Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 629 - 323: Covering Ugliness_2
"Lady Zhang, this second aunt of yours, with her thick and naive skin, they’re all like that," Lady Zhang said, unable to suppress a chuckle.
"My dad and grandma will definitely order that no one in the family can talk about today’s incident. But earlier, when my sister-in-law and Sister-in-law Xiu E were arguing, the neighbors would’ve certainly heard something. Second Aunt, she can’t keep her mouth shut. To think that we could keep this matter watertight is just impossible," Lian Manman said, "Mom, when you talk and Second Aunt talks, and everyone hears it, who will they believe, you or Second Aunt? Second Aunt may visit many homes, but we have run the Pickled Vegetable Workshop and now we manage the shop, and have taken over the laundry business. Even if Second Aunt knows more people, she can’t outweigh a word you say."
Zhao Xiue said Lady Chiang had an affair, and she described it with vivid details; Constable Zhou and the kid who saw them together had names and surnames. Lady Chiang wanted Lady Zhang to speak more forcefully in her defense, so first she had to make Lady Zhang believe her. That’s why she revealed part of the truth.
"Actually, whether she said those things earlier or not, if someone asked me, or if I heard any rumors, I would speak up for her," Lady Zhang said.
"Manman, if Sister did tell the truth for that reason, then why did she tell those lies? And what for?" Lian Zhizhi asked.
"Of course, there are some things she can’t tell us," Lian Manman said. For instance, she lied about meeting Constable Zhou alone. Lady Chiang also didn’t say anything about how Constable Zhou would convey the message to Lian Huahua.
Lian Manman believed that Lady Chiang wouldn’t have an affair with Constable Zhou, but she was very suspicious that there was something between the first wife’s family and Constable Zhou.
"Mom, Sister, do you take her for a confidante who tells you everything?" Lian Manman asked with a smile.
Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi exchanged glances, but neither of them spoke.
Lian Manman didn’t press further. Lady Zhang was kind-hearted and disliked talking about others, especially speaking ill of them. Lian Manman simply made the situation clear, so Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi would be aware.
After dinner, sure enough, Old Master Lian summoned all his sons. When Lian Shouxin returned, he conveyed Old Master Lian’s directive, just as Lian Manman had anticipated: an order to keep today’s events secret and instructions on how to respond uniformly if anyone asked.
Everyone naturally complied.
"Dad, did Grandpa take my uncle today to discuss the tutoring job? Was it successful?" Lian Manman asked Lian Shouxin.
"Yes, was that matter settled? If it was, it would be great: his uncle would have his annual expenses covered and even get some extra money," Lady Zhang said.
"Old Master told me they arrived late, and Scholar Zhao from Zhao Family Village got there first," Lian Shouxin said.
"So you’re saying it wasn’t successful?" Lady Zhang asked.
"Scholar Zhao arrived first and talked quite impressively. Old Master and the others were late. Doesn’t that mean someone else beat them to the punch?" Lian Shouxin said.
Choosing a tutor should be based on merit, not on who arrives first. Lian Manman looked at Lian Shouxin, but ultimately she didn’t voice her thoughts.
In the evening, the family still gathered in the snack shop, preparing for the next day’s business.
Although they hired workers for the shop, none of them took on the role of an absentee shopkeeper; they all still came to work in the shop every day. Even Wu Lang and Xiao Qi helped out for a while after their work in the shop during the day was over.
Lady Zhao was working in the shop, and Lian Yeye also came to help.
"...Sister-in-law Xiu E didn’t go to dinner tonight," Lian Yeye whispered to Lian Manman, "My uncle’s wife was hugging my sister-in-law and crying, and my uncle scolded brother Jizu."
"Did grandma take you to pick wild vegetables? How did uncle’s wife do?" Not particularly interested in the follow-up between Zhao Xiue and Lady Chiang, which was bound to be the same old story, Lian Manman was keener to learn about Lady Gu’s performance in the fields.
"What could she do? She only picked the bottom of a basket in half a day, complained about the crops being a nuisance and wanted just to rest under the trees. In the end, my mom and I shared our picked vegetables with her, so she could fill her basket, and then we could all go home," Lian Yeye said, "The crops are only so tall now, and she’s already complaining. Wait until they’ve fully grown; then she’ll understand how hard it is."
When the millet and sorghum grow taller, the edges of their leaves become prickly, scratching against one’s arms, face, and neck, painfully chafing. The daughters and daughters-in-law of tenant farmers, as well as their children, who are accustomed to working in the fields, don’t mind, but for someone like Lady Gu who isn’t used to farm work, the adjustment can be difficult at first.
"You still helped her out?" Lian Manman laughed.
"Sister Manman, you don’t know. My uncle’s wife really knows how to talk, she kept heaping praise on my mom and me, I got goosebumps all over... If she didn’t pick enough wild vegetables, she wouldn’t be able to go home. My mom and I couldn’t just leave her behind and go back on our own," Lian Yeye said with a grimace, "Wherever I went, I made her follow. If she picked slowly, she still had to pick. If I let her rest, and my mom and I picked vegetables to give her, I wouldn’t agree to that."
Lian Manman burst into laughter.
While Lian Yeye worked with her hands, she glanced over in Lian Shouxin’s direction. Just as Lian Shouxin stepped out of the room, Lian Yeye hurriedly moved closer to Lian Manman’s ear.
"Sister Manman, did uncle Number Four come back and tell you?" Lian Yeye asked quietly.
"Isn’t it just about sister-in-law and Sister-in-law Xiu E’s incident? Is there another matter?" Lian Manman’s curiosity was piqued as she inquired.
"...Brother Jizu needs money..."
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Here’s an update for now, requesting your support with likes. I strive for another update tonight. (To be continued... If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to vote for it on Qidian with recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
