CHAPTER 179: CHAPTER 179 PROTECTING (SECOND UPDATE)

"That’s a good idea," Mu Shuangshuang said, ruffling Yuanbao’s hair lovingly.

"But you need to wash your hands first, then we can call Daniu and Dahu, and then we can start eating."

"Got it, Sister Shuangshuang and Second Brother, wait for me a bit, I’ll go wash my hands first."

Yuanbao grabbed a ladle, ran out of the yard quickly, and rinsed his hands with water.

"Yuanbao, come over here."

Just ten meters away from Lu Yuanfeng’s yard, Xia Guagua beckoned to him, holding half a bright red watermelon in her other hand.

Clearly, she was using the watermelon to lure Lu Yuanbao.

With food around, Yuanbao naturally ran over happily.

"What’s up?"

"Eat first, I’ll tell you after you finish."

Yuanbao wasn’t shy, he started devouring the watermelon, and soon his face was covered in watermelon juice.

When you take something from someone, you owe them a favor, Xia Guagua knew this well, so she quickly spoke up.

"Yuanbao, does Brother Yuanfeng have something going on with that woman? Did they do something shady together? Can you help me teach that b*tch a lesson?"

Yuanbao paused his munching, then forcefully smashed the half-eaten watermelon in Xia Guagua’s hand.

"Not eating anymore, this watermelon tastes bad, it’s rotten. My Second Brother likes Sister Shuangshuang, he wouldn’t like you. I also won’t do something to hurt Sister Shuangshuang, you’re too mean!"

"You..." Xia Guagua’s face turned green with anger. This damn kid, after eating her stuff, now says he won’t help, how evil!

"What ’you’? I’m not talking to you anymore, don’t follow me, or I’ll get Sister Shuangshuang to beat you up."

Yuanbao finished speaking and ran back to the kitchen.

Leaving Xia Guagua stomping her feet in frustration, cursing...

Mu Shuangshuang saw his flushed face, panting and concerned, so she spoke up.

"What’s the matter with you? Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Nothing, nothing. Let’s go call Brother Daniu and Brother Dahu, and also Little Zhi, Xiao Han, and Uncle Dashan, Aunt Si for lunch."

Yuanbao was smart enough not to mention his encounter with Xia Guagua to Sister Shuangshuang, what if Sister Shuangshuang overthinks it?

Da Long once said, women are best at overthinking and can easily overturn the vinegar jar when jealous.

As for how Da Long knew this, he didn’t know.

"Haha, okay!"

Yu Si Niang didn’t come for lunch in the end, and Mu Dashan also ate at home. Both felt that since they were working at Old Mu’s place, they should eat there too.

Mu Shuangshuang didn’t say anything, just hoping their kitchen would be built soon so the third branch could cook on their own sooner.

...

...

After lunch, Mu Shuangshuang rested for half an hour, then went to the foot of Niuwei Mountain to pick some palm leaves.

The more than twenty palm fans she picked earlier were finished overnight by Yu Si Niang, and all the straw fans were completed.

Mu Shuangshuang kept three fans at home, gave one each to Lu Yuanfeng and Zhao Yun’s house, and kept the rest in her room, preparing to sell them when she goes to town the day after tomorrow along with the cold noodles.

The green palm leaves were spread out in the yard to dry. As soon as they were laid out, Zhao brothers came to work. Every day, apart from eating and necessary rest, they worked in Mu Shuangshuang’s yard.

In just a few days, Zhao Dahu and Zhao Daniu were tanned dark by the sun.

"Wait for me to get you some water, it’s too hot right now, we shouldn’t hurry with the work."

"No need, Sister Shuangshuang. Since we took your money, we should finish the work quickly.

I figure in just a few days, this work will be done, and then you can have Fengzi build the stove and start cooking."

Zhao Dahu, being the older brother, voluntarily replied to Mu Shuangshuang.

In their hearts, Mu Shuangshuang was the best employer, not only paying them fully but also providing better meals than they would have during their own New Year celebrations.

"Yeah, yeah, be careful when you work, rest if you’re tired, don’t push yourself, your health is your wealth."

"Oh, right, Sister Shuangshuang, Fengzi asked if you want to go to the mountains, he said he’s planning to go there..." Zhao Daniu gently scratched his head, almost forgetting Fengzi’s message.

"Then I’ll go first, the tea and stuff are here, help yourselves, and if there’s anything else, you can ask my dad, he knows where things are."

Mu Shuangshuang instructed, then went to find Lu Yuanfeng with Little Black and some small items.

It had been a while since they went into the mountains, but Lu Yuanfeng wasn’t slacking at all, preparing all kinds of tools.

He was wearing a long bow on his back, holding a sack in his hand, standing straight, his eyes like those of a wolf searching for prey, full of wildness and confidence in his hunting.

Mu Shuangshuang saw Lu Yuanfeng from afar, the strong aura surrounding him in the sunlight intensified even more.

Mu Shuangshuang became even more curious about Lu Yuanfeng’s past. She knew that demeanor could be cultivated, but such innate presence was natural.

This guy, no matter how you look at him, doesn’t seem like the low-rank soldier he claims to be from the military camp. Could there be more hidden secrets?

Before Mu Shuangshuang could overthink, Lu Yuanfeng took a few strides forward, reaching out to take everything Mu Shuangshuang was carrying.

"The mountain road is rough, let me carry the stuff!"

"I can carry it, Little Black isn’t heavy at all."

Mu Shuangshuang shook her head, but Lu Yuanfeng swiftly untied Little Black’s tree house from her back, only relaxing once Mu Shuangshuang’s hands were free.

Along the way, Lu Yuanfeng tirelessly reminded Mu Shuangshuang to watch her steps, and on particularly rugged paths, he would even pause to walk with her, holding her steady.

Carrying the gear while still being cautious.

Mu Shuangshuang suddenly felt a bit dazed; she wasn’t a fragile person, she’d been in tough environments before.

People had helped her before, but no one had given her this unfamiliar feeling like Lu Yuanfeng.

That feeling was peculiar, like a breeze in summer, or warm sunshine in winter.

Mu Shuangshuang took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing that strange sensation.

Soon, they arrived at the spot where Lu Yuanfeng had set up traps. In the grass, a snow-white rabbit stood trembling, unable to move because its leg was caught in one of Lu Yuanfeng’s traps.

Mu Shuangshuang curiously approached, ready to take a closer look, but Lu Yuanfeng stopped her.

"This trap is different from the others, only I can remove it."

"Oh, then you handle it. I’ll go check by the side to see if there are any rabbit holes."

Bringing Little Black wasn’t just for play; after all, she had been brewing the plan for Little Black to catch rabbits for a long time.

"Don’t wander off, make sure I can see you," Lu Yuanfeng said, not at ease.

"Got it, you be careful too!"