The second watch, asking for pink votes.

*****

Seeing Lian Shouyi and Lady He looking so aggressive, if Lian Shouren and his folks were here, they probably wouldn’t be any different from Lian Shouyi and Lady He.

"Grandfather, this money should stay with you for now." Lian Manman said.

As long as Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou have their minds set and aren’t swayed by Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi, keeping the money here means it won’t be spent. Why bother giving it to them to hold first? Isn’t this just inviting resentment?!

Even though Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou’s words don’t carry much weight now, Lian Manman still believes that no one in this upper room would dare to snatch and spend this money.

"Yes, Dad, you should keep this money. As for returning a gift to the Old Song Family, when the time comes, we’ll decide what to give and how to give it." Lian Shouxin added.

Old Master Lian lifted his eyelids, carefully scrutinizing Lian Shouxin and Lian Manman, then lowered them again.

"What you both said makes sense." Old Master Lian sighed again, saying. It seems Old Master Lian has been sighing more frequently in front of Lian Shouxin lately.

"I originally intended to let you hold onto this money first, to completely cut off their thoughts, and save myself from their constant nagging and trouble. Secondly, when it comes time to give a gift to the Old Song Family, your mother and I are too old to go out. Among those who can represent the family, Old Fourth, count them, there’s really no one in this house who can face them! Giving a gift isn’t about going there to beg."

"Dad, why do you say that?" Lian Shouyi protested quietly from the bench.

"Why did I say it? Am I not speaking the truth? Don’t you think I know exactly what each of you is like?!" Old Master Lian scolded, looking at Lian Shouyi.

Lian Shouyi grunted in his throat but ultimately didn’t dare to argue any further with Old Master Lian.

"Alright, the money will stay at home for now, let your mother keep it. When it’s time for the gift exchange, we’ll give it to you then." Old Master Lian turned his head back towards Lian Shouxin and Lian Manman, saying, "Old Fourth, Manman, you both know the situation of our family. Don’t listen to any nonsense from anyone else, I understand everything in my heart." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Lian Manman nodded, but inwardly felt a bit indifferent. If he understood everything, why does he still come up with such muddle-headed ideas? Like this matter, if Lian Shouxin took the money today, the people at the old house would have all sorts of things to say about it. It’s not that Lian Manman is being overly sensitive; they haven’t even taken the money yet, and Lian Shouyi’s little digs are already coming out.

Is Old Master Lian aware of the consequences of such actions and is hoping that Lian Shouxin’s group could bear them?

Lian Manman didn’t feel obligated, nor did she find it necessary to do so in this situation. They had already divided the family and lived separately, and Lian Shouxin was ranked fourth. In this society that values age and hierarchy, this ranking shouldn’t be underestimated. The same actions and words from those ranked higher can convince the masses, but from those ranked lower lead to more doubts.

It was already midday when Xiao Fu came from the house, saying that Lady Zhang wanted Lian Shouxin and Lian Manman to come back for lunch.

The father and daughter bid farewell to Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.

"You both go back and eat first, don’t delay meal time." Old Master Lian said, "Come back again this afternoon."

Whether Lady Gu should be divorced, or if the He family’s people should be driven out now, hadn’t been decided yet. It seems Old Master Lian wanted them to come back to make this decision together.

The father and daughter left the old house, and outside was a mule cart sent by Lady Zhang to pick them up. It was cold, and Lady Zhang was afraid they’d be chilled walking back.

Lian Manman and Lian Shouxin got on the cart, neither of them looked back, so they didn’t see Lady Chiang coming out of the house after them, standing at the door, raising her hand, and then letting it fall again.

Lady Chiang did not call out to Lian Shouxin and Lian Manman.

Back home, Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi had already prepared the meal, and Wu Lang had picked up Xiao Qi from the private school.

"Mom, has Aunt Sun and her family already left?" Lian Manman asked while washing hands with warm water brought by Xiao Fu.

"They just left. They talked with me for quite some time, and I asked them to stay for a meal. Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong, they really know how to talk." Lady Zhang said.