Chapter 1148: Chapter 1144: Trouble With Dividing the Spoils (Second Update)

"Second Sister-in-law, mind your business! The bracelet was stolen by me, so I’ll keep it for now.

After a few days, when things have calmed down, we can sell the bracelet!" said Mu Danian.

"Danyan, let the bracelet be with Second Sister-in-law. You’re a man, careless as you are, you might forget where you put it, and then our efforts would be wasted!"

Mrs. Lin said, trying to take the bracelet from Mu Danian’s hand.

Mu Danian, being touched by her once, wouldn’t give her a second chance.

He quickly tucked the bracelet into his chest, saying to Mrs. Lin, "Enough, I’ll decide what to do!

Second Sister-in-law, it’s late now, don’t wander outside. If anything happens, it’ll be hard to explain to my Second Brother!"

Mrs. Lin knew Mu Danian was threatening her!

This beast wanted to discard her after using her!

Dream on!

"Danyan, let me make it clear, you’re the one who suggested and stole the bracelet. If you don’t give me my share, I’m not done with you!"

Mrs. Lin put her hands on her hips, showing some imposing aura in the dark night!

Mu Danian was filled with regret!

As the shrew in front of him said, he was the one who planned and executed it. Why did he involve this ugly woman? Wouldn’t it have been better to steal the bracelet and keep the money himself?

And now, he’s being threatened!

"I get it, Second Sister-in-law, rest assured, as promised, it’s a fifty-fifty split!"

Mu Danian grumbled and quickly left the main courtyard heading back to his room!

Mrs. Lin followed closely behind. If it weren’t so late, she would want to go to Mu Danian’s room to have a look at that gold bracelet.

The other day, she just didn’t get enough of a look!

...

Early the next morning, the Old Mu family woke up as usual.

Mu Shuangshuang too. She began preparing breakfast as soon as she got up.

Today, Fengzi, Xing Beichen, and her parents were all going to the fields to harvest rice.

The school was off for three days, giving the children time to help with the seasonal work or review their studies at home.

Since it was hot, Mu Shuangshuang decided to make some white rice porridge along with a few sweet, soft white buns.

Cooking rice porridge is simple, just rinse the rice, soak it for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, then light the fire.

Pour in more water than usual for cooking rice, about a ladle and a half extra, add the rice and let it simmer over a low flame.

While the porridge was simmering, Mu Shuangshuang began kneading the dough.

She had just finished kneading the dough when Xiao Han walked into the kitchen.

"Xiao Han, I’ve just started the breakfast, it might take a while. Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat first?"

Mu Shuangshuang looked up at Mu Xiaohan.

"Sis, I’m not hungry, I just think you and Yuan Feng are both working hard. I... I want to go to the fields with you."

In previous years, the whole third branch went together to work.

But since the third branch split off, Mu Shuangshuang didn’t let Xiao Han and Little Zhi work much.

Tasks like gathering firewood in winter, making torches for kindling, and the summer double harvest were not assigned to them.

Xiao Han and Little Zhi understood it well, always feeling if they did less work, their parents and sister would have more to do.

"Xiao Han, it’s not that I don’t let you go, but with the scorching sun outside, you’re a child, your body isn’t as strong as adults, and you’re liable to heatstroke!

Besides, you mentioned the recent lessons from the teacher have been difficult? You can take the time at home to review."

Luo Bai’s family also had a few acres of land, and during these three days, he also went back to help his mother with work.

If he was in the village, Mu Shuangshuang would surely let her brother Xiao Han go review with him.

"But Sister... I want to work!" Xiao Han lowered his head, not daring to look into Mu Shuangshuang’s eyes.

He knew his sister was looking out for him, but he just wanted to do something for the family, to share the burden.

"You’re not afraid of hardship or fatigue?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.

"I’m not afraid, I can do anything!" Xiao Han answered without hesitation.

This put Mu Shuangshuang in a difficult position.

Previously, Xiao Han and Little Zhi worked because other members of the Old Mu family were too lazy, they even called five or six-year-olds to the fields.

But now, the family doesn’t have much land, and all are willing to work hard.

There’s truly no need to call in little children.

However, Xiao Han rarely asked for such a thing, so after some thought, Mu Shuangshuang decided to respect the children’s wishes.

"Alright, if you want to go, then get dressed properly. If you feel uncomfortable, come back home.

Our fields aren’t big, and our father, Brother Yuanfeng, and Brother Beichen’s labor is sufficient!"

Mu Shuangshuang’s words made Xiao Han very happy.

He nodded heavily.

"Sis, let me help you knead the dough, you can do other things." Xiao Han said obediently.

This time, Mu Shuangshuang agreed right away.

Kneading dough isn’t a big deal, it won’t tire the kid.

With Xiao Han helping with kneading, Mu Shuangshuang stoked the fire, stirring the porridge with a spatula in the cast-iron pot.

Once the dough was kneaded, she let it rest for a while.

While the dough was resting, Mu Shuangshuang asked Xiao Han about his recent studies.

Having attended school for nearly half a year, Xiao Han had learned a lot of characters, but there were still many he didn’t recognize.

He could ask Mr. Luo Bai at school, and at home, he’d occasionally ask Mu Shuangshuang.

Initially worried she might not know, after a few instances, he found his sister’s answers were always correct.

So Xiao Han got accustomed to asking his sister whenever he encountered difficulties.

After teaching him a few complex characters, the dough was ready too.

Under Mu Shuangshuang’s skillful hands, the rested dough was shaped into various forms, then steamed.

When Mu Dashan, Lu Yuanfeng, and others returned for breakfast, the buns were just done.

A bowl of white rice porridge, a bun, Mu Shuangshuang’s homemade beef sauce, and a platter of cold preserved eggs.

The days were indeed delightful. After breakfast, everyone rested for a bit.

Each filled a jug with fishtail herbs boiled water, then headed to the fields.

It was harvest season; there were already many men, women, old and young working early along the paddy ridges.

From afar, the ridges glistened golden, with the rice ears swaying in the gentle breeze.

Standing from afar and observing the harvest scene was a favorite pastime of farm families, and Mu Shuangshuang was no exception!

She wiped the sweat from her forehead and joined everyone in the fields.

Before starting work, everyone had already divided the tasks.

Mu Shuangshuang, Yu Si Niang, and Xing Beichen would cut the rice; Mu Dashan and Lu Yuanfeng carried the loads, and the kids tagged along playing, as long as they didn’t fall behind!

Xing Beichen, having already experienced farm work in the morning, found it nothing special by now.