CHAPTER 288: CHAPTER 287: PITIFUL AND HATEFUL (SECOND UPDATE)

"What can I do? It was Liu Wangcai who was wrong in the first place. It’s only right for me to deal with him.

Anyway, I’ve said it here. I won’t return the money, nor will I admit any fault. If you aren’t embarrassed for Brother, go ahead and tell others. It doesn’t matter to me."

Mu Zhenzhen, with an attitude of a dead pig not fearing scalding water, said to Mr. Mu, then grabbed the rouge and clothes she bought and left the main hall.

"Zhenzhen, you haven’t even had dinner yet, where are you going?"

Old Mrs. Mu followed behind Mu Zhenzhen, asking with concern, but Mu Zhenzhen couldn’t be bothered to respond.

She wasn’t even hungry. Before returning, she had eaten a big bowl of pork noodles in town, and the taste of pork was still fresh in her mouth, making her feel extremely comfortable!

Mr. Mu’s body trembled uncontrollably. Mu Zhenzhen’s words had hit a sore spot for him. It took him quite a while to recover.

...

...

The dinner was prepared by Yu Si Niang, with Mu Shuangshuang assisting her. Lu Yuanfeng brought some braised meat, there were some vegetables, wild vegetable porridge, and golden corn.

The corn was cooked in a large pot and placed in the center of the table, emanating a tempting aroma. The golden kernels appeared especially striking under the dim oil lamp.

Little Zhi stared at the corn, drooling. She had never tasted corn before.

Although her mom fetched some each year, they usually ended up in Grandma’s and Uncle’s stomachs.

"Sister, I think your cooking smells particularly nice," Little Zhi began complimenting Mu Shuangshuang, hoping to eat.

"Little girl, you praised the wrong person today. Today’s meal was prepared by Mom."

Little Zhi awkwardly stuck out her tongue and continued, "No wonder it tastes different than usual. It’s because Mom made it."

This amusing remark naturally made the rest of the third branch burst into laughter.

Especially Yu Liulang, who, although unmarried, loved children, particularly his fourth sister’s three kids.

"Little Zhi wants to eat corn. Shuang, go ahead and give her one."

"See, see, Little Zhi, you’re so lucky. Uncle says you should get one first, so Sister will pick a big one for you."

Including Yu Liulang, Mu Shuangshuang’s house now had six people. She cooked five corns, with two people sharing one.

The remaining two were cooked for Lu Yuanfeng, to be delivered to him after dinner.

Little Zhi, satisfied, received her long-awaited big corn. She grinned widely, placing the corn beside her gap-toothed grin and quickly began munching.

The characteristic aroma of the corn spread in her mouth, providing such full-bodied satisfaction that she couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

Just then, a very faint gulping sound was heard. Mu Shuangshuang glanced outside the kitchen and decisively stood up.

Upon coming out, she saw Mu Xiaxia peeking. Caught in the act by Mu Shuangshuang, she appeared embarrassed, glancing at Mu Shuangshuang before stammering, "I’m sorry, I’ll leave now..."

The relationship between Mu Xiaxia and Mu Shuangshuang couldn’t be called good for a long time. Back when Mu Shuangshuang was still withdrawn, she ignored everyone.

However, she’d asked Xiao Han, who said that Mu Xiaxia was a good person and hadn’t bullied the third branch.

Mu Xiaxia felt her feet as heavy as a thousand pounds, each step reminding her of Little Zhi eating corn, with drool at the corners of her mouth as she desperately tried not to cry...

"Xiaxia, come in and have some dinner. Aunt Si, don’t hide, join us too!"

Mu Shuangshuang called towards the shadows under the nearby orange tree, prompting Mrs. Liu to come out, her thin body slightly trembling, looking at Mu Shuangshuang with an apologetic expression.

She had seen Xiaxia coming this way and knew Xiaxia was watching the third branch having their meal; somehow, she didn’t pull Xiaxia away, wanting Xiaxia to have something to eat here.

Even if it was just a sip of soup.

Yu Si Niang, hearing the commotion, began setting out bowls and chopsticks. This was the perfect time for the chopsticks Fengzi had split earlier that day. She scooped two more bowls of wild vegetable porridge from the stove and placed them on the table.

At the same time, Little Zhi and Xiao Han sensibly vacated their seats.

Seeing this, Mrs. Liu felt the warmth in her heart.

She hesitated to speak, "Third sister-in-law, don’t bother, I’m... not hungry."

But just as she finished speaking, her stomach rumbled embarrassingly, her face turning even more embarrassed.

Mu Shuangshuang, being tactful, took the initiative to say, "Aunt Si, we’re all family here, no need to stand on ceremony. Initially, when we third branch separated, we wanted to invite you for a meal, but Xiaxia and Xiao Chu weren’t around then.

Since we met today, there’s no better time than today. Let’s have you over for dinner at the third branch. You start eating, and I’ll call my Fourth Uncle and Xiao Chu over."

"Shuangshuang, don’t trouble yourself. I really don’t need to eat; just let me take this bowl of porridge back for Xiao Chu."

She didn’t mind if she didn’t eat, but her three-year-old should not go hungry.

Mrs. Liu was firm, but she couldn’t resist the equally determined Mu Shuangshuang.

"Aunt Si, you needn’t be polite. It only takes a moment for me to fetch them over. Let’s have some fun."

With that, Mu Shuangshuang rushed out and shortly returned with Mu Dajiang, holding Xiao Chu.

When she got there, Xiao Chu was throwing a tantrum. If it hadn’t been for her patience, he might have cried all night.

"Xiaxia’s dad, Third Brother invited us... for a meal," Mrs. Liu stood up, her face pale, explaining.

"Eat up, Shuangshuang told me already, let’s eat and rest early."

Mrs. Liu didn’t know what Mu Shuangshuang had said to Mu Dajiang, but she saw her husband sit down without a second thought.

With more people, the kitchen became crowded. Mu Shuangshuang offered her seat, holding Xiao Chu on the threshold.

Little Zhi and Xiao Han sat on the dirt wall opposite the stove mouth, eating with relish. The entire kitchen was enveloped in a harmonious atmosphere.

Mu Dajiang, looking at the half-corn in his hand, commented with some admiration, "Third Brother, you all are doing well. Nowadays, everything is your own. You work, grow vegetables, and I heard you even raise pigs."

Mu Dajiang didn’t hide his envy. The third branch’s life was indeed flourishing, even the once-skin-and-bones Shuang had gained some weight.

Yet the fourth branch remained stagnant, perhaps even worse off.

"Old Fourth, you know why our third branch split. To be honest, we owe today to Shuangshuang. Without her, we wouldn’t survive even with the split."

Talking about Shuangshuang, Mu Dajiang’s mind flashed with the shameful words of Old Mrs. Mu, further deepening the somber look on his face.