"Alright, alright, it’s midday, let’s not talk about illness. Fengzi, you and Shuangshuang eat more, enjoy the silky chicken, don’t be too polite. It’s rare to have such a good chance."

Cui Family couldn’t help but remind them seeing how courteous the two were.

"Thank you, Grandma Cui." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Mu Shuangshuang smiled sweetly but still didn’t touch the large bowl of silky chicken on the table.

Being invited was already such a special happiness, eating to her heart’s content, Mu Shuangshuang would feel embarrassed.

Cui Family took chopsticks and picked up a chicken leg, placed it into Mu Shuangshuang’s bowl, and said reproachfully, "What’s with the politeness, child? Look how skinny you are!"

As she spoke, she squeezed Mu Shuangshuang’s hand, which was lacking much meat, full of distress on her face.

Without Zhang Huai Shu and Cui Family’s children around, plus truly liking Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng, during each visit, she would shower Mu Shuangshuang with lots of care.

Mu Shuangshuang was also grateful.

"Fengzi too, it’s the time to grow, this chicken leg is for you!"

Thus, the two chicken legs ended up in Fengzi’s and Shuangshuang’s bowls.

Zhang Huai Shu didn’t say anything, just foolishly watched Cui Family and smiled.

This couple is the loving exemplar in the village. Zhang Huai Shu often goes out for visits, whereas Cui Family manages the household at home.

All the earnings are handed over, never fighting, this alone surpasses many in the village.

After drinking two bowls of soup, Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng felt quite full. Despite Cui Family’s insistence, they didn’t drink anymore.

After bidding farewell to Zhang Huai Shu, Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng didn’t rush back but headed to the mountains to have a look.

These days, both were busy.

Lu Yuanfeng relied on hunting for a living, and at most, every two days, he had to check the mountains to see footprints, where large animals might be encountered; these he must know well.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so confident on each mountain trip.

Familiarity with a place comes from a thousand walks, imprinting those places in the mind.

Mu Shuangshuang stayed at a place collecting wood ears, picked some wet ones, it had been autumn for quite a while, the wild vegetables in the mountains had vanished, and what’s left to eat were wood ears and mushrooms.

Mu Shuangshuang used rattan to simply make a basket, filled it entirely, then waited for Lu Yuanfeng there.

Lu Yuanfeng walked alone on the mountains, the trees beneath his feet emitted cracking sounds.

During patrols, he would be especially thorough, leaving nothing out, even the slightest footprints.

After the time for three cups of tea passed, he had scoped out his usual haunts, everything seemed normal.

At this season, animals hadn’t come out yet, wait for a while, their winter food stock exhausted, would be time to hunt.

After checking a few traps, Lu Yuanfeng found a grey-furred rabbit fallen into a trap, looking to be around two pounds.

Holding the rabbit, Lu Yuanfeng went to find Mu Shuangshuang.

Seeing Shuangshuang with a basket full of wood ears and mushrooms, Lu Yuanfeng was full of surprise.

Because it was so fast, he realized Shuangshuang had her own knack for finding mushrooms.

Unlike him, Lu Yuanfeng had never looked for mushrooms or wood ears when climbing the mountains, only hunting.

"How did I do, am I not extraordinary?" Mu Shuangshuang winked at Lu Yuanfeng shamelessly.

"Hmm!" Lu Yuanfeng nodded earnestly.

Mu Shuangshuang covered her mouth laughing secretly, thinking that at this moment if she claimed to be the most beautiful woman in the world, Lu Yuanfeng likely would nod too.

This is what’s known as beauty being in the eye of the beholder.

Estimating she could be ugly beyond redeeming to others, Lu Yuanfeng would still find her beautiful.

With good mood all along the way, Mu Shuangshuang even hummed songs.

At Old Mu Family, she noticed someone was at the third branch’s door, Mrs. Liu stood at her home’s kitchen door, watching inside, where Yu Si Niang was cooking.

That look clearly showed intent.

But at least Mrs. Liu was still struggling internally.

Mu Shuangshuang handed the basket to Lu Yuanfeng and said, "Fengzi, I’m heading over to have a look."

Mu Shuangshuang directly approached Mrs. Liu and asked, "Fourth Aunt, what are you doing?"

Mrs. Liu hadn’t expected Mu Shuangshuang to appear, was startled.

She patted her own chest and said, "Your grandma asked me to invite your mom to help cook; your uncle’s back with a few classmates, during noon your grandma bought two old hens from next door Wang Family, said they’re for your uncle."

"My grandma asked my mom to cook? But we at the third branch have separated households and moreover, we also need to eat, no time to head over there."

Mu Shuangshuang was baffled.

This Old Mrs. Mu really feels uneasy without pestering their home!

Always keeping an eye on the third branch, even after separating households for so long, still wanting her mom’s help.

Thinking their third branch is a public road, coming whenever they please?

Mrs. Liu was also quite troubled.

Yet recalling the occasions when Shuangshuang helped her, she straightforwardly spelled everything out.

"Your uncle mentioned to your grandfather that your mom’s cooking is delicious, today’s guests need to be treated with the best dishes.

Besides, your grandfather has now become your uncle, your uncle..."

Mrs. Liu told Mu Shuangshuang about Mu Dade’s instruction for everyone to call Mr. Mu uncle.

Mu Shuangshuang was utterly shocked.

The uncle’s actions truly weren’t humane.

As they say, a dog doesn’t detest a poor home, a child doesn’t dislike an ugly mother.

But what he did, having the whole family call Mr. Mu uncle.

Wondering what was this all about, with Mu Shuangshuang’s clever mind, she guessed Mr. Mu is used to thrift.

Handling things, prefers wearing shabby clothes.

This time surely got unexpectedly seen by uncle’s classmates, afraid of losing face, thus unwilling to acknowledge him.

After some analysis, Mu Shuangshuang only wanted to see Mr. Mu’s reaction.

He worked hard, sacrificed the whole family sending Mu Dade to study, finally hoping Mu Dade achieved scholarly honor, originally imagining vindication, but turns out he didn’t acknowledge him.

But Mu Shuangshuang always felt this was just the beginning.

The higher Mu Dade climbed, the worse the rest of the Old Mu Family would fall.

"Shuangshuang, sometimes your mom doesn’t..."

The task Old Mrs. Mu assigned, Mrs. Liu dared not defy, and also Old Mrs. Mu still awaiting Yu Si Niang, if she returned empty-handed, surely would be beaten.

"Fourth Aunt, my mom doesn’t have time to cook over there! Yet Shuangshuang doesn’t want to trouble you, just tell my grandma Shuangshuang chased you off, she knows it won’t put you in a bind."

Mu Shuangshuang considered Mrs. Liu’s escape, making it fair for Mrs. Liu.

Mrs. Liu pondered, thanked Mu Shuangshuang, and returned to Old Mu Family’s side.

Although still feeling a bit uneasy, recalling Shuangshuang’s suggestion, Mrs. Liu gained some confidence.

"Mom, we’re back." Mu Shuangshuang called to Yu Si Niang inside the kitchen.

Yu Si Niang was pouring rapeseed oil into the pot and heard her daughter’s voice, without turning back she replied, "Shuangshuang, I just heard your fourth aunt’s voice, did she come?"