CHAPTER 723: CHAPTER 719: GOING TO TOWN TOGETHER (PART 1)

Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu did not return for the entire night.

Early the next morning, Mu Dajiang went to find Mu Shuangshuang to ask when she was going to town and if she could stop by the town’s clinic to inquire when Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu would return.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived at the courtyard, he saw Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng already loading a bunch of things onto a cart, apparently preparing to go to town.

Accompanying them was Xue Zheng, carrying a small bamboo basket on his back filled with a variety of wild mountain goods such as mushrooms, black fungus, and greens.

Upon looking further, there was also a fluffy rabbit nibbling on the greens in the basket.

The group of two adults and one child, along with their belongings, presented quite an odd combination.

However, Mu Dajiang didn’t have time to dwell on these things just then, as he hurried forward to block Mu Shuangshuang’s path.

"Shuangshuang, are you going to town?" Mu Dajiang asked.

"Yes, Fourth Uncle!" Mu Shuangshuang nodded, while lifting Xue Zheng onto the ox cart.

On the oxcart, Mu Shuangshuang had laid some straw and covered it with a layer of worn-out quilt padding, making it quite comfortable to sit on.

Lu Yuanfeng tied the ox’s rope to the cart and was ready to depart once Mu Dajiang finished speaking.

"Well... can you take a look at your grandpa and grandma in town? They haven’t been home all night. I don’t know if they’ve eaten or if they’re hungry." After speaking, Mu Dajiang explained further.

"Shuangshuang, I don’t mean to imply that I want to stay in the Old Mu Family. I just... I just want your grandpa and grandma to return quickly so we four families can discuss the matter of dividing the family."

Mu Shuangshuang waved her hand, showing no interest in when the division of the four families would occur.

Everyone is an adult, needing no reminders on what to do, as long as she does her part well.

Whether or not the four families split, it is up to the four families, not Mu Shuangshuang to decide.

Moreover, she didn’t want anyone to mistakenly think that the division was her doing; she would not take the blame.

"It’s alright, Fourth Uncle. You make the decision on this matter; others have no right to speak.

However, I may not have time to visit grandpa and grandma.

After delivering these things with Fengzi, we will return directly to Yu Family Village, as I have a pile of matters to handle at my grandmother’s place."

Mu Dajiang panicked. "What to do now? Without your grandpa and grandma at home, Dazhong and Fifth are completely reckless, and the house... the house is a mess. If your grandpa and grandma don’t come back soon, the place might as well be torn apart!"

Mu Dajiang’s words were not exaggerated.

Mu Dazhong and Mu Danian were shouting last night about selling the valuable things in Old Mrs. Mu’s room for some money to buy good food and drink.

Mu Dajiang had just scolded Mu Dazhong during the day, so it wasn’t wise to say more.

"Fourth Uncle, if you’re free, you can go find Grandpa and Grandma yourself. There’s room for one more in Shuangshuang’s ox cart, and you can join us."

Mu Dajiang blushed, hesitating for a long while before saying, "I haven’t had breakfast yet, and I don’t have travel expenses for the journey."

It was indeed a bit embarrassing for a man to say such a thing to a young girl.

"Fourth Uncle, please wait for a moment."

Mu Shuangshuang went into the house and after a while, came out with a golden-brown pancake and a large bowl of freshly made soy milk.

"Here, Fourth Uncle, take your time eating, and once you’re done, we’ll head to town together."

Mu Dajiang took the pancake handed to him by Mu Shuangshuang. It had a meaty aroma, and as he took a bite, his mouth was filled with meat. That’s when he realized the pancake had meat filling.

Life was tough for rural households, and they usually only splurged a tiny bit on meat during festivals.

But the third branch seemed to eat meat often.

Mu Dajiang became more convinced that life would get progressively better after splitting the family.

After finishing the pancake and the bowl of soy milk, he was a bit full, but the taste lingered in his mouth.

"Fourth Uncle, shall we go?" Mu Shuangshuang said after allowing Mu Dajiang a little time to rest.

...

...

Once the ox cart reached the county, Mu Dajiang got off and headed to the town clinic, while Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng took Xue Zheng to Xue Yi’s restaurant.

On the way, Mu Shuangshuang had discussed with Xue Zheng that he would stay a night at the Xue Family, and the next morning, she and Lu Yuanfeng would come to town to pick him up.

At the entrance of the restaurant, Xue Yi, the owner, didn’t know that Xue Zheng had arrived. It wasn’t until Xue Zheng walked in that the store clerk informed Xue Yi, and he came out.

Missing for some time, Xue Yi immediately noticed the changes in his little nephew.

He leaned closer and asked Xue Zheng in a low voice, "Ah Zheng, did you have fun at Sister Shuangshuang’s place?"

Xue Zheng nodded, initially reluctant to speak. Seeing Mu Shuangshuang beside him, he said, "Yes!"

Mu Shuangshuang smiled happily and said, "Xue Zheng, didn’t you bring something for your second uncle and grandma? Quickly show your second uncle."

"Ah Zheng, what did you bring for your grandma?" Xue Yi asked cooperatively.

Xue Zheng took off the basket from his back and pointed to the items inside. "The rabbit is mine!"

Xue Yi laughed heartily.

"Great, your grandma will be thrilled to know you brought a rabbit."

The group went into the restaurant, and while the clerk was moving items, Mu Shuangshuang told Xue Yi about Xue Zheng spending a day at home.

Xue Yi was eager for it to happen.

The old lady was constantly worried about the child at home, fearing he would be silent if he returned and feeling immensely sad.

Now the opportunity arose, and with Xue Zheng willing to go back, why would Xue Yi object?

"Now that Xue Zheng’s matter is settled, Fengzi and I will get on with our business," Mu Shuangshuang said.

"Alright!" Xue Yi nodded with satisfaction.

Watching Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng leave, Xue Yi felt he should do something in return.

After all, it was a way to thank Shuangshuang for taking such good care of his nephew.

Once Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng had finished all their errands in town, the two went to rent a horse from a livery stable, as Lu Yuanfeng had to rush to the county to call upon the Zhang Family.

Once all was settled that night, they would take Luo Xiu’er away.

The ox cart they used from the village was taken back by Mu Shuangshuang.

The two allocated their tasks and parted ways in town.

Mu Shuangshuang didn’t hurry back but instead strolled around town, buying some meat, planning to make meatballs and dumplings in Yu Family Village that night.

While wandering around, she found herself in front of Xinglin Chun.

By that time, Mu Dajiang had already entered Xinglin Chun and found Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu, who had stayed up all night.

Last night, Mr. Mu, Old Mrs. Mu, and Mu Qingqing kept watch over Mu Xiangxiang, and Mu Qingqing hadn’t slept all night.

She was now squatting in a corner, fast asleep.

Having slept the previous night, Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu were still quite energetic. Upon seeing Mu Dajiang, Old Mrs. Mu’s first reaction was to approach and ask.

"Fourth, why are you here? Did you bring us meals?"