Xu Mumu’s mouth twitched; if Mom wanted to make a fuss, she could go right ahead. She wasn’t planning on getting married anyti soon anyway.
"Mom, how about I put Hong in a sack and give him a good beating," Xu Minghui suggested with a gleam in his eye.
"Brother, don’t interfere in this ss; it’s between won," Xu Mumu glared at her brother, finding his enthusiasm for drama quite exasperating.
"Listen to your little sister," Madam Chen said calmly.
This wasn’t a big deal; Chen Qiu Ling’s petty sches might be disgusting, but they weren’t significant. The family had a notorious troublemaker wife who could be dispatched for a proper heart-to-heart with Chen Qiu Ling.
"That little wretch! Just wait and see how I’ll deal with her," Li Caixia fud because her daughter was supposed to be moving to the city for a good life.
Xu Mumu didn’t pay any mind to the aftermath; her mother might be rowdy, but with her grandparents’ supervision, no real chaos would ensue.
School days were quite relaxed, especially as Xu Mumu had been doing well academically, drawing others to seek her help with things they didn’t understand.
"Mumu, yesterday my cousin’s wife ca by asking about you." After school, Zhao Qing hesitantly recounted the events, feeling that it might not be good news and even sensing sothing ominous.
"Oh? What was she asking about ?" Xu Mumu raised an eyebrow, wondering what Chen Qiu Ling was up to.
"She asked what you usually do and where you like to hang out," Zhao Qing pursed his lips, not particularly fond of his cousin’s wife despite her familial ties.
"How did you respond to her?" Xu Mumu asked with interest.
"I didn’t say much—just ntioned that besides school, you’re usually at ho teaching your siblings to read," Zhao Qing replied earnestly.
"Mumu, I’ve got a feeling my cousin’s wife might be up to no good. I’ll keep an eye on her for you," Zhao Qing earnestly assured.
"Don’t worry about it, there’s no need. I can handle her effortlessly," Xu Mumu chuckled, hoping Chen Qiu Ling wouldn’t stir up trouble.
Rembering Xu Mumu’s fierce deanor in a fight, Zhao Qing relaxed. Indeed, even multiple strong n combined wouldn’t stand a chance against her.
With mixed feelings, Zhao Qing glanced at Xu Mumu. She still appeared sweet and delicate, belying her formidable strength.
The stark contrast left him feeling uneasy even now.
The next day was Saturday, and Xu Mumu rose early. After putting the little rascals through so drills, she took them up the mountain.
Recently, the kids had gathered plenty of mushrooms; drying them out yielded nearly ten pounds.
Sumr was gradually approaching, and the mountain was sprouting new and varied fungi species.
"Big Sis, I know a spot with mushrooms. My brother and I spotted them while digging for wild vegetables yesterday but couldn’t carry so much at once," Xu Jiaojiao gushed.
"Lead the way, then. Let’s harvest them," Xu Mumu suggested with a smile.
"No problem." The little girl strode ahead with the pride and confidence of a triumphant general.
Xu Jiaojiao didn’t disappoint. She had found a secluded area where an abundant growth of mushrooms escaped notice without careful scrutiny.
"Wow, how did you find this place? I’ve never noticed it before," Xu Minglei marveled.
"We saw a wild rabbit yesterday and tried catching it, but it ran too fast. We chased it here," Xu Tao explained excitedly.
"Don’t run so far next ti; getting lost would be disastrous," Xu Mumu cautioned, pinching the little girl’s cheek.
"Got it, Big Sis." The girl felt slightly guilty, knowing she had egged on her brother to run that far.
Fortunately, Xu Mumu refrained from scolding Xu Jiaojiao further. She instructed the kids to pick the edible mushrooms.
"Sis, we’ve dried so many mushrooms already; when will we sell them?" Xu Minglei eagerly inquired.
At ho, the ones deed unsuitable for consumption, even those Li Caixia fancied, were steadfastly guarded by Xu Minglei.
"I’m heading to the black market tomorrow; I’ll take so when I go tutor Du Yu," Xu Mumu smiled. She had seen the children’s haul and was genuinely impressed by their initiative.
"Big Sis, I heard the black market is really dangerous," Xu Tao remarked nervously, aware that unauthorized transactions were illegal, and people were frequently apprehended there.
"I’ll be careful. If I sense any trouble, I’ll bolt first," Xu Mumu reassured, patting Xu Tao’s head.
After calming the kids, Xu Mumu noted the late hour and took them ho, gathering wild vegetables along the way.
After consuming plenty of pickled radish lately, Xu Mumu wanted a change in flavor.
There was a bit of spare cash at ho, allowing them to be a tad more liberal with oil and salt.
After lunch, Xu Mumu packed so dried mushrooms into her bag. Not all were dry, so there was no rush to sell.
Heading cheerfully to town, she was suddenly blocked halfway.
"Well, if it isn’t Xu Mumu," Chen Jinfu approached sleazily, enthralled by Xu Mumu’s fair complexion and reached out, imagining how wonderful it would feel.
Acting on his impulse, Chen Jinfu extended his grubby hand towards Xu Mumu’s face.
"Keep your hands respectful," Xu Mumu sternly retorted, locking his hand in a vice grip, "Is Chen Qiu Ling your sister?"
Facing the sowhat pervy man who did resemble Chen Qiu Ling, Xu Mumu asked.
"Yes, Mumu recognizes . Great! Now let go," Chen Jinfu’s eyes lit up.
"Ha, she sent you?" Xu Mumu questioned, applying pressure to Chen Jinfu’s hand.
"Ow, ow, let go!" Chen Jinfu shouted, unable to escape Xu Mumu’s grip, her strength causing sharp pain and the sensation his bones were about to snap.
"Answer the question! Did Chen Qiu Ling send you?" Xu Mumu coldly demanded, applying more force.
"Easier, easier; not my sister, so other woman gave ten bucks to..." Chen Jinfu trailed off, guilt gripping him, as the pain intensified from Xu Mumu’s crushing force.
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