CHAPTER 1302: CHAPTER 665: ESTRANGEMENT

The third watch, hoping for pink.

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The person who came in was Erlang, holding Er Niuniu in his arms.

In this era, childcare is entirely done by women. There’s also a saying that goes, "Holding sons, not grandchildren." So, some men go their whole lives without holding their own children.

As for the Lian Family, starting with Old Master Lian, they have perfectly adhered to this principle. However, Lian Shouxin is considered an exception in this regard. Lian Manman doesn’t remember it herself, but just heard Lady Zhang mention it before that back in the old mansion, as long as they were in the West Wing Room and not seen by Lady Zhou or others, Lian Shouxin would often help Lady Zhang take care of the children. Things like holding them to play, or patting them to sleep, Lian Shouxin had done it all.

Now at the Lian Family Old Mansion, Er Niuniu has lost her mother, and usually, it’s Lady He and Lian Yaya who take care of her. Erlang only focuses on labor, earning clothes and food for the family and Er Niuniu. Lian Manman had never seen Erlang holding Er Niuniu or comforting her.

Now seeing Erlang coming in from outside holding Er Niuniu, of course, Lian Manman felt somewhat surprised.

Others felt the same.

And Erlang seemed surprised too, his face suddenly reddened. Was it because he felt embarrassed holding his own child?

"Grandfather, Uncle, Aunt..." Erlang greeted several elders while holding Er Niuniu.

"Oh, back already." Old Master Lian replied, his tone revealing no emotion.

"Oh." Erlang nodded.

"Where did you go, Erlang, and why are you carrying Er Niuniu?" Lady Zhang asked.

"No, I didn’t go anywhere." Erlang replied somewhat hastily, then seemed to change his mind and explained, "Er Niuniu was hungry, so I took her to get some milk."

Er Niuniu, at her age, lacked mother’s milk, relying solely on rice paste, making her noticeably smaller and thinner than other children her age. Of course, Er Niuniu was already small and frail when she was born. Actually, it was unexpected that Er Niuniu has survived until now.

Lady Zhang nodded, thinking if Er Niuniu could get some milk, it would be the best for her.

"Huh?" Thinking this, Lady Zhang suddenly exclaimed, "To get milk for Er Niuniu, whose house? Did someone in our village recently have a baby that I didn’t know about?"

"No, it’s not from our village." Erlang seemed a bit nervous, his speech becoming more unsettled.

This matter seemed very unusual, Lian Manman blinked. Not mentioning that no one in the village recently had a baby to spare some milk, the goodwill surrounding the old mansion is probably hard to ask for, let alone Erlang, a grown man carrying a child to a house? Especially one from another village...

Lady Zhang seemed to have noticed something, she appeared to want to say something, but in the end, did not ask.

"Father, Grandfather, don’t bother seeing us off, we’re leaving." The family said goodbye to Old Master Lian, heading towards the door.

"Uncle, Aunt, please wait." Erlang suddenly stopped them, speaking out.

"What’s going on, Erlang?" Lian Shouxin asked in surprise.

Erlang’s face was already flushed, his eyes darting around nervously, sometimes firm, sometimes hesitant.

The Lian Manman family exchanged a look, they could tell Erlang had something to say, and it was something big.

At this moment, Erlang seemed to finally make up his mind, his gaze becoming firm.

"Uncle, Aunt, I ask you to stay a bit longer, I, I have something to say to everyone." Erlang stated.

An already grown nephew making such a request, especially one who is usually honest and hard-working, could not be refused by Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang.

Wu Lang thought about it and decided to stay. Naturally, Lian Manman and Xiao Qi wanted to stay, and finally, even Lian Zhizhi decided to stay with everyone, as she too was a bit curious about what Erlang was going to say.

Old Master Lian gave Erlang a deep look, he did not object. Everyone returned to the Upper Room, Lady Zhou stared at everyone in surprise.

"Erlang, why did you go out for so long today? Didn’t you come back for lunch?" Lady He questioned Erlang.

Erlang looked at Lady He, not replying.

"Everyone sits down and listens to what Erlang has to say." Old Master Lian sat on the kang, speaking to everyone.

"I... Er Niuniu can’t be without a mother, must find a mother for Er Niuniu..." Even having made up his mind, Erlang usually tongue-tied, was nervous today, hence his words came out stumbling.