CHAPTER 247: CHAPTER 246: SECOND AUNT WANTS A FREE MEAL (PART 1)

Xiao Han held his breath. He knew that what his sister was about to tell him must be something very important.

Meanwhile, Mu Shuangshuang was observing Xiao Han’s reaction. She had been pondering whether or not to teach him some simple characters before he started school.

This way, even if he started school in spring, the gap between him and the other children wouldn’t be too large.

Especially since lately, Xiao Han had been holding onto the book "Zhou Rites" all day, which was enough to show that he liked reading. Sending him to school wouldn’t go against his nature and preferences.

"If I told you, Xiao Han, that I really knew how to read, would you find it strange?"

Xiao Han nodded, then shook his head.

Reason told him that his sister shouldn’t know how to read, but emotionally, in Xiao Han’s heart, his sister was capable of anything, so it wasn’t strange if she could read.

"Hmm, I’ll tell you, but you mustn’t tell anyone else, okay?"

At this, Mu Xiaohan nodded heavily. He extended his pinky finger towards Mu Shuangshuang and said, "Pinky promise!"

Although Mu Shuangshuang found Xiao Han’s action childish, she still cooperated and hooked fingers with him.

"Alright, I’m going to say it now!" Mu Shuangshuang feigned seriousness. "Actually, ever since I bumped my head by Second Aunt, I’ve been able to do things I couldn’t before.

For example, cooking. Sister never cooked before, but now I can. For example, reading. Sister didn’t know how before, but now I know a little bit.

But I firmly believe it’s a gift from above, so I can lead our family to a better life and not be bullied!"

Mu Shuangshuang thought her explanation was quite far-fetched, but she had no choice. Suddenly waking up with skills she didn’t have before was better than letting others find out she was a traveler, right?

Xiao Han stared at Mu Shuangshuang for a while, then suddenly put down his book and hugged her waist tightly. With a hoarse voice, he said, "You’ll always be my sister, right? Just like now?"

Mu Shuangshuang’s body trembled slightly, feeling the wetness of Xiao Han’s tears on her abdomen.

She couldn’t help but think: Always... a sister?

Of course!

"Silly boy, if I’m not your sister, then who am I?" Mu Shuangshuang gently patted Xiao Han’s back, speaking comforting words to soothe his emotions.

After a long while, Xiao Han regained his composure and flashed a bright smile. "Then, how about you start teaching me to read tonight, sister!"

"Sure, but you have to help sister make dinner first. We’re having dumplings tonight, and once we’re full, we’ll have the energy to study."

Speaking of dumplings, Xiao Han couldn’t help but swallow, taking a moment to react.

Dumplings, in a peasant household, were definitely a delicacy. Other than during the New Year, there wasn’t really an opportunity to have them.

Moreover, back when Old Mrs. Mu was in charge, the good stuff in her hands was never for the third branch.

So when Mu Shuangshuang mentioned having dumplings, it was natural for Xiao Han to be skeptical.

"Xiao Han, you’d still be responsible for managing the fire. Later, we’ll use medium heat. Sister will knead the dough and make the filling. We’ll aim to finish the dumplings before sunset."

Mu Shuangshuang chose this time because she wanted to send a bowl to Lu Yuanfeng’s household as well. He refused to stay for dinner yesterday, so Shuangshuang had no choice but to use this method.

You don’t come, I’ll just deliver!

She washed the mushrooms, greens, and chives cleanly, setting them aside separately. Three taels of meat were also divided into three portions.

Soon, the sound of chopping vegetables could be heard from the kitchen. It wasn’t time to tend to the fire yet, so Xiao Han picked up a twig from the courtyard and doodled on the ground with it.

The characters he wrote were the same ones Mu Shuangshuang had just mentioned, "Ritual."

For a poor child, learning while also saving money was necessary, especially since Mu Shuangshuang had only bought a single brush and a few sheets of Xuan paper from Liu Zian and hadn’t yet purchased ink.

Mu Shuangshuang kneaded dough and made dumplings in the kitchen, occasionally glancing at Xiao Han as he sketched on the ground. With such a studious younger brother, she felt delighted, yet concerned. Being too engrossed in one thing didn’t always bode well.

At that moment, Yu Si Niang returned with Mu Zhenzhen.

Mu Zhenzhen was crying badly and refused to return to Old Mrs. Mu. Yu Si Niang thought of letting her stay in her quarters for a while, calm down, and then take her back.

She fetched water for Mu Zhenzhen to wash her face, and after gauging her emotions had calmed, she tentatively asked, "Zhenzhen, do you want to tell your parents about that matter?"

The matter Yu Si Niang referred to was naturally the one about being dismissed.

"Who says I won’t tell? I absolutely will, and I’ll make sure it’s known far and wide."

Mu Zhenzhen thought of making sure everyone knew she had been dismissed because she borrowed silver for her brother. Her brother owed her this engagement for his entire life. If her brother ever soared high, he shouldn’t forget her.

Besides, it was much better at home — food and drinks daily, without needing to work. She had no desire to return to Zhuangzi’s family’s miserable den, where they humiliated and dared to strike her.

Someday, she wanted the Zhao family to know her worth.

While pondering these things, Mu Zhenzhen heard the sound of chopping vegetables coming from Shuangshuang’s kitchen. Seeing Shuangshuang busy in the kitchen, she asked, "Third sister-in-law, what’s Shuang doing?"

"Shuangshuang said she’s making dumplings for dinner." Yu Si Niang responded to Mu Zhenzhen but had no intention of inviting her to stay.

"Haha, then I came at the right time. Third sister-in-law, I’m having dinner at your place tonight!"

"This..." Yu Si Niang looked embarrassed. She had stopped earlier to comfort Mu Zhenzhen because she looked pitiful and had called her third sister-in-law, making her heart soften.

But that didn’t mean she intended for Zhenzhen to stay for dinner.

"Third sister-in-law, don’t tell me you’re being stingy over one meal? Don’t tell me you’re reluctant to part with that bit of meat?" Mu Zhenzhen looked at Yu Si Niang with disdain.

At this point, she reverted to her old self, sharp-tongued and inconsiderate of others’ feelings in her words and actions.

"No, no..." Yu Si Niang hurriedly waved her hand.

She didn’t want to be called stingy but the food was prepared by Shuangshuang, and whether or not someone was invited depended on her daughter. Besides, her daughter didn’t like this second aunt, so she probably wouldn’t want her to eat for free, and something might happen later.

"That’s settled then. I can’t eat much anyway. Moreover, I was dismissed today, so as a sister-in-law, isn’t it right for you to make something nice to comfort me?"

Shamelessly, Mu Zhenzhen decided to stay for dinner herself.

Meanwhile, preparations for dinner in the Old Mu Family were also underway.

Mrs. Liu wasn’t alone in her efforts today; her daughter Xiaxia had returned and was helping her in the kitchen, picking vegetables and washing rice.