Reborn as a Landlord

Chapter 1906: Chapter 972: Closeness and Distance

Lady Zhou is able to control her temper in front of Lian Shouxin’s family. On one hand, she understands that her sustenance relies entirely on this family, and she can no longer manipulate them as she used to. On the other hand, her violent temper has found a new outlet for venting, and unfortunately for him, this outlet is none other than Lian Shouren.

Choosing Lian Shouren as her punching bag wasn’t without thought. One reason is Lady Zhou’s inherent personality; she needs someone or something to torment. Another reason is the intent to control and manipulate Lian Shouren’s group.

This is a tactic Lady Zhou habitually employs to manipulate ordinary people.

"...I’m just a lonely old woman, with no close people, except for your aunt and your third aunt. I know that things are going well with your aunt, so I won’t say much about that. But regarding your third aunt, they are the two acquaintances I have. For me, there’s just these two relatives. You may not consider others, but you have to consider me..." Lady Zhou, upon seeing Lian Shouxin still silent, speaks again to him.

"Mother, how can you say you’re a lonely old woman?" Lian Shouxin couldn’t bear it any longer, "What about us? Aren’t we your sons? You have so many grandchildren, all living well. How can you say you’re a lonely old woman?"

"Is it because you feel like we haven’t provided enough for your needs, or that Jizu hasn’t served you properly? To speak like this!"

It’s hard to understand whether she’s cursing herself or cursing her children, when an old woman, sitting at the kang head and waiting for her children and grandchildren to show filial piety, says she is lonely.

Lian Shouxin earnestly argues with Lady Zhou, who falls silent for a moment, though she’s often unreasonable and harsh. Even she knows how unethical and hurtful her words are.

Such unreasonable and deeply hurtful words are something Lady Zhou often speaks, using them as a means to control her children and grandchildren. When they don’t argue back, things might be alright, but if they do, even though she’s a senior, she can’t use that as an excuse.

Whether they argue or not, perhaps Lady Zhou hasn’t realized that her hurtful speech and actions push her children and grandchildren further away.

Lady Zhou is silent for a while, with her face flushing red and then turning pale. Just as Lian Shouxin thought she might turn angry and throw a fit, she instead droops her eyelids.

"I’m just blabbing, why are you picking apart my words? You think you can bind me in the Yamen and convict me or something!" Lady Zhou didn’t throw a fit, but she resorted to acting unreasonable, with a hint of playful tone.

Lian Shouxin felt helpless and could only sigh inwardly. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

"Mother, you’re not a child at your age. A child doesn’t know the weight of words or their meaning, but you should. You burn incense and pray every day, and on the first and fifteenth you eat vegetarian, isn’t this all to cultivate yourself? If you could consider others when speaking or acting, and not hurt people constantly, you would cultivate faster."

Lady Zhou always loves to eat meat, and unlike most women, she prefers thick slices of fat meat. In the past, when the family’s situation was poorer, she ate less. But now, with Lian Shouxin’s steady support and occasional gifts, Lady Zhou has money to spare, and sends Lian Jizu to town every now and then to buy meat.

Every time buying pork belly, chopping it into large pieces to stew, eating to the point of oily mouth.

Lady Zhou isn’t someone fond of vegetarian food.

No one knows why suddenly, at the start of the year, Lady Zhou claimed she wanted to cultivate herself and eat vegetarian. Though she said so, she wouldn’t eat it daily, only on the first and fifteenth. During those times, the whole family couldn’t eat meat, spending the whole day with just cabbage and tofu.

Lady Zhou is quite proud of this, often telling people how she eats vegetarian and cultivates herself, leading those unaware to see her as a venerable, serene, and kind old woman.

But those who know Lady Zhou well are aware that’s not the case.

Lady Zhou burns incense and prays daily, eating vegetarian on the first and fifteenth because she knows she’s getting old, and increasingly fears the day of passing away.