Chapter 358: Chapter 186 Vomiting Blood_1
Ever since Lian Manman and the others had entered, Old Master Lian had not made a sound, but now, there was finally some movement.
"Wu Lang," Lian Shouxin called out.
Wu Lang and Xiao Qi let go of Si Lang, stood up, and returned to Lian Shouxin’s side. Lian Yeye also kicked Si Lang one more time before turning back.
Si Lang, grinning through tears, struggled up from the ground. His face had been scratched by Lian Manman and Lian Yeye so badly that it was unrecognizable. Lian Zhizhi was older and at an age where she should be conscious of her appearance, so she had not laid hands on him. Manman remembered this and deliberately scratched Si Lang’s face a few more times for Zhizhi’s sake.
She had done it deliberately to Si Lang’s face. With such a face, if he went out, he would certainly be questioned about the cause. That would be interesting, wouldn’t it?
"Si Lang has become capable, knowing how to exchange us for money," Lian Manman didn’t wait for Old Master Lian to speak but interrogated, "Who taught him this?"
No wonder Si Lang, even though afraid of her, could act that way at the breakfast shop. He must have overheard something behind the scenes, thinking she was about to face misfortune, so he wasn’t that afraid of her anymore. Who could it be, and what exactly was said?
At this moment, Lian Manman was not necessarily determined to investigate these matters, because she was certain that the situation at hand meant that those events would definitely not occur now. Lian Shouyi had come back early to set things up, hadn’t he? They had beaten Si Lang and seized on the topic, disrupting the opposition’s steps and gaining the upper hand. This also demonstrated their attitude of not submitting to others’ control.
"When did Si Lang ever say he wanted to exchange you for money? Manman, why are you being so fierce?" Lady He saw Si Lang beaten, with Old Three and Old Fourth’s families banding together, and with Lian Shouyi a bit intimidated, she knew her family was in the wrong and didn’t dare to flare up, merely attempting to defend.
"We all saw it, heard it, you can’t deny it!" Lian Yeye shouted.
"Alright, alright, enough already. There’s a big issue to discuss right now, let’s set the other matters aside for the moment." Seeing they would surely be at a disadvantage if the conversation continued, Lian Shouyi forcefully argued, "Let’s talk about how to raise the money and repay the debt."
Lian Yeye wanted to speak, but Lian Manman stopped her with a look. This matter would come up sooner or later, so they might as well hear what their plans were.
"Father, how are you feeling? Should we invite Doctor Li to take a look?" Lian Shouxin asked, concerned for Old Master Lian’s haggard appearance.
Old Master Lian waved his hand.
"I have no illness."
After saying this, Old Master Lian fell silent.
The complexity of his feelings at this moment was indescribable. Disappointment, anger, anxiety, heartache, and other emotions entangled his heart into a mess.
Lian Shouyi had brought back silver, to his delighted surprise. Yet, when he learned it was only four hundred taels, his heart nearly sank to the depths. Lian Shouyi told him that Lian Shouren had done his best, pawning almost all his clothing, leaving only a thin jacket on his back, and had caught a cold as a result.
If it were a small amount, he would grit his teeth and come up with the money without a second word. But eight hundred taels, even at his wealthiest, his total fortune couldn’t come up with eight hundred taels of silver. With his current assets, even counting house and land, he could only put together a pittance.
Regarding Lian Shouyi’s words, he had his doubts. Yet, deep down, he didn’t want to suspect. What eight hundred taels of silver meant to him, to the Lian Family, he believed Lian Shouren should understand. Understanding yet acting this way, what was the intention?
No, no, no, Lian Shouren was his son, whom he had watched grow up. Yes, the boy had flaws, but he was not bad. Lian Shouren must have his reasons for necessity.
What to do? The problem was upon them. He was the head of this family, with a debt nearing its due date. He had to set aside all these matters and prioritize finding a way to repay the debt.
How much cash could the tenant farmers possibly have on hand? Even if he set aside his pride and went around earnestly asking, he could only borrow one hundred taels of silver. That silver wouldn’t bear interest, but the debt of gratitude owed would weigh eternally on his shoulders.
At home, there were the thirty taels of silver handed over by Lian Shouyi, plus some miscellaneous coins, Lady Zhou had a few pieces of jewelry, and if they quickly sold the grain harvested that year and rummaged through the household once more, selling anything that could be sold or pawned, they could barely scrape together one hundred taels of silver.
"We’re still short six hundred taels of silver..." Old Master Lian muttered to himself.
