70s Delicate Girl: A Guide to Being a Rich Woman-Chapter 344: Supportive Audience

During these days of heavy rain, many families have been tidying up their houses. Quite a few have leaks, and the beams need repairing.

It’s not like Liu Laizi’s house, which collapsed entirely. No one is that lazy to let it get that bad.

With the family busy, Xu Mumu couldn’t really help, so she took over the task of looking after the kids. Naturally, she was in charge of her little brother; as for Fengfeng, Xu Xue wouldn’t let her take him.

"Sis, let’s go fishing. I remember the fishing net Yin left us is still at home," said Xu Minglei, a bit embarrassed. Since Yin Zhiqing became his sister’s boyfriend, calling him by his full name seemed too formal, so Yin Yang had them call him Brother Yin instead.

"Sure, since the water’s high now, there should be fish. Grab the gear, and we’ll go net some fish," Xu Mumu said with a smile. The kids were old enough now, so Xu Mumu wasn’t worried they’d get swept away by the water. She’d be watching them, of course.

"Yay, big sis is the best. Let’s go fishing," Xu Tao exclaimed excitedly. He loved playing and fishing, and the net Yin Yang gave them was left at their old home when they left.

Usually, the kids had to study, even on weekends when they came back. They were discussing skipping grades, so they were focused on their studies.

Now that Xu Mumu was back, they’d progress even faster in their studies, and there was time to play around now.

Xu Mumu led a group of kids to the riverside, where many people were fishing. As soon as the kids arrived, they ran straight into the water. Even Xu Jiaojiao wasn’t an exception; she happily joined in playing in the river.

Seeing his brother and sister playing in the river, little Xu Mingfeng’s feet were itching with excitement, and he wanted to join, but Xu Mumu held him back.

"No, you can’t go," Xu Mumu said, feeling a headache. She couldn’t understand how this little rascal had so much strength and was almost slipping out of her grasp. He was still young, so she didn’t dare hold him too firmly.

"Ah-ah," the little rascal kept reaching his feet toward the water.

Xu Mumu seriously regretted bringing the little rascal here. She should’ve known better; this little guy had a special love for water.

She carried him further away from the water, not letting him down, in case he ran into the river when she wasn’t looking.

Holding the little guy from afar, Xu Mumu watched as the little rascal got visibly unhappy. His sister had brought him out to play, but wouldn’t let him play how he wanted.

There were plenty of people watching from the riverbank, and seeing her little brother on the verge of tears, Xu Mumu carried him over to a tub belonging to another family.

Inside the tub were a few small fish, and sure enough, the little guy’s attention was quickly diverted. Xu Mumu was relieved; as long as the little rascal didn’t cry, she was happy. With so many people around, she didn’t want to console him in public.

A few small fish were jumping in the water basin, and the little guy tried reaching in to grab them. But the fish were slippery and hard to catch; he couldn’t hold onto them.

Yet the little guy was interested, persisting in chasing the fish around the basin.

Xu Mumu laughed slightly. As long as the little rascal wasn’t clamoring to go toward the river, she was content. She really couldn’t handle this little one. He couldn’t talk yet and didn’t know how to express himself properly, nor did he understand what his sister was saying.

While little Xu Mingfeng played here, the owner of the tub was a girl around ten or so, about the same age as Xu Minglei. She was guarding the tub nearby.

"Mumu," the little girl said softly, looking at Xu Mumu with a bit of fear. After all, Xu Mumu had been practically idolized in their brigade; she was the most capable, the best student, and every parent wanted their child to learn from her.

"Erni, you’re here catching fish with your brother too?" Xu Mumu asked with a smile at the little girl in front of her.

"Yeah, there are a lot of fish these days," the little girl replied shyly. Erni’s family was quite poor, so she often came to the river to catch fish. Now that the water was high and there were more fish, they couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

After chatting with Erni for a bit, Xu Minglei had already caught a grass carp with his net. Although it wasn’t large, it was enough to keep the kids happy for a while.

The tub was filled with water, and the grass carp was placed inside to prevent it from drying out.

Xu Mumu brought her little brother over to their own tub, helping to keep an eye on things. Xu Jiaojiao and the others were too busy catching fish to watch over the tub at the moment.

Letting the little rascal play by the side of the tub, Xu Mumu sat nearby on a stone, keeping an eye on her little brother.

"Mumu, why is it just you kids back? Where are your parents?" asked Mrs. Yu from the brigade, eyeing Xu Mumu.

"My mom and the others still have work to do and can’t come back for now," Xu Mumu replied with a smile.

"I knew Caixia would achieve great things. I never thought she’d find a job in the provincial capital," Mrs. Su said enviously. Back when they used to gossip with others in the brigade, her friend suddenly became someone from the provincial capital, and the difference felt quite big.

"Exactly! Talking with Caixia, I always felt she was destined for great things. Mumu too, Mumu is the most successful girl in our brigade. That old blind man’s fortune-telling was spot on. If I had known, I’d have had my son get his fortune told too," Mrs. Yu remarked.

Xu Mumu winced slightly. With these two praising her, she didn’t know what to say, so she kept an eye on her little brother instead.

Mumu didn’t speak much, but with two enthusiastic people around, Mrs. Yu and Mrs. Su were quite chatty, sharing everything they knew.

While the siblings were fishing, Mumu quickly learned all about the entire brigade’s happenings, even some from neighboring brigades, like whose son got married, whose chickens were stolen, or whose daughter was unchaste and got sent back home.

Mumu kept a poker face, figuring these two ladies could probably guess what anyone was wearing tomorrow.

"Mumu, my oranges are ripe. Would you like some? I’ll have my eldest bring some over for you later," Mrs. Su asked earnestly, hoping Mumu might teach her son something. They all envied how Tiedan, even with his mischievousness, went to study in the county town.

"No need, Mrs. Su. Aunt Cuihua gave us some oranges yesterday," Xu Mumu shook her head.

She didn’t believe Mrs. Su had some particularly good relation with her family, especially considering how precious food was these days. Mrs. Su’s family wasn’t well-off either, so offering food like that seemed suspiciously kind without an ulterior motive.