Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 638 - 328: Making it Clear_2
"Sir, I heard from Old Uncle Huang that if my second uncle and the others continue to work, then there shouldn’t be any problems," said Lian Manman.
"Right, that’s how it is," Lian Shouxin agreed with Lian Manman.
Old Master Lian couldn’t help but pause. He was well aware that as long as the matter of Lian Jizu needing money couldn’t be resolved satisfactorily, Zhao Xiue’s illness would not get better, and Lian Shouyi and his brothers would not go to work.
"Old Fourth, our family has come to such a plight," said Lady Zhou at this point, "Jizu needs One String of Coins for his education and the exams, something vital. We don’t have the money at home, do you expect your father and me, the two old folks, to smash the pot and sell the iron? You’re not without money now, One String of Coins is nothing to you. Just save a little here and there, and that will be enough... I’m not asking for nothing in return, if you give us the money, for the August Festival this year, New Year’s, you don’t have to buy anything for us, let’s count this money as making up for it, okay?"
"Ah?" Lian Shouxin was clearly taken aback.
Lian Manman was also somewhat surprised; she had anticipated that Lady Zhou might directly ask for money, and if Old Master Lian were to speak up, it would certainly be about borrowing money. She never expected Lady Zhou to say such things.
Sure enough, does experience count for spicy ginger? She had still seen too little.
"How can this be," Lian Shouxin protested in shock before hurriedly shaking his hand, "each matter should be handled on its own."
"Granny, if it really goes like this, letting outsiders know, Jizu brother’s reputation won’t sound good. Even if he truly makes it through the exams, once people investigate and know about this, they might just take back the accolades he earned," Lian Manman spoke slowly.
"If I’m willing, who can say anything?" said Lady Zhou.
"Granny, officials have their own rules, they won’t reason with us," said Lian Manman. Clearly, it was Lady Zhou who was being unreasonable, but all Lian Manman could say was this.
Old Master Lian was meditating on the side, not saying a word.
When it came to matters involving officials, Lady Zhou’s knowledge fell short, so she took Lian Manman’s words as the truth.
"What to do, this is killing me," Lady Zhou raised her hand to cover her face, then bowed her head and started crying softly, "I’ve lived to this age, never had it so hard, old now, old, I still have to go and beg others, what a wretched life I lead..."
Seeing Lady Zhou like this, Lian Shouxin’s heart softened. But he had just agreed with his family, and he knew that consent to this demand would lead to endless troubles, so he forcefully steeled his heart. Yet, he felt a tinge of sadness in his heart too.
It wasn’t that the money could not be scraped together, but why did Lady Zhou, before others, have to press him so, her son who had already separated from the household and started his own family?
Old Master Lian’s face, hidden behind the smoke of his dry tobacco pipe, suddenly began to speak at this time.
"Old Fourth, we’re facing some difficulties at home, and Jizu needs the money for a good cause. Once Jizu passes the exams, it will bring glory to our Old Lian Family. All of us will bask in his success... If you find it convenient, consider the money as borrowed from your father. Once we’re over this hurdle, Jizu will be the first to remember your kindness, and your mother, myself, our whole family will be grateful to you. The neighbors will also praise your benevolence. And I’ll find a way to pay you back by autumn," Old Master Lian said.
Finally, Old Master Lian turned to Lian Shouxin to borrow money.
"Father, you say you need the money, and normally I shouldn’t refuse. But with today’s matter, have you thought, this isn’t something I can solve just by giving money," Lian Shouxin took a deep breath and said to Old Master Lian.
Old Master Lian was shocked, he looked at Lian Shouxin with surprise. He had thought that once he spoke up, especially about borrowing, Lian Shouxin would give the money without a second word.
"You make it sound so nice, isn’t this just a way of refusing your father? It’s the first time your father has asked you for anything, Old Fourth, have you lost your conscience..." Lady Zhou immediately started cursing loudly.
"Granny, don’t rush to scold, just let my father finish talking," Lian Manman interjected, "Father, Granny, listen to my father, he’s looking out for your best interest."
"Alright, Old Fourth, you go ahead and say it," Old Master Lian said.
"Father, there are no outsiders here, so I’ll speak my mind. Does Jizu really need the money that badly? Why has Erlang’s wife suddenly become ill? Why do my second and third brothers keep silent and refuse to work? Can’t my eldest brother’s family scrounge up anything at all to help Jizu?"
Lian Shouxin’s series of questions left Old Master Lian speechless.
"Father, for the sake of both of you, the elders, I’m not afraid to offend. I’ll just lay it all out," Lian Shouxin continued, then he recounted the gist of the argument that had taken place between Lian Manman and Lady Zhang in the West Wing Room, of course omitting some of the criticism of Lian Jizu and others.
"Father, if I give the money today, what about future matters? Wouldn’t my elder and second brothers take this as a precedent? Father, I know you understand these matters better than I do, you just want peace at home. But if it really goes like this, then peace at home will be even harder to come by in the future," Lian Shouxin spoke candidly, and Old Master Lian felt his head spin, his hand holding the tobacco pipe shaking.
"Old Fourth, what nonsense are you talking about, look how agitated your father is. If you provoke your father into a disaster, I’ll fight you with this old life of mine," Lady Zhou, upon seeing Old Master Lian like this, immediately began shouting loudly and swung her arms as if to hit Lian Shouxin.
"Stop your senseless squabbling," Old Master Lian barked at Lady Zhou.
Lady Zhou was instantly stunned.
"Old Fourth, you’re right," Old Master Lian’s expression was odd, and it was unclear whether he was crying or laughing, "I’ve been blinded by ignorance, your elder brother, your second brother, they’re trying to force a split in the family. Split it, then! I will divide the family right now!"
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First update sent, asking for your pink encouragement. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian.com with recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
