Chapter 361: Chapter 187 Entrustment_2
Lian Manman carefully reflected on the impression that Brother Erlang had given her: usually, during work, Erlang was not lazy, and of course, he never rushed to do extra. When Lady He and Lian Shouyi were fooling around, Erlang rarely joined in.
Just now, when they beat up Si Lang, Erlang didn’t pay attention. It was only when they talked about the house in town that Erlang finally reacted.
Considering this, could it be said that Erlang still had some measure of moral consciousness?
Lian Manman thought it over and realized that Lady He and Lian Shouyi were willing to be driven by Lian Shouren. The second branch seemed more reliable, and the only person who could communicate was Erlang. Regardless, she had to try. The third branch was definitely on their side, and if the second branch stopped supporting Lian Shouren, things would be much easier.
"Brother Erlang, look, the Old Master gave me the IOU for Huahua’s debt." Lian Manman walked over, showing Erlang the IOU.
"I can’t read," Erlang said, looking at Lian Manman somewhat puzzled.
She knew that Erlang was illiterate.
"Brother Erlang, it says here that the borrower is Huahua, and the guarantor is our father," Lian Manman pointed out on the IOU, "If Huahua doesn’t pay the debt, it has to be our father who pays it... I don’t know if our father can survive this ordeal."
As she spoke, Lian Manman paused, giving Erlang time to think. If Old Master Lian paid the debt, it meant that including him, everyone in the Lian Family would have to be responsible for the debt. Shouxin had already separated from the family and, by rights, had no obligation. To have Shouxin help pay off the debt, family affection and reverence for Old Master Lian were the only bargaining chips.
If Old Master Lian died, would affection and reverence still remain?
"Brother Erlang, just now the Old Master said, if he died, it would be because Uncle and Second Uncle angered him to death," Lian Manman continued when she saw a change in Erlang’s expression.
"What?" Erlang’s eyes widened in shock. He had been away to fetch the doctor and didn’t know about such a statement from Old Master Lian.
"Now Uncle is in the county town, and Second Uncle is by our father’s side. Others know, so they won’t blame Uncle; only Second Uncle will be criticized," Lian Manman explained, "Uncle has a sharp mind. The debt was incurred by them, yet in the end, they stay far away, letting others take the bad reputation and the debt for them."
"Second Uncle’s been duped by Uncle," Lian Manman said more bluntly, "Uncle must have promised Second Uncle some benefits, right? Did he agree to redeem that house in town for you eventually? Or give you more money and a house?"
Erlang glanced hurriedly at Lian Manman, then averted his gaze.
Lian Manman immediately understood that she had guessed correctly. Indeed, Lian Shouren was scheming against their family property. Did he think they were fools, emptying their assets to pay off Lian Shouren’s debts, then waiting for Lian Shouren to feel generous enough to throw some money their way, allowing them to have food to eat?
Pah! Lian Manman spat disgustedly.
"Brother Erlang, remember we have separated from the family. If we have to sell our lands and empty our coffers, you who haven’t separated should set an example, shouldn’t you? Can you safeguard that house in town? It’s easy to sell a house, but hard to buy it back. Can you really trust Uncle’s words? Besides, buying and selling take time. Brother Erlang, you are about to get married before the new year, what if Uncle says he can’t pull together the money, then what will you do?"
"Uncle is using you as a pawn. This debt should be repaid by them. They refuse, making Second Uncle be the bad guy. In the end, they will still trick you. Brother Erlang, you are smart, how could you fall for this?" Lian Manman concluded.
"Ah!" Erlang sighed deeply, holding his head. Lian Manman was right, initially, the house in town was something Lian Shouren and Lady Gu were reluctant to give them. If it was really sold now, after being deceived, would Lian Shouren actually buy it back for him?
That house is in fine condition in his hands, so why should he stir up this matter? In the end, if things don’t work out, it’ll all be for naught. Just now, Lian Shouyi came back and when I mentioned this to him, he disagreed. But Lian Shouyi is fixated on the benefits that Lian Shouren promised and with Lady He chiming in on the side, saying he shouldn’t be at a loss, he reluctantly agreed.
"I’m not pleased with the way they’re handling things. But what can I do? I can’t persuade them either," Erlang said.
Erlang had been persuaded by her, so she made her point even clearer.
"Brother Erlang, no matter how our father’s health turns out, if our eldest uncle and the others don’t pay back the money, we can’t keep the townhouse. We’ll have to sell the house and land. Once we part ways and go out on our own, if we don’t take care of it, no one can blame us. But Brother Erlang, you won’t be able to get married, and you’ll carry a lifetime of debt," Lian Manman said.
"That can’t be. There’s this IOU signed by Lian Huahua, we’ll go and demand the money from her," Erlang suddenly stood up.
Lian Manman pursed her lips, thinking to herself, that’s exactly what I wanted you to say.
"Right, Brother Erlang, let’s go and get the money from Lian Huahua," Lian Manman said.
As they were speaking, they saw Lian Shouxin and Lian Shouli seeing Doctor Li out.
"How is my father?" Lian Manman hurried over to ask.
"Your father is not in serious trouble," Lian Shouxin’s eyes were a bit red, but he still spoke in a relaxed tone.
"Old Master is blessed to have so many grandchildren, look how filial they all are," Doctor Li said with a smile, "If there’s anything troubling, just talk it through, and it will pass."
According to Doctor Li, even though Old Master Lian spat out a mouthful of blood, it was mostly due to anxiety, lack of rest, and poor diet, not a life-threatening condition. As long as he relieved his stress, rested more, and took care in his diet, as long as he didn’t spit out blood again, he would be fine.
After a false alarm, Lady Zhou readily took out money to buy medicine for Old Master Lian. Although Old Master Lian took the medicine, he refused to rest and instead gathered all his children and grandchildren around him.
"Your father is preoccupied with that sum of money, he just won’t rest," Lady Zhou said.
"Grandfather, rest assured, we will definitely get that money back for you," Lian Manman immediately said.
"Good," Old Master had taken medicine that included a sedative, and he was struggling to stay awake, refusing to sleep. When he heard Lian Manman’s promise, he finally let go of his worries and slowly began to close his eyes.
"Grandfather, I’m going to the county and need to borrow something from you," Lian Manman hastily reached out her hand.
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