Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 649 - 334 Sudden Change_1
At second watch, request for pink.
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At this hour, to have such distinguished guests really was, Lian Manman silently touched her forehead, and turned her head to look outside the main gate.
A somewhat familiar and luxurious carriage was parked outside the Lian Family’s main gate, and a neatly dressed servant was helping a man disembark. This man, clothed in splendid garments, was none other than Huahua’s husband, Song Hailong.
What could have brought Song Hailong here in person?
The commotion from the Upper Room grew louder; it seemed no one had heard the shouting outside, and naturally, no one came out to greet the guest. These past few days, the Lian Family had been quarreling over the division of property, and the neighbors were all aware of it. Old Master Lian had not invited anyone to mediate or witness the proceedings, and everyone knew Old Master Lian cared about his reputation. He wanted to sort things out internally, so it wasn’t proper for them to visit. This was why the person who came to report the news earlier had only called from outside the gate and had not entered to deliver the message.
Lian Manman hastily entered the Upper Room, and as she lifted the curtain of the eastern chamber, she saw Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi, the two brothers, standing in the middle of the room, with Shouren gripping Shouyi’s front lapels and Shouyi clutching at Shouren’s collar. Both men were flushed with anger, arguing furiously.
"Over the years, we’ve been blood and sweat for you. You want to leave the family, pat your backside, and go enjoy yourself in the city, but don’t even think about it. You can’t bring out money now; you owe me a written debt acknowledgment," bellowed Lian Shouyi, his eyes wide as he roared at Lian Shouren.
"You shameless thing, Lian Er, even the heirlooms from the Jizu’s wife were snatched away by you, and yet you’re still asking me for money? I’ve used the family’s money, but at least I’ve managed to become a Scholar, and over these years, I’ve brought honor to the family, brought money home. You’ve squandered a house, given it away to outsiders; you are the disgrace of the Lian Family!" Lian Shouren fought back fiercely.
"If you don’t bring out the money today, we’ll resolve this at the County Yamen," shouted Lian Shouyi again, "Let’s air all of your embarrassing deeds there in good order."
"You think I’m scared of you? What did I do that didn’t involve you? Didn’t you always reap the benefits too? At the Yamen, with the same crimes, I’ll be fine; I’m a Scholar. You, a commoner, might be beaten to death with a few strokes of the board," retorted Lian Shouren.
"Keep arguing, keep arguing, and you two can both get out. The Lian Family has no descendants like you," Old Master Lian, sitting on the kang, yelled out in fury.
Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi paused for just a moment, merely that, before they were once again tearing at each other and shouting insults.
"Father, Mother, we have a guest," Lian Manman quickly cleared her throat and said loudly, "The Brother-in-law of the Song family has arrived."
Upon hearing the word ’guest,’ neither Lian Shouren nor Lian Shouyi paid attention until they heard Lian Manman announce the arrival of the Brother-in-law of the Song family, which caused the color to drain from both their faces.
"Who, Manman, who did you say has come?" several voices simultaneously asked inside the room.
"It’s the Brother-in-law of the Song family; he has already entered the courtyard," replied Lian Manman.
"What’s wrong with you, child, why didn’t you say so earlier?" Lian Shouren suddenly grew anxious.
"Someone outside reported it, but you were arguing so loudly, didn’t you hear?" Manman responded with an expressionless face, "I reckon Brother-in-law of the Song family must have heard you arguing as well."
After speaking, Lian Manman didn’t bother to look at the expressions of others in the room and turned to leave.
Once she left the Upper Room, she came face to face with Song Hailong, who, along with two servants, was slowly making his way up. To call it slow was an understatement; it would be more accurate to say he was sauntering. Lian Manman even suspected that Song Hailong had heard the quarreling from inside the Upper Room and hence stood in the middle of the courtyard, unsure whether to enter. Seeing her coming out, he then made a move to approach the Upper Room.
"Father, Huahua’s husband has come. He’s a respectable man, and this situation..." Lian Shouren’s words were anxious and muted as they emerged from inside the room.
"Put aside everything for now; we can’t let anything show in front of the guest. Quickly tidy up both the kang and the floor," commanded Old Master Lian.
Subsequently, the sound of hurried footsteps came from the room as everyone began to hastily tidy up.
Perhaps having heard the noise in the Upper Room subside, Song Hailong quickened his pace.
"Sister Manman," Song Hailong approached with a smile, greeting Lian Manman.
"Good day to you, Brother-in-law of the Song family," Lian Manman slightly curtsied, deliberately glancing behind Song Hailong, "Why isn’t my Sister Huahua with you?"
"Your sister Huahua is with child and it’s inconvenient for her to travel," Song Hailong’s gaze circled Lian Manman’s face and body. As she stepped aside to invite him into the Upper Room, he ignored her gesture and continued to approach her with a smile, "Sister Manman, this ’Brother-in-law of the Song Family’ is too formal. Sister Manman, why don’t you call me Brother Hailong? I know, in the countryside, that’s how you all address each other."
