CHAPTER 474: CHAPTER 471 BUILDING A THATCHED COTTAGE (22ND UPDATE)

After breakfast, the three men carried the dried wood to the fields, heading towards the spot Mu Shuangshuang had already chosen for the latrine.

She had also reported to the village chief. The fields were quite a distance from the houses, so every time people went out to work, they either had to hold it in until they got home,

or go relieve themselves halfway, which for hardworking folks took 10 to 20 minutes. But for lazy ones like Mu Dazhong, one trip to the latrine took an entire afternoon or morning.

In the end, Mu Shuangshuang was doing a good deed.

At this moment, it was the busy season in the cotton fields. The first batch of cotton was the best, good for making quilts and winter clothes.

Since there wasn’t much rain yet, once it started raining more, the cotton would get soaked, turn black, and sell for much less.

Following behind Lu Yuanfeng, Huang Da, and Huang Er, Mu Shuangshuang saw many people in the cotton fields picking cotton. Large white blooms twisted in their palms before being placed into burlap sacks.

Of course, there were also many people in the paddy fields, mostly digging ditches to prevent the rice from toppling over once the cold wind came.

The three men unloaded their tools from the cart under a big willow tree.

This was the spot where villagers would rest after work, and it was also where Mu Shuangshuang chose to dig the latrine.

"Let’s get started!"

Huang Er picked up a shovel and began digging.

Huang Da grabbed a hoe and followed suit.

Farmers’ latrines were simple to make: just dig a pit and bury a jar.

Lu Yuanfeng was digging a second pit a little farther away as Mu Shuangshuang suggested. One pit for men and one pit for women made it easier to manage.

In the end, it was to prevent peeping. After the last incident with Xia Guagua, it was clear there were some sleazy people around who might take a peek.

Separated like this, if a man went to the women’s latrine, he would be criticized and have no ground to argue.

You have to admit, Mu Shuangshuang had thought it through.

But as soon as they started digging, some loafers came over to ask.

"Hey Fengzi, what are you guys doing here? Digging a pit to bury someone?" A rascal named Er Lengzi, chewing on a blade of grass, came over to ask.

"Burying shit!" Lu Yuanfeng replied seriously!

Er Lengzi laughed so hard his stomach hurt.

"Burying shit, my gosh, you’re trying to kill me with laughter? Burying shit, I thought you were burying that stinky girl."

"Stinky girl" was a label the villagers forced on Mu Shuangshuang. Obviously, Mu Shuangshuang was doing better than many, and the third branch was gradually rising, but some people just liked to use such terms to describe her.

It seemed like doing so made them feel happier.

"What did you say? Say it again!"

The three men surrounded Er Lengzi, and Huang Er, more direct, swung his hand and knocked out one of Er Lengzi’s front teeth, leaving him spitting blood.

"You dirty dog, and you call her that? Open wide your dog eyes and see how beautiful and good-looking our boss is."

"You dog, I bet you don’t even have a wife. Looking like a smelly horse, there’s no way you have a wife. And if you did, she would be with Old Wang next door. Your face isn’t even as nice as my butt, yet you dare to talk nonsense."

After he finished speaking, Huang Da delivered two more slaps, leaving Er Lengzi face down on the ground, not daring to move.

Mu Shuangshuang was in a great mood now. She should have taught these people a lesson long ago, daring to call her such names to her face.

Hmph, they’re asking for trouble!

Mu Shuangshuang squatted down in front of Er Lengzi.

"Ugly thing, remember, I, Mu Shuangshuang, have backers. If I hear anyone in the village calling me that again, I’ll take your dog life!"

After saying that, Mu Shuangshuang didn’t forget to give Er Lengzi a heavy kick.

Er Lengzi was already crying; he realized he messed with the wrong person.

Regret, oh how he regretted it.

But why should he be responsible for the villagers’ mouths?

Mu Shuangshuang knew what Er Lengzi was thinking and kindly added.

"I can’t stand you; you deserve your bad luck!"

Seeing Mu Shuangshuang was satisfied, Lu Yuanfeng picked up Er Lengzi and tossed him into the cotton fields far away, followed by a few more cries.

"Scram!"

Lu Yuanfeng ordered coldly.

Ignoring his lost tooth and his badly beaten body, Er Lengzi, clutching his waist, left.

The four of them continued working.

When the beating happened earlier, the nearby workers had already noticed. Once Er Lengzi was beaten, nobody dared to come closer.

The three continued digging. By the end of the morning, the two pits were done, just needing to bring in the jars in the afternoon.

Pushing the cart back, tired from working all morning, the four dragged their weary bodies home, with Mu Shuangshuang helping to carry some odds and ends.

Knowing there was a big task today, lunch was arranged to be cooked by Yu Si Niang, but when Mu Shuangshuang returned, the house was still cold and lifeless.

"I don’t know where my mom went. I’ll cook for you first."

Mu Shuangshuang said apologetically to the others.

"No worries, we’ll just rest. Boss, just find us a spot to relax."

Mu Shuangshuang’s home had no main hall and no yard, but fortunately, beneath the old tree where they tied the wild boar was some shade.

Set up a few chairs, a table, and some tea, and it was good for a break.

After arranging everything, Mu Shuangshuang went into the kitchen.

Lu Yuanfeng followed her in.

"Go rest outside. I’ll get you some water to wash your face." Mu Shuangshuang didn’t want Lu Yuanfeng to light the fire; he worked too hard.

"No worries, I’ll get the water myself. Let’s cook together, finish early, and get back to work this afternoon."

A trio of laborers at home was already impressive for any household.

Especially since these three were each worth several others, truly admirable.

So Mu Shuangshuang didn’t hold back in the kitchen.

Usually, she cooked with little rice, pairing it with sweet potatoes and wild veggies, but when there were many workers, she’d use more rice to give them strength to work.

She had already planned the lunch menu. The dishes were neatly placed on the table, unwashed and untrimmed.

Thinking it over, she decided to check in Mu Dashan’s room to see what’s going on.

But when she got there, Mu Dashan wasn’t there either, and the kids had gone out to play, not showing up until mealtime.

"What’s going on?"

While she was puzzled, Mu Dalang’s voice came from outside, shouting anxiously, "Shuangshuang, Shuangshuang..."

Mu Shuangshuang’s heart skipped a beat, and she rushed out.

"Cousin, what happened, are my parents okay?"

"No, no..." Mu Dalang waved his hand.

"Then what is it?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.

"Matchmaker Sun introduced a wife to our fifth uncle. She’s coming for lunch to check out our place. The patriarch bought some good stuff, and they also invited third uncle and third aunt to help out,"

Mu Shuangshuang’s forehead was instantly filled with question marks.

The Old Mu Family, inviting the third branch for lunch?

This can’t be right!