stingy landlady

Chapter 242 The Three Sisters Reunite (2)

Manager Han was very hospitable. He pulled Young Master Du to sit on a stone bench in the courtyard, and the two men chatted idly over tea.

"Young Master Du! We were all demobilized from the border and were resettled here by the higher-ups! Our boss found us a way to make a living, so we came out to do some small business!"

May I ask, sir, where are you from?

Manager Han initiated the conversation, and Young Master Du looked Manager Han up and down, then asked with great interest:

"Oh? You're veterans from the border region? You were resettled here? How many of you are there? I think I heard they resettle quite a few people here!"

Manager Han asked in confusion:

"Oh? Young Master Du, you've heard? Who told you? We don't have many retired soldiers here, only a few hundred have been resettled!"

Young Master Du seemed intrigued and asked:

"Young Master Han! What are you all doing after being resettled? Can you support yourselves? Won't the magistrate think there are too many of you?"

Aren't you afraid you'll cause trouble? I heard that other retired soldiers go back to where they came from!

Many people were injured and left disabled. Many others returned to their original registered residences, impoverished and destitute. I've even heard of many who have no house, no land, and cannot support themselves!

Manager Han also sighed:

"Alas! Many people can't even get their pensions! Some send the money they earned in the army home, but when they return home after their service, they can't even find a place to eat and stay!"

That's why we people suffer; we risk our lives without even knowing what it's for!

Luckily, we were fortunate enough to find a good employer! We retired soldiers were put together. Skilled craftsmen won't lose their skills and can still be put to use, while those without skills can work the land for our employer!

In short, having enough to eat and wear is not a problem. Oh, and by the way! Quite a few of us have settled down and gotten married here!

Seeing that Young Master Du was chatting animatedly with Steward Han, and that he hadn't pretended to be aloof and ignored Steward Han, Gui Hong secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This Young Master Du was indeed quite troublesome!

Guizhi quietly asked Guihong:

"Second sister! Who is this Young Master Du? He seems quite arrogant."

Gui Hong blushed and snorted coldly:

"Hmph! What arrogance! He's nothing but a shameless freeloader!"

Both Young Master Du and Steward Han were sharp-witted and naturally heard Gui Hong's words, but they pretended not to. Young Master Du was secretly annoyed; Gui Hong didn't give him any face in front of her sisters.

Gui Xiang angrily said to Gui Hong:

"Second Sister! You're just being stubborn! Young Master Du brought over meat and vegetables; it's obvious he's quite familiar with you. With so many people here, you didn't give him any face at all! You!"

Oh, Second Sister! Every man cares about his reputation, and you're so old already! You still speak without thinking, claiming it's out of kindness. Even if you have a kind heart, why do you keep offending people with your mouth!

Second sister! You should always think twice before you act, and shouldn't you do the same with your words? You've already fed them, and now you've offended them. What were you trying to gain?

Guizhi watched with a smile as Guixiang lectured Guihong. Guihong listened attentively, but still looked unconvinced.

While making dumplings, Guizhi said to Guixiang:

"Big sister! You should visit your second sister more often when you have time. Your second sister and I are still young and don't know any better! We need an older sister to guide us!"

"Big sister! With you around, my second sister and I feel more confident! Hehe! It's so good to have an older sister!"

Gui Hong's eyes also reddened, and she said:

"We sisters must always be united. Those wealthy families are the best at cultivating relationships and at judging people based on their status."

"If we sisters do well in the future, it'll be much better than each of us struggling alone in this county! At least we'll have someone to talk to if anything happens!"

Gui Xiang looked at her two younger sisters and said with emotion:

"Second sister, third sister! Before we knew it, you two had grown into adults! Yes! No matter what, it's always better for us sisters to be of one mind, help each other, and understand each other than for one of us to overthink."

Only then did Gui Hong say to Gui Xiang and Gui Hong:

"Big sister! Third sister! Young Master Du is a really good person, just like me, he always has a sharp tongue and offends people! Last time, that little tyrant... he was the one who got me out of that predicament."

Gui Xiang was completely confused, but hearing the words "Little Tyrant" didn't sound like a good thing. Gui Hong didn't elaborate, and with so many people around, it wasn't convenient for her to ask for details.

"Alright! Second sister! If she's a good person, let's treat her as a friend! In business, harmony brings wealth. Having more friends means having more opportunities! Why be so calculating!"

Gui Hong looked at Gui Xiang strangely and said:

"Sister! Didn't you used to be the most strict about separating men and women? How can a lone man and woman be making friends like this? Aren't you afraid people will gossip about you behind your back?!"

Gui Xiang pondered for a moment before saying:

"Second sister! Third sister! Our eldest sister used to be a bit confused, and she tended to overthink things. She thought that if I treated someone with all my heart, they would treat me the same way!"

But they don't take me seriously at all! I don't want to care about so many rigid rules and dogmas anymore, and I actually feel very happy now!

Second sister, third sister! The life I have now is something I never dared to dream of before!

Guizhi then interjected:

"Big sister! Second sister! We are all growing up, and when we grow up, we will all experience some things!"

I've heard that matters of the heart are the most unpredictable things. Me? I'm too young; I don't want to experience those things yet!

Gui Hong deliberately teased Gui Zhi:

"Third sister is still young? She knows more than me and eldest sister! Anyway, I'm already engaged, and maybe our mother is already thinking about your marriage at home!"

Guizhi then said with a smile:

"Second sister, Mother can't make that decision! My marriage has to be my own choice! Father promised me!"

Gui Hong asked Gui Zhi curiously:

"So, what kind of person does Third Sister want to find in the future?"

"Me? I really haven't thought about it! But at the very least, I must not take concubines or marry secondary wives. I must only have one wife! And it is also necessary that she treats me with respect and care, and does not beat or scold me at will!"

Alright! As for other things, we'll see when fate brings us together!

Gui Xiang and Gui Hong fell into deep thought after hearing Gui Zhi's words. It sounds simple, but it's difficult to do! In this day and age, men like that are hard to find.

Wealthy and powerful men are always surrounded by wives and concubines. Moreover, they are expected to be respectful and loving, without being beaten or verbally abused. Not hitting women is already a luxury; verbally abusing them would be commonplace, something they could do without thinking.

Perhaps it's rare to see a woman for the first few years, but once the novelty wears off, who will respect and cherish her anymore?

After a long while, Gui Xiang finally spoke:

"Third Sister's requirements seem low, but they are actually too high! However, Third Sister is still young, so we can all help her find someone slowly. We must find someone that Third Sister is satisfied with!"

whee!"