CHAPTER 1356: CHAPTER 692: BETTER OR WORSE

Extra update, seeking pink.

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Upon hearing Lady Zhou’s cries, Lian Shouxin didn’t stop but pushed the door open and walked home with large strides.

Before Lian Shouxin arrived, Lian Manman already learned about the situation at the old residence from Xiao Qing.

When she heard that Lady Zhou had switched to an emotional approach, Lian Manman couldn’t help but tense up. However, upon hearing that Lian Shouxin wasn’t deceived, she relaxed.

"My dad should truly understand this time, not letting himself be fooled by others." After listening to Xiao Qing’s account, Lian Manman said with a smile.

"Your dad actually understands quite well; he’s just soft-hearted." Lady Zhang also smiled. Shouxin standing up for her and the children in front of Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou was nothing short of delightful for Lady Zhang.

In this era, as long as one didn’t provoke the government office, tenant families hardly had any disputes among themselves. Especially for a family like the Lian Family, with many children and land, without bullying others, they’ve lived in the Thirty Mile Camp for years, almost never having any disputes with the villagers.

In such a big environment, Lady Zhang and the children naturally wouldn’t be bullied by outsiders. The threat and insult to them came from within.

Actually, it wasn’t just their family; in this era, most common folk living quietly experienced similar situations. This meant that women and children mostly faced threats in the form of domestic violence. Sometimes, their husbands or fathers were the abusers, and cases like the Lian Family, where mothers-in-law bullied daughters-in-law, weren’t uncommon.

Domestic violence is wrapped in familial relations, thus extremely hidden and more cruel, especially cold violence. Many men can’t effectively protect their wives and children because the abuser is their mother.

Lady Zhang said Lian Shouxin understands but is soft-hearted; Lian Manman can’t fully agree with this. Lian Manman thought Lian Shouxin is not only soft-hearted but also muddled, and he’s slowly coming to realize it.

Lian Shouxin realized it not too early, but compared to those who lived their whole lives like that, he was still fortunate.

"If anything else happens at the ranch in the future, my dad needs to go." Lian Manman murmured to herself. It is said that the further west you go, the more robust the folk culture becomes. Men are full of spirit, without enduring humiliation and burdens, codes of conduct. Let Shouxin often go to be influenced by this; it would be greatly beneficial.

"Manman, what did you say?" Lady Zhang didn’t hear clearly, so she asked.

"Nothing, Mom, what are we having for dinner?" Lian Manman immediately changed the subject.

When Lian Shouxin got home, Lady Zhang naturally welcomed him with a smile. Lian Manman and Lian Zhizhi personally brought fragrant tea and snacks.

"The children’s father, what are we having for dinner? How about dumplings?" Lady Zhang discussed with Lian Shouxin.

"Alright, let’s make dumplings then." Lian Shouxin responded readily, as he was never picky about food; whatever Lady Zhang and the children said was fine with him.

"Then we’ll make them ourselves." Lian Manman chimed in.

Even if there were enough people to command at home, they didn’t let that keep them from touching water. Thriftiness is a virtue, applicable to all regardless of wealth or status, and being diligent is foremost.

Making dumplings was for the joy of family coming together in harmony.

Chopping the filling, kneading the dough, and those initial preparations were helped by Han Zhong’s Wife and others in the kitchen. The rest was up to Lian Manman’s family. Lian Manman and Lian Zhizhi were responsible for seasoning the dumpling fillings. Now was the season with the most abundant fruits and vegetables, and with enough help, Lian Manman quickly prepared several types of fillings: pumpkin, eggplant, and bean fillings, and a small bowl of three-fresh filling was carefully prepared by her. Once the preparations were done, Lian Shouxin took charge of rolling the dough, while Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, and Lian Manman took charge of making the dumplings.

The family chatted and made dumplings together; Lian Shouxin didn’t bring up matters of the old residence, and nobody among the mother and children questioned him. However, sensing Lian Shouxin’s very relaxed and happy mood, the whole family felt cheerful as well.

Lian Manman laughed out loud a few times because she knew that as long as Lian Shouxin wasn’t manipulated by Old Master Lian or Lady Zhou, the old couple wouldn’t have their play from now on.

Lian Manman’s family here was joyful and harmonious, while at the old residence there was a starkly contrasting scene.

Lady Zhou sat on the kang, slapping the mat, crying and wailing with snot and tears streaming.