muttered under his breath.
After shouting that sentence, Old Master Lian suddenly started coughing violently.
Lian Manman quickly ran out, poured a bowl of water, and handed it to Old Master Lian.
"Grandpa, have a sip of water, take your time," Lian Manman said.
Lady Zhou moved to Old Master Lian’s side and vigorously patted his back. Old Master Lian waved his hand to stop her and took the bowl from Lian Manman’s hand, downing the water in one gulp.
"That money is no small sum, if we can’t pay it back by the due date, the interest will compound! When you go, tell them it’s my word, bring back both the money and your big brother... and have Jizu come back, too; it’s almost New Year," Old Master Lian took a breath, calming down a bit before continuing.
"Get up early tomorrow to cook," Old Master Lian then directed to Lady Zhou.
...
The next day, there was early activity in the courtyard of the Lian Family. Lady Zhang got up from her bed and dressed in the dark. Lian Manman also woke up, and as she got dressed, she saw light coming from the direction of the Upper Room through the papered window.
"My grandmother and the others are up," Lian Manman remarked.
"Mm-hmm, aren’t your Second Uncle and Third Uncle going to the county town today?" Lady Zhang responded.
Because Lian Shouli was going to the county, Lady Zhao had gotten up early and even prepared hot water for Lady Zhang. Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, and Lian Manman’s mother washed up simply, planning to start work early at the breakfast shop.
Lian Shouli and Lian Shouyi had already eaten breakfast and were standing in the courtyard. Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu were busy packing buns and frozen tofu into bags. Old Master Lian watched them as he smoked his dry pipe.
As per tradition, Lian Shouren’s family was expected to return to the village for the New Year. These buns and frozen tofu were gifts for Old Master Lian, Lady Zhou, and their eldest daughter Lian Xiuxiu.
"Tie the bags tight to prevent anything from falling out along the way," Old Master instructed.
Lian Shouli then went over and secured the bags tightly with hemp ropes. Lady Zhao emerged from the house, holding a worn piece of a cotton door curtain, and draped it over Lian Shouli’s back. Lady Zhou did likewise for Lian Shouyi.
Lian Shouli grabbed the mouth of a bag, squatted down, and with Lady Zhao’s help lifting the bag, he stood up with a sack of buns on his back.
"Mom, give me some money," Lian Shouyi stretched his hand out to Lady Zhou.
"What do you need money for, won’t your big sister provide for your food and drink when you get there? Just go," Lady Zhou pointed at the door, urging them to leave.
With no other choice, Lian Shouyi picked up a bag of frozen tofu under Lady Zhou’s insistence.
"Dad, Mom, we’re leaving now," Lian Shouli said to Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.
"Go on, be careful on the road. Remember my words, leave early and return early, don’t make the family worry," Old Master Lian waved his hand.
