The first watch, asking for pink.

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

After selling fish, fresh lotus pods, and fresh water chestnuts these days, the Lian Manman’s family earned a net income of ninety taels of silver. Moreover, it’s estimated that by the end of autumn, the final harvest will see this number multiply several times over. Naturally, the whole family was delighted, and they were even more motivated.

In the fish pond and lotus pond of the Lian Manman’s family, fish can still be bought elsewhere, but only they have fresh lotus pods and fresh water chestnuts. Although it was planted for profit, Lady Zhang still sent some to close families to have a taste.

For the Wu Jiaxing’s house, Wang Youheng, Scholar Wang’s family, these don’t even need to be mentioned, they certainly have some. Even in the village, Lady Zhang chose a few families to send them to.

As the afternoon passed and the sun was not as scorching, Lian Manman was sitting with Lian Zhizhi in a shady spot in the yard, doing needlework, when Lady Zhang came back with a basket from outside.

"Manman, stop your work for a moment," Lady Zhang said to Lian Manman, "Take these water chestnuts to your Great Aunt’s house."

As she spoke, Lady Zhang handed over the half-basket of freshly picked water chestnuts to Lian Manman.

In the past couple of days, they heard that Er Ya’s grandmother was not feeling well due to the hot weather and couldn’t eat. These water chestnuts, peeled and cooked with some rice porridge, are fragrant and refreshing, great for relieving summer heat and beneficial to the stomach.

Lian Manman agreed, put her needlework back in the needle and thread basket, took the basket from Lady Zhang’s hand, and went out. Because Lian Zhizhi was older, already engaged, and naturally quiet, she was not as outgoing as Lian Manman. So, tasks like running errands were generally done by Lian Manman.

Lian Manman had no objection to this, even without the reasons above, Lian Zhizhi’s needlework was better than hers. She was willing to let Lian Zhizhi have more time to do her needlework in peace. The beautifully embroidered shoes she was wearing now had their exquisite embroidery done by Lian Zhizhi.

As she walked past the courtyard, Da Pang and Fatty barked and rushed over. When they reached Lian Manman, they wagged their tails vigorously, lifted their heads, and whimpered adorably at her. If it were Xiao Qi standing here, they would definitely have jumped on him. Every day when Xiao Qi returns from school, they hang around on him for a bit before getting down.

Actually, at first, these two also behaved like this towards Lian Manman. It took a few instances of her firmly disciplining them for them to learn to "behave."

Dogs, as creatures, love physical contact with their owners.

Lian Manman reached out and rubbed the furry heads of Da Pang and Fatty.

"Be good, there will be meat bones for dinner," Lian Manman said with a smile.

Releasing her hand, Da Pang and Fatty didn’t move away but nudged Lian Manman with their heads. This was also a habit Lian Manman had developed with them; only when she rubbed their heads did they dare nudge her with theirs.

"Second Miss, are you heading out?" Old Zhang, the long-term worker, asked with a smile. Da Pang and Second Fatty were originally by the fish pond and had followed Old Zhang back to fetch something.

"Yes, heading to the village," Lian Manman replied.

"If there’s anything Second Miss needs, just let us know, we’re free," Old Zhang added.

"No need for that, you go on with your work," said Lian Manman as she walked towards the courtyard gate, with Da Pang and Second Fatty reluctantly tagging along.

Might as well take them along, thought Lian Manman.

"I’ll take them with me," Lian Manman called back to Old Zhang and left with Da Pang and Second Fatty.

As Lian Manman leisurely walked into the village, Da Pang and Fatty ran ahead, circled back, and intermittently cozied up to her for a pat.

Passing by the Lian Family Old Mansion’s gate, Lian Manman saw the door ajar and glanced inside.

Lian Yeye was carrying a bucket of pig feed toward the gate, likely intending to feed the pigs.

Both Da Pang and Second Fatty had been to the old mansion before and knew Lian Yeye’s family, so they barked loudly. Upon hearing, Lian Yeye looked up and saw Lian Manman.

"Sister Manman..." Lian Yeye called out quickly.

"Yeye, you carry on, I’ll go to our Great Aunt’s house and come back to play with you later," Lian Manman waved to Lian Yeye.

"Okay," Lian Yeye nodded in response.

Walking away from the old mansion gate, ahead was a crossroads. Going north led to the back street and Er Ya’s house, while heading west led to Yingzi’s family.

Yingzi’s father was sitting on a large stone in front of their doorstep, with his chest exposed, enjoying the cool breeze.