He Laoliu was someone who loved drinking. Although his family’s financial condition was just average, he had practically tried all kinds of liquor in every store in town. Naturally, he knew wine made from grapes was very valuable. Making wine from wild grapes required little investment, so he immediately felt this was indeed a way to get rich.

So He Laoliu also made several dozen jars of grape wine.

This was indeed a technique stolen from Lian Manman. If it had been someone she didn’t know, it would be easy to deny, but with Lady He’s connection, he couldn’t escape. If Old Master Lian truly investigated the matter, being forceful, he could take the wine He Laoliu made; being more lenient, as Manman had said, he would still have to suffer a loss.

Lady He was a daughter-in-law of the Lian Family. This matter was akin to her turning her elbow outwards, stealing from her husband’s family to benefit her maternal family’s brothers, which made Lian Shouyi responsible as well.

He Laoliu and Lian Shouyi exchanged glances, both feeling somewhat guilty.

"When did dad say this? I wasn’t aware." Lian Shouyi said.

"Uncle, Elder was just looking for you but you had stepped out." Lian Manman quickly said, "Since Uncle is also here, let’s go over to Old Uncle He’s house and have a look."

"Look at what? His family hasn’t brewed any wine at all," Lian Shouyi said.

"Right, when has my family ever made wine? That’s not true," He Laoliu echoed.

"True or not, we will know once we take a look," Lian Shouxin said.

"Old Fourth, are you no longer listening to your older brother?" Lian Shouyi put on the airs of an elder brother, trying to suppress Lian Shouxin.

Just because Lian Shouyi was the second brother, did that mean Lian Shouxin had to listen to him? If that were the case, they might as well not live at all. Lian Manman moved closer to Lian Shouxin and tugged at his sleeve.

Lian Shouxin looked down to see his daughter’s big eyes twinkling at him, while his two sons were clenching their small fists, also gazing up at him. He was the father of the children, and now that they had separated from the main family, he was the pillar of this new household. He had to create a stable sky for his children.

"Second brother, that depends on what the matter is," Lian Shouxin straightened his back even more, "Besides, our dad is still there."

"Old Fourth, you seem to be getting bolder," Lian Shouyi said, with a grin that was neither sincere nor friendly.

"Second brother, let’s just go take a look at Old Six’s place," Lian Shouxin said.

"Old Fourth, why don’t you believe me?" Lian Shouyi hurriedly laughed, "Old Six really hasn’t brewed any wine."

"Dad, if they won’t let us see, let’s go back and tell Grandfather to come over," Manman suggested.

Now, both Lian Shouyi and He Laoliu were only thinking about saving the wine He Laoliu had brewed and seemed to have forgotten to ask Lian Shouxin about purchasing land. The topic had been successfully shifted by her, and there was no guarantee that Lian Shouyi wouldn’t suddenly remember it, so it was best to make a swift exit.

"All right." Lian Shouxin wasn’t interested in the thirty acres of land in West Village, thus he didn’t plan to stay long and just nodded his head.

The group of them boarded the carriage.

"I’ll go back and invite Grandfather over right now, then..." Manman stated as she got on the carriage, then leaned out to add with an intentional humph.

Lian Shouyi and He Laoliu were too preoccupied to talk to them, rushing to West Village in a hurry.

Watching the backs of Lian Shouyi and He Laoliu, Manman chuckled to herself. The two men had taken her words at face value and were definitely heading to He Laoliu’s house. What would they do? Hide the jars of wine, or temporarily move them somewhere else to avoid discovery by Old Master? It should be the latter. Wine fermentation was a process sensitive to movement, which could affect the taste of the wine.

Sitting in the carriage, Wu Yugui asked, "Lian Fourth Brother, about the land, are you still going to buy it?"

Through Wu Yuchang, he also knew some of the affairs of the Lian Family, which is why he asked.

"Dad, between the plot in Zhao Family Village and West Village, which one can we buy?" Manman asked Lian Shouxin.

Wu Yugui observed quietly from the side. He noticed that although Manman was just a young girl without her hair pinned up yet, the words she spoke carried significant weight. In fact, it could be said that even though Lian Shouxin was the head of the family, the real decision-maker was Manman. Wu Yugui couldn’t help but be a bit surprised. However, he was also pleased; her words meant she had made up her mind to buy the land, so his trip wasn’t wasted.

"The one in Zhao Family Village," Lian Shouxin said without hesitation.

When comparing the two plots of land, considering the price issue, the difference in soil quality wasn’t significant, but the plot in Zhao Family Village was closer to their home and had convenient water sources.

"Lian Fourth Brother has a good eye," Wu Yugui immediately complimented with a smile.

"Third Uncle Wu, is it possible for us to purchase it today?" Manman asked Wu Yugui again. She wanted to secure the purchase as quickly as possible to prevent any complications.

"Yes," Wu Yugui promised without hesitation, "The Zhao family is also keen to sell, but they want cash payment. Ninety-five silver, any less and I’m afraid they won’t agree to the sale."

With the eighty silver from the sale of the garlic-flavored peanuts recipe, they needed another fifteen silver.

"Dad, you go ahead and measure the land with Third Uncle Wu; I will go home and get the money with Mom," Manman said.

At the entrance to Thirty Mile Camp, Manman had the carriage stop.

"Manman..." Lian Shouxin also got off the carriage, hesitating slightly. After all, ninety-five silver wasn’t a small amount—it could be said that it was the largest expenditure he had faced in his lifetime so far.

"Dad, you’ve forgotten, we still have the silver given by the Shen Family," Manman whispered, thinking Lian Shouxin was worried about not having enough money.

"Manman, is this something we should involve your grandfather in?"