Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 729 - 373: The Cost of Splitting the Family_2
Although it had been discussed in advance, seeing Lian Shouli, Lady Zhao, and Lian Yeye kneel their heads to the ground with such disregard for their lives still involuntarily brought a sour feeling to Lian Manman’s heart.
"What are you doing? What are you doing? Are you trying to take your own lives or what? Help them up quickly!" Old Master Lian called out anxiously.
Erlang and Sanlang stepped forward to pull Lian Shouli up.
When Lian Shouli raised his head, blood was already visible on his forehead.
"Father..." As Lian Shouli lifted his eyes to Old Master Lian, he let out a mournful cry, then with a strong jerk of his arms, he shook off Erlang and Sanlang and knelt down again.
If they could not take this opportunity to split from the household today, they would never have another chance. Lian Shouli’s family had made up their mind; if Old Master Lian did not agree to divide the family, they were prepared to kneel until death right there and then. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Old Master Lian’s hands were trembling.
The look in Lian Shouli’s eyes when he raised his head had disturbed his heart. What a face it was, what a look! Due to continuous hard work and suppressed emotions, the ravages of time had etched deep marks on Lian Shouli’s face ahead of his years. His eyes were desolate and desperate, unbearable to be met directly.
Old Master Lian was reminded of a time he saw the slaughtering of a cow. The cow was bound down on the ground, a blade at its throat, and as it cried its death wails, the tear-filled eyes were just like the look Lian Shouli had given him!
Perhaps because he was choked by smoke, Old Master Lian coughed twice, then covered his mouth. He tasted a sweet metallic tang in his throat and swallowed hard, feigning composure.
"Father, as long as my older brother and second brother don’t split off, nobody can speak ill of our family behind our backs. Seeing how earnest my third brother is, you should just agree. My older brother can still take care of my third brother, even if they split off, it doesn’t make a difference," pleaded Lian Shouxin, as he stood up, "Father, I’ve heard that many official and scholarly families do the same, splitting into separate branches without affecting each other."
"My third brother is straight-forward but obstinate. He is fixed on this point; if you, father, do not agree, none of us can pull him back up," said Lian Shouxin, attempting to pull Lian Shouli up, to no avail.
"What splitting? If Father doesn’t say to split, nobody is allowed to!" Lian Shouren stood up and spoke resolutely.
If Lian Shouyi had suggested splitting the family, Lian Shouren would have readily agreed. But Lian Shouli was different. Lian Shouli, who toiled without complaint, working hard and consuming little, made no demands on him. Keeping him in the household was more beneficial than letting him go. Moreover, by saying so, he could earn a reputation for not wanting to split the family. That was an outcome Lian Shouren welcomed.
"Yeye, third auntie," Lian Manman ran to Lian Yeye and embraced her, bursting into tears, "Yeye is running out of breath, my third auntie is about to kneel herself to death...Ah, someone help, Grandfather, save Yeye, please..."
"Are you trying to drive me to my death? What terrible sin did I commit in my past life..." Lady Zhou began crying out while sitting on the bed. Initially, upon seeing Lian Shouli’s family kneeling, she assumed that they were threatening her based on her perspective; she steeled herself, feeling ruthless in her heart. But as she saw Lian Shouli’s family sincerely risking their lives as they knelt, she felt both anger and hatred, yet was also somewhat stunned. Now, hearing Lian Manman’s cries, she almost instinctively began to wail as well—not for any other reason than to appear more miserable and justifiable than the others.
"Old Fourth, help your third brother up. Everybody, help them up," Old Master Lian said, lowering his head with a wave of his right arm, "If Old Three wants to split and form his own household, let him be!"
Now that Old Master Lian had agreed, the overjoyed Lian Manman stopped crying at once and eagerly helped Lian Yeye up.
Over there, Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang also helped Lian Shouli and Lady Zhao to their feet.
Lian Shouli, Lady Zhao, and Lian Yeye all had blood on their foreheads, which trickled down their cheeks and stained their fronts red, a sight too grievous for onlookers. Lian Zhizhi and Wu Lang had run back to the West Wing Room earlier to get clean gauze and medicine and were now in the Upper Room, wrapping the wounds for the three family members.
"Does it hurt, Yeye?" asked Lian Manman.
"Hmm," nodded Lian Yeye, her mouth corners inevitably curling upward. The blood and pain were worthwhile sacrifices for the result they had obtained—Old Master Lian agreeing to their separation. She felt happy inside.
Old Master Lian, Lady Zhou, Lian Xiuxiu, along with Lian Shouyi’s family of the second wife, would all accompany Lian Shouren to his new post; Lian Shouli would remain behind and form his own household. The broad directions were settled, and what followed was a discussion of specific arrangements.
"Don’t think you can take advantage at a time like this, wanting to split the house. You’re not getting any more than Old Fourth’s family did!" Lady Zhou snarled at Lian Shouli.
First, the Old Fourth Family had broken free from her control, and now Old Three’s family was rebelling. How could Lady Zhou not feel hatred? Her son asking to split the family was tantamount to betraying her, forgetting her nurturing grace. With such an ungrateful nature, she wished she could curse them to death.
Lian Shouli, Lady Zhao, and Lian Yeye all remained calm. Satisfied with the prospect of independence, they had never expected to gain any advantage.
"Whatever Father and Mother decide is fine. Just like Old Fourth, that’s not a problem," Lian Shouli said earnestly.
Lian Shouli’s lack of demands did not appease Lady Zhou, it only fueled her anger further.
"Heartless as wolves, black-hearted as dogs," Lady Zhou cursed bitterly.
"Times have changed in the family. Giving Old Three a bit more doesn’t mean Old Fourth can argue," Old Master announced, hoping to compensate Lian Shouli with a greater share of the family wealth.
"Father, if you give more to my third brother, I’ll be happy for him. I won’t have any objections," Lian Shouxin said.
"He shouldn’t get a single bit more," Lady Zhou shouted.
In the room, some were secretly pleased, others simply didn’t care at all.
"Someone, please draft the document,"
***...****
Here’s the first update, begging for pink.
Striving for a second update later. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your votes for the recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
