Mu Dashan let out a long sigh after listening to Mu Shuangshuang’s analysis.
Can’t leave, does it mean we can only passively take the blows?
Mu Dashan’s worries were visible to Mu Shuangshuang, but regardless, she didn’t have any spare money to build another house right now.
Besides, running away won’t solve the current problem. Anyway, her thrifty uncle will return, and by then, even if she doesn’t take action, the Old Mu Family will be in chaos themselves.
What’s more, she spent money and effort to build the kitchen. If she went through such trouble again, not only would Xiao Han’s tuition for next year be gone, but all these things would just benefit the Old Mu Family people.
"Dad, Grandpa Zhang said you can go for a walk when you have nothing to do."
"I see the weather is warm. Just go out and walk every morning and evening after meals."
"Take along the mosquito-repelling pouch, and it shouldn’t be a big problem."
"Shuangshuang, this family really relies on you. Otherwise, even if Dad wasn’t sick, he might not be able to support this family."
"Dad, what you’re saying is hypothetical, not valid. In my opinion, you still shouldn’t think about anything and try not to get too emotional."
Mr. Mu pulled Mu Danian and Mu Dazhong into the main room, grabbed the broom from the door crack, and aimed to whip them.
Mu Danian quickly pleaded for mercy. "Dad, today’s this issue really isn’t our fault. We went to the third brother’s to ask about raising piglets and what kind to buy. In the end, Shuang went crazy and started slinging mud at us."
"Yeah, Dad, I can testify. I and Fifth didn’t do anything. It’s just that Shuang relied on the villagers helping her to go against us. We’re really pitiful!"
Mu Danian was always a liar, and with Mu Dazhong added in, they could make dead people seem alive.
Mr. Mu understood them clearly; he just couldn’t stand the eldest daughter from the third house telling family affairs to outsiders.
"You both better stop going over there and stop doing these reckless things. If you cause any more trouble, I’ll deal with you."
"Dad, we know we were wrong, we know, we won’t dare again. We’ll go catch piglets and chicklets now."
Mu Danian tugged at Mu Dazhong’s sleeve. The two exchanged a look and hurriedly ran away.
The main room fell silent instantly. Mr. Mu felt suffocated, unable to calm down for a long while.
Just then, Old Mrs. Mu came in from outside. She saw something was off with Mr. Mu and quickly asked.
"What happened? Old man, what’s going on, talk to me." Read full story at N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
"Do you think we made a mistake by letting the third branch separate back then?" Mr. Mu has always been brooding over this matter.
He couldn’t eat or sleep because of it.
"When we divided the third branch’s fields back then, I thought one day, when they can’t make it on their own, they’d come back, and then we’d still be a family."
"But ever since Shuang started that worthless business, everything changed. The third branch kept getting better and better but also increasingly disrespectful. My words, as the old man, don’t count anymore."
All his life, Mr. Mu was respected, even if his sons weren’t promising, in front of him, they were polite. Only Shuang from the third branch defied him countless times.
As if his words were meaningless.
Mr. Mu recalled the acre of good land given away from his hands, those two times he provided food, and felt increasingly dissatisfied deep down.
"Old man, not mentioning that nasty girl is fine, but mentioning her makes me angry. She’s nothing but bad luck, even saying our Zhenzhen is out there eating and drinking with others."
"What did you say? Zhenzhen is out there eating and drinking with others?" Mr. Mu narrowed his eyes, instantly shooting two cold beams from them.
Realizing she misspoke, Old Mrs. Mu quickly explained.
"No, I didn’t mean that. I meant... old man, that’s what the nasty girl said, don’t take it seriously!"
Old Mrs. Mu initially wanted to discuss a solution with Mr. Mu, but considering her man’s temper, she hesitated and thought of secretly asking Zhenzhen.
If it were true, she’d ask her not to go anymore.
If it’s not, she’d skin that nasty girl.
"Not take it seriously? You think the money for her recent clothes came from nowhere? How do you think she eats in town? She just did something disgraceful last time. Have you forgotten?"
At the thought of that piggy bank, Mr. Mu felt his blood reverse flow; he couldn’t let this daughter keep fooling around.
"Old woman, this time, we have to let Zhenzhen learn a lesson. Otherwise, what if she causes trouble for the eldest?"
Old Mrs. Mu was deeply troubled; both hands are precious to her, and the second daughter is now pitiful after being divorced. But if she harms the eldest, she’d be deserving of ten thousand deaths.
"How about... we find a marriage for Zhenzhen? Anyway, our daughter is pretty, finding a good family shouldn’t be hard."
Mr. Mu thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. "Then you quickly bribe the matchmaker. We don’t expect them to be super-rich, just need to ensure Zhenzhen has good food and drinks."
Mr. Mu knew his daughter’s nature all too well. She married Zhuangzi because their family had plenty of land back then.
But he always kept these things to himself, never saying them out loud.
"I’ll go inquire now and check if those two young ones went out for business."
Mu Dazhong and Mu Danian parted at the courtyard gate.
Mu Dazhong held six hundred coins for buying pigs, while Mu Danian had one hundred and twenty coins for buying chickens.
With this comparison, Mu Dazhong felt a bit light-headed.
"Fifth brother, aren’t you silly? The chicken batch isn’t even in our village, and you only have one hundred and twenty coins. I have six hundred here."
Initially, Mu Danian felt uneasy about going to Tie Dao Village for Chen Hong.
But now, hearing Mu Dazhong’s words, he felt dissatisfied.
"What’s so great about six hundred coins? It’s not even your money. If you have the guts, save it up!
I bet you can’t save it. The price of a pig is more than three hundred, not less.
Little chickens are different. Someone might give me one for free, and I can save money. So, second brother, you’re losing on this trip!"
Mu Danian’s words made Mu Dazhong red-eyed, staring at the one hundred and twenty coins in his hand.
"Fifth brother, why don’t we swap then? Didn’t you say you’re sore? Buying a pig isn’t a long errand. I’ll do it for you!"
Mu Dazhong felt Mu Danian made sense. He took this job, hoping to keep some silver for himself.
Even just a coin or two, saving adds up.
"Second brother, stop scheming. I won’t let you take my benefits. If you want money, find your own way."
Mu Danian turned his head proudly toward the village entrance.
Mu Dazhong stamped his feet where he stood, holding the six hundred coins, but felt no joy.
Originally, their second branch had five hundred coins, all because of his mother!