Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 671 - 345: Complaining_1

Lady Zhou’s tirade was ostensibly aimed at Lian Xiuxiu, but each line was meant for Lian Shouxin’s ears—this was her way of pressuring Lian Shouxin.

"If you dare not give me what I want, then you’re saying I, your own mother, am worthless. You’re putting things above your own mother, and that’s unfilial and immoral." This was the underlying message in Lady Zhou’s words. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The saying goes, "The same words can be spoken a hundred different ways." Whenever Lady Zhou opened her mouth, it was never smooth or straightforward—she always had to bite and sting with her words, making sure the other person was uncomfortable.

At first, Lian Manman thought Lady Zhou was just naturally like this, but as time passed, she realized that Lady Zhou didn’t speak to everyone in that manner. For instance, she wouldn’t talk like that to Lian Xiuxiu, and when familiar women came to visit, she could be very jolly and sensible, making them see her as a cheerful and understanding person.

So, it could be said that Lady Zhou treats people differently. She just had a habit of picking on her son and daughter-in-law, intentionally making them uncomfortable. Lady Zhou was also absolutely certain that Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang had soft hearts, cared about their reputations, and were filial to her, which is why even after the family split, she still treated the couple this way.

And Lian Manman would constantly try to psychologically prepare herself, reminding herself that Lady Zhou was of advanced age and was Lian Shouxin’s mother, advising herself not to stoop to Lady Zhou’s level. But once Lady Zhou spoke, her mental fortitude would crumble.

Lady Zhou looked sidelong at Lian Shouxin, clearly waiting for him to capitulate.

"Mother, all the corn in the garden has been promised to Shopkeeper Wu and his people; we’ve signed a contract, black and white. Shopkeeper Wu sent his men over, and they’re watching the garden every day," Lian Shouxin said honestly. He looked at Lady Zhou with utmost sincerity, but after being continually berated by Lian Xiuxiu and Lady Zhou, he felt extremely disheartened.

"The father of the children and I have planned to, after this period passes, discuss with Shopkeeper Wu and allocate some regardless of the cost, just to let father and mother have a taste," Lady Zhang continued where Lian Shouxin left off, while sitting on the edge of the kang bed. "... That’s the rule for all of us farmstead families. Wasn’t it the same before the family split? Whatever the land yields that can be sold must be sold first. I’ve never heard of anyone eating their fill before securing the sale."

"Xiao Qi was just a little boy, and when the peanuts were harvested, his grandpa said they should be sold, not eaten, and Xiao Qi didn’t argue. Didn’t everyone say Xiao Qi was sensible? Now that corn has been planted in the garden and Xiao Qi craves it, he knows it’s been promised to others, so he hasn’t asked me for it even once," Lady Zhang added.

Everything Lady Zhang spoke was the truth.

Yet, to Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu, Lady Zhang’s words sounded like she was criticizing Lian Xiuxiu for lacking sense and not being as mature as Xiao Qi, a child of a few years.

Lady Zhou’s expression darkened, and Lian Xiuxiu’s face turned even redder with anger.

"Am I not just asking you for a few ears of corn? It’s not like I’m asking for your lives. All you care about is money, you misers!" Lian Xiuxiu lashed out furiously.

"What’s this about? You have only one younger sister, Xiuxiu. I raised you from nothing, and I don’t ask for anything in return. Xiuxiu’s only asking you for a bit of what’s in your garden, and it doesn’t even cost you money, yet you begrudge her that? If you won’t give it, then don’t. But to belittle Xiuxiu, saying she’s worse than a child... Once you start making money, you only look upwards. What’s a mother worth to you, or a sister? You’re closer to money than to family," Lady Zhou pointed at Lian Shouxin and angrily berated him, "You heartless son of a *****."

"Mother, we’ve explained ourselves clearly—there was no refusal. And every single thing my wife said was true; I don’t find them offensive at all," Lian Shouxin, having been scolded, replied a bit irritably.

That set Lady Zhou off even more.

"Old Fourth, you who can’t see straight, who are you talking to like that? You talk this way to your own mother, yet claim to be a paragon of filial piety? You’re not afraid of being struck by lightning from the heavens," Lady Zhou cursed viciously.

"Grandma, we’re all right here listening, and my dad didn’t say anything wrong, did he? Grandma, with your sharp ears, didn’t you hear how my Aunt just spoke? Does she still recognize my dad as her brother, to scold him as if he were dumb, right in front of us? Grandma, if we’re going by what you said, then if lightning did strike, it surely wouldn’t hit us," Lian Manman spoke up.

"Even if my mother did criticize my Aunt, what’s wrong with that? Isn’t my mother right? Doesn’t she have the right to speak? Not a word my mother said was wrong. When my Aunt was young, she was nursed by my mother. My sister couldn’t even feed because my Aunt almost killed my mother with her needs, so whatever my mother says, she should listen. Besides, my mother is still speaking for her own good," Lian Xiuxiu retorted.