Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 612 - 315: Dragon Boat Festival_1

At second watch, begged for pink.

×××......×××

"It’s Jiaxing who’s come; quick, come inside and sit," Lian Shouxin’s laughter came from outside. "Child’s mother, Jiaxing has come."

Lady Zhang immediately beamed with a smile, answering as she went out to greet him.

Lian Manman glanced at Lian Zhizhi and saw her standing there shyly, uncertain whether it was better to follow and greet him, stay put, or avoid the situation altogether, then she pursed her lips and smiled.

After smiling, Lian Manman took Lian Zhizhi’s hand and followed Lady Zhang out to welcome the guest.

Wu Jiaxing, clad in a cloth robe, stood there holding large and small packages, smiling in greeting to Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin.

Lian Manman quickly stepped forward to help Wu Jiaxing with his things; everyone chatted and laughed as they welcomed him inside, arranged for tea and fruits. With the future son-in-law of a settled engagement walking through the door, Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin were all smiles, naturally bringing out the best items the household had to offer.

Wu Jiaxing was there to deliver the Dragon Boat Festival gifts.

In families of tenant farmers, it’s customary to exchange gifts on the three major holidays. Now that the Lian Family and the Wu Family had become official relatives, such customs could not be overlooked.

Some farmstead families, either because the head wishes to save money, or because their means are limited, hope to finalize the marriage immediately after an engagement, for then they could soon bring the bride home, adding another laborer to the household, branching out sooner. Additionally, this would prevent the expense of holiday gifts given before marriage.

Of course, the Wu Family was not such a household; the festival gifts brought by Wu Jiaxing were quite substantial.

Two rolls of summer cloth, both spun from the best cotton yarn, fine yet cool to wear, the colors and patterns both vivid and tasteful. They were purchased by Wu Jiaxing and Wu Yugui in the county town, and their price was no cheaper than ordinary silk. It was said that they were the most fashionable fabric of the year in both the county and Prefecture City. Because they were in short supply, Qingyang Town’s fabric stores had yet to stock them.

Then there was a bag of ten pounds of superior river rice, a whole piece of pork weighing ten pounds, and additionally two jars of fine Almond Village wine.

"They’re both practical and presentable, this is truly thoughtful. Jiaxing’s mother is a meticulous person," Lady Zhang whispered to Lian Manman in admiration behind the scenes.

While Lian Shouxin chatted with Wu Jiaxing in the house, Lady Zhang took Lian Manman and Lian Zhizhi out to prepare the meal. As Wu Jiaxing had come bearing gifts, the Lian Family naturally intended to have him stay for dinner.

Soon enough, Wu Lang and Xiao Qi returned from school and also came in to exchange greetings with Wu Jiaxing.

"Ask Mr. Loo to come over earlier," Lady Zhang told Wu Lang.

After Wu Lang left to fetch Mr. Loo, Lady Zhang busied herself with cooking while discussing with Lian Zhizhi.

"Zhizhi... how about making a pair of shoes for Jiaxing?"

Busy picking mushrooms, Lian Zhizhi blushed at Lady Zhang’s words but did not respond verbally.

Lady Zhang called Xiao Qi out.

"Go measure how big Brother Jiaxing’s feet are so your sister can make him shoes."

Xiao Qi, hearing this, darted excitedly into the inner room, and soon enough Xiao Qi’s loud voice emanated from within.

"Brother Jiaxing, we need to know your shoe size so my sister can make you shoes."

Inside the house, Wu Jiaxing turned beet red with embarrassment. Naturally, Lian Zhizhi, busy in the outer room, blushed even more deeply. Xiao Qi’s words might easily be misconstrued by Wu Jiaxing as having been prompted by Lian Zhizhi.

"That little rascal," Lady Zhang couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time.

Although Wu Jiaxing was bashful, he cooperated fully—or perhaps took the initiative—by sketching a rough outline of his shoe size on a piece of paper Xiao Qi had found, approximating the size of the shoes he was wearing. Of course, the sketch couldn’t be used to make actual shoes, but it accurately depicted the size of the footwear he wore.

After the sketching, Wu Jiaxing even came out with Xiao Qi, personally handing over the paper with the shoe size.

"... I didn’t draw it well; it should be from here to here. This size should be sufficient," Wu Jiaxing said, indicating on the sketch.

Three people were bustling in the outer room: Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, and Lian Manman.

Wu Jiaxing, feeling awkward about handing the shoe size directly to Lian Zhizhi, passed it instead to Lady Zhang.

Lian Manman turned her face aside to hide a smile, thinking to herself that Wu Jiaxing was not at all dull.

Lady Zhang didn’t take the shoe size from Wu Jiaxing, gesturing that her hands were occupied. Wu Jiaxing had "no choice" but to "hand it over" to Lian Zhizhi in passing.

Lian Zhizhi, cheeks flushed, refused to take it and called for Lian Manman.

"Manman."

In this age, strict separation of genders was customary. While tenant farmer families didn’t abide by the rigid protocols of great manor houses, they still observed such proprieties closely. Hence why, in situations such as these, having little barriers like Lian Manman and Xiao Qi wasn’t just unobtrusive but absolutely necessary.