"Just because you’re so gullible, you let them shortchange you. Why didn’t you go back and confront him?" Lady Zhou raged. "Why should you save face for him? The Old Zhao family doesn’t care about face. If he cared about his reputation, he wouldn’t have done such a despicable thing as to cut off his own descendants."
Lian Shouxin did not reply. If it had been another shop, they would have watched the weighing process closely when the shop assistants weighed goods; such a situation would not have occurred.
"After that, we didn’t dare to buy things from his family anymore. Sister-in-law Xiu E even complained to my mother once. She seed quite unsatisfied. My mother still cared about Brother Erlang’s feelings and didn’t ntion this matter." Lian Manman said this and was genuinely angry as well. "Father, tell , why would Zhao Wencai’s father ask my dad to be a guarantor? Is it because they think my dad is easy to bully and want to take us for fools again?"
"Zhao Wencai is a scoundrel. From now on, none of you should bother with him," Old Master Lian said.
"But that still leaves my dad feeling uneasy," Lian Manman deliberately sighed. "Sister-in-law Xiu E’s father might have claid that everything he said was for the Old Lian Family’s sake. It’s as though if my dad doesn’t act as the guarantor and Sister-in-law Xiu E doesn’t return, it would be my dad’s fault, as if he’s being unfilial to you, Grandma and Grandpa."
"Let him spout that donkey crap," Lady Zhou cursed loudly. "Old Fourth, rember this. The next ti he cos to the door, just throw him out. Don’t let him deceive you again."
With Lady Zhou acting this way, what could Lian Shouxin say? He could only nod in agreent.
"Grandpa, Grandma, I will rember this. Even if my dad forgets sotis, I will remind him," Lian Manman said cheerfully.
"Dad, what did the people from the Old Zhao family say when they ca?" Lian Shouxin asked Old Master Lian.
"It was the sa old talk, agreeing to let Erlang’s wife co back, but soone must act as a guarantor. Specifically, be the guarantor for the debt He Laoliu owes," Old Master Lian replied.
"Grandpa, did they ntion who they want to be the guarantor?" Lian Manman asked.
"The ssenger spoke sowhat ambiguously," Old Master Lian thought for a mont then said, "Based on what you’ve just said, I think they are still targeting you."
This last sentence was directed at Lian Shouxin.
"Co back or don’t, she has already caused enough turmoil for the whole family. In my life, no one has dared to curse like that. If she doesn’t co back, at least the house is peaceful," Lady Zhou said.
"She should still co back," Old Master Lian sighed softly, turned his head to glance at Lady Zhou, then turned back toward Lian Shouxin and lowered his voice, "Erlang’s wife is not virtuous, but we haven’t handled this matter properly either. Because of this, I haven’t been able to sleep night after night..."
Why not just split the family? Lian Manman really wanted to say. If the family split, this issue would be solely Lian Shouyi’s concern. If Zhao Xiue wanted to curse, she could curse Lian Shouyi and He Laoliu; how could she curse Lady Zhou and Old Master Lian? Moreover, if the family were divided, Lian Shouyi, knowing he had no one else to rely on, would take on more responsibility and not try to shirk it at the first sign of trouble.
"Dad, what do you plan to do? Have you given the ssenger a definite answer?" Lian Shouxin asked with concern.
"I haven’t given him a definite answer yet," Old Master Lian seed to hesitate slightly, "Well, dragging this out is not a solution either. I will send soone to notify the Old Zhao family that if Erlang’s wife wants to co back, we will fetch her. As for the matter of being a guarantor..."
The subject of being a guarantor ca up again, and both Lian Manman and Lian Shouxin looked at Old Master Lian.
"He Laoliu has run off; given his character, who would dare guarantee for him?" Old Master Lian sighed. "We can’t find anyone for the guarantee. I’ll discuss it with your second brother again, let him figure it out himself. That money must be paid back, specifically for Erlang’s wife."
Old Master Lian had made a decision if they couldn’t find soone for the guarantee and Zhao Xiue was willing to return, the Lian family would send soone to fetch her.
Both the Lian and Zhao families had sent ssengers back and forth several tis, and in the end, it was the Zhao family that gave in. Erlang, who had been gloomy, finally showed so happiness on his face and went to town to bring Zhao Xiue back.
Having not seen her for days, Zhao Xiue had beco noticeably thinner, her cheeks hollowed. Perhaps due to her weight loss, her waist appeared more prominent, making it obvious that she was pregnant. The Zhao family had not sent a carriage, so Erlang had hired one in town. This ti when Zhao Xiue returned, she only brought back two chests, both secured with large iron locks.
After coming back, Zhao Xiue continued to live in the east wing room. The wage money Erlang handed over to Lady Zhou was drastically reduced by more than half.
Zhao Xiue had cursed everyone in the Lian family out loud in the town streets. Before she returned, Old Master Lian had gathered the family and specially instructed that bygones be bygones, advising everyone to treat Zhao Xiue well, live in harmony, and hold no grudge.
Naturally, everyone agreed.
However, Zhao Xiue did not seem to need any special kindness from anyone. She went in and out as before, eating and drinking as usual, seemingly without any psychological barriers.
...
The new shop’s building construction was completed, but the Lian Manman family still returned to the Old Lian Family house for dinner every night.
The iron pot was boiling with food; dried green bean strips and yellow beans stewed with big bones. Lian Zhizhi sat in front of the stove, tending the fire with firewood. Lian Manman ca out cheerfully with a bundle of glass noodles.
"Sister, once it boils, let’s add a bundle of noodles," Lian Manman said.
"Okay, leave it there," Lian Zhizhi nodded.
Lian Manman put down the glass noodles but didn’t leave. Holding two sticks, she pulled up a small stool and sat next to Lian Zhizhi.
She had just sat down when a loud bang sounded from outside, sothing being thrown heavily on the ground.
"You, you think you are in any position to order around?" Zhao Xiue’s shrill voice started scolding.
***......***
First update delivered, seeking support.
Another update to follow. (To be continued. If you like this work, welco to QiDian (qidian) to cast your recomndation and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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