CHAPTER 149: CHAPTER 149: ENDLESS PRAISE (THIRD UPDATE)

When Lu Yuanfeng and the Zhao Brothers entered, they happened to catch the aroma of the oil-splashed noodles, each one sniffing nonstop.

Zhao Daniu, being rather outgoing, quickly scampered over to Mu Shuangshuang and pointed at the dishes already laid on the table.

"Shuangshuang, did you make this?"

"Yep, how does it smell? Feeling hungry now, aren’t you? Hurry up and wash your hands, we’re about to eat." Mu Shuangshuang replied with a smile.

"Yes, yes, Brother Yuan Feng, working for Shuangshuang is really a profit for us."

Not to mention getting lunch included, they also earn wages for working in town.

Because of this, Zhao Daniu and Zhao Dahu worked exceptionally hard.

Little Zhi and Xiao Han had already washed their hands. With limited chairs at Lu Yuanfeng’s, Mu Shuangshuang served them each a bowl of porridge and had them sit with Yuanbao on the threshold to eat.

The thresholds in ancient times were quite high, almost the height of a modern little stool, which could comfortably seat two or three children.

Lu Yuanfeng watched Mu Shuangshuang bustle around in the kitchen of his home, as if Shuangshuang was the mistress of the house, with him working outside, and Shuangshuang making meals at home, the whole family together...

Thinking of this, Lu Yuanfeng’s face turned red; he didn’t dare even glance at Mu Shuangshuang, feeling as if he had done something wrong.

Mu Shuangshuang, seeing Lu Yuanfeng standing like a statue, not taking food or sitting down, waved her hand in front of him, puzzled.

"What’s the matter? Are you too tired or uncomfortable? Want me to give you a massage? Why don’t you rest at home this afternoon instead of going out to work?"

"I’m fine, Shuangshuang. You don’t tire yourself out either, in this hot weather, I can make lunch from now on." Lu Yuanfeng replied.

"Oh come on, Yuanbao told me your cooking is terrible. I’m afraid the Zhao Brothers won’t be able to eat it."

The playful remark made the Zhao Brothers laugh heartily.

"Hey, is this noodles?" Zhao Daniu exclaimed in surprise, pointing at the oil-splashed noodles on the table with curiosity.

"It’s got scallions, minced meat, and a layer of oil on top. I think that’s the smell that made my mouth water earlier."

Zhao Daniu’s words drew everyone’s attention to the oil-splashed noodles on the table.

"Yeah, smells so good. Let’s try it."

The men were carefree enough to grab some noodles and shove them into their mouths, each widening their eyes.

Zhao Daniu’s reaction was the most exaggerated, sticking out his tongue with huffing sounds from his mouth.

"Tsk, tsk, it’s really delicious, Shuangshuang, your cooking skills are amazing."

Zhao Daniu gave Mu Shuangshuang a thumbs-up, his eyes full of praise.

"Indeed, even the chefs at the town restaurant might not cook as well as you do." Zhao Dahu chimed in.

"Brother, the way you say it sounds like you’ve eaten there."

"I haven’t eaten there, but how can I not know Shuangshuang cooks well?"

"So you’re just bragging..."

"Hahaha..."

Zhao Dahu and Zhao Daniu started arguing unrestrainedly, while the three children sitting on the threshold giggled uncontrollably.

Lunch was filled with laughter and chatter, and after the meal, if Mu Shuangshuang hadn’t stopped them, the three men would have headed off to work at her house again.

"You guys need to stop doing so much, you barely rest. I picked some fishwort this morning, it’s cooked, everyone take a bowl and some for the afternoon."

After washing the pots, scrubbing the bowls, and brewing tea, Mu Shuangshuang carried Little Han and Little Zhi under the blazing sun back to her home.

Upon arriving home, Mu Shuangshuang learned that her second aunt, Mu Zhenzhen, had come, and the Old Mu Family’s lunch hadn’t been prepared yet.

Old Mrs. Mu was in the courtyard yelling at Mrs. Liu, scolding her for not being able to catch a chicken, living was a waste of grain.

With a coarse voice and lowly curses, Mu Shuangshuang chuckled coldly; ever since the third branch was separated, Old Mrs. Mu would often verbally abuse, or point her finger at the nose of her fourth aunt, Mrs. Liu, scolding harshly.

The members of the fourth branch were, after all, ancient people, without the thoughts of rebellion like her; her fourth aunt was probably wiping tears in the kitchen now.

Just thinking about this scene made Mu Shuangshuang uncomfortable, but she couldn’t make decisions for her fourth uncle and fourth aunt.

To live a good life, one must first learn to resist!

Entering the house, unsurprisingly, Mu Dashan was already sitting up, having rested for just one day, he looked much better and was no longer as sallow as before.

"Dad, get up first and have some lunch. No telling when there’ll be food from grandma’s side."

When she arrived, Mu Shuangshuang brought over the leftover pot crust porridge for Mu Dashan, along with a dish and a bowl of wild vegetable soup she had set aside.

The wild vegetable soup was made with rendered pork fat, something she and Lu Yuanfeng shared, so Mu Shuangshuang used it freely.

"Shuangshuang, thank you for your hard work for this family. And for Fengzi, busying at our home all morning, call him in later, I want to thank him properly."

"It’s nothing, Dad. Lu Yuanfeng isn’t an outsider, no need for formal thanks."

Mu Shuangshuang shook her head, all the thanking felt cumbersome. The best way to repay Lu Yuanfeng’s kindness was through practical actions.

After all, it’s actions that bring changes.

"That won’t do. I may be lying here and unable to work, but I can’t let people think we’re rude." Mu Dashan insisted.

"Dad, don’t worry about these things. Shuangshuang will handle it, all you need to do now is focus on getting better."

Mu Dashan nodded, but the guilt in his heart grew heavier, feeling he wasn’t really sick, lying in bed all the time wasn’t right.

"Shuangshuang, talk to your mother, lying around all the time isn’t a way to live. I need to get out and work."

"Dad, are you feeling too bored lying in bed?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.

"Yes, I’m a man, can’t earn a living, and now I’m stuck in bed. What kind of life is that?"

Seeing the anxious expression on Mu Dashan’s face, Mu Shuangshuang could understand his thinking.

After all, no one wants to be a freeloader at home, especially in tough times.

"Let’s do this, I’ll go out tomorrow and let you know what you can do when I return."

Lying in bed, if it was a woman, she could at least embroider and make money, but a man...

While Mu Dashan was having lunch, Mu Shuangshuang thought about ways for Mu Dashan to contribute to the family without exhausting himself.

As she pondered, Little Zhi rushed in, speaking with a babyish voice.

"Sister, Little Black has sweated so much, it’s not even willing to eat the food I feed it."

"Are you saying Little Black won’t eat because it’s sweating?" Mu Shuangshuang’s eyes suddenly brightened. "I know what Dad can work on now."