Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 735: Scapegoat_2

Old Master Lian’s brow twitched twice, and he pretended not to hear Lian Yeye’s words, only continuing to wear a smile while facing Scholar Wang and the others.

Upon reaching the middle of the courtyard, Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi stepped out to greet them from the house.

"...We were all along in the backyard, unaware of the esteemed guests’ arrival," Lian Shouren stated, hinting he was oblivious to the recent commotion.

"Goodness, why are there so many people outside?" Lian Shouyi exclaimed noisily as well.

When the onlookers outside overheard their words, someone burst out laughing. Because of Scholar Wang’s presence, those watching didn’t dare to enter the yard, but neither did they leave.

"Lian Laoer, weren’t you just outside with your father? It’s as if you’re only noticing us now," someone called out loudly, peeling away Lian Shouyi’s pretense. They dared not mock Lian Shouren, who was about to assume office, but they had no qualms about teasing Lian Shouyi.

An attempt at concealment turned into an over-complication, leaving the faces of brothers Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi looking somewhat displeased.

Fortunately, Scholar Wang, Wang Youheng, and the others showed great restraint, maintaining neutral expressions which saved Old Master Lian and his sons from further embarrassment.

Old Master Lian ushered the guests into the house, with Old Jin following along with Xi Bao, wanting to enter as well.

Manman stretched out her hands, blocking the father and son duo. She didn’t speak, just glared at Xi Bao.

Xi Bao, having been scolded by his father, knew he had misspoken earlier. He gave Manman a couple of wide-eyed looks before puffing out his chest again.

"Manman, about that, I misspoke earlier. If you’re angry, you, you can hit me. I won’t fight back, let you vent... I get it now, your uncle and others are bullying you, don’t be afraid, you’ve got me and my dad. Just squeak, and I will beat them up for you," Xi Bao said, rolling up his sleeves to reveal his young arms that had started to show some muscle.

Manman continued to wear a stern face.

Xi Bao looked up at Old Jin, seemingly in search of help. Old Jin chuckled twice, delivering a slap on his little son’s shoulder without offering any hint.

"That, about that, I was wrong earlier. If your family sells you, I definitely won’t buy," Xi Bao could only rely on himself, "No, no, what I mean is, with me around, I definitely won’t let your family sell you."

"Ka ka ka." Old Jin laughed so hard his voice changed.

As Xi Bao saw that Manman’s expression hadn’t improved, and hearing Old Jin laughing like that, his face turned red, and he glanced fiercely at Old Jin.

Old Jin, seeing his son’s bemused and angry expression, like that of a small tiger whirling around without a target to pounce on, laughed even more joyfully.

"You, you," Xi Bao got so angry he could hardly speak, jumping up and threatening, "When I get back, I’m telling my mom."

"Ahem, ahem," Old Jin quickly suppressed his laughter with a cough and tried to soothe Xi Bao, "Good Bao, daddy isn’t laughing at you. How could I laugh at you?"

Manman stood at the door, her face expressing embarrassment. Who would say Old Jin was shrewd, who spread rumors that Old Jin was once a hitman, even capable of killing without blinking an eye? The father and son before her were both quite foolish, extremely out of tune! That Old Jin who lent high-interest loans to the Lian Family and came to collect debts must be someone else. And this Xi Bao, he must have lied about his age.

In Thirty Mile Camp, people’s ages are calculated including the ten months of pregnancy. That is to say, a newborn baby is already considered one year old. If this baby is born near the end of the year, for example, on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, then in just a day or two, by the first day of the New Year, the baby would have grown another year, becoming two years old.

The tenant farmers call this "adding on to the age."

"Manman, we’ve come here with good intentions," Old Jin said, knowing that Xi Bao wanted to help Lian Manman and he too wanted to lend Lian Shouxin a hand. "There’s a saying, isn’t there? Upon entering, a guest you become. Blocking us like this, it seems rather inappropriate." "Don’t worry, once inside the house, I’ll make sure the lad here doesn’t speak.

"He’s a simpleton, with a straight mind—whatever is in his heart, he just blurts out. Manman, there is some good in being a simpleton," Old Jin pushed Xi Bao towards Lian Manman, then added with a smile.

"Manman, please step aside. Brother Old Jin, please come in," Lian Shouxin called out as he emerged from the Upper Room.

Lian Manman thought it over. Old Jin was someone who dared to speak his mind and had recently become somewhat acquainted with Lian Shouxin; he must be on their side. Letting him in should be fine as long as Xi Bao kept quiet; indeed, there was no harm in it.

Thinking this, Lian Manman stepped aside.

Xi Bao was visibly delighted, nodding at Lian Manman as if to signal that everything was under his control and she should not worry, then followed Old Jin inside the house.

"Father." Lian Manman grabbed Lian Shouxin’s sleeve, noticing a scratch on his face that was bleeding.

"It’s nothing, your grandma scratched me," Lian Shouxin whispered.

"Father, earlier..." Lian Manman began to ask. The commotion outside had been so loud, yet both Lian Shouxin and Lian Shouli hadn’t gone out.

"Your grandma was threatening to take her life; your Third uncle and I had to hold her back, sigh..."

By the look on Lian Shouxin’s face, the complications were beyond words. Just then, Wu Yugui called out for Lian Shouxin from inside the house.

Lian Shouxin quickly replied and hurried inside. Lian Manman also quickened her pace to follow suit.

Chairs were arranged in a row inside the room, with Scholar Wang, Wang Youheng, Wu Yugui, Wu Jiaxing, Old Huang, and Old Jin all sitting. Old Master Lian was on the kang bed. Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi, Lian Shouli, and Lian Shouxin stood below the kang, and most of the women had left, with the exception of Lady Zhou.

Lady Zhou stood with her back to everyone, her hair disheveled and her head hung low. Lian Xiuxiu stood by her side also with her head bowed.

"...this is a matter for the men; you don’t understand anything, babbling on recklessly. Isn’t this home chaotic enough already? Enough, don’t meddle in these affairs, go stay in that room, we need to talk."

As soon as Lian Manman entered the room, she saw Old Master Lian reprimanding the air. Without anyone specifying, everyone knew Old Master Lian was scolding Lady Zhou.

Lady Zhou lifted her head and glanced at Old Master Lian. Old Master Lian, with his back to Lady Zhou, did not turn around.

Lady Zhou’s gaze shifted towards Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi.

Both Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi kept their heads down and did not meet Lady Zhou’s gaze.

Lady Zhou’s lips began to tremble.

Watching from the side, Lian Manman thought to herself, the Lady Zhou who nearly ruled the Lian Family with an iron fist, even she had such a day when she was to be made a scapegoat right before her eyes!

***......****

Presenting a second update, asking for your affection. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)