Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1207 - 615: Presenting Gifts (Part 2)

"They say it’s the only house they’ll build in a lifetime, so they want everything to be well thought out... discuss with her Fourth Uncle..."

"Sister Manman, do you think our grandma will come?" Lady Zhao and Lady Zhang were talking, while Lian Yeye also sat down beside Lian Manman and joined the conversation.

"I really can’t say for sure." Lian Manman replied. She wasn’t being perfunctory; she genuinely couldn’t be certain if Lady Zhou would come.

"Did Third Uncle discuss with you and Third Aunt beforehand about whom we should invite?" Lian Manman asked Lian Yeye.

"We did discuss. At first, we thought about inviting everyone, but if some can’t come, there’s no one to blame." Lian Yeye replied, "Finally, it was only after my mother and I talked that it was decided to invite our grandpa, grandma, and Brother Erlang."

"It’s good that you could settle on that." Lian Manman said, then asked, "By the way, how are you arranging the two tables?"

Thinking of Lady Zhou’s perpetually gloomy face, Lian Manman wasn’t exactly thrilled about possibly sitting at the same table for a meal.

Lian Yeye didn’t answer immediately, and her face showed a rather complex expression.

Lian Manman knew things weren’t going well. Sure enough...

"Two tables: Grandpa, my dad, Fourth Uncle, Brother Wu Lang, Xiao Qi, and Brother Erlang will sit at one table to drink." Lian Yeye told Lian Manman, "The rest of us will sit at the other table."

That meant they all had to sit at the same table as Lady Zhou.

"Yeye, at that time, will you and Third Aunt sit at the table for the meal?" Lian Manman asked.

Lian Yeye’s family didn’t hire help, so according to the usual tenant farmer customs, Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye were responsible for cooking. Once the guests were seated, they’d be busy serving and weren’t allowed to eat together; they’d have to wait until everyone finished and even left to eat the leftovers.

"Sister Manman, about this matter, I..." Lian Yeye blushed, "Sister Manman, it’s not that I’m trying to hide it from you. I just don’t know how to say it. I’m embarrassed to ask."

"Oh, I’m just teasing you." Lian Manman laughed, "Yeye, don’t take it to heart; it’s no big deal."

Lian Manman knew that Lian Shouli wasn’t the type to take initiative and often lacked flexibility. And many times, Lian Yeye wasn’t able to influence Lian Shouli.

Just sitting at the same table is whatever it is; it’s just one meal, endure if you can. Besides, by this time, Lian Manman didn’t think Lady Zhou would be openly hostile at least in their presence. As for behind their backs, Lian Manman couldn’t care less.

If they have to eat together, then just do it; the uncomfortable party should be Lady Zhou, not them, Lian Manman thought.

In the afternoon, Lady Zhang first sent over Han Zhong’s Wife to help Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye with the cooking, then the family headed to Lian Yeye’s new house.

Lian Yeye’s new home, upon entering the gate, immediately reveals two white stone walls on either side. Behind the walls are paths meant for storing firewood, but now there are piles of leftover stones from construction in the corners.

Further along, the left side hosts a square pigpen. Both sides were intended to be vegetable gardens but are currently empty without the low walls built. Lian Shouli plans to handle those personally over time without help.

Since there’s no West Wing Room, the yard appears longer than the one at the old house.

Han Zhong’s Wife, Lady Zhao, and Lian Yeye were cooking in the outer room. To allow the smoke to escape faster, the curtain at the outer door was simply taken down and placed aside. Thus, when Lian Manman and the others entered the gate, Lian Yeye noticed them sharply.

Lian Shouli quickly came out of the house to greet them.

Lian Manman wasn’t visiting Lian Yeye’s new home for the first time. Once everyone entered the Upper Room, Lian Shouli led them to the east room.

As is typical for the main house, the eastern room is usually occupied by the eldest family members. And most guests are entertained in the east room.

Lian Shouli’s east room consisted of two rooms, resembling those at the old house, designed as an open layout without dividers. Lian Shouli, Lady Zhao, and Lian Yeye reside there. At night, Lian Shouli and Lady Zhao sleep at the head of the kang, while Lian Yeye sleeps at the end with board dividers in between.

The west room is Lian Shouli’s workshop for carpentry.

After everyone sat down in the room, Lian Yeye brought out the tea tray and served hot tea.

Lian Manman took the tea, noticing the leaves weren’t top quality but better than what tenant farmers commonly drink, leading her to realize Lian Yeye had bought it specifically for hosting guests.

"Yeye, you’re being too extravagant, treating us as outsiders." Lian Manman said to Lian Yeye.

"Sister Manman, I’m telling you honestly. It’s not just for today or specifically for my Fourth Uncle and Aunt, or you all... Dad will need it for work, with people coming and going." Lian Yeye responded with a laugh.

Lian Manman chuckled and said no more.

"Dear Third Aunt, let us lend you a hand." Lady Zhang stood up and offered towards the outside.

"No, Fourth Aunt, you please sit." Lian Yeye quickly intervened.

"No need, you’ve sent someone over, and one person is like several others. It’ll be done soon, there’s no need to trouble you. Zhizhi and Manman are seated; no need for help." Lady Zhao said with a smile at the door to Lady Zhang.

Lady Zhang had just entered from outside, seeing the dishes almost ready, she didn’t insist with Lady Zhao and sat back down.

"Old Fourth, there’s something..." Lian Shouli said to Lian Shouxin, his brow furrowed significantly, implying it was hard for him to broach the subject.

"What is it?" Lian Shouxin asked.

At that moment, they heard the main gate open.

"Dad is here." Lian Shouxin said, glancing through the window at the front of the kang.

With that, Lian Shouxin stood up. Lady Zhang, Wu Lang, Lian Manman, Lian Zhizhi, and Xiao Qi stood up as well. The family went out to welcome Old Master Lian.

Lian Shouli hadn’t managed to voice his concern before joining the welcome.

Coming out of the outer room, Lian Manman was surprised by those approaching.

*******

Here’s the first update; the second one will be coming later. Please support with monthly votes O(∩_∩)O as I’m slipping off the Pink List. (To be continued. If you like the work, you can go to Qidian.com to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation.)