Reborn as a Landlord

"Dear, how much do you think the Second Master’s couple influenced this matter?" Lady Zhang asked Lian Shouxin.

"Eight or nine out of ten, it was something they discussed together," Lian Shouxin replied angrily. If it weren’t for that, he wouldn’t have kicked Lian Shouyi in public out of sheer frustration. "Who would listen to the Wife of He Laoliu if she spoke alone? It was the couple who kept talking, and that’s why even when we were chatting together, people like Lizheng didn’t affirm anything. Everyone could see through it!"

"No one is a fool," Lady Zhang sighed. "As soon as his third uncle woke up, he talked about building a house and moving. This is truly disheartening."

"We just don’t know if they’ll be able to move," Lian Manman said. "Did you see how reluctant grandma was to have my third uncle move?"

"Of course, she’s reluctant. Among those people in the old house, there’s no one more obedient than your third uncle. He listens and acts on any command. Now, the old couple probably regret letting your third uncle’s family live separately," Lady Zhang said.

"Indeed, I see the other two families now just expect to benefit from the old couple, relying on them to live. Just my third uncle’s family neither counts on them nor listens to them, yet they can earn money," Lian Manman remarked with a cold smile.

The family talked for a while, and when it was almost midnight, they all got up to return to their rooms.

"Oh, right," Lady Zhang suddenly remembered something and said, "Today, with all the chaos at the old house, the Lady of the Main Wife kept trying to get close to me."

"Mom, did she say anything to you?" Lian Manman asked with alertness.

"Just trying to butter me up," Lady Zhang said. "She made my skin crawl. She looked so pitiful, and it scared me. Is she scheming against us again?"

"Mom, you’ve gotten smarter," Lian Manman laughed.

"You’re making fun of me!" Lady Zhang glared at Lian Manman. "I have no confidence about this. I feel like she has bad intentions. That person never wakes up early without something to gain."

"Mom, as long as you know this, that’s enough. Whatever she says, don’t listen...," Lian Manman thought about it and then said, "The way things are now, she has a lot of schemes against us. Mom, you have a simple heart, so from now on, don’t give her the chance to come close to you or talk to you."

Lady Gu flattering Lady Zhang with schemes in mind was something that didn’t surprise Lian Manman at all. If Lady Gu didn’t act that way, she wouldn’t be Lady Gu. But so what? Whatever plans Lady Gu has, they remain just her plans. As long as they don’t make any foolish moves, Lady Gu’s schemes are futile.

Moreover, does Lady Gu think flattering Lady Zhang will make her fall for her schemes? In the past, maybe, but now, Lady Zhang was on high alert concerning anything Lady Gu did. Any actions from Lady Gu would be met with suspicion by Lady Zhang.

Lady Gu couldn’t benefit from Lady Zhang anymore.

From the old house, now only Lady Chiang could have a conversation with Lady Zhang. But Lady Zhang’s impression of Lady Chiang wasn’t as good as before. Moreover, Lady Chiang was a smart person, very clever and knew how to look out for her own interests.

The future of Lady Gu, Lian Huahua, and Lian Duoduo were already set, with no chance of turning the tables, and Lady Chiang wouldn’t be blind to this point.

Lian Manman was completely confident that in Lady Gu’s schemes against Lady Zhang, Lady Chiang would definitely stand on Lady Zhang’s side. Because that side was more beneficial to her.

"That’s right, I’m afraid of her now," Lady Zhang nodded.

The next day, the snow stopped, and Lian Shouxin still took Wu Lang and Xiao Qi to a feast, and after midday, the three returned with news.

"Yesterday, we drove the few from the He family out of the village, and they went back to the West Village. But it turns out that early today, they were driven out by the West Village people too," Lian Shouxin told Lady Zhang.

Stealing two bundles of firewood or a few eggs might be tolerated by tenant farmers, but the key issue was that the things Old He Family wanted to steal had escalated. Wife of He Laoliu intended to steal a man to partner up with her and support her and her children. This gave the women of West Village a sense of urgency.

"Other villages wouldn’t likely take them in either. I heard they went west; Wife of He Laoliu’s family is there."

"The further they go, the better. Wherever they are is a disaster, and out of sight, out of mind," Lady Zhang said.

While they were talking, Lian Yeye arrived.

"Did your dad take his medicine, feeling better? What about your mom, how is she today, has she had lunch?" Lady Zhang quickly invited Lian Yeye to sit on the kang and began asking a series of questions.

"Just had lunch, my dad took his medicine and said he feels a bit better. My mom is also much better," Lian Yeye’s eyes were still a bit red and swollen, with her voice not yet fully recovered, a bit hoarse. "Thank you for the chicken you sent today, Fourth Aunt, it’s enough to make chicken soup for several days for my mom and dad."

"Oh, it’s nothing to thank for," Lady Zhang said. "Yeye, your dad and mom are frugal; I just advise you to give them what they need. Don’t scrimp, first help your dad and mom recover, that’s the most important. Chicken soup is nourishing, later I’ll give you a couple of fat ones."

"Fourth Aunt, no need, we have chickens at home too, not that we don’t," Lian Yeye said. "As for my dad seeing the doctor and buying medicine, we want to pay for it ourselves."

Lian Shouli and Lady Zhao ran a frugal household with dignity, never taking advantage of others nor liking to owe anyone. This was why the Lian Manman family was always cautious when helping them.

"All of this can be discussed, no hurry for now," Lian Manman said. "Yeye, did you come for something?"

"Yes," Lian Yeye nodded.

*****

First update coming up, having fallen out of the pink rankings, sob sob..., midmonth, if you have pink tickets, please support a bit.

There will be a second update in the evening. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommended tickets, monthly tickets, your support is my biggest motivation.)