WARNING- there's no chapter 8 as it is a notice in the raw

The two family’s relations.h.i.+p

   李三合兩口子相視一眼，知道瞞不過去，李三合便如實說了。

Li San Ge couple looked at each other, knowing they couldn’t hide it from/ hoodwink her.  Li San Ge told her honestly.

   他還沒說完，張嬸便氣道：“梅子你搞什麼！他們姐弟妹四個多可憐，咱們幫不了忙就算了，你怎麼還能要人家的東西呢？這麼些雞蛋不知攢了多久才攢到的，可憐見的，你看看你！唉，快退回去！”

He haven’t finish speaking, Aunt Zhang already anger said: “Mei zi what were you doing! Those four siblings is really pitiful, it’s fine that we can’t help them out/ we can’t help them out is one thing, why did do still want their stuff? These eggs, don’t know how it took them to save this much, what a pity, you… look at you! Oh, quickly return them!”

   趙氏不樂意了，頓時沉下臉色道：“娘，您這是什麼話！我哪裡做錯了您這麼說我！咱們家幫了他們那麼多我收這麼幾個雞蛋過分嗎？再說了，又不是我去要的，是芳洲自己送來的！我也說了不要，是她硬要塞我手裡的！怎麼全都成了我的不是！我真不明白您怎麼就那麼幫他們呢，咱們家又不是什麼大富大貴的人家，禁得起這樣幫嗎！反正我是不會去退的，這事兒我也不管了，你們誰愛退誰退去！我真是裡外不是人了！我爲了什麼呀？還不是爲了這個家，我也沒說收了這些雞蛋自己藏起來偷偷吃了！”

Mrs Qiao was very unwilling. Her face sunk: “mother, what are you saying! What did I do wrong for you to talk to me like this! Our family helped them out so much and I just accept some eggs is over the top? And  it wasn't me who asking for it, it was Lian Fang Zhou herself who gifted it. I did say no need.she then forcefully stuff it into my hand. How did become it's all my fault/completely my fault. I don't understand why do you help them that much. Our family aren't those rich n.o.ble family, prohibited to help like this anyway I wouldn't return it. And this matter i won't manage/bother it . Who ever love to return it then who return it. I'm really an inside outside not human. What did I do this for? I done it for the family. I didn't say I accept these eggs to hide it and secretly eat them.

   趙氏說着不覺委屈，眼眶一紅，猛的將籃子往地上一放，扭身跑進了屋裡。

Mrs Zhao felt aggrieved,  eyes reddened, fiercely placed the basket on the ground, turned to run inside the house.

   李三合見母親氣得臉色都有點變了不由也有些惱火，當下忙道：“娘，她不懂事您別跟她一般見識！您可千萬別生氣！等回頭我叫她給您賠不是！這雞蛋，這就叫阿娟給連家弟妹們送回去。”

Li San Ge saw that his mother was angered til her expression couldn’t help changed with a tinge of fury, immediately rush to say: “Mother, she’s immature, no need to stoop to her level! You really shouldn’t be angry/ Please don’t be angry. In a moment I’ll get her to apologise to you! These eggs, let ah Juan return them the Lian sibling.

  “唉！”張嬸嘆了口氣，說道：“娘沒有生你媳婦的氣，她說的做的也沒錯，只是在咱們家就錯了！回頭你好好的說給她聽，讓她明白是怎麼回事就行了。三合啊，當年你爹幫人扛木材摔傷了腿，養了將近一年的傷下不得地，幹不得活，你連家叔嬸幫了咱們多少？那時候咱們窮，沒錢給你爹抓藥，我去她家借錢，事後才知是你連嬸把自己的嫁妝都變賣了給咱們湊了錢，不然你爹的腿可就廢了！這些你都沒忘記吧？”

“Ugh/Ah!” Aunt Zhang sighed again, said: “Mother isn’t angry with your wife, what she said is also not wrong, it’s only that our family is wrong! Later you better explain to for her to listen, just let her understand the situation. San Ge ah, that year your father help someone lift some timber and broke his leg,  rested for nearly a year and couldn’t stand up/get on the ground(literal), couldn’t work, how much did your Lian family’s uncle and aunt helped us out? At that time we were poor, have no money to get medicine for your father, i went to her house to borrow money, afterward i found out your Aunt Lian sold her own dowry to sc.r.a.pe the money, or else your father’s leg would be crippled! You didn’t forget this right?”

   “娘！”李三合道：“我怎麼會忘記呢？您和爹都教過我和阿娟的，我不會忘！連叔連嬸是好人，現在他們家遭了難，咱們幫忙是應該的！”

“Mother!” Li San Ge said: “How could I forget> You and Father already taught(literal)/told  Ah Juan and I. I wouldn’t forget! Uncle Lian and Aunt Lian are good people, Now their family is in difficulty, it’s right that we should help out!”

   “你能這麼想就對了！”張嬸嘆道：“這做人得講良心，老天爺都看着呢！老話說滴水之恩當涌泉相報，咱們啊，其實也幫不了他們多少，不過就是搭把手罷了！若是這樣都還要收人家的東西，自個心裡怎麼過意的去？你讓爹孃老臉往哪兒擱！”

“If you can think like this then that’s right!” Aunt Zhang relieved: “Being a person must live with conscience, G.o.d is watching! There’s an old saying, a drop of water shall be returned with a burst of spring. (means -Even if it was just a little help from others, you should return the favor with all you can when others are in need), actually we can’t them much, but can only give them a hand! Since it’s like this and still accept their things, how can our heart not feel terrible? Can your parents still have some face!”

   “娘，您說的都對！我都知道，您放心吧！主要是咱家的這些事梅子她並不知道，等我告訴她她知道了就好了！”李三合忙又勸了張嬸一陣，道：“我這就叫阿娟把雞蛋給連家送回去吧！”

“Mother, you are right! I already know, you can be at ease! Mainly it’s that Mei er doesn’t know about this family matter, once I tell her, and she knows it’s fine!” Li San Ge persuaded Aunt Zhang again for a while, said: “I’ll tell Ah Juan to send the eggs back to Lian family!”

   “還是我親自去一趟吧！”張嬸嘆道：“阿娟去了只怕她未必肯收！我還得好好跟她說道說道，往後可不許再這樣了！”

“It’s better that I personally make the trip!” Aunt Zhang sighed: “If Ah Juan go, afraid she might not take them back! I need to talk to her,  in future to not be like this!”

   張嬸說着，便提着那一籃子雞蛋去連家。

Aunt Zhang said, then carried the basket of eggs to Lian family.

   她來到連家的時候，連芳洲姐弟妹四個正在吃晚飯呢。

When she arrived to Lian’s home, at that time the four siblings were having dinner.

   瞧着那半鍋湯湯水水沒見多少米的紅薯稀飯，張嬸便不由得有些心酸。

Seeing the half pot of water with not much of rice sweet potato porridge, Aunt Zhang couldn’t help feel sad.

   連芳洲姐弟妹幾個見張嬸來了連忙起身招呼，連芳洲笑着叫了聲“張嬸”，一見她手中提着的籃子便明白是怎麼回事了——

When the siblings saw Aunt Zhang, they hurriedly stood up to greet, Lian Fang Zhou happily called “Aunt Zhang”, Once she saw the basket of eggs, she understood what was the matter---

   “芳洲！”她還沒有來得及開口，便見張嬸臉一沉，說道：“你這丫頭這是什麼意思？瞧不起你叔你嬸子怎的？什麼時候咱們兩家變得這麼生分了！你若是還認我這個嬸子，這雞蛋你好好收起來，往後該叫幫忙的只管去叫，再也不準送東西了！不然的話，這雞蛋我拿走，往後你也再不要登我們家的門了！”

“Fang Zhou!” She didn’t have the time to open her mouth, when she saw Aunt Zhang face sank and said, “What is the meaning of this, girl? Looking down on your uncle and aunt is it? When did us two family start being aloof? If i am still your aunt then you better put away these eggs, in future if you need help, just say so, not allowed to send stuff anymore! Or else, I’ll take these eggs and in future you don’t need to step a foot through our house door!/enter our house!”

   “……”連芳洲一時有些說不出話來，半響方勉強笑道：“嬸子，我——”

“......” for a moment Lian Fang Zhou couldn’t say anything, after a while she reluctantly/forcefully smiled

: “Aunt, I---”

   “你就說吧！這雞蛋你收是不收！”張嬸瞪向她。

“Just say it! These eggs, you take or not take!” Aunt Zhang glared at her.

   連芳洲嘴裡發澀，心裡沉甸甸的，胸口還堵得慌。

Lian Fang Zhou’s mouth felt numb

, heavy heart, chest stifled/suffocated with panic.

   她還能說什麼呢？

What else could she say?

   “收，我收下就是了！”連芳洲連忙點頭：“嬸子，你和李叔真是大好人，將來我一定會好好報答你們！”

“Take, I’ll take it!” Lian Fang Zhou hurriedly nodded: “Aunt, you and Uncle Li are really good people, in future I will definitely repay you guys back!”

   “這就對了！”張嬸臉色這才緩了下來，將籃子小心放下，笑道：“以後的事兒啊以後再說。若是哪天你們發了財，我也不介意你們報答的！呵呵，好了，這些雞蛋留着吃吧，你們姐弟妹幾個正是長身體的時候，該吃點好的！若糧食沒了，去嬸子那裡說一聲。嬸子會給你們想辦法的！”

“Now it’s right!” then Aunt Zhang’s face loosened up, and carefully put down the basket, smiled: “talk about future matters in the future, if there was a day you make fortune/got rich, then i don’t mind you repay us! Haha, ok, leave these eggs to eat them yourself, You siblings are at your growth period, should eat better! If there’s no more food, come tell aunt, aunt would help you think of something!”

   連芳洲自然不會將這麼大的難題拋給別人家，卻不想拂張嬸的好意，點點頭笑道：“如果有困難，我會去找嬸子的！”

Of course/naturally Lian Fang Zhou will not push such a big problem to someone else, but she doesn’t want to brush off Aunt Zhang’s kindness, so she nodded and smiled: “If there’s difficulties, I will find aunt!”

   “這就對了嘛！哎我可告訴你啊，這是嬸子最後一次說這話了，若你再這麼生分，嬸子就真的生氣了！”得了連芳洲的回答，張嬸這才滿意的去了。

“Now that is right!” Ah I tell you, this is aunt last time saying this, if you ever be aloof again, aunt will really be angry!” Once she got Lian Fang Zhou’s reply, Aunt Zhang then contently left.

   “張嬸他們可真是好人！”連澤說道。

“Aunt Zhang and the others are really good people!” Lian Ze said.

   “是啊！”連芳洲輕嘆，眸光有些幽沉，緩緩說道：“張嬸他們不過是鄰居，卻對咱們這麼好，有的人分明是骨肉至親，卻恨不得把咱們往絕路里逼！阿澤，你說對那種良心被狗啃了的人，咱們要客氣嗎？”

“Yes!” Lian Fang Zhou lightly sighed, her eyes seem slightly deep/heavy, slowly said: “Even though Aunt Zhang and the others are only neighbours, but they treat us very well, some people are clearly blood-related, but can’t wait to force us into ruin! Ah Ze, tell me towards these people who conscience being gnawed by dogs, should we be polite?”

   連澤一聽這話便覺有事要發生，目光一緊，道：“姐你想幹啥？”

Once Lian Ze heard these words, then felt like something is about to happen,his view tighten (I think this meant his eyesight is only on/restricted to LFZ): “Sister, wwhat are you thinking of doing?”

   連芳洲微微冷笑：“等會兒你就知道了！好了，先吃飯。”

Lian Fang Zhou faintly smiled coldly: “In a while you’ll know! Okay, first eat dinner!”

   吃過飯收拾乾淨，連芳洲便交待連芳清和連澈乖乖的待在家裡，叫連澤道：“咱們倆去一趟大伯父大伯母家！”

After dinner and tidying up, Lian Fang Zhou then told/order Lian Fang Qing and Lian Che to obediently stay at home. Called Lian Ze: “us two make a trip to Uncle and Aunt’s home!”

   “去他們家？幹什麼？”連澤一愣。

“Go to their home? To do what?” Lian Ze stared blankly.

   連芳洲笑道：“當然是去拿回原本屬於咱們的東西了，還能是去給他們送銀子不成！”

Lian Fang Zhou  

smiled: “of course to go get what was originally our things. Or should it be sending / gifting them money

   “姐姐說的是——”

“What Sister is saying----”

   “那上千斤的稻穀！”連芳洲哼道：“哪能這麼便宜了他們！”

“those over thousands catty of paddies!” Lian Fang Zhou snorted/harrumphed : “How could we let them off lightly!”

   連澤眼中一黯，低聲道：“姐姐，還是算了吧！大伯父和大伯母是不可能還給咱們的！”

Lian Ze eyes darken, quietly said: “Sister,  let's just leave it! Uncle and Aunt wouldn't return them to us!”

   當時自家那三畝水田的水稻一成熟，大伯父和大伯母便急匆匆的去收割，自己只當他們是好心幫忙，誰知道他們收回來之後，只給了自家那三四小口袋，剩下的一千多斤竟然全部私吞了！

At the time when the three acres of paddy fields’ rice matured, Uncle and Aunt hurriedly harvest, they themselves  thought they were kindly helping out. Who knew after the harvest, they only gave them three four bagful, and the rest one thousand were privately pocketed.

   一想起這事連澤既懊悔又愧疚：大伯父、大伯母是什麼樣的人他又不是不知道？怎麼就會認爲他們是好心呢！

Once Lian Ze thought about this matter he felt both remorseful and guilty : what kind of people are Uncle and Aunt, it's not he doesn't know. Why would he think that they were kind-hearted!

   他不是沒去問過，可才一開口就被大伯母給罵回來了。這事兒，也就只能這樣算了！

It's not like he never asked,  but once he open his mouth/mentioned it, Aunt will then give out /yell. This matter, it could only be left it at that.

   連芳洲卻是胸有成竹，淡淡說道：“那可未必由得了他們不給！走吧，到時候你別出聲，我來說！”

However Lian Fang Zhou has everything thought out, lightly/indifferently said: “they however may not have the choice to not give! Let’s go, when the time come, don't  say anything, I'll do the talking!”

   你們這些狠心的人，都不給我投票！

You heartless people, not allowing me to vote(i think it this mean that they don’t allow her to have a say about)

   見連芳洲執意要去，連澤勸不住生怕她吃虧也只好跟着一起去。

Seeing Lian Fang Zhou persistent to go, and Lian Ze couldn’t persuade her, he was afraid that she'll be at an disadvantage /suffer a lost, decided to go together with her.