The second watch, asking for pink.

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

A man and a woman arrived — the man was Yingzi’s father, and the woman was Yingzi’s mother. Yingzi’s father often walked around the village, but Yingzi’s mother seldom left her house. It wasn’t until Yingzi became "famous" in Thirty Mile Camp that Lian Manman got to know her through the villagers’ chatter.

This husband and wife duo had dressed in brand-new clothes today, and Yingzi’s mother even wore two bright red silk flowers in her hair and applied some makeup to her face.

Lian Manman had never observed Yingzi’s mother up close before, so she couldn’t help but sneak a couple of glances today. Yingzi’s mother was slightly short, slightly hunched, and had a narrow face covered with wrinkles. Judging from her looks, she wasn’t particularly attractive even in her youth. For this couple to have a daughter like Yingzi’s look-wise was really rare. No wonder they placed such big "expectations" on Yingzi.

Dressed like this, the couple greeted Lian Huahua warmly right upon meeting her. Clearly, they must’ve gotten word and came specifically for Lian Huahua. In the past, it was always Yingzi’s father who handled things, but this time, Yingzi’s mother had shown up too. Could it be that a trip to Taicang had made Yingzi’s father more certain about his connection with Lian Shouren’s Lian Family, giving him the confidence to bring Yingzi’s mother along to meet their "relatives" as well?

As Lian Manman pondered this, she glanced at Lian Huahua, whose face had already turned dark.

In rural villages, "outer granddaughter" is an affectionate nickname for someone’s granddaughter-through-a-daughter. However, it wasn’t strictly confined to that usage — Lian Manman had also heard people use this term for their nieces.

Lian Huahua, proud of her noble status, was naturally infuriated and embarrassed to be addressed in such a manner by people like Yingzi’s father and mother.

"Sister Huahua, you chat with them; I’m heading back to cook,"

Lian Manman chuckled silently, left a single remark, then turned and walked away. She left Lian Huahua to deal with the two of them — in any case, this mess was of her own making.

"Wait for me." Lian Huahua, unwilling to engage with the two of them, turned to chase after Lian Manman.

Unfortunately, Yingzi’s father reached out and grabbed her.

"Dear outer granddaughter, you’re back? Why didn’t you notify someone to give us word? That way, your little grandaunt could have chatted with you, you know." Yingzi’s father grinned cheekily and tugged Yingzi’s mother closer toward Lian Huahua.

"Talk to our dear outer granddaughter, will you," Yingzi’s father urged Yingzi’s mother.

"Huahua... uh... dear outer granddaughter," Yingzi’s mother seemed to shrink back a little before stiffly addressing Lian Huahua.

At this point, Lian Huahua was so enraged she nearly fainted. Never mind being from a rich household, even tenant farmers wouldn’t tolerate men directly grabbing young women like this. Yingzi’s father was nothing short of a shameless scoundrel.

"Get away! Take your filthy hand off me!" Lian Huahua screamed, slapping Yingzi’s father’s arm. "You old degenerate! Leave me alone, or I’ll have you locked up in jail and break your damn legs!"

Lian Huahua, the "dear outer granddaughter," certainly didn’t hold back in dealing with Yingzi’s father, her supposed grandaunt’s husband. Lian Manman couldn’t help but glance back upon hearing the commotion, and saw Lian Huahua slapping Yingzi’s father while he clung onto her sleeve and wouldn’t let go.

"Dear outer granddaughter, that’s so wrong of you. No matter what, we *are* real relatives — you ought to call me ’granduncle’ and her ’grandaunt,’ right? You can’t just turn your back on your own family like this. Behaving so unreasonably doesn’t seem like something the Old Lian Family would do." Yingzi’s father grinned shamelessly as he spoke.

Lian Manman exhaled in relief, grateful that she had left in time. While Yingzi’s father was as tiresome as expected, he at least had some sense of boundaries. His connection with Lian Huahua was indeed "real," but with her, Lian Manman? That would be layers upon layers removed.

Let these "real" relatives enjoy their lively little reunion. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Reaching the gate of the side courtyard, Lian Manman stepped inside, only to nearly bump into Zhang Caiyun.

Having delivered ingredients to the kitchen earlier and waited awhile, Zhang Caiyun had come looking for Lian Manman out of concern, fearing she might suffer at Lian Huahua’s hands.

Seeing it was Zhang Caiyun, Lian Manman signaled for her to keep quiet, pulling her to hide behind the gate and gesturing towards Lian Huahua’s direction.

"What happened?" Zhang Caiyun looked over briefly and asked Lian Manman.

"That’s Yingzi’s father and mother. They’re here to visit Lian Huahua as relatives," Lian Manman explained simply, "Did you hear them calling her earlier? So affectionate — ’dear outer granddaughter.’"

With that, Lian Manman couldn’t help but stifle a laugh softly.