Reborn as a Landlord

Lady Zhang had already called Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye over to help prepare the meal in the kitchen.

Wu Lang and Xiao Qi came over and had met Shen Qian. Then they called on the two servants who brought the saplings, and Xiao Qi also summoned his family’s long-term workers. Together, they carried saplings, grabbed tools, and passed through the central hall into the backyard.

Four persimmon trees and four Xifu Crabapple trees were planted—two in the courtyard of the backyard, and the other two planted behind the house in the rear yard.

Shen Qian said he wanted to help plant trees, but of course, Lian Manman didn’t expect him to actually do the labor. She had intended for him to merely hold the saplings to help steady them. Yet, Shen Qian insisted—he took up a spade to help dig pits and even insisted on watering the trees in person.

Fortunately, the long-term workers and servants did most of the work, and before long, all eight saplings were planted.

Once the saplings were planted, Lian Manman sent the workers and servants away. Then she led Shen Qian into the Upper Room. Earlier, while planting the trees, Lian Manman had already taken Shen Qian on a tour of the backyard and the side yard, leaving only the interior of this house unexplored.

"That is my parents’ room, and this is my and my sister’s room." Lian Manman led Shen Qian into the west room and let him sit on a chair near the partition.

Wu Lang fetched a kettle from the stove, mixed a basin of warm water, and brought it in while Lian Manman dampened a cloth and called to Shen Qian.

"Fatty, come over and wash your hands."

Shen Qian stood from his chair and walked over.

Lian Manman, a few years older than Xiao Qi, was accustomed to helping her younger brother wash his face and hands when he acted spoiled. She was well-practiced at this. Shen Qian, though older than Xiao Qi, was surely waited upon at home, so Lian Manman prepared herself to help him wash his hands.

But when Shen Qian approached, Lian Manman changed her mind.

Shen Qian was taller than her now. It wasn’t so obvious outside, but indoors, standing this close, the difference was striking.

Lian Manman draped the damp cloth over the basin stand, rolled up Shen Qian’s sleeves herself, and told him to wash his own hands.

"These persimmon trees grow fast. They’ve done well this year, and they’ll bear fruit next year," Shen Qian commented as he washed his hands. "As for the Crabapple trees, Sixth Brother picked those; next year they’ll bloom too."

Once Shen Qian finished washing his hands, he didn’t reach for the cloth himself. Instead, he simply raised his hands and looked at Lian Manman.

Lian Manman grabbed the damp cloth and handed it to him. Shen Qian kept his hands raised, refusing to move.

A spoiled young master—could he be any lazier? Lian Manman chuckled secretly and wiped Shen Qian’s hands herself.

Shen Qian’s hands were still fleshy and solid, yet his palms had thin patches of calluses.

She vaguely recalled Steward Zhong mentioning that Fatty Shen had been diligently studying and practicing swordsmanship at home. These calluses must be the result. It seemed the Shen Family no longer treated Fatty Shen as merely a pampered child. The fact that Fatty Shen had slimmed down was clearly the fruit of his own efforts.

Wu Lang changed the water again, and then Lian Manman and Xiao Qi washed their hands too. The group of children sat down to chat.

"Fatty, I heard you’ve been studying at home and practicing swordsmanship. Is it very tiring?" Lian Manman asked.

"Not too bad." Shen Qian replied, explaining that each day he had to study with his tutor for three Chinese hours, complete his coursework for one or two more hours, and then train under his martial arts teacher in spearplay. On top of that, he had to practice horseback riding and archery—never spending less than three Chinese hours daily on those.

Lian Manman did a quick calculation. With seven to eight Chinese hours preoccupied each day, only four to five hours remained for sleeping and eating. Plus, adhering to the family’s numerous rituals daily would surely take time. Fatty Shen was still growing—how could anyone get enough rest with such a schedule?

Poor Fatty Shen. With such a demanding routine, who wouldn’t slim down? Even if someone had an endless supply of good food, it wouldn’t be possible to stay chubby.

After hearing Shen Qian’s schedule, Wu Lang didn’t seem fazed, though Xiao Qi’s expression showed sympathy.

Currently, Xiao Qi studied at a private school, attended Mr. Loo’s lectures at home, and completed two assignments, but he still had time for games and fun.

"Fatty, is your family training you so strictly because they hope you’ll take the civil service exam or the martial arts exam?" Lian Manman asked again.

Shen Qian, being of noble rank and part of the prestigious Shen Family, shouldn’t need to advance through either route.

"... It’s not my family pressuring me. It’s my own choice," Shen Qian responded, an emotion briefly flickering in his upturned gaze. "I can’t live a life achieving nothing, relying solely on the favor of my ancestors’ legacy. The descendants of the Shen Family must make their mark and contribute to the family. Only then will we have the right to speak confidently and make decisions for ourselves... What others give can be taken away, but what’s earned through our own efforts, no one can take from us."

The room fell quiet, with only Shen Qian’s voice audible.

Lian Manman’s gaze lingered on Shen Qian. His words didn’t seem like something someone his age would say. It wasn’t that Shen Qian was immature or incapable of saying such things—it’s simply that given his limited life experience, it was unlikely for him, no matter how precocious, to have this depth of insight.

Surely someone had guided Shen Qian to speak in this manner.

Such deliberate, heartfelt mentorship must have come from someone close to him. Was it Shen Liu? Under what circumstances, and why, did Shen Liu share these thoughts with Shen Qian?

And judging by Shen Qian’s tone and demeanor, he clearly believed those words deeply. Lian Manman, who had always considered Shen Qian somewhat boyish, now realized the opposite was true. Shen Qian possessed a maturity beyond his years. And from his attitude, it was evident that he wasn’t just saying these things—he genuinely thought this way and was actively working toward these goals.

Why was this?

"Meow..."

***......****

Here’s the first update. Please support with pink tickets, official subscriptions, and recommendation votes.

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