Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 245 - 128: Lian Family Handling Matters_2

Chapter 245: Chapter 128: Lian Family Handling Matters_2
"Second brother, don’t talk nonsense," Old Master Lian quickly cut off Lian Shouyi’s words, "Old Fourth’s life isn’t easy. Let’s stick to the matter at hand. Don’t tease him."
Upon hearing Old Master Lian speak this way, Lian Manman sighed with relief. Fortunately, Old Master Lian was reasonable; otherwise, the family affairs could have become many times more troublesome.
"Grandfather, I’ll fill your tobacco pouch for you," Lian Manman noticed that the tobacco in Old Master Lian’s pipe was running low, so she quickly walked over with a smile.
"That’s right, only my granddaughter is so observant and knows how to show filial piety," Old Master Lian was just feeling that the tobacco was getting weak and was about to refill his pouch when Lian Manman offered. Naturally, he was pleased.
Lian Manman skillfully filled Old Master Lian’s tobacco pouch and lit it for him before she sat back down next to Lady Zhang.
"You’re the only one who knows how to curry favor," Lian Xiuxiu, sitting on the kang bed, glared at Lian Manman and muttered under her breath.
Lian Manman heard her but just smiled secretly without responding.
"As for the money for the banquet, we’ve discussed this just now. We’ll first take out the two strings of money from selling peanuts, and if that’s not enough, we’ll supplement it with the betrothal gift from the Song Family," Old Master Lian continued, "It’s a matter that can’t be helped."
"Father, who have you hired as the chef?" Lian Shouxin asked again.
"We’re hiring Chef He from West Village," Old Master Lian replied. In rural households, they couldn’t afford chefs from restaurants, so from some time ago, there emerged a type of chef who specialized in catering for banquets. These chefs mostly had experience as apprentices in restaurants, and some were even self-taught. No matter which type, those capable of building a good reputation and being sought after everywhere truly had the skills.
Chef He was just such a chef. Whenever there were events in the nearby villages, most people would hire him to manage the banquet because his cooking was economical, he didn’t charge much, and yet he could produce dishes that suited the tastes of the rural folks, presenting a respectable banquet.
"Chef He will come tomorrow afternoon," Lady Zhou added at this point, "Old Three and Old Fourth, you two prepare the soil and stones early tomorrow. Once the chef arrives, set up the stove."
To hold a banquet, they needed to erect a shed in the courtyard and build several large stoves.
"All right," Lian Shouli nodded, "After breakfast tomorrow, I’ll start setting up the shed. Old Fourth, I’ll still need your help then."
"That goes without saying," Lian Shouxin laughed.
"Leave this task to you two; don’t make me worry myself to the bone," Lady Zhou said sternly.
"Mother, please rest easy," Lian Shouxin and Lian Shouli said.
"...But the chef’s rules don’t extend to steaming rice," Lady Zhou said, glancing at Lady Zhao.
Lady Zhao was known for her excellent rice steaming. She saw Lady Zhou looking at her yet didn’t respond. This wasn’t because she wanted to shirk work, but because she was accustomed to being oppressed by Lady Zhou. If Lady Zhou arranged it, she would naturally accept all responsibilities, but didn’t dare to volunteer proactively.
Lady Zhou huffed, feeling even more that this daughter-in-law of her third son was useless. Of course, if Lady Zhao actually volunteered to take on this task at that moment, Lady Zhou would have another set of criticisms.
"Who cooked the rice last time when Wang Xi’s Family from the eastern part of the village took a bride?" Lady Zhou inquired.
"It was, it was me," Lady Zhao answered softly.
"You know how to steam rice and yet you keep silent. Must I keep asking and urging? Think you’re so capable..." Lady Zhou snapped.
"Ahem, ahem," Old Master coughed twice and tapped his dry pipe on the edge of the kang bed.
Lady Zhou immediately closed her mouth; she knew that Old Master Lian didn’t want her to provoke Lady Zhao at this time.
"The matter of steaming rice shall be entrusted to the wife of Old Three," Old Master Lian said.
"Yes," Lady Zhao hurriedly stood up and responded.
"This is an important task. Pay careful attention and don’t make a mess of it," Lady Zhou added, as if she couldn’t be comfortable without snapping at Lady Zhao a few times.
"Mother, I will be careful," Lady Zhao said, bowing her head.
Lady Zhou pursed her lips and didn’t look at Lady Zhao but instead turned her gaze to Lady Zhang.
"The chef will need a pair of hands to assist," Lady Zhou said.
According to custom, chefs hired for banquets always worked alone and were only responsible for activities such as stir-frying, washing vegetables, picking vegetables, and chopping vegetables. The household members were the ones who were needed to assist.
"Mother, if you think I’m capable, then count me in," Lady Zhang said to Lady Zhou with a smile.
Lady Zhang had a special skill in chopping vegetables that was no less impressive than a professional chef’s. Lady Zhou’s intention was to have her assist Chef He, but even with Lady Zhang volunteering so, Lady Zhou still looked her up and down with disdain.
Lady Zhang was good-natured and always smiling.
"... Then, the wife of Old Fourth shall assist the chef," Lady Zhou finally said.
"Yes," Lady Zhang cheerfully responded.
"Zhizhi, Manman, and Yeye are also not that young anymore; don’t spoil them to the point where they do nothing," Lady Zhou further said.
"Grandmother, rest assured, we will help my mother and the wife of Old Three when the time comes," Lian Manman said, giggling.
Hearing Lian Manman say this pleased both Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang. Their daughter bore no grudges, understood the big picture, and was diligent and willing to work. They felt comforted and proud.
"Don’t just say pleasant things now, I’ll be watching when the time comes," Lady Zhou said sternly.
Lian Manman knew that was just Lady Zhou’s temper; she merely smiled without bothering to argue.
Lady Zhou still had a stern face, but in her heart, she was actually pleased. When it came to working, she felt reassured by the people of Old Three and Old Fourth’s households. If you asked them to do one thing, they would do three, also never shirking or cutting corners—they were very reliable.
Lady Zhou delegated chores to a few people from the second branch, while the members of the main branch were not required to do menial tasks. Lady Zhou only asked Lady Chiang to take care of the tea, and everyone naturally agreed.
"That should be enough; let’s start the meal," Old Master Lian said after everything had been discussed adequately, "Old Fourth, you have just returned and haven’t prepared your meal yet, join us and eat here."
"We haven’t made enough food," before Lian Shouxin could say anything, Lady Zhou quickly replied.
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Ruoyan has returned, sorry to have kept everyone waiting. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)