Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 555 - 285 Marriage_2

"When something needs to be discussed in the family in the future, those who shouldn’t be there mustn’t come. When the men discuss matters, the women shouldn’t be chirping incessantly like there’s something the matter!" As he said this, Old Master Lian’s tone paused for a moment.

Everyone knew that Old Master Lian was referring to Zhao Xiue.

"All right, disperse now. Get some rest early, we still have to rise early tomorrow to work the fields." Old Master Lian added one last sentence.

Everybody got up to leave, and Zhao Xiue snorted coldly, pushing to the front to exit before everyone else.

"What a mess, without any rules or sense," Old Master Lian couldn’t help but curse after everyone had left.

"Old Fourth, don’t be in a hurry to leave," Old Master Lian called out to Lian Shouxin.

"Dad, there’s nothing, I just came to check on you and mom," Lian Shouxin said as he sat down beside Old Master Lian.

"I know." Old Master Lian nodded his head and sighed, "You’ve seen it too, living these days is not peaceful. Erlang’s wife, we’ve made a poor match, there’s never peace at home."

Lian Shouxin just listened, without speaking up. As someone who had split from the main family, it wasn’t his place to comment on how his nephew’s wife was. However, he agreed with Old Master Lian’s viewpoint in his heart.

"Everyday, it’s either trivial issues that they turn into huge disputes. My head hurts with their endless nagging." Old Master Lian sighed again, "Old Fourth, this is a lesson. Now that you’re the head of your own household, you have to take your children’s marriages seriously. Everything else is negotiable, but the kid’s temperaments have to be good, even if they’re a bit dull, that’s fine. But they can’t be like Erlang’s wife."

"When Zhizhi and Manman are betrothed, we also have to observe the other family well. Being poor isn’t an issue as long as the person is upright and the family is decent. Zhizhi and Manman are both hardworking; it’d be best to find a family that earnestly works the land."

"Dad, I know all that. The children are still young, I haven’t thought about these matters yet," Lian Shouxin said.

"It’s about time to think about it, Zhizhi isn’t young anymore." Old Master Lian said, "As for the Old Jin side..."

Lian Shouxin glanced at Lian Manman, who pretended to walk away but stopped just outside the door, straining her ears to listen to the conversation inside.

"My wife went to inquire; Old Jin does things differently from us, so we don’t know what’s the real situation yet," Lian Shouxin told Old Master Lian.

"Once you know more, make a firm decision." Old Master Lian said, "Let me tell you, if it’s about marriage, we can’t agree. No matter how good the Old Jin Family’s days seem, we can’t be tempted. Such a family, we can’t afford to get involved with."

"Dad, I’m aware of that," Lian Shouxin said.

"What’s the matter, has someone proposed a match for Zhizhi?" Lady Zhou asked.

"No," Lian Shouxin answered, "I was just discussing the possibility with dad; no one has proposed for Zhizhi."

Lady Zhou uttered an "Ah" and then fell silent.

"Dad, Mom, you two rest. I’m going back. I still have to prepare for tomorrow morning’s business at the shop," Lian Shouxin said.

"Alright, go on with your work. I’ve had Old Three’s wife help out at your place these days, tell her to give you a hand. It won’t matter if she starts working the fields a bit later in the morning," Old Master Lian said.

"Alright."

Hearing Lian Shouxin’s footsteps heading out, Lian Manman quickly ran off ahead of him.

...

Later in the evening, at Lian’s Breakfast Shop, Lian Manman, Lian Zhizhi, Lady Zhao, and Lian Yeye had almost finished preparing the dough for the mantou and buns needed for the next day, and planned to return to the old house to rest.

"Once you’re done, why not head off first, and I’ll go call Mother," said Lian Manman.

Lady Zhang had gone out to visit neighbors and returned very late. She went directly to the breakfast shop, joined Lian Manman and the others after most of the work was finished, and then she and Lian Shouxin went to the new shop to check on the sweet potato seedlings.

"You go ahead, we’ll wait for your return, then we’ll go back together," Lady Zhao said.

"That’s okay," Lian Manman nodded.

Just a few steps from the breakfast shop, they arrived at the new shop. There was a light on inside, and the door was half open.

"Mother," Lian Manman called out as she pushed the door open, "It’s time to go back."

Inside, Lian Shouxin sat in front of the stove, tending the fire, while Lady Zhang sat on a small stool beside him, talking. Seeing Lian Manman enter, she looked up.

"Manman, go back and wait a moment, I’ll be right there," Lady Zhang said.

"Mother, I’ll wait here for you. You talk; I won’t listen," Lian Manman walked over to Lady Zhang’s side and also pulled up a small stool to sit.

Lian Manman made it clear that she intended to eavesdrop, and Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang exchanged glances.

"You child!" Lady Zhang scolded Lian Manman with a glance, "You can listen, but you mustn’t speak of it outside."

"Yes, yes," said Lian Manman, nodding repeatedly.

Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin then continued their earlier conversation.

"...Old Jin’s Family’s Old Fourth just took a wife last year, and now the only one left at home is their eldest son, Xi Bao, who hasn’t settled down. Old Jin and his spouse dote on Xi Bao the most. At the start of this year, a matchmaker proposed a bride for Xi Bao, but he wasn’t interested, so it fell through. Word has it that the Old Jin Family said that whatever bride Xi Bao takes, as long as he is happy, it’s fine... They see that our family has only a single ox and plow, just us adults working the fields with a few children, and yet they insist on pulling in our plow to help work the land..., sigh."

"Does the Old Jin Family want to take my sister as Xi Bao’s wife?" Lian Manman leaned in close to Lady Zhang, asking curiously.

"It seems that might be the case," Lady Zhang said, "Manman, you mustn’t tell your sister about this when you go back, understand?"

"I understand," Lian Manman nodded. Although she did not quite understand why she shouldn’t discuss it with Lian Zhizhi, the person concerned, she still agreed readily. "Then why don’t they ask a matchmaker to propose?"

"The Old Jin Family is not just any ordinary farming family," Lian Shouxin added another piece of firewood into the stove and watched the flames grow before lowering his voice and saying, "The Old Jin Family comes from a bandit background."

"Bandits?" Lian Manman was startled.

×××...×

The second watch, asking for pink support. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)