When Mu Dajiang arrived at the Third Branch of the Old Mu Family, the third branch was also having lunch.
Due to Liu Zian’s arrival and Lu Yuanfeng’s big catch, it called for a better al at noon.
A plate of stir-fried venison was placed on the table, being the most eye-catching dish of the day.
The other dishes included a big sea bowl of mustard tofu soup, a scallion olet, and just a couple of vegetable sides.
Households in the countryside didn’t have a wide variety in each al, but every dish was served in generous amounts.
Sotis a single dish couldn’t fit into just one sea bowl.
"Anzi, you worked hard for the exam! Eat whatever you like, treat this like your own ho, don’t be shy."
The simple and honest Mu Dashan warmly greeted Liu Zian, his face brimming with an unstoppable smile.
"Thank you, Uncle Dashan. It’s not difficult for compared to the hard work you and Aunt Si put in to manage the entire third branch. It’s truly not easy!"
Upon receiving praise, the man’s face blushed as if slightly intoxicated.
Beside him, Yu Si Niang couldn’t help but tease, "Alright, Anzi is not a child anymore, no need for you, a grown man, to remind him to eat. People who don’t know might think our family is quite fierce."
"That’s true, that’s true. Anzi, help yourself, don’t mind us," Mu Dashan quickly added to Liu Zian.
Liu Zian took a few bites of his rice, his gaze falling on Mu Shuangshuang sitting beside Lu Yuanfeng.
At the dining table, Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng occasionally exchanged few words, looking so joyful that everyone in the third branch was already accustod to the format of their interaction.
It was relaxed, just like a family.
Only Liu Zian, who hadn’t seen Shuangshuang for a long ti, found it intrusive.
He felt bitterness in his heart, no matter how delicious the food was, it all tasted bland.
"Fengzi, you’ve worked hard today, this is for you!" Mu Shuangshuang picked up her chopsticks and placed a big piece of venison into Lu Yuanfeng’s bowl.
Lu Yuanfeng chuckled, holding his bowl closely, giving Liu Zian the impression of protecting it from being taken away by others.
Liu Zian felt increasingly uncomfortable, struggling to hold his chopsticks steady.
He desperately wanted to say he was full but couldn’t bear to lose the chance of being so close to Shuangshuang, feeling torn inside.
Just at this mont, Mu Dajiang entered.
Looking at the table full of dishes and the sudden addition of Liu Zian, Mu Dajiang hesitated for a mont, then took a few steps back.
"Third brother, I didn’t know you hadn’t had lunch yet, I’ll co over after you’ve eaten."
Seeing Mu Dajiang about to leave just after arriving, Mu Dashan quickly put down his chopsticks and rushed to stop Mu Dajiang.
"Old Four, what are you doing? You’re here already, why not sit and have a al together?"
Mu Shuangshuang also stood up, addressing Mu Dajiang, "Fourth Uncle, where are Aunt Si and Xiaxia, and Xiao Chu? I can call them over to eat."
Generally, the fourth branch didn’t drop by casually, fearing repercussions from Old Mrs. Mu, who wouldn’t give the fourth branch favorable treatnt.
However, whenever the fourth branch ca over, the third branch was exceptionally hospitable, just like now, as Mu Dashan hurriedly pulled his brother toward the dining table.
"No need, I sent Xiaxia and Xiao Chu to their grandma’s house. Now, it’s just your Aunt Si at ho; she... she’s still recovering and can’t go out," Mu Dajiang stopped Mu Shuangshuang from going to call them.
"Did Aunt Si eat? I have so lean at porridge simring in the stove, I could bring it over for her."
"Your Aunt Si has eaten, Shuangshuang, don’t busy yourself, sit down and eat!"
Mu Dajiang spoke in a way that seed weak and drained.
After hearing Mu Dajiang’s words, Mu Shuangshuang looked up seriously at Mu Dajiang.
This man, clearly, hadn’t been living well these past few days.
His chin was stubbly, unshaven for days, and his clothes were buttoned incorrectly, with deeply sunken eye sockets.
He clearly looked sleep-deprived.
What on earth had he gone through?
How did he beco like this in such a short ti?
"Old Four, after Xiaxia’s mother took Uncle Zhang’s dicine, she should feel better, right? If she still doesn’t feel well, have Uncle Zhang check her, his dical skills are superb."
Evidently, Mu Dashan hadn’t noticed anything amiss with his brother and pulled Mu Dajiang to sit down, even asking Si Niang to serve him a al.
During this, all the topics discussed were about the fourth branch.
"Thank you, third brother!" Mu Dajiang said.
Slling the aroma of the food, Mu Dajiang glanced at the dishes on the table. A big bowl overflowing with venison, emitting a strong at aroma, made Mu Dajiang, who had only had a few bites of sweet potato earlier, hungry again.
"Old Four, eat quickly. I know there’s nothing good to eat at mom’s place," Mu Dashan urged Mu Dajiang to eat.
Casually standing up, Mu Dashan even placed a piece of at in Mu Dajiang’s bowl.
"Third brother, I... I’ve spoken to our dad, our fourth branch wants to move out. From now on, our fourth branch probably won’t stay with the Old Mu Family," Mu Dajiang suddenly said.
"Ah?" Mu Dashan was stunned.
Not only him, everyone present, except Liu Zian and Xue Zheng, were surprised, staring at Mu Dajiang, waiting for his explanation.
"Old Four, what’s going on, tell your third brother quickly," Mu Dashan was anxious.
"Recently, many things have happened in the fourth branch. When mom smacked a bowl on my head, when she jabbed Xiaxia’s mother with her elbow, I thought if I didn’t do sothing, the fourth branch might really be done for.
Third brother... this ti, your brother wants nothing else, just wants to move out."
The so-called splendor was worthless compared to life.
Mu Dajiang’s wish wasn’t grand, he simply wanted his family to be safe together.
"Old Four, I completely understand your feelings..." Mu Dashan said, his voice trembling likewise.
They also moved out back then because they truly couldn’t carry on any longer.
Everyone targeted his daughter Shuangshuang, even his own eldest brother wanted to sell her to pay for his examination expenses.
His eldest sister-in-law even tricked him into signing a contract to sell his daughter.
Mu Dashan never cared about the things given by his brother, without his daughter, what use was wealth and fortune for him and Si Niang?
"Fourth Uncle, there’s sothing Shuangshuang doesn’t know if it’s appropriate to say?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.
"Shuangshuang, say it! Fourth Uncle ca this ti to ask what way there might be to avoid our fourth branch being controlled by your grandma, I’ve already talked to your grandpa, we don’t want the land or the house, just the family together is enough."
This ti, Mu Dajiang was determined.
"Fourth Uncle, Shuangshuang has actually long thought of a livelihood thod for you. Do you rember the thing Shuangshuang has for making rice puffs?"
"I rember, you’re the only one in the village with it, ever since you bought that iron lump for making rice puffs from that old man, no one in the village has turned to him for rice puffs."
Currently, it’s winter, the perfect season for everyone to eat rice puffs.
"Indeed! Shuangshuang can rent that iron lump to you. As for the rent, Shuangshuang won’t ask much. In the first year, you just need to occasionally give so rice puffs to a few kids!"
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