CHAPTER 1312: CHAPTER 670: WIGGLE ROOM

Third update, pink doubles, the second to last day of the month, asking everyone for pink support

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It’s safe to say that Lady Zhang’s words are just pleasantries. Even if Erlang and Luo Xiaoyan were to stay for a meal, they wouldn’t eat at the old mansion at their own parents’ house but instead at their uncle and aunt’s house.

Erlang and Luo Xiaoyan both shook their heads, saying they needed to return to Luo Family Village before noon. Today, Erlang was moving to Luo Family Village, he needed to settle in.

"Then, feel free to come by when you have time," Lady Zhang said. This is another common pleasantry exchanged among farmsteads when welcoming and bidding farewell.

Everyone sent Erlang, Luo Xiaoyan, and Luo Xiaoying off. Lian Yeye pulled Lian Manman aside and asked in a low voice.

"Sister Manman, your family gave a gift. Later when they come to our house to kowtow, should our family also give something?"

"You don’t have to compare yourselves to us," Lian Manman thought for a moment and advised Lian Yeye, "see how your parents plan it. By the way, did Grandpa and Yaya’s parents give gifts?"

"Nothing was given," Lian Yeye replied.

The rule at the Lian Family Old Mansion has always been that the children receive no New Year’s money, and new brides entering the household who kowtow are not given anything.

Lian Manman didn’t say anything more.

Erlang, Luo Xiaoyan, they were going to Lian Shouli’s house, Lian Yeye bid farewell to Lian Manman and led them over.

Near noon, Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang returned from outside, and Lady Zhang spoke to them about Erlang bringing Luo Xiaoyan over to kowtow.

"... Her brother even kowtowed three times to me, sigh," Lady Zhang informed Lian Shouxin, "I discussed with Manman, and we gave them two pieces of cloth as a meeting gift."

"Did Old Master give them anything?" Lian Shouxin asked.

"I heard nothing was given," Lady Zhang replied.

"Oh..." Lian Shouxin responded.

"It was my decision, they came all this way, and we now have a reputation for having money," Lian Manman said, "two pieces of cloth are neither too much nor too little, and they are things they can use for their household."

"Giving was the right decision," Wu Lang nodded.

Lian Manman and Wu Lang shared the same thoughts. Their current situation is different from before, their identity and status have changed, and people have new expectations of them. As their family goes about their daily lives, especially in social interactions, there are more things they need to consider.

They were never ones to be overly calculating, but now they need to be more generous.

To stand firmly in this era, one must align with the mainstream cultural customs of the time. Now that the Lian Manman’s family has money, plenty of people are keeping tabs on them, both openly and discreetly. They can’t allow people to just take liberties without giving back, but at the same time, they can’t be completely stingy. When some people want to partake, sometimes you just have to let them.

However, who partakes and to what extent, the initiative must be in your hands. There needs to be a balance and method in these things.

Today, Luo Xiaoyan came, and with the example of the Old Mansion set before them, the Lian Manman’s family could have chosen not to give anything. But they still did, which was a decision made after considering many factors.

"Manman, you saw them today. What do you think?" Wu Lang asked Lian Manman softly.

"We gave her two pieces of cloth, and I saw she was very happy. As for her character, whether she has any ulterior motives, it’s too early to draw conclusions; this will depend on the future," Lian Manman thought for a moment and answered. Luo Xiaoyan’s behavior today was quite interesting, but it was only their first meeting, and Lian Manman didn’t want to label her so soon.

Even if there are some selfish intentions, as long as they aren’t excessive, it’s acceptable. You can’t fish in completely clear waters, and Lian Manman never intended to hold anyone to moral exemplar standards.

"Hmm," Wu Lang nodded, understanding Lian Manman’s meaning.

"That Luo Xiaoyan is the same age as Erlang, but she looks quite old," Lady Zhang was speaking to Lian Shouxin, "speaking of appearances, Erlang is a bit of a loss paired with her.... She seemed honest in her words. She’s had a hard life. I invited them to stay for dinner, but they declined, saying they should return to Luo Family Village before noon."

"The son of the Lian Family will be living in Luo Family Village from now on," Lian Shouxin’s tone revealed complex emotions. Seeing it was near noon, he sent someone to the old mansion to invite Old Luo the carpenter over for a meal.

"And check if Erlang and his wife have left yet," Lian Shouxin instructed Steward Han Zhong.

Very soon, Steward Han Zhong invited Old Luo the carpenter over, and the kitchen prepared food for him. From now on, he would eat this meal along with Steward Han Zhong every day at noon. This treatment was better than what the average long-term worker received at the Lian Manman’s family. In Lian Shouxin’s words, paying enough wages and providing good food and drink creates a sense of satisfaction that motivates someone skilled to do a better job than anything else.