Reborn as a Landlord

Moreover, there’s a saying that goes, "You don’t hit a smiling face."

After some polite refusal, Lian Lanlan’s gift was finally accepted.

Lian Lanlan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and her smile relaxed considerably.

After sitting for a while, Zhang Qingshan and Zhang Qingnian said they wanted to take a walk in the manor. Xiao Qi volunteered to accompany them. Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang invited Song Hailong to the study, leaving the front hall to the womenfolk.

Lady Li, Lady Zhang Wang, Zhang Caiyun, Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, Lian Lanlan, and Lian Huahua all sat on the kang. Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong each took a small stool and sat on the floor.

Lian Manman poured some tea and sat on the edge of the kang as well.

Lady Zhang, Lian Lanlan, and Lian Huahua had little to say. It was Lian Lanlan who greeted Lady Li, praised Zhang Caiyun, and inquired about Lian Zhizhi’s wedding plans, showing great familiarity and closeness.

Lady Zhang Wang began chatting with Aunt Sun and somehow started talking about a family in her maiden village who were not on good terms, to the point of fighting and getting bloody.

Lady Zhang Wang, with her straightforward nature and storytelling skills, narrated the incident vividly. It captivated Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong, drawing the attention of everyone else in the room too.

After all, when women gather, they gossip. This is something that’s hard to avoid, regardless of status, position, or occupation.

"Initially, we blamed the ones who started the fight, but after asking further, we found out it wasn’t as simple as it seemed," Lady Zhang Wang rattled on, concluding with, "Whatever happens, there’s a cause and effect. You can’t just judge by the surface; you have to delve deeper."

"I don’t know how it is for you city folks, but for us farmstead people, our minds are straightforward. We follow a code. Minor faults are forgivable, but crossing the line is a character issue. A person with poor character might appear smooth and polished on the surface but is full of malice inside, and even close family isn’t spared. Who would dare associate with such a person?"

After speaking, Lady Zhang Wang asked Lian Lanlan and Lian Huahua.

"Big sister, Huahua niece, don’t you agree?"

After questioning the two, Lady Zhang Wang turned to Aunt Sun.

"Aunt Sun, you strike me as a sensible person. Tell me, if there’s such a person, would you dare associate with them? Could you even treat them kindly?"

Aunt Sun smilingly agreed with Lady Zhang Wang.

"Our elder sister-in-law is of great character; if it were me, I wouldn’t have such patience," Lady Zhang Wang added, seemingly nonsensical.

After chatting for a while, Lady Zhang took Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman out to prepare the meal, leaving Lady Li and Lady Zhang Wang to entertain the guests.

Zhang Caiyun, not willing to sit idly on the kang, also accompanied them out.

"What dishes does my aunt like?" Lian Manman asked Zhang Caiyun. "We’ll make her two of her favorite dishes."

"My mom already discussed it with my granny, saying my aunt is mindful of appearances and considerate. She has to think about this and that since Wu Lang is aiming for scholarly achievements. There are things my aunt and you wouldn’t say easily. But my mom can say whatever. My mom’s straightforward, and even if she goes too deep or shallow, my aunt can smooth it over without affecting the big picture," Zhang Caiyun said with a smile.

"Your mom is certainly not unrefined. She speaks well," Lian Manman replied.

Lady Zhang Wang’s sudden comments clearly made Lian Lanlan and Lian Huahua a bit unsettled, and Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong obviously wouldn’t take them lightly.

Lady Zhang led Lian Zhizhi to the kitchen, while Lian Manman took a basket and, along with Zhang Caiyun, planned to pick vegetables from the garden.

Da Pang and Second Fatty followed along, and the two chubby little ones scurried around, often winding around Lian Manman’s feet. After tripping over them twice, she couldn’t help but jokingly scold them. The two little ones only grew more playful, with Da Pang running too fast and taking a tumble, followed by Second Fatty pouncing, and the two rolling into a ball.

In the vegetable garden, Lian Manman and Zhang Caiyun started picking vegetables. Before Lian Huahua and her group arrived, they had already decided on what dishes to make. With a few extra people, they’d just increase the portions and perhaps add one or two stir-fried dishes.

"Sister Caiyun, will you be staying for a few days this time?" As she picked vegetables, Lian Manman asked Zhang Caiyun.

In the mountains, girls usually marry early, and once married, they lose their freedom. The Zhang family was gradually arranging Zhang Caiyun’s marriage. Lian Manman thought it would be nice to keep Zhang Caiyun around for a few days for some company and to let her enjoy a bit more freedom before her marriage.

"If my granny stays, I’ll stay too," Zhang Caiyun replied, obviously not thinking as much as Lian Manman did.

"Manman, Manman," someone called repeatedly.

Lian Manman looked up to see Lian Huahua standing outside the vegetable garden, waving to her.

"Why’s she here?" Lian Manman wondered.

"You find her annoying, right? Just ignore her then. Let her call. I find her too pretentious, can’t stand the sight of her," Zhang Caiyun, knowing the internal grudges of the Lian Family, was also disinclined towards Lian Huahua.

"She must be here for a reason," Lian Manman said.

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

Here’s an update; it’s the second to last day of the month. I’m asking for your pink ticket support.

Hoping for a second update tonight, but if it’s too late, please don’t wait up. Check back tomorrow morning; it should be up by then. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with your recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)