The court has long decreed that ploughing cattle are not allowed to be slaughtered.

So the beef Mu Shuangshuang buys is all yellow beef that doesn’t plough fields. Mu Shuangshuang doesn’t judge how its quality compares to buffalo meat.

However, she’s in a great mood when roasting the beef.

Pieces of beef with tendons are placed on the grill by Mu Shuangshuang, sizzling and quickly releasing oils.

The beef shouldn’t be grilled too long, or it’ll become tough and won’t taste good!

In no time, the aroma of the beef wafts through the air.

"Wow, it smells so good, Sister Shuangshuang, hurry up, Yuanbao can’t wait!" Yuanbao pokes his head, staring eagerly at the beef on the grill.

Among the group, Yuanbao is the youngest and the most gluttonous.

Being gluttonous is one thing, but he also calls out the loudest!

Yet Mu Shuangshuang has a special fondness for Yuanbao’s personality.

Simple and straightforward, likes and dislikes are crystal clear, with not a hint of pretension!

"Almost done, my little glutton, wait till Sister finishes the beef, you just grab your chopsticks and eat!"

Fearing that everyone might not be used to beef that’s too rare, Mu Shuangshuang grills it to medium doneness.

Very soon, the beef is ready. Mu Shuangshuang uses tongs to place it into a large basin, making it easier for everyone to grab.

The utensils in front of them are ones they haven’t seen before.

Knife and fork, and plates that don’t have indents, but Mu Shuangshuang had explained to them that the knife is for cutting small pieces of beef and the fork is for picking up the beef.

These are specially made by Uncle Da Niu in town, not available on the market, so they are quite precious.

"Why are you all looking at me? Just eat! If you want sauce, dip it yourself, or just add some salt, anything works!" Mu Shuangshuang says.

"Shuangshuang, aren’t you eating with us?" Yu Si Niang asks.

"If I eat, who’ll roast the meat for you? You guys eat first, I’ve saved some for myself. Once you’re done, I’ll roast some more!" Mu Shuangshuang smiles.

Just as Mu Shuangshuang finishes speaking, Lu Yuanfeng stands up.

"I’ll help you..." He picks up the tongs beside him and begins placing sliced beef pieces onto the iron plate.

Soon, the iron plate is filled with beef.

"Thank you, Fengzi!" Mu Shuangshuang playfully winks at Lu Yuanfeng, looking very happy.

Lu Yuanfeng also smiles.

Xing Beichen looks at the two standing together, inexplicably finding them annoying, and makes a tutting sound.

Clearly, Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng have once again hurt his tender heart.

"I say, you two, can you take your lovey-dovey somewhere else? It’s really an eyesore to me!" Xing Beichen speaks, spreading his hand to block his eyes.

Mu Shuangshuang rolls her eyes, not holding back her words, "So what? Jealous? Bitter? I must tell you, since you’re a single dog, you must have the wisdom of one, and obediently suffer our abuse!"

"What...what dog?" Xing Beichen is hooked by Mu Shuangshuang’s words!

"Single dog, which refers to being a solitary person, understand?" Mu Shuangshuang kindly explains.

"Pfft..." Xing Beichen laughs abruptly, and after laughing, he gives Mu Shuangshuang a thumbs-up.

"I must say, this solitary person does resemble a single dog indeed!"

"Is Yuanbao a single dog?" Yuanbao sets down his fork and asks seriously.

Since attending school, Yuanbao has become quite thinner.

Plus, being naturally decent-looking, his serious demeanor unexplainably adds a dash of humor.

Mu Shuangshuang throws down the tongs in her hand, clutching her belly in laughter.

Everyone watches Mu Shuangshuang, and seeing her reaction, they also find it amusing.

Yuanbao is baffled, "Is it or isn’t it? Is Yuanbao a single dog?"

"I don’t know!" Xing Beichen quickly shakes his head.

Mu Dashan and Yu Si Niang find it awkward to join in on this topic.

After having laughed enough, Mu Shuangshuang stands up with Lu Yuanfeng’s support.

"Yuanbao, you are so lovable and charming, there’s no way you’re a single dog. Single dogs only refer to your Brother Beichen, got it?" Mu Shuangshuang says.

Yuanbao nods, half-understanding.

"That’s right, Yuanbao has Sister Shuangshuang, Second Brother, Little Zhi Sister, and Xiao Han; Brother Beichen is by himself!"

Everyone laughs heartily again because of Yuanbao’s words.

But in just that short time, the meat on the grill is ready again.

Mu Shuangshuang serves another plate, but Yu Si Niang and Mu Dashan are already full.

Yu Si Niang offers to help Mu Shuangshuang roast the meat, but Mu Shuangshuang naturally refuses.

She urges Yu Si Niang and Mu Dashan to go for a walk to digest, and cultivate their feelings in the meantime.

Much like Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng, the couple hadn’t spoken alone for a long time.

Shuangshuang’s suggestion moves them.

In the end, Mu Dashan claps his hands and makes a decision.

He decides to take Yu Si Niang for a walk.

The moonlight tonight is beautiful, perfect for romantic moments.

Yu Si Niang blushes and follows Mu Dashan out.

In the kitchen, only a few peers are left now.

Mu Shuangshuang grills another basin of meat, then eats with Lu Yuanfeng.

Vegetables can be wrapped around the meat to cut the greasiness, Mu Shuangshuang forgot to mention this to others.

So in the end, only she and Lu Yuanfeng gets to enjoy this method.

She and Lu Yuanfeng eat and chat.

Suddenly, Mu Shuangshuang says, "Have you decided when exactly you’ll leave?"

She’s already aware of the matter of heading to the Northwest Camp.

But Lu Yuanfeng and Xing Beichen haven’t mentioned when they’ll leave, so naturally, Mu Shuangshuang is curious.

Of course, she’s more anxious!

Lu Yuanfeng looks at Xing Beichen.

Xing Beichen, eating Mu Shuangshuang’s vegetable salad, notices Lu Yuanfeng’s gaze and says, "Roughly another month’s time? After all, the court’s conscription hasn’t started yet!

We can follow Shuangshuang’s suggestion and finish the work in the fields first before heading out!

However...before that, I think we need to visit Yulin County; my dad’s old troops are supposedly there, and I want to take them with us!"

The War God Xing Ningtian, even though he died on the battlefield, still holds a certain prestige.

If they could find his old troops, their chances in the Northwest would be stronger.

However...those old troops lost contact with the Xing Family ten years ago.

Finding them now is easier said than done!

Moreover, the men who came out from the army are all passionate; if Xing Beichen lacks capability, he might not manage them.

"Xing Beichen, tell me honestly, when you go to the camp, what’s the court’s stance?"

Mu Shuangshuang feels something is amiss.

If Xing Beichen were heading to the Northwest, he should ideally attract the court’s attention.

Yet now, he doesn’t have any troops at all.

Even the partners for the Northwest, he needs to seek out his dad’s former troops.

Listening to Mu Shuangshuang, Xing Beichen’s face suddenly turns red.

He’s uncertain how to explain.

But if he doesn’t explain, with Mu Shuangshuang’s sharp mind, she’ll surely figure something out!

Thus, Xing Beichen speaks frankly, "The court doesn’t want me to go to battle, nor do they wish for me to go to the Northwest..."