CHAPTER 276: CHAPTER 275: THE TOAD WANTS TO EAT SWAN MEAT (SECOND UPDATE)

Yuanbao, known for trapping his brother, continued to trap Lu Yuanfeng tightly as always.

Lu Yuanfeng’s face turned red from embarrassment due to his words, but Yuanbao himself seemed pleased, smiling slyly like a cat that had stolen fish.

During the meal, the group laughed out loud, feeling extremely content.

Meanwhile, at the Old Mu Family’s dinner table, which was also during a meal, the atmosphere was somewhat depressed; everyone looked like frustrated women with a belly full of grievances.

"That old fool, what are you glaring at? You really think that Yu Si Niang’s poor brother will come to see you!"

Old Mrs. Mu shouted at Mr. Mu, who was eating but still looking around casually.

Yu Liulang had arrived, and Mr. Mu learned about it just before lunch.

As a younger member of the in-law’s side, Mr. Mu felt Yu Liulang should come over to greet him, not necessarily with many gifts, but at least with verbal greetings, as he was a senior and related to Old Yu Family through marriage.

"Why not? Isn’t he supposed to come see me? I’m the elder; he’s the junior, he has to respect me. Plus, Dade is about to become a scholar, and soon they won’t be able to curry favor with me even if they wanted to."

Ever since Mu Dade went off for exams and farm work decreased, Mr. Mu found himself with more leisure time, developing a habit of overthinking, constantly feeling disrespected by others.

Just yesterday, he argued with others in the village over this matter.

Despite that, Mr. Mu still didn’t think he was wrong.

"Forget it, they never treat you like an elder; otherwise, why would the third branch split off? I saw him pulling a cart over, maybe he brought lots of food.

But what does it matter? Once that stuff gets to the third branch, it becomes theirs with that protective brat around, we won’t get a single morsel."

Old Mrs. Mu said sourly, having initially seen Yu Si Niang’s brother, thinking she’d have a good meal today, but it was like a toad dreaming of eating swan meat, a foolish delusion.

"What is this thing? It tastes awful, I’m not eating it." Mu Xiangxiang took a bite of fried cucumber from her bowl, angrily throwing her utensils down on the table.

Turning to Old Mrs. Mu, she said, "Mom, I want meat, eating vegetarian every day makes my mouth bland. I don’t even know why I came back; at my eldest sister’s house, at least I can eat and drink well every day, which is way better than at home."

Old Mrs. Mu felt troubled; she had forced Xiangxiang’s eldest sister for money last time, already being sternly told that unless Dade succeeds in his exams, no one is allowed to go to her house anymore.

"Mom, we still have some chickens at home, why don’t you kill one? Otherwise, how do we continue living like this? My second sister even ran away from home due to the lack of food."

Mu Danian chimed in, only to end up being scolded by Old Mrs. Mu.

"Zhenzhen just went for a walk, how does that count as running away? If you’re unhappy with the food, don’t eat at home. Keep complaining, and get out!"

Mu Danian, after being scolded, picked up his bowl and slipped away to squat outside.

...

...

Liu Wangcai went to Wang Erma’s house in the village to buy a pound of meat, but got delayed chatting with familiar faces on the way back, eventually returning about half an hour later.

He rushed into the house, muttering, "Zhenzhen, I brought the meat back, are you still home?"

He called out several times without getting a response, and when he charged into the kitchen, he found Mu Zhenzhen sipping soup from a large bowl.

The table was covered in the remnants of chicken bones, and the pot, once full with a whole chicken, now had not even scraps left, let alone the delicious soup.

*Burp* Mu Zhenzhen set down the large bowl, letting out a satisfied belch.

"It’s really nice, the feeling of eating a whole chicken by oneself!" She casually grabbed a cloth to wipe her mouth clean and told Liu Wangcai, "Wangcai, I’ve finished the chicken, clean up later. I was planning to cook braised meat, but waited so long and you didn’t come back."

Liu Wangcai’s eyes widened; looking at the scraps, he felt heartbroken, realizing that even the washing water from the pot hadn’t been left, all devoured by Mu Zhenzhen.

"What’s the matter? You surely won’t begrudge the money, right?" Mu Zhenzhen’s face changed, adding a touch of disdain to her gaze at Liu Wangcai.

She believed, since Liu Wangcai invited her, he had to provide for her meals, and his reluctant attitude now made her wonder what his intentions were.

"No, I’m willing, I’m willing, I’ll buy whatever you want." Liu Wangcai replied, looking guilty.

"Really? You’re not tricking me?" Mu Zhenzhen looked at Liu Wangcai skeptically.

"Really!"

"I don’t believe it; I know Liu Wangcai’s type clearly. You were stingy as a child, hiding even a piece of malt sugar. You’re lying now, right?" Mu Zhenzhen deliberately mocked Liu Wangcai.

Her previous plan was to eat well, then trick him for money, and having eaten, it was time to deceive for money.

Having childhood issues revealed, Liu Wangcai felt naturally embarrassed, so he dashed into the room, grabbed the pottery jar, and placed it on the table.

"This is the money I saved, if you agree to my conditions, it’s all yours."

Liu Wangcai wasn’t really intent on giving Mu Zhenzhen the money, he just thought that if anything happened between himself and Zhenzhen, the money would eventually come back.

Mu Zhenzhen stepped forward and shook the jar lightly, finding it quite heavy, her face glowing with happiness.

"Got it, got the Silver, now I believe your generosity. As for the meat, I’ll take it home, I haven’t eaten braised meat for lunch today."

Picking up the pound of meat from the table, Mu Zhenzhen was ready to leave, when Liu Wangcai decided it was time, stepped forward, and shut the kitchen door.

"What are you doing? Liu Wangcai, are you regretting the money or the pound of meat?" Mu Zhenzhen looked suspiciously.

At this moment Liu Wangcai revealed his true colors, his gaze towards Mu Zhenzhen no longer concealed, he said to Mu Zhenzhen, still puzzled, "Zhenzhen, whatever you want to eat, I’ll make, and I’ve given you money too, now what I want, you should give as well, right?"

"What do you want?" Mu Zhenzhen clutched the money jar, hiding the meat behind her.

"You know what I want, don’t you? I liked you since I was a child, back then you looked down on me, but now it’s different, I’m capable of providing for you, if you’re with me, you’d be assured of eating well and living in abundance."

With words spoken to this point, Mu Zhenzhen understood, Liu Wangcai’s generosity aimed for more with her.

"Pah! You’re a stinking toad wanting to eat swan meat, don’t you take a look at yourself, covered in sores, leaking pus, yet dare touch me, Mu Zhenzhen? I’m warning you, if you don’t open the door, I’ll shout."

Liu Wangcai’s face flushed red; although he was ugly, that didn’t mean he was open to such humiliation.

"Wretch, shout if you dare, I’ll let everyone know it was you who seduced me!"