There were quite a few people to invite that day, including those from the County Yamen, all from the Wang Family, a group of scholars that Wu Lang befriended, some well-known gentries in the county town, and some owners of large merchants, shopkeepers, etc. As the saying goes, harmony brings wealth. With this opening, all kinds of people must be taken care of.

Having decided on the list of invitees, Shopkeeper Wang took out the menu for that day’s banquet to show it to some of the store owners, discussed a few other matters, and then the two shopkeepers took their leave to make arrangements.

Just as the two shopkeepers left, Maid Xiao Xi came in to report.

"The eldest aunt is here again."

What was called the eldest aunt naturally referred to Lian Lanlan.

The entire large Lian family, led by Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou, returned from Taicang in a sorry state, and Lian Lanlan, being in the county town, hadn’t visited them once. She only sent a message through someone going to Qingyang Town, saying she was ill and couldn’t leave home, and that she would visit when she felt better. The person who delivered the message to the Lian Family was empty-handed.

This wait lasted for several months.

When Lian Manman and her family moved to the city, buying a house, purchasing a shop, coincidentally, the shop was in the same south part of the city where Lian Lanlan lived, and hearing the news, her illness miraculously healed and she came over personally.

Arriving at the gate, she declared herself as the elder sister of Old Fourth Master Lian, and the aunt of Scholar Master. Naturally, she couldn’t be refused entry.

Lian Lanlan came not empty-handed, with a chicken in her left hand, a duck in her right, and brought many packages, large and small.

"...Your mother didn’t come along, just a little maid, how could she manage everything? Your father is fine, Wu Lang is grown too, so I’m not too worried. Lian Manman and Xiao Qi should come live at your aunt’s house.... Or, should your aunt cook for you every day and bring meals to you?"

Also fearing they might get lost in the unfamiliar city.

"...Old Fourth, your temperament hasn’t changed a bit from before. You won’t speak up if anything happens, fearing to trouble others. There’s no trouble here, truly kin. If there’s anything you need help with, like running errands, have Jin Suo’s father help. Old Fourth, you know him, he’s honest. Anything entrusted to him, you can be at ease. His family has been in this city for generations, there isn’t anyone he isn’t familiar with. The people he knows all would give him some face."

She also invited Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, Lian Manman, and Xiao Qi over to her place for meals.

Lian Lanlan’s enthusiasm was somewhat overwhelming for them.

However, when facing Lian Lanlan, the family remained distant. Though they could overlook the previous incident of her insistence on matchmaking, they couldn’t dismiss concerns over Lian Lanlan’s character.

Regarding the matchmaking, given the current status of Lian Manman’s family and their attitude, Lian Lanlan dared not bring it up again. Instead, she conveyed through Old Master Lian and other channels to assure Lian Manman’s family that she was momentarily confused and wouldn’t do it again. Jin Suo is now engaged to a girl from Luo Family Village.

Lian Lanlan was almost like an accomplished socialite, but her character revealed in certain matters kept Lian Manman’s family deeply cautious of her.

Such a person, regardless of who she is, needed to be kept at a distance.

Lian Lanlan’s gifts and her person were politely escorted out.

Afterward, Lian Lanlan came by twice more, one of which she faced a closed door, and the other time was just like the first visit.

After experiencing the closed-door, Lian Lanlan returned to Thirty Mile Camp, bringing numerous packages to honor Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.

"I was just about to bring this up." Lian Shouxin frowned upon hearing Lian Lanlan had come again, "Didn’t I just return home today? As soon as I got home the day before yesterday, your grandpa had your Third Uncle call me to the old house, just to talk about your aunt’s matter."

"What did Grandpa say?" Lian Manman asked.

Though the county town wasn’t as open with information as Thirty Mile Camp, Lian Manman was still aware of Lian Lanlan’s visit back to see Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.

"What else could he say? He said we’re all family, and we shouldn’t hold grudges. He mentioned how now that our days are better, opening the general store could be squeezing their shop’s business. He also relayed that your aunt didn’t blame us, and knew we didn’t do it on purpose... told your grandpa that she hoped to have Jin Suo’s father work as our shopkeeper. She even said if the head shopkeeper position isn’t possible, the second shopkeeper position would do; the monthly salary and bonus would be a little lower, but since we are relatives, they’d willingly work with us." Lian Shouxin explained.

"She sure knows how to talk." Xiao Qi pouted, unhappy with what he heard.

"Dad, how did you respond to Grandpa?" Wu Lang asked.

"Just told the facts as they are." Lian Shouxin said, "There’s no squeezing of business, not at all. The place was originally a large general store, and she didn’t say anything then about their shop being affected. Now that we open, it becomes an issue. It’s nonsense." Lian Shouxin spoke.

Lian Manman nodded, pleased with what Lian Shouxin said.

Nowadays, Lian Shouxin was more articulate than before. Of course, in face-to-face arguments or debates, Lian Shouxin still wasn’t adept, but he was good at simply stating the truth and logic.

"Dad, so did you agree to let Jin Suo’s father be the shopkeeper?" Lian Manman asked again.

"No. Our Shopkeeper Chiang is doing well, there’s no reason to replace him. As for the second shopkeeper, I said we don’t need one right now. The store just opened, the costs are already high, and we can’t afford to keep idle people around." Lian Shouxin replied.

Both Lian Manman and Xiao Qi couldn’t help but chuckle.

"Dad, didn’t Grandpa pressure you to agree?" Wu Lang asked.

"No." Lian Shouxin shook his head, "Your Grandpa is a sensible man. He’s been a shopkeeper and knows how tough it is to run a business. He even said that Jin Suo’s father may be alright with a small general store, but he’s not fit to be a big store shopkeeper."

"And what about Grandma? Didn’t she cause trouble when you didn’t agree?" Lian Manman inquired.

Lian Shouxin’s expression immediately became complex.

*******

Here’s the first update, urgently need everyone’s support with pink votes.

There will be a second update later. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations, and monthly votes on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)