Lian Manman’s heart skipped a beat when she heard from Lian Yeye that the people from Taicang had returned. She took a deep breath, calming herself down.

"Yeye, don’t worry, take your time," Lian Manman consoled Lian Yeye before asking, "Who all have come back from Taicang, and where are they now?"

"They’re all back." Lian Yeye said, face full of distress, his voice almost breaking into a sob. "They’re right in front of the shop... Sister Manman, what should we do?"

It wasn’t just one or two who returned, but all of them, which meant that the matter in Taicang was settled. These people didn’t go directly to the old residence but stayed in front of Lian’s Shop, making their intentions quite clear.

In this world, there are relatives like this. When successful and prosperous, they don’t even see you in their eyes. But when they’re down and in need of help, you’re the first they find, unabashedly demanding all sorts of things from you. In essence, they won’t share their joy with you, but they will drag you into their misery.

Seeing Lian Yeye’s anxious and frightened expression, and herself as if facing a formidable enemy, being relatives and living like this leaves one at a loss for words.

"We’ll handle it as it comes," Lian Manman put down the flower pot she was holding, dusted off her hands, then instructed Maid Xiao Xi, "Xiao Xi, go to the wing courtyard and tell my mother that the people from Taicang have arrived. Tell her to stay inside, tidy up the front room... and ask your mother to come find me."

Xiao Xi quickly acknowledged and went toward the wing. Before long, Han Zhong’s wife came running over.

"Let’s go have a look," Lian Manman then, taking Lian Yeye and Han Zhong’s wife, also called for Da Pang and Second Fatty, and left the house, circled around the Imperially Bestowed Archway, heading towards Lian’s Shop.

"...did you come to inform me, did someone inform your Fourth Uncle?" As they walked, Lian Manman asked Lian Yeye.

"I ran over as soon as I saw them come. I don’t know if anyone sent word over there," Lian Yeye said, pointing forward, "Sister Manman, look, isn’t that my Fourth Uncle coming over?"

Following Lian Yeye’s gaze, Lian Manman saw Lian Shouxin accompanied by Han Zhong and an employee from Lian’s crossing over from the other side of the river, heading along the Bluestone Road towards Lian’s.

"Dad," Lian Manman walked onto the Bluestone Road from the shortcut, standing still, waiting for Lian Shouxin to come over.

"Manman, you got the message too? How about your mother?" Lian Shouxin hurried over, stopping in front of Lian Manman.

Lian Manman quickly surveyed Lian Shouxin; she could tell he was in a rush by his rolled-up pant legs and sleeves, and hands stained with soil.

"I told my mom to tidy up the house," said Lian Manman, not reminding Lian Shouxin, but lowered her voice slightly, "Dad, do you remember how we planned this out?"

"Oh... I remember," Lian Shouxin was slightly dazed before replying immediately.

"That’s good. My brother isn’t back yet. Dad, let’s proceed as we discussed earlier," said Lian Manman.

"Okay," Lian Shouxin nodded.

Father and daughter exchanged a few words before heading to Lian’s Shop.

From afar, Lian Manman could see a crowd gathered next to Lian’s Shop, with Shopkeeper Chen standing at the forefront. Seeing Lian Shouxin and Lian Manman approaching with others, Shopkeeper Chen quickly came up to greet them. The crowd followed behind.

As they got closer, Lian Shouxin’s expression changed, and he rushed forward in large strides.

In the midst of the crowd were two elderly people with snow-white hair - Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou. They were wearing their usual at-home semi-old indigo attire, and Lady Zhou hadn’t even worn a skirt. When they left, although their hair had begun graying, it was more black than white. Now, however, there wasn’t a strand of black hair in sight.

Last time when they went to add a chest for Lian Xiuxiu, they weren’t like this.

"Dad, Mom..." Lian Shouxin rushed forward, kneeling with a thump before Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.

"Old Fourth..." Old Master Lian moved to pull Lian Shouxin up, tears falling from his eyes.

"Old Fourth..., my child..." Lady Zhou raised her arms high before letting them drop onto her thighs and wailed aloud.

"Fourth Brother..."

"Your Fourth Uncle..."

"Fourth Uncle..."