Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 63 - 37 Lian Manman Talks about Dividing the Family_1
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"Old Fourth, both you and your wife are obedient and good children. Over the years, you’ve worked tirelessly, and both your mother and I have seen it. Among the daughters-in-law in the Lian Family, Old Fourth’s wife has been raised the best, knowing to consider the bigger picture when things arise, rest assured, it is well noted in my heart."
"Your elder brother has been toiling for many years, and now he’s about to become an official. At this time, we, as his family, cannot cause a mess. You should know that if any rumors or gossip spread, your elder brother’s reputation would be ruined."
"Your elder brother’s taking office isn’t just about him, it’s a major event that will honor the Lian Family’s name. I know that the two of you don’t covet riches and don’t expect to bask in reflected glory. But after all, you’re branches of the same tree. There’s a saying, ’when one prospers, all prosper; when one suffers, all suffer.’ You should just consider it as doing it for the Lian Family’s sake."
Old Master Lian spoke in a gentle tone, making a well-reasoned argument. Everyone understood that Old Master Lian wanted Lian Shouxin and his wife to forgive Shouxin for the sake of brotherly affection and to consider the family’s big picture by burying this matter forever.
"Father, this matter has spread all over the town," Lian Shouxin said.
"Let them say what they will; as long as our own family doesn’t fall into disarray. The day after tomorrow, you and your elder brother should walk around the town together, have a chat with people you meet. The words of a husband and wife will be believed by outsiders. I will also go out and take a walk around that time, and I’m sure this matter can be suppressed." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂
Old Master Lian seemed to have already planned it all out.
Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang both kept silent.
Lian Manman knew that their hearts had softened, and agreeing to Old Master Lian’s request was only a matter of time.
From her observation, Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang were not dumb or stupid. The reason they often seemed to be oppressed and deceived was entirely because they valued affection too deeply. They were blinded by the kinship they held dear in their hearts. Yes, the kinship in their hearts, because in reality, that kinship was seen as very cheap, or even nonexistent, in the eyes of others.
Beyond that, they also suffered from the common ailment of all kind-hearted people: they were too soft-hearted.
Even if Old Master Lian had not spoken up today, Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang would have exploded. But since Old Master Lian had spoken, by having Shouren stand there and take the beating without fighting back, he had seized the initiative.
Old Master Lian’s handling of the affair was indeed a strategic ploy, directly targeting the soft-heartedness and deep sense of loyalty of Lian Shouxin and his wife. He appeared to have dealt with the situation fairly, yet it was merely to let Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang vent the anger in their hearts, before persuading them to give up pursuing the matter further.
Leveraging his eldest son to honor and elevate the family had become an obsession of Old Master Lian. Was it really that important for Lian Shouren to become an official? Why did he not consider that Lian Shouren, who could harm his own kin, who only cared for himself, and took no regard for human life, would end up doing once in office?
"You are brothers born of the same mother. No matter who is at fault, there must be room for forgiveness. Everyone stumbles or missteps at times, do they not...? The palm and the back of a hand are both parts of the same body; if either of you is in pain, I feel it just the same," Old Master Lian said, his eyes reddening by the end.
"Father, you are right. I will listen to you," Lian Shouxin said, his eyes reddening too.
Seeing Lian Shouxin say this, Lady Zhang nodded as well.
"Good, good, you two are the good children of the Lian Family," Old Master Lian said with a trembling voice.
How could things just end like that?
"But this isn’t right..." Lian Manman tried to speak up.
Lady Zhang quickly tugged at Lian Manman, whispering, "Manman, don’t speak. Didn’t you see your grandfather is crying?"
It seemed that Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin had made up their minds to no longer pursue the matter. But even if they did not pursue it further, this didn’t mean the matter should just end there.
"Grandfather, everything you’ve said is asking my parents to step back. But have you ever considered whether my uncle and his family would let us off?" Lian Manman still spoke out.
"Manman, I was just about to talk about that," Old Master Lian pointed at Lian Shouren, "All of you, kneel down."
Resigned, Lian Shouren slowly knelt down. Lady Gu, Lian Huahua, and Lian Duoduo looked around and followed suit, kneeling as well.
"Certain things, you should be aware of in your hearts. As the elder brother and sister-in-law, you should reflect on yourselves. Today, it was Old Fourth who carried out the family discipline on my behalf, and you mustn’t harbor any grudges in your hearts. If either of you crosses Fourth Household even the slightest bit in the future, no one else will be needed; I, this old man, will personally put an end to you. I’ll say it again, you are brothers; there should be no overnight resentment. From now on, none of you are allowed to bring up this incident again, and you should treat each other with respect and understanding as you did before. Did you hear me?" Old Master Lian reprimanded Lian Shouren.
