Lu Yuanfeng was drenched in sweat, but without taking a break, he dove straight into work.
Standing nearby, Liu Zian couldn’t help but feel envious of Lu Yuanfeng. The mont Lu Yuanfeng walked in, he noticed the corners of Shuangshuang’s mouth lifted slightly more, and the way they interacted seed particularly harmonious. She could even casually have Lu Yuanfeng help out, yet he couldn’t enjoy any of that.
Liu Zian felt a bit obsessed, constantly comparing himself to Lu Yuanfeng. He even wanted to beco more familiar with Shuangshuang.
The sound of Lu Yuanfeng chopping at on the cutting board echoed, each chop surprisingly rhythmic.
Mu Shuangshuang stood at the corner of the cutting board, slicing ingredients. Ginger was cut into slices, garlic into pieces — even these seemingly small tasks kept her busily engaged.
Their cooperation was so impeccable that Liu Zian felt like an outsider who couldn’t blend in, which made him grow a bit anxious inside.
"Shuangshuang, you ntioned last ti that your younger brother will start primary school next year. Would you like to give him a few lessons?"
Liu Zian was currently teaching students about to start primary school, charging twenty coins per day including lunch. Today, he only taught a half-day class because his student’s family had other matters.
Mu Shuangshuang paused in her chopping; Liu Zian’s suggestion did seem like a good idea. Yuanbao and Xiao Han were soon to begin primary school, and if guided by Scholar Wang Liu Zian, attending classes might beco less of a burden for them.
Lu Yuanfeng noticed Shuangshuang’s hesitation. He knew that Shuangshuang was thinking of Xiao Han and Yuanbao, so he refrained from speaking.
But where would Liu Zian stay if he went to Shuangshuang’s house?
Lu Yuanfeng glanced at Shuangshuang with uncertainty, just in ti to catch her reassuring smile.
Just a single smile made Lu Yuanfeng feel that nothing else mattered.
Whatever Shuangshuang wished to do, he would support her!
"But don’t you have classes to teach for others?" Mu Shuangshuang asked directly.
"I don’t have classes in the afternoon and evening. I can arrange to adjust tomorrow’s schedule. With a day and a half, I should be able to teach your brother the basic knowledge."
Liu Zian had already planned that if Shuangshuang agreed, he would do everything possible to help teach her brother.
"Liu Zian, I have more than one brother at ho, is two okay?"
Mu Shuangshuang wasn’t foolish. If Liu Zian went to the village, she’d at most pay two days of tuition and als, but missing such a good opportunity would be a sha once the boy beca successful in the future.
She wouldn’t want any riches from anyone, but if sothing was beneficial for her brothers, she wouldn’t mind doing it.
"No...no problem!" Liu Zian realized from Shuangshuang’s words that she was in agreent.
He already planned on informing his parents through the villagers, to return ho the following evening.
Thinking about spending two more days with Shuangshuang, any annoyance in his heart vanished, but before he could relish the thought, a splash of cold water doused him.
"Liu Zian, you’ll stay at Fengzi’s house today. As for teaching, that will also take place in his yard. He’s set up a pergola there and I’ve tested it; it’s not hot at all during the day. I’ll bring you als for the whole day. As for the tuition fee, how much do others charge?"
Liu Zian quickly waved his hand: "No charge, you helped gather travel expenses last ti, I haven’t properly thanked you yet. Consider this one of my thanks.
Mu Shuangshuang wasn’t going to argue with Liu Zian; she had her ways of getting him to accept the money.
But if he didn’t speak up, and the paynt was less, she couldn’t care less!
Once she finished her current task, Mu Shuangshuang began pouring oil into the heated wok. When the oil was hot enough, she added Sichuan peppercorns to spice the wok, to be removed and set aside once done.
Next, she added ingredients like ginger, garlic, scallions, along with dried chilies and star anise to the wok to stir-fry for aroma.
As the fragrance gradually filled the air, even Little Niu, working in the front yard, followed the aroma inside.
This was likely the most enticing sll the kitchen in Little Niu’s house had ever produced in years.
He stood at the door, peering into the kitchen, just as Shuangshuang began stir-frying the lamb in the wok.
Lamb naturally possesses a strong flavor, which under Shuangshuang’s skillful hands, perated the entire kitchen with its aroma.
Saliva began to flow instantly, and Lu Yuanfeng also felt a great sense of accomplishnt. He thought of saving more money, so when Shuangshuang reached the right age, he could propose marriage.
Just after the Qixi Festival, Shuangshuang was already fourteen. Once she had her coming-of-age ceremony next year, Lu Yuanfeng planned to discuss this with Shuangshuang.
During the intermission while simring the lamb, Mu Shuangshuang lit another stove in Little Niu’s house and started stir-frying vegetables and minced at.
"Shuangshuang, there’s also a fish, should we prepare it?" Lu Yuanfeng suggested, his hand already reaching into the water vat for fish.
"Do it. Later, we can make spicy boiled fish slices. You four big guys can have a great feast today."
"Okay!"
Lu Yuanfeng agreed and began cleaning the fish. He was skilled in gutting fish, ticulously scrapping off the scales and slicing open the fish’s belly to remove the innards and clean it thoroughly.
Taking advantage of the pause to wash the pot, Mu Shuangshuang secretly glanced at Lu Yuanfeng. Compared to Liu Zian, Lu Yuanfeng’s stance while working was much more competent.
After expertly cleaning the fish, Lu Yuanfeng fetched so water and washed the fish until it was spotless.
Liu Zian realized the topic he had struggled to find had suddenly vanished again.
He could only pin his hopes on Lu Yuanfeng.
"Brother Lu, when you kill fish, aren’t you afraid?"
A simple conversation starter, Lu Yuanfeng looked up at Liu Zian.
Seeing Liu Zian looking nervously at the now cleaned fish, he hesitantly responded.
"It’s just a fish. I’ve killed animals in the mountains much larger than a fish. Plus, for a grown man to be afraid of these things, wouldn’t that be laughable?"
Liu Zian instantly blushed and sheepishly retreated to stand alongside Little Niu.
"Are you all so idle? Sotis watching isn’t as productive as wiping the windows, tables, and chairs in the front yard, not to ntion those tal items, they’re all dusty. Use a dry cloth to wipe them!"
Mu Shuangshuang tirelessly advised, feeling she was about to turn into an old nag, speaking so much every day.
Lu Yuanfeng chuckled softly, seemingly because of Shuangshuang’s words.
At this ti, with Little Niu and Liu Zian gone from the kitchen, she asked naturally.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing, I just found you quite amusing earlier. When you spoke, Little Niu didn’t dare to resist and obediently went to work."
"Of course, do you even know who I am?" Mu Shuangshuang looked smug.
But she quickly thought of Liu Zian, and said to Lu Yuanfeng, "Fengzi, we shouldn’t spoil our younger brothers and sisters too much. It’s good to be nice to them, but we should still let them do so work and give them more exposure to society sotis!"
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