CHAPTER 307: CHAPTER 305: WHERE IS YOUR FACE? (SECOND UPDATE)

"I’ll go with you, I know how to make dumplings!"

Lu Yuanfeng, blushing, stepped forward.

"Alright, let’s hurry, I’ve everything ready for making dumplings, just need to roll out the dough and cook them!"

Having a helper certainly speeds things up. Although what happened before still feels a bit awkward, everyone knows eating is more important, and anything embarrassing can be thought about after filling their stomachs.

Once in the kitchen, Mu Shuangshuang took out the fermented flour and various fillings.

Originally planning to make many types of fillings, Mu Shuangshuang decided to keep it simple with just a meat filling, a corn filling, and a cabbage filling.

Lu Yuanfeng was rolling out the dough on the table, and to be honest, he wasn’t exaggerating one bit; each piece of dough he rolled was thin and even.

"Fengzi, your skills—it seems like this isn’t your first or second time making dumplings!"

Mu Shuangshuang picked up a piece of dumpling skin and exclaimed in surprise.

"In the camp, everyone made dumplings by themselves."

"Did you all do it together?" Mu Shuangshuang asked, actually reminiscing about her own past life, a communal lifestyle she once experienced.

In some ways, Lu Yuanfeng’s experiences were quite similar to hers. Although the era and the specifics differed, she could imagine what it was like for Lu Yuanfeng back then.

"Yes, everyone together. Life at the border was harsh and lonely. The only time we could rest was during New Year’s Eve when everyone would make some good food together.

Of course, it was mostly simple stuff baked over the fire. Dumplings were the only dish everyone knew how to make."

As Lu Yuanfeng spoke, he subconsciously observed the expression of the girl beside him.

He had noticed early on that, compared to other topics, Shuangshuang seemed more interested in his days at the camp.

Every time he talked about those events with Shuangshuang, Lu Yuanfeng felt a surge of excitement, as if he were reliving those experiences.

With Lu Yuanfeng rolling out thin dumpling skins and Mu Shuangshuang wrapping plump dumplings, their cooperation was seamless. In no time at all, all the dumplings were wrapped.

Mu Shuangshuang added water to the pot, preparing to scrub it clean, planning to make a hot soup, so that once the dumplings were cooked, they could enjoy them with the soup.

However, at that moment, the courtyard suddenly erupted with a few voices of quarrel. From the sound of it, it seemed to be Mu Dazhong, and only then did Mu Shuangshuang remember that when they returned, Mu Dashan had been persuaded by Mu Dazhong playing the emotional card.

Mu Dazhong, having waited fruitlessly at home for the broth that Mu Dashan promised, plus Mrs. Lin’s constant complaining of hunger, simply left the house to check if the third branch was not honoring their promise and not giving them the meat broth.

To his surprise, Mu Dazhong encountered a hard nut to crack, Yu Liulang.

Yu Liulang already had no fondness for the Old Mu Family, and now that someone was openly trying to freeload, he naturally had to speak up to stop them as a member of the family.

"I say, Sixth Son of the Yu Family, I’m simply eating my brother’s food, why should you care? Keep your nose out of my business!"

Mu Dazhong puffed out his chest, glaring fiercely at Yu Liulang.

"Well, I’m meddling in this affair today. In my sister’s house, I’m in charge. In short, you cannot eat my sister’s food, nor use her things, or else I won’t be polite to you."

In terms of height, Mu Dazhong was no match for Yu Liulang.

In terms of strength, he was no match either against Yu Liulang, who had been working consistently for years. All he had was a stout body and nothing else.

Mu Dazhong dared not engage in a fight with Yu Liulang, so he could only place his hopes on Mu Dashan who had not come out of the room yet.

"Old Third, come out and look at your remarkable brother-in-law. He won’t let me into your house, nor let you fulfill your promise. You tell him, wasn’t it you who said this afternoon that you’ll make up to your second sister-in-law tonight?"

Inside, under the dim oil lamp, Mu Dashan paused his work on the straw fan and struggled to get up.

"Shuangshuang’s father, if you have something to say, just tell me, and I’ll relay it to the second brother. Getting up might expose you to the cold and make you sick."

Generally, by evening, Mu Dashan didn’t venture out much. Other than finishing his meal, he would stay in his room.

"Then tell the second brother honestly, about Shuangshuang’s dinner tonight. If he’s willing to wait, I will definitely keep my promise!"

Though Mu Dashan’s heart viewed his promise as rather half-hearted, his upbringing over the years told him that if he made a promise, he must fulfill it.

Yu Si Niang, as instructed by Mu Dashan, went and told Mu Dazhong everything, including the matter of Little Black’s disappearance.

Mu Dazhong burst out laughing mockingly, "Sister-in-law, your third branch is truly interesting. If you’re reluctant to spare some meat, just say so directly, don’t use an animal to trick me. Do you think I’m uneducated, with no brains to speak of?"

Saying they went to look for a lost animal at home, hence no dinner made—who would believe that?

"Second Brother, why are you speaking so harshly? Just because you think something is impossible doesn’t mean it can’t happen to others. Little Black is very important to our family. We are certainly anxious about it being lost."

"Enough, don’t give me any more useless explanations. Whenever you make me that meat broth, I’ll leave. Otherwise, I won’t be leaving today!"

As Mu Dazhong spoke, he found a comfortable spot on the ground and sat down, truly showing he was waiting for a meal.

Yu Si Niang’s face turned greenish from frustration. It wasn’t that she was unwilling to spare one dinner, but Second Brother’s attitude was far too casual.

Did he really think the third branch could be used at will, to be close when desired and ignored otherwise?

"I’m afraid if you eat it, you’ll die!" Yu Liulang rolled his eyes, and his dislike for the Old Mu Family deepened in layers at this moment.

"Watch your mouth, just because you’re the brother of the Third Sister-in-law, Shuangshuang’s uncle, doesn’t mean I won’t hit you. I warn you, I’m not afraid of you!"

"Then bring it on!" Yu Liulang rolled up his sleeves, acting as if he was ready to fight Mu Dazhong.

Mu Shuangshuang walked out from the kitchen, with Lu Yuanfeng following beside her.

"Second Uncle, what are you doing? Fighting or stealing food?"

"I’m just taking the meat broth old Third promised me. Your second aunt has been waiting a long time for it."

"Second Uncle, quite the joker. My dad promised to give you the meat broth, so ask him for it. Yet here you are, seeking my mom, seeking my uncle, what’s the point?"

Mu Shuangshuang’s meaning was very clear—whoever made the promise, they should fulfill it!

"You, this girl, how can you be so unfilial? Debts of a father are the responsibility of the child, and you, the daughter, dare to..." Mu Dazhong was fuming.

But Mu Shuangshuang turned to the indoor Mu Dashan and said, "Dad, did you hear that? Your goodwill has turned into a debt in Second Uncle’s eyes. Now he wants you to repay the afternoon’s debt!"