CHAPTER 216: CHAPTER 215 DISTURBED HEART (6TH UPDATE)

"Hey, Shuang, are you cooking today?"

Zhao Yun, having arrived just in time for cooking, was delighted.

Earlier, she went to the vegetable garden to pick some produce but didn’t catch Shuang coming over. Instead, it was her husband Zhang Yutou who spoke with Shuangshuang and informed her that their meal was already ready.

Zhao Yun knew Shuangshuang took a bundle of firewood from their home and left without asking for anything.

From this, she deduced that the Third Branch of the Old Mu Family was preparing to start cooking independently. She remembered that during the family’s division, Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu were ruthless, giving nothing to the third branch. Everything relied on Shuangshuang’s small shoulders.

So, Zhao Yun picked a basket of eggs from her home, brought a small jar of chili sauce, and half a jar of rapeseed oil.

For her family, these things aren’t rare or valuable, but for the third branch, which lacks everything, they could be quite useful.

"Aunt Xiao Yun, what brings you here?" Mu Shuangshuang looked surprised but quickly put down the vegetables she was holding to greet Zhao Yun. "Aunt Xiao Yun, let me get you a chair. Please have a rest first."

"No need, Shuang, don’t busy yourself. I came today just to bring you some things. Treat it as if it’s from family and accept it without any complaints."

Zhao Yun placed the wooden bucket she brought on the ground and began taking out the items she prepared.

Upon seeing those items, Mu Shuangshuang’s mouth immediately formed an "O" shape. Her family indeed had a good relationship with Zhao Yun’s family, but she never expected Zhao Yun to bring them so many things.

The basket of eggs appeared to contain about fifteen eggs, which, based on the price she used to sell them at the market, were worth several dozen coins.

Additionally, there was a small jar of vibrant red chili peppers and half a jar of rapeseed oil, exuding a fragrant aroma.

This gift was too generous!

"Aunt Xiao Yun, I can’t accept these things," Mu Shuangshuang quickly shook her head. "They’re too valuable. You should keep the eggs for Da Long or sell them in town; they could fetch a good price."

"You silly girl, you’re still being stubborn. How could Da Long eat all those eggs?

Besides, we have over a dozen chickens at home that lay more than ten eggs every day. And now, eggs are not worth much in town, just one coin each. Selling them, I’d rather give them to your family."

Zhao Yun explained everything clearly, and after leaving the items on Shuangshuang’s kitchen counter, she prepared to leave.

Mu Shuangshuang hurriedly stopped her. "Aunt Xiao Yun, Shuang caught a lot of fish today. Please take some with you, otherwise, take these items back."

Zhao Yun shook her head helplessly. In truth, the reason she brought these items to Si Niang’s family was partly because of the close family relationship, and partly because Shuang was quite considerate, often bringing something for their family whenever she returned from town.

Sometimes, after earning silver, she’d even give a bit to her. So in the end, it was hard to say who owed whom.

While Mu Shuangshuang was in the yard catching fish, Lu Yuanfeng happened to be filling a large wooden basin with water. Fifty pounds of fish wasn’t much or little. If they didn’t continuously change the water for oxygen, they’d quickly die.

"Fengzi, let me catch a few fish for Aunt Xiao Yun, and you can put it on my tab later."

When they partnered in business, they agreed that aside from Mu Dashan’s fan-making work, if either of them were involved in a money-making activity, they’d split profits equally. If Mu Shuangshuang took the fish, their total revenue would surely decrease. Therefore, it was necessary to inform each other.

But as soon as Mu Shuangshuang finished speaking, Lu Yuanfeng’s expression immediately turned sour.

"Shuang, are you treating me like an outsider? Didn’t we agree to run the business together, earn money together, and send your brother to school together?"

There was an inexplicable hint of bitterness in Lu Yuanfeng’s words.

He thought that by now, even if they weren’t truly family, Shuang wouldn’t fuss over such things with him, but apparently, she did.

The low pressure from Lu Yuanfeng made Mu Shuangshuang realize she’d misspoke. She quickly waved her hand. "No, no, I didn’t mean that, and I’m not treating you like an outsider. It’s just...

It’s just that I feel if I give away what belongs to both of us and then take your share without a care, it would make me feel selfish."

Mu Shuangshuang always prided herself on being eloquent and sharp-tongued. When complimenting others, she could flatter them to the point they willingly emptied their pockets. When criticizing them, she could infuriate them to the point of internal turmoil.

But this time, facing this young man, she found it difficult to explain herself properly.

She just didn’t want Lu Yuanfeng to misunderstand her and think she was a selfish person.

Mu Shuangshuang was at a loss, scratching her ears and cheeks, unsure how to convince Lu Yuanfeng. But she didn’t realize that when she said she didn’t treat him like an outsider, all of Lu Yuanfeng’s negative feelings disappeared.

"Shuang, I’m fine now, don’t worry anymore."

Lu Yuanfeng suddenly cracked a smile.

It was the first time he’d seen Shuang panicking, and despite knowing her for so long, she’d been calm even when chased by wild boars, reminding him to focus on escaping. But now, she was anxious over his feelings, like an ant on a hot pan.

Actually, seeing Shuang react this way was already enough for him.

"You scared me to death," Mu Shuangshuang retorted, feeling like she’d been played, thanks to Lu Yuanfeng’s laughter.

She reached out intending to hit Lu Yuanfeng, but the words that came out somehow carried a hint of feminine shyness.

Lu Yuanfeng looked on as Shuang’s hand hit his chest without dodging, letting her continue.

A light tap, thump, thump, twice, yet it felt as though it resonated with his heartbeat.

Lu Yuanfeng looked down at this fair-skinned girl with eyes brighter than the stars, and an indescribable warmth slowly crept from his chest to his head.

Perhaps that’s what it meant when they say a ’rush of heat to the head,’ for when Lu Yuanfeng realized it, his hand had already wrapped around Shuang’s shoulder.

The last bits of sunlight disappeared over the horizon, and the sky quickly darkened.

In the kitchen, Zhao Yun waited and waited but still didn’t see Shuang come in, so she shouted aloud.

"Shuang, are you still there?"

Everything seemed to awaken from a dream; the two separated quickly, with Mu Shuangshuang struggling to catch the fish, but Lu Yuanfeng was quicker.

"Let me do it. You go entertain Aunt Zhao Yun." Lu Yuanfeng’s face was flushed, still uneven in breathing as he spoke.

Mu Shuangshuang was in a similar state, considering that Lu Yuanfeng had genuinely wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Shuang, about what just happened..." Lu Yuanfeng hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Nothing happened just now. You hurry and catch the fish, make sure to get the biggest ones, three of them."

With that, Mu Shuangshuang quickly ran back to the kitchen.