Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 558 - 287: A Sudden Storm_1

Second watch, seeking pink.

**...**

Lian Shouxin also followed with a laugh. He was quite helpless, for he was the head of the family, and outsiders now called him Boss Lian. But who knew that this Boss Lian was nothing more than a facade? Not only did he have no money in his hands, but he also owed his family money, and the debt was growing.

However...

"Just deduct it from Dad’s pay, and buy more meat. Get more lean meat; none of you ladies like fatty meat," Lian Shouxin said with a smile.

Being able to provide for one’s wife and children with ample food and clothing should be a man’s duty and pride, shouldn’t it?

"Okay!" Lian Manman replied with a busy smile, then turned her head to Lady Zhang, "Mom, you and my sister go home first to prepare the chives and dough. Xiao Qi and I will go to town to buy the meat."

"Alright, you two hurry there and back. It’s getting late, don’t play around outside," Lady Zhang nodded and instructed.

Lian Manman and Xiao Qi rode the ox cart all the way to the breakfast shop at the temple’s head before getting off. Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang were busy unloading the cart and feeding the ox, so Lian Manman and Xiao Qi picked up their baskets and headed to town.

The children first went to the butcher’s shop. Butcher Zhang wasn’t there, only his son was tending the store. Lian Manman weighed out three pounds of half-fat half-lean pork meat. For the stuffing of the meat pies, they’d only need about two to two and a half pounds, and the rest of the meat, Lian Manman planned to fry into minced pork sauce. It was great with rice, and they all loved it.

After leaving the butcher’s shop, the siblings didn’t head straight back to the village.

"Sis, let’s buy some dried shrimp too, we’ve run out at home," Xiao Qi discussed with Lian Manman.

"Sure, let’s buy some shrimp and some kelp while we’re at it," Lian Manman agreed.

After being together for a while, Lian Manman had discovered that Xiao Qi loved fish and shrimp. Even the tiny dried shrimp, he could savor with gusto. Sometimes they didn’t even need other dishes; just mixed with rice, Xiao Qi could devour a large bowl.

Lian Manman would often tease him about eating like a cat, but despite the teasing, their home was never without dried shrimp. It was because Lian Manman also had a fondness for it. One shouldn’t underestimate the little dried shrimp; it was not only delicious, but also an excellent calcium booster.

"Oh my, isn’t that Manman girl and Qilang?" As the siblings were walking down the street, someone walked up smiling and greeted them—it was none other than Zhao Wencai.

Lian Manman and Xiao Qi stopped and returned the greeting with smiles.

"Are you two headed to Uncle’s shop to buy something?" Zhao Wencai asked with a smile, eyeing the basket in Lian Manman’s hand quite a few times.

"We want to buy some dried shrimp, but it seems Uncle Zhao’s shop doesn’t have any," Lian Manman replied with a smile.

"Dried shrimp, what’s so tasty about that stuff? If you two like to eat it, next time I’ll specifically stock it for you.... Uncle’s shop has new snacks from the county town, come on, follow me. I’ll weigh out two pounds for you to take home," Zhao Wencai said with squinting eyes and a smile.

"No need, thank you, Uncle Zhao. Our family is waiting for us, we have to get back as soon as we finish shopping," Lian Manman declined with a smile, "Uncle Zhao, you go ahead with your work, we’re leaving."

After saying this, Lian Manman pulled Xiao Qi past Zhao Wencai.

"Wait," Zhao Wencai quickly called out to the children again, "Is Sister-in-law Xiu E doing well at home?"

"Sister-in-law Xiu E is doing quite well," Lian Manman said, "If you’re worried about Sister-in-law Xiu E, just go see her yourself. Uncle Zhao, my grandpa and granny often mention you at home, asking you to come over for a meal."

The relationship between the Zhao Family and the Lian Family was quite delicate now. While they were relatives, the tensions between them were quite stiff. Although Erlang and Zhao Xiue were still husband and wife, Old Master Lian had a significant grievance against Zhao Xiue and the Zhao Family. He wouldn’t possibly invite Zhao Wencai to the Lian Family for a meal. If he did indeed invite Zhao Wencai, it certainly wouldn’t be for anything good.

After Lian Manman finished speaking, she and Xiao Qi walked away. This time Zhao Wencai just uttered a couple of non-committal noises, didn’t reply, and didn’t call after them again.

The siblings bought half a pound of small dried shrimps and half a pound of kelp at the dry goods store, and then returned to Thirty Mile Camp.

When they got home, Lady Zhang had already prepared the dough and was sitting at the door with Lian Zhizhi picking chives. The first crop of spring chives, fresh and tenderly green, emitted their unique scent even just holding them in your hands.

Lian Manman handed the basket to Lady Zhang to check the meat. More than half of the meat had already been chopped into mince at the butcher’s, while a small piece remained unchopped.

"Everything’s been chopped? That’ll save us some trouble. What’s the plan for this piece of meat?" Lady Zhang asked as she examined it.