CHAPTER 289: CHAPTER 288 MAKE THE MOST OF FENGZI (THIRD UPDATE)

Mrs. Liu was more straightforward; she put down the bowl in her hand and started crying softly.

How much grievance is there, and how many tears are shed.

Everyone put down their chopsticks and started comforting Mrs. Liu, even Yu Liulang, who had nothing to do with it, was there kindly comforting her.

"Sister-in-law, if you feel distressed, you might as well separate like my fourth sister. Even though life would be a bit bitter, you’d get to keep all the earnings for yourself from the work you do.

Even if Fourth Brother goes to the dock to move goods, earning just a dozen wen a day in wages, it’s better than enduring grievances."

Yu Liulang’s words were actually the most direct solution, a bit of hardship, but if you endure it, it’ll pass.

Mu Xiaxia held onto her corn, looking hopefully at her father.

Among the entire fourth branch, the one who most wanted to split the household wasn’t Mu Dajiang or Mrs. Liu, but Mu Xiaxia.

Mrs. Liu was also hesitating to have her husband speak about splitting the household because of Old Mrs. Mu’s scolding words.

"Xiaxia’s father, we..."

"Let me think it over, think it over again!" Mu Dajiang waved his hand, not giving a definite answer.

The hopeful Mu Xiaxia instantly wilted like a frosted eggplant!

Mu Dajiang felt that for the fourth branch at present, splitting the household was somewhat fanciful, especially after tonight, when his mother said those words made Mu Dajiang think that even if the fourth branch split, they might not even get half an acre of land.

And they aren’t as capable as his third brother, nor do they have daughters like Shuangshuang.

Mu Shuangshuang observed everyone’s expressions around the table and realized her uncle’s words brought all the issues back to square one.

Unfortunately, without breaking through the painful experience, the fourth branch couldn’t grow.

Just as her fourth aunt said, after splitting, she could follow her to learn some trade. But with no bit of cleverness or tenacity, ordinary people couldn’t really handle this work.

To make cold noodles, she had to work until eleven or twelve at night every three days, then wake up at three or four in the morning; most folks couldn’t endure it for long.

Yet she managed to stick through it, largely thanks to Lu Yuanfeng, who accompanied her no matter what.

Whenever there was danger, he was by her side.

Speaking of Lu Yuanfeng, Mu Shuangshuang felt a warm sensation inside her, a feeling of satisfaction spreading from her heart throughout her body, making her feel incredibly comfortable.

"Sister, I want more to eat." Xiao Chu munched through half a cob of corn and handed the remnants to Mu Shuangshuang.

Perhaps truly starved, Mu Shuangshuang believed even half a cob could satisfy her.

"Shall sister get you a bowl of porridge?" Mu Shuangshuang asked with a smile.

"No, I want corn, I want corn."

Xiao Chu kept repeating his demand for corn, making the room’s atmosphere tense.

Yu Si Niang felt the most awkward, the meal was hers to prepare, and the corn was hers to cook. Tonight, she hadn’t boiled much, just three corns enough for the people from the third branch.

With more people from the fourth branch here, everyone’s share became smaller, and still wasn’t enough.

Now, the corn in Da Hai’s bowl was already gone, and Yu Si Niang couldn’t say there was no corn left.

Because on the stove, in an earthenware bowl, were the two largest and yellowest corns, meant for Fengzi and Yuanbao.

Seeing Yu Si Niang’s dilemma, Mu Dajiang was about to scold Xiao Chu when Mu Shuangshuang swiftly spoke first.

"Mom, slice the corn from the stove, will you."

"If the corn is sliced, what about Fengzi? After all, he just brought us such delicious meat." Yu Si Niang panicked, blurting out her thoughts involuntarily.

This made the fourth branch, who were freeloading tonight, suddenly embarrassed.

"Third Sister-in-law, forget it, Xiao Chu was just joking around. Normally...normally, he doesn’t eat much," explained Mrs. Liu.

"Yes, our Xiao Chu just finds the corn fresh, that’s why he’s calling for fun." Mu Dajiang echoed, but deep inside felt bitter.

"No worry, Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt, don’t stress over it. These were cooked for eating. I’ll cook Fengzi’s portion later on; he won’t mind."

"Alright then!" Yu Si Niang stood up and did as Mu Shuangshuang suggested.

This time, she sliced the two corns into several sections, increasing the share for everyone.

The meal carried on throughout this strange atmosphere.

After dinner, Mrs. Liu offered to wash dishes for the third branch as appreciation for the meal.

Yu Si Niang refused, "Fourth Sister-in-law, you just go and rest, I’ll handle this."

"Third Sister-in-law, don’t say that, we’re fine with eating and not doing anything, it makes me feel uneasy."

Mrs. Liu forcibly finished washing the dishes Mu Shuangshuang was handling, and polished the stovetop cover until it shone before returning.

Before leaving, she thanked repeatedly, almost making Yu Si Niang feel awkward before she finally left.

Once she left, Yu Si Niang leaned over.

"Shuang, what about Fengzi’s supper? Didn’t you say he’d help someone work late tonight and go to bed very late? Without supper, will he go hungry? If he gets sick from hunger, what should we do?"

Yu Si Niang asked with an evident concern, her care for Lu Yuanfeng was overflowing, almost like a mother towards her own son.

"Mom, why are you so worry about him, your daughter has been busy all day, hasn’t even sat down, and you don’t even care about me." Mumbled Mu Shuangshuang, pouting.

"Mom sees Fengzi as pitiful, being sent to the army so young, finally returned, with mom gone, he has no family connections and helped our family so much. Is it not right for Mom to care for him?"

"Okay, you’re right, I’ll go visit him later to check if he’s hungry, whether to cook something for him."

"No need, it’s night, you shouldn’t go alone, unless mom accompanies you. Besides, do you know what work Fengzi is doing?" Yu Si Niang asked, curious.

"Yes, just some carpentry work."

The village carpenter had urgent business and went far away, coincidentally Lu Yuanfeng’s was the second-best carpentry skill close by.

The carpenter had taken a job earlier and promised someone the goods by tomorrow, now gone, had to ask Lu Yuanfeng to finish it.

"Mom always said Fengzi was capable, good at hunting, farming, and also woodworking, look at our two cabinets, everyone in the village finds them enviable, even your uncle says they’re good things."

Yu Si Niang tirelessly brainwashed Mu Shuangshuang, talking so much her head spun.

"Mom, I heard, I’ve remembered everything you’ve said."

Mu Shuangshuang put down her work, leaning softly on Yu Si Niang’s shoulder, whispering in her ear.

"Since you know, better seize it, if Fengzi is snatched away, I’ll see how you’d handle it."