Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 226 - 117: Counter Scheme Part 2

Chapter 226: Chapter 117: Counter Scheme Part 2
Lian Manman hopped off the kang bed, walked to its edge, and placed the package of pastries in front of Lian Xiuxiu. She thought that without saying a word, once everyone had left and Lian Xiuxiu opened the package to find the pastries she had nibbled on, she would be so embarrassed that she and Lady Zhou would never again rummage through their belongings in the West Wing Room.
Who knew that before Lian Xiuxiu even touched the pastries, Lian Shouyi came over, grabbed them, and picked up the package. He had heard from Lian Shouren how lavish the meal in town was, and his cravings had already been roused. He was even more convinced that the meals at home were bland and watery, and upon seeing some pastries, he wanted to shamelessly indulge himself in a few pieces.
"Second Brother, those are for me." Lian Xiuxiu assumed that Lady Zhang had bought pastries for her from town today, and seeing them taken by Lian Shouyi, she immediately protested discontentedly.
"Second Uncle, those are for Old Cousin, don’t open them." Lian Manman also said.
But Lian Shouyi ignored both their attempts to stop him and, in a rush of impatience, simply tore open the package of pastries.
"These pastries, why do they look like this..." Lian Shouyi took out a piece, held it up to his eyes, and didn’t eat it right away.
Lian Xiuxiu took advantage of the moment to snatch back the package of pastries. As soon as she saw the pastries inside clearly, her face turned red instantaneously. Lady Zhou also peered over from the side, her face turning pale. Fortunately, the room was dimly lit, and without looking closely, the changes in their complexions weren’t noticeable.
Lian Manman helplessly shrugged internally, thinking that with things having come to this, she could only adapt and respond accordingly.
Lian Shouyi, feeling discontent, now found an outlet for his frustration.
"Old Fourth, what is this mess you’ve created?" Seeing Lian Xiuxiu in a daze, Lian Shouyi took the package of pastries straight to Old Master Lian and let him see. "Old Fourth, if you have money to buy things for Xiuxiu, are you so stingy that you can’t even bear to give her untouched pastries? Instead, you let your son and daughter nibble on them first before giving them to Xiuxiu. What you’re doing isn’t righteous at all. Do we have such a deceitful person in our family?"
Lian Shouxin didn’t want to admit it was done by Lian Xiuxiu, and his face turned red, unable to utter a word.
"Old Fourth, everyone says you are an honest man." Lian Shouren also spoke up, "Conducting yourself like this, you’re letting everyone down. You’re fishing for compliments and also bullying our sister."
"No, it’s not like that," Lian Shouxin quickly waved his hands to deny it.
"Not like what? No wonder Manman didn’t want me to touch it; she was probably afraid I’d see it, huh? You all were waiting for Xiuxiu to open it herself, and then you wouldn’t admit to it. Xiuxiu, being honest, would take your feelings into consideration and not speak up, making things even better for you, right?" Lian Shouyi said.
What Lian Shouyi said was correct, except that he had the situation reversed.
Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu sat at the edge of the kang bed, neither speaking a word.
While Lian Shouxin was concerned about one thing and another, Lian Manman certainly didn’t intend to take the blame for Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu.
"Eh, how could this be? They were fine when I checked this morning." Lian Manman pretended to exclaim in shock, "...these pastries were bought the day before yesterday. I got busy with the peanuts and forgot to give them to Old Cousin, so I put them in the cupboard. We definitely haven’t touched them."
"If you didn’t touch them, then what, were they nibbled on by rats? Or do we now have a thief in the house?"
"Dad, Mom, you see, Second Uncle is also saying this. I’m saying we’ve had a thief." Lian Manman immediately followed up, "...when the fire was burning fiercely, we were worried the kang mat might get damaged, so before leaving, my mother and sister rolled up the mat. When we came back, the mat was spread out on the kang, with a big burnt spot on it... several items were out of place... all this happened while we were in town, Grandfather, First Uncle, Third Uncle, and our family were all in town. But at home, there was still my grandma, Old Cousin, First Uncle’s wife, Second Uncle and Second Aunt, how could there have been a thief in our room without anyone noticing?"
The room fell silent again.
Certain habits of Lady Zhou were actually an open secret in the Lian Family.
"Old Fourth, Old Fourth’s wife, are either of you going to say this wasn’t your children nibbling on them?" Lian Shouren then asked.
Lian Shouxin had already missed one opportunity earlier on, that was when only his own immediate family was present. Now, naturally, he would not accuse his own children.
"My children are well-behaved, and everyone knew it even before we split the household. Now that we’ve separated, they would be even less inclined." Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang said.
"You little girl, those words you just said, are implying that the thief is someone from our own family, aren’t you?" Lian Shouyi’s eyes rolled around, and he suddenly spoke harshly to Lian Manman.
Lian Manman blinked; it was clear that Lian Shouyi was looking to stir up trouble.
Bringing over this package of pastries was meant to give Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu a warning to consider their actions, signaling that the Fourth Household wouldn’t tolerate any further intrusions. Now that Old Master had seen it, he would likely understand the situation too. Whether Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu disciplined themselves or Old Master stepped in, they had to think twice before snooping around the Fourth Household’s chambers again.
The purpose of bringing the pastries had been achieved. If Lian Shouyi wished to instigate a fallout with Zhou and the others, Lian Manman had no intention of playing into his hands.
"Second Uncle, I didn’t say you and Second Aunt were thieves." Lian Manman timidly said.
Not mentioning others, focusing only on Lian Shouyi and Lady He, clearly implied that they were the culprits.
"Second Aunt loves to sneak food behind Grandma’s back." Lian Manman said sneak, not steal, "Second Aunt loves eating eggs and chicken, probably wouldn’t eat pastries. Oh, but there are eggs in these pastries."
Lian Shouyi glared at Lian Manman furiously.
"Manman, which eye of yours saw your Second Aunt sneaking pastries? If you can’t provide a clear explanation today, then Old Fourth, I won’t let this go."
"I didn’t say it was Second Aunt. Whoever did it knows it in their heart." Lian Manman said, "I have evidence here."
"Everyone shut up." Lady Zhou suddenly shouted loudly.
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Here’s one more update, asking for your pink votes.
There will probably be another one tonight. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.)