Chapter 429: Chapter 223: Plan_1
For some reason, Zhao Xiue’s slap didn’t land on Erlang’s face but on his chest instead. Remembering what she had just seen, Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong’s extraordinary attire, their imposing demeanor, and the cabinets full of gift boxes, cloth, and pastry boxes made Zhao Xiue’s heart flutter, and her hand weaken. She straightened Erlang’s clothes and, with a smile on her face, turned around and hurried to work with a spring in her step.
The meal was ready, and Lady Zhou still gave Lady Gu some dignity, allowing her to join Aunt Sun for dinner, along with Lady Chiang. From beginning to end, Lady Zhou ignored Zhao Xiue, but she didn’t send her away either. It wasn’t until the guests had finished their meal that the daughters-in-law working at home could eat. That was when Zhao Xiue moved to join them at the table.
"Old Second’s wife," Lady Zhou called Lady He, pointing at Zhao Xiue, "don’t eat yet. Take her back to the Zhao family first, and eat when you come back."
Zhao Xiue, who rarely took things lying down, couldn’t believe that Lady Zhou was not only unyielding but wouldn’t even let her eat and was sending her away. Zhao Xiue couldn’t stand this indignation; her face turned beet red as she covered it and ran out, crying.
Seeing Zhao Xiue had left by herself, Lady He hesitantly looked at the dishes on the table, seemingly reluctant to move.
"Follow her quickly, send her back to the town, and make sure she returns to her parents’ home," Lady Zhou reprimanded Lady He with a stern glance. Whether it was to disown Zhao Xiue or to temper her spirit, they couldn’t have her death on their hands. Lady Zhou was worried that if Zhao Xiue left the Lian Family’s sight, something might happen, making it difficult to handle afterward.
Lady He had no choice but to chase after Zhao Xiue.
As for Erlang, originally he wanted to chase after Zhao Xiue, but Old Master Lian had sent Sanlang to stop him.
After lunch, Aunt Sun rested for a short while before saying her goodbyes and leaving. Lady Gu, along with everyone else, watched as the Song Family’s carriage vanished at the village entrance, her eyes moistened with tears.
Aunt Sun’s visit, although it didn’t lead to taking Lady Gu back to the town, resulted in Lady Zhou scolding her noticeably less than before from that day forward, even though Lady Gu still had to manage the household chores daily.
On the tenth day of the first lunar month, Lian Manman’s family’s breakfast shop reopened amidst a burst of firecrackers. Despite still being in the festive season, the business was booming on this first day. There were even more customers coming for breakfast than before, many of whom spoke with southern accents. Just as Foreman Lao Huang had said, the construction project in the mountains had officially commenced, and skilled craftsmen from all over the country had arrived.
Listening to the customers in the shop discuss, most of these far-traveled craftsmen lived on the mountain in the simple accommodations built for them the previous year. As craftsmen earned more than ordinary laborers and cooking was inconvenient so early in the morning, many chose to come down the mountain for breakfast since the Lian Family’s Breakfast Shop was affordable and convenient.
The shop was busy until noon, and the family only managed to finish their work then. After lunch, just as they were about to return to the old house, Lian Shouli arrived.
"Old Fourth, since you’re familiar with the foreman on the mountain, could you help me ask if they still need people? I’d like to take the opportunity to work up there for a few days now that there isn’t much to do at home," Lian Shouli spoke to Lian Shouxin.
Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye remained silent, evidently having already discussed this matter beforehand.
"Third Brother, you want to work on the mountain?" Lian Shouxin was surprised, "Do our father and mother know?"
"I haven’t told them yet. I came to ask you first, to see if they’re still hiring," said Lian Shouli, "these past few days, I’ve heard our father complaining about the lack of money. If I go, at least I can earn a little."
After the recruitment notice was posted on the mountain, many people applied due to the good wages. Some days had passed, and Lian Shouli was worried that they might have already hired enough people and wouldn’t need him, which is why he had come to Lian Shouxin to discuss the prospect.
"Third Brother, if you want to go, they’ll definitely allow it," said Lian Shouxin confidently. With Foreman Lao Huang’s connections, he was sure he could arrange a job for him.
"Uncle Three, the work on the mountain pays well, but it is also exhausting," Lian Manman interjected. Lian Shouli considered working on the mountain to earn money for the family, while Lian Shouyi idly roamed about although they hadn’t separated households yet.
"What’s there to fear about hard work for us farmstead folk?" retorted Lian Shouli.
"Sister-in-law, do you agree to let Uncle Three go?" Lady Zhang asked Lady Zhao.
"He’s been restless at home lately. If he wants to go, let him," replied Lady Zhao, "he can’t sit still at home anyway."
"By the way, Uncle Three, do you have any special skills?" Lian Manman then asked Lian Shouli.
"Special skills, what skills?" Lian Shouli didn’t quite understand the question.
