Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 887 - 453: The Issue with Worship
Third watch, seeking pink hearts.
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Wang Youheng’s eyes flickered with a complex expression, but it quickly returned to a warm smile. Lian Manman was flipping through a book when she inadvertently caught that fleeting look in Wang Youheng’s eyes with her peripheral vision.
"Brother Youheng, is there something going on at home?" Lian Manman put down the book and asked Wang Youheng.
Wang Youheng was startled, then smiled.
"No, it’s just that my grandmother misses me and wants me to return home early." Wang Youheng replied with a smile.
"Really? Nothing’s the matter?" Lian Manman scrutinized Wang Youheng, persistently inquiring with the attitude of digging to the heart of the matter, "Brother Youheng, if there’s anything on your mind, just share with us. Even if we can’t help, it’s better than bottling it up inside."
"There’s really nothing. It’s just that my brothers are all managing the stores away from home. They only return for the end of the year, while other families would have gone back by now." Wang Youheng said, still smiling.
Seeing Wang Youheng talk and laugh as usual, not seeming troubled, Lian Manman did not probe further. However, she did not believe she had been mistaken just now. Wang Youheng definitely had something on his mind, but it was either inconvenient to share, or he didn’t think it was necessary to mention.
Whichever it was, it was not Pmanman’s place to pry further. Since she had not heard any rumors, it probably wasn’t anything serious. Wang Youheng had to manage such a large pharmacy, and with the New Year, it was natural for him to have lots to handle. With this in mind, Lian Manman felt at ease.
"Is there anything in particular you want? I can bring it for you from the county town." Wang Youheng then asked.
Lian Manman, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi all shook their heads. They had bought plenty of goods for the New Year, even those they hadn’t initially planned to buy. They were very satisfied, and at the moment, they couldn’t think of anything else they wanted but hadn’t yet purchased.
"Brother Youheng, when will you come back after the New Year?" Xiao Qi asked.
"That, I can’t say for sure." Wang Youheng said. After a moment of thought, he added, "I will return as soon as possible, especially since the exam isn’t far off. I need to come back to consult with Mr. Loo on my studies."
After chatting idly for a while, Lian Manman invited Wang Youheng to have dinner at her home that evening.
"...I’ve bought a hot pot, along with lamb. I mixed the dipping sauce myself, even Mr. Loo has praised its taste. Brother Youheng, you must come and try it." Lian Manman said.
"Alright then." Wang Youheng thought for a moment, then agreed with a smile.
At twilight, Wang Youheng arrived as promised, bringing a basket of apples and a basket of honey mandarins. These fruits were not common in their area; they must have been sent to him by someone, and since he didn’t eat them, he brought them for Lian Manman and the others to enjoy. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
The cold wind howled outside, but the kang (a traditional heated bed platform) was warm within the house. Everyone settled onto the kang around the dining table. As they were hosting Wang Youheng, besides the items they had for themselves the previous day, several other dishes were specially added. There were soaked kelp strips, beef tripe bought alongside beef, beef meatballs made by mincing beef and mixing it with starch and spices, soaked wood ear mushrooms, ordinary mushrooms, and thinly sliced lotus roots that were difficult to obtain.
The cold dishes were replaced with jellyfish salad, sweet and sour white radish strips, seasoned pickled cucumbers, Laba garlic, and sliced Buddha’s hand melon.
Lady Zhang also rolled out noodles, intending to serve them at the end of the meal with soup from the hot pot.
Wang Youheng, Mr. Loo, and Lian Shouxin drank white liquor, Wu Lang followed with two glasses of red wine, while Lady Zhang and the girls including Lian Manman stuck to grape juice.
The meal lasted until sunset, when nightfall came. After the noodles were eaten and the pot was removed, Lian Manman brewed thick tea for Lian Shouxin, Wang Youheng, and Mr. Loo to help with the alcohol.
Mr. Loo was in high spirits from eating and drinking, and with Wang Youheng and Wu Lang’s company, he was in a talkative mood. He began discussing scholarly topics and eventually the upcoming exams for Wang Youheng and Wu Lang next year.
Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin were greatly concerned, and even Lian Manman couldn’t help perking up her ears.
"...Once you grasp one principle, you grasp a hundred. What’s difficult remains impossible, and what’s possible seems simple." Mr. Loo, his face flushed, declared.
Lian Manman couldn’t help but giggle on the side. During his time in Thirty Mile Camp, Mr. Loo had adapted to the local customs, learning some colloquialisms and expressions. Sometimes he spoke in a mix of literary and colloquial language, and he even learned a few sayings in the Thirty Mile Camp dialect. Sometimes, when he spoke a sentence or two, people who didn’t know him would think he was actually from Liaodong Prefecture.
