Reborn as a Landlord

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Every year from the fifteenth to the twentieth day of the first lunar month, Jinyang County Town hosts a lantern festival, forming a lantern market on the town’s busiest streets, bustling with people all night.

Though Thirty Mile Camp is only thirty miles from Jinyang County Town, Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang had never gone to see the lanterns in all these years. Naturally, the little ones like Lian Manman also had never been. The reasons were none other than two.

The first reason was that the family originally had no money, and any money they did have was spent on Lian Shouren’s family. Even if they walked to the town without staying overnight to see the lanterns, there would still be some expenses involved. Another, more important reason was that before the family division, Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou disciplined them strictly. Viewing lanterns was considered play, and in the Lian Family, the children and grandchildren were not allowed to indulge in leisure.

Listening to the teachings of Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou, the daily routine was to work, eat, sleep, and follow their instructions in doing other tasks. Day after day, year after year, this was the life of the Lian Family’s descendants.

Of course, this did not include Lian Shouren’s family.

So, when Lian Manman and Xiao Qi mentioned wanting to see the lantern festival this year, Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang both agreed. Naturally, Lian Zhizhi and Wu Lang would also not oppose.

In the first month of the lunar year, it was a leisure time. Their family had a ready horse cart, and they now owned a house in the county town, making it very convenient to visit the town for the lantern festival.

The first step in the plan to see the lanterns was to discuss who would go.

The entire Lian Manman family wanted to go, naturally including Mr. Loo, and Zhang Caiyun who was staying with them. They would also take Xiao Fu and Xiao Xi, leaving Han Zhong and Han Zhong’s wife to look after the house. Lady Zhang also invited Lady Wu Wang and Lady Zhao, suggesting that several families go together.

Lady Wu Wang happily agreed, planning for all four members of the Wu Family to go. Lady Zhao discussed it at home with Lian Shouli; they decided not to go and only let Lian Yeye go with Lian Manman to see the lanterns.

In addition, Lady Zhang invited her family. She sent someone to deliver Lantern Festival dumplings and meat to the Zhang Family, passing along the invitation for them to join in the trip to the town. Zhang Qingshan conveyed back that they agreed and promised to come over early on the sixteenth to go to the town with Lady Zhang.

The Zhang Family members planning to go to the town included Lady Li with her two grandsons and two daughters-in-law, Lady Zhang Wang and Lady Hu. Zhang Qingnian would come, responsible for driving the cart. Meanwhile, Zhang Qingshan and his youngest son Zhang Yannian would remain at home to house-sit.

With the outing to the lantern festival happening the next day, Lian Zhizhi, Lian Manman, Zhang Caiyun, and Xiao Qi were all overjoyed, chatting eagerly on the bed. Xiao Qi even discussed with Lian Manman about withdrawing some of the money he had with her to spend at the festival.

With more than twenty people planning to attend, Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang discussed how many carts would be needed, who would drive them, and what items to bring.

As the two discussed, their gazes met several times, and they both thought of one issue at the same time.

"Since all of us are going to see the lanterns, should we inform the old residence and ask if his grandfather and grandmother want to go?" Lady Zhang brought it up first.

Their family was going to see the lanterns, bringing along Lady Zhang’s family and in-laws, but not inviting Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou, which would be criticized.

This era was such that, even if Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou had been excessive in their demands, the fact remained that the old couple had raised Lian Shouxin. Simply for that reason, as long as Lian Shouxin’s family was alive and well, public opinion in situations like these would favor Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.

"His grandfather and grandmother certainly won’t go," Lian Shouxin said. "But whether the old couple goes or not, we should still extend the invitation." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"That’s the proper thing to do," Lady Zhang said.

Hearing this, Lian Manman and the others said nothing. On this matter, Lian Manman had no objections. Etiquette and protocol should be observed regardless.

So, who would go to extend the invitation?

"I’ll go," Lian Shouxin volunteered.

He was being considerate towards Lady Zhang. Lady Zhou looked down on Lady Zhang, and Lian Shouxin worried she would feel agitated if Lady Zhang went.

"Dad, for this matter, maybe it’s better if Mom goes instead. You don’t need to go," Lian Manman said after thinking it over.

Lian Shouxin and the others were very surprised to hear Lian Manman say this.

"Manman, didn’t you say that we should minimize Mom’s visits to the old residence? Why do you suggest Mom go now?" Lian Zhizhi asked with a smile.