CHAPTER 1340: CHAPTER 684: THE VILLAIN

votes for an extra Chapter, asking for pink.

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Lady Zhou had no choice but to come. She knew that if she didn’t, the result would be disastrous. At home, Old Master Lian and her sons and grandchildren leaned toward Lian Manman family, and outside the home, the only cousin with whom she was close wasn’t on her side either. If she can’t help Lian Lanlan, Lian Lanlan will surely hate her too.

The result she would face is being abandoned by everyone.

Lady Zhou always knew that after the family returned from Taicang, the reason why she and Old Master Lian could still call the shots at the old family house and why the sons and grandchildren dared not protest was because of Lian Shouxin and his people. It was because she was Lian Shouxin’s mother, and Lian Shouxin respected her and supported her. Initially, she was somewhat uncertain, fearing that Lian Shouxin’s respect was only superficial and would fade after a while.

Once she realized that Lian Shouxin truly respected her, she regained her confidence. The more Lian Shouxin respected her, the more she put on a stern face for him. One reason was to spur him on, to tell him that he was still not doing enough and needed to be even better to her, his mother. On the other hand, it was also to show the other sons and grandchildren.

Look at the Old Fourth, isn’t he extraordinarily influential outside now? I wasn’t good to him before, but he still respects me and fears me. Manipulating him is like child’s play. And you, shouldn’t you respect me and fear me even more? Look at the way Old Fourth treats me; if any of you dares not listen to me, Old Fourth won’t let you off.

Because of such thoughts, she would often pick faults, confident that no matter what she did, Lian Shouxin would not change.

So, what if Lian Shouxin changed? Lady Zhou never dared to think about it or consider this issue, because she knew the answer too well.

This time, because of the issue with Lian Lanlan, with Lian Shouxin not at home, look at how things have already evolved; Lady Zhou couldn’t help but be afraid. She had to face this reality: Lian Manman doesn’t even have to say anything or lift a finger, and yet the whole family is willing to please Lian Manman by opposing her.

Her life and that of Lian Lanlan’s family are in the hands of others. They don’t even need to do anything; as long as they ignore her, she’s finished.

She must come and submit to this humility for her own sake.

She thought that if she came, it would be an admission of humility, and Lady Zhang and the others would make peace. But the current situation is far from what she hoped. Lady Zhou felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, desperately wishing to return to the old family house immediately, but she couldn’t and didn’t dare walk away.

Lian Manman and Lian Zhizhi spoke slowly, showing no urgency, while Lady Zhou sat there dazed, and Lady Chiang hid herself in the shadows, leaving Lian Lanlan, who was most anxious and couldn’t endure it any longer. Therefore, she had to speak up.

"Fourth’s wife, Zhizhi, Manman," Lian Lanlan stood up, carefully smiled, "There were many things in the past, I found out just now. I feel particularly bad about it. Frankly speaking, the old lady..."

Lian Lanlan glanced swiftly at Lady Zhou. At this point, since Lady Zhou refused to admit her mistakes, Lian Lanlan had no choice but to step forward. She understood that unless Lady Zhou admitted her faults, they wouldn’t pay her any attention.

"The old lady did indeed do some things wrong," Lian Lanlan said clearly, "The old lady has wronged you all."

Lian Manman had already stopped talking to Lian Zhizhi at this point, her eyes turning to Lady Zhou.

Lady Zhou sat there, her whole body stiff, head bowed, seemingly oblivious. Lian Manman knew this was Lady Zhou’s ultimate show of weakness. In the past, even if she knew those words were true, Lady Zhou would stubbornly argue. How could she be wrong? How could she have wronged anyone? If there were indeed mistakes and wrongs, they must have been someone else’s.

"Fourth’s wife," Lian Lanlan said pitifully to Lady Zhang, even though she knew Lady Zhang’s words did not carry weight, Lian Lanlan still chose her as the object of persuasion because she knew that Lady Zhang was soft-hearted and easy to talk to. As long as she convinced Lady Zhang, Lian Manman would surely give her mother some face.

"The old lady’s wronged you, and now she realizes her mistakes. You see, she rarely goes out, and now she’s come to visit you in person. The old lady is admitting her mistakes and showing weakness to you. Fourth’s wife, among this large family, you’re the most understanding and broad-minded. Don’t focus on anything else, but consider her old age, and let bygones be bygones."