CHAPTER 748: CHAPTER 744: SHOUTING ONCE AND HELPING (SECOND UPDATE)

While Mu Shuangshuang was handling the rabbit, Lu Yuanfeng had already removed the organs of the roe deer. He placed them aside, unsure which parts Shuangshuang intended to use.

Mu Shuangshuang accepted them all; there was certainly enough for the midday meal, so they could eat the rest for dinner.

The organs and intestines of the roe deer are not necessarily inferior to the meat.

"Fengzi, it’s almost done here; you go inside and warm up by the fire," Mu Shuangshuang put the rabbit meat into the wooden basin, raised her head, and said to Lu Yuanfeng.

"I’ll wait for you to go in together," Lu Yuanfeng replied.

"It’s alright, I’ll be finished soon." Mu Shuangshuang laughed cheerfully, her hands working without pause.

"Shall I go inside and roast a sweet potato for you?" Lu Yuanfeng asked.

"Alright, you hurry in; it’s quite cold out here."

The northern wind howled fiercely; even Mu Shuangshuang felt it was unbearable.

But soon she was almost finished, lifting her head to see that Lu Yuanfeng hadn’t left at all. His sturdy frame blocked the wind, as if by doing so he could shield Mu Shuangshuang from the cold.

Mu Shuangshuang felt a warm glow in her heart, even warmer than when she roasted fire in the morning.

"Shuangshuang, let me carry the rabbit. How do you plan to prepare lunch? Let me help you light the fire, and I’ll wash the vegetables and rinse the rice too," Lu Yuanfeng took the wooden basin from Mu Shuangshuang’s hands.

"No need, it’s too cold. I’ll handle it myself," Mu Shuangshuang refused.

"Shuangshuang, you are a girl. I asked Grandpa Zhang; in winter you should rarely touch cold water, and also... also..." Lu Yuanfeng reddened as he spoke halfway.

"Also what? Quickly say it, don’t leave things half-said like a cat scratching its chest, leaving people anxious." Mu Shuangshuang’s face was full of curiosity.

"It’s just... it’s just that your period is approaching. I also asked Grandpa Zhang, and he said girls shouldn’t overexert themselves, or they’ll leave health issues for the future, like back pain when old." Lu Yuanfeng’s face turned as red as a monkey’s bottom.

Talking about Mu Shuangshuang’s period required most of his courage, and if he had to bring it up again, he truly lacked the nerve.

Mu Shuangshuang also felt a bit shy, but her heart brimmed more with sweetness.

It’s strange how some men’s words on women’s periods or the like can feel sleazy, but Lu Yuanfeng was different.

He was sincere, remembering every little thing for her.

And he would follow through with what he said.

If he said he would wash the vegetables and rice, he wouldn’t leave any task undone.

Unlike some men who only tell women to drink more water without showing any other care.

"Alright, I’ll leave the heavy task of washing vegetables to you today." Mu Shuangshuang smiled brightly at Lu Yuanfeng.

They both went into the kitchen together.

Inside the kitchen, a group of people gathered together. The adults chatted, while the children stared at the sweet potatoes in the fire pit that were almost, yet not quite, cooked, with mouths watering.

Even Xue Zheng couldn’t take his eyes off them.

He probably had never had this kind of roasted sweet potato before, Mu Shuangshuang guessed.

"Do you guys want some roast meat?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.

"What meat?" Speaking of food, the Huang Brothers immediately left Mu Dashan and Yu Si Niang who were in conversation and turned their attention to her.

"Roast meat, since Fengzi caught a roe deer today, I can make roast meat for everyone," Mu Shuangshuang said mysteriously.

The crowd didn’t understand but still looked expectantly at Mu Shuangshuang.

Unfortunately, as soon as Mu Shuangshuang played this card, she said no more, leaving the group curious about how she’d make roast meat.

Everyone wanted to see Mu Shuangshuang preparing roast meat.

"No rush, wait until I finish making lunch, or we can make roast meat tonight."

Mu Shuangshuang planned to use the heavy iron lids from the water barrels next to the large iron pots as grilling plates for the roast meat. It was convenient and effortless.

"Haha, Miss Shuangshuang, now that you’ve said it, we are all eagerly waiting to see you grill meat tonight."

...

...

Mu Shuangshuang started preparing lunch, while Lu Yuanfeng helped her wash the vegetables one by one thoroughly.

Even though the water was cold, Lu Yuanfeng felt happy.

Inside the kitchen, everyone chatted happily, mostly discussing the matter between Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng.

"Aunt Si, when will Miss Shuangshuang and Brother Fengzi marry? These two seem inseparable, might as well marry soon and become one family."

"We don’t know that either; they said they wouldn’t marry for now, but the engagement is set for the 12th day of the twelfth lunar month. Once the engagement is settled, Shuangshuang is practically part of Fengzi’s family." Yu Si Niang spoke with evident satisfaction.

Ultimately, she was very pleased with Fengzi as her son-in-law.

Moreover, as her daughter was growing older each day, Yu Si Niang also wanted to settle her daughter’s marriage soon.

"Haha, the 12th of the twelfth month is a good day; at that time, we brothers will surely come to support it." Huang Da laughed heartily.

Huang Er chimed in from the side, "Miss Shuangshuang, what might you and Brother Fengzi need for your engagement? We brothers will prepare things for both of you."

Huang Er was straightforward and always spoke his mind.

He didn’t care if it was a surprise for Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng.

"You guys can send whatever you like, but don’t send anything too expensive; homemade items are better." Mu Shuangshuang didn’t hold back with the Huang Brothers.

She knew it was no use refusing.

The Huang Brothers would prepare something regardless, so she preferred to accept their goodwill directly and have them make homemade items.

"Haha, Miss Shuangshuang, you asked the right thing. We brothers are pretty good at carpentry, how about we give you a dressing box with a piece of copper mirror inside." Huang Dao said.

"Just call me Shuangshuang; always calling me Miss sounds so formal." Mu Shuangshuang said and then asked, "You guys are good at woodworking, right? Can you make desks like those scholars use?"

The sudden snow had halted not only Mu Shuangshuang’s winter storage plans but also the construction of her planned private school.

Mu Dashan is mainly skilled in masonry, which involves using clay bricks for wall building, laying foundations, and similar tasks.

Mu Shuangshuang initially wanted Lu Yuanfeng to handle the carpentry, but he had numerous tasks already. Short-term tasks were manageable, but long-term ones were too much to handle.

"Don’t just talk about making desks; we brothers can make wooden doors for houses too."

Mu Shuangshuang nodded in satisfaction. "It’s actually like this, Fengzi and I are planning to build a private school in the village, similar to the academy in the town, but on a smaller scale.

We’ll likely have about a dozen students, needing a dozen or twenty desks, and an office space will also need desks and chairs."

"My goodness, Fengzi, Shuangshuang, are you really opening an academy? Did I hear that right?" Huang Da and Huang Er exclaimed simultaneously.

The crowd’s reactions were actually quite similar to Mu Dashan’s initial response.

Matters related to scholars seemed like a distant dream for farming families.