CHAPTER 140: CHAPTER 140: LIFE WILL SURELY GET BETTER (SECOND UPDATE)

Zhang Huai Shu was both curious and surprised that a thirteen-year-old girl in front of him said ten taels of silver was not a problem. Just this confidence was something few adults had.

Zhang Huai Shu was not distrustful of Shuangshuang; on the contrary, he trusted her very much.

Even if Shuangshuang didn’t have that much silver, beforehand Feng guaranteed that he would cover the medical expenses.

As long as Zhang Huai Shu trusted someone, anything could be discussed, especially when that person was Feng. He had no reason to refuse.

"Alright, you don’t have to rush to give the silver now. I don’t need it for the time being. We can talk about it after Da Shan recovers."

He was willing to wait for half a year.

"Thank you, Grandpa Zhang. I will earn the silver as soon as possible and give it to you."

Mu Shuangshuang did a simple calculation. She currently had 3,567 wen, and by selling cold noodles in town, she could earn a few taels of silver. For now, there’s no need to worry about silver.

Returning home, Mu Dashan was already resting. Mu Shuangshuang called Yu Si Niang aside. Yu Si Niang must know about Mu Dashan’s need for recuperation.

After hearing Mu Shuangshuang’s words, Yu Si Niang’s tears started to flow uncontrollably.

"It’s all because I’m useless and can’t take good care of your father. It’s pitiful how your father, a good man, has been tortured to this state. I’ve let you down..."

Yu Si Niang always hoped for the family to be divided, always hoped she could make life better for the family, but she never had the courage. As a result, everything fell upon a child.

She knew Shuangshuang was sensible, but she was still just a child. Now that Shuangshuang’s father can only lie in bed, Yu Si Niang was even more worried.

Could she, a single person, support this many people in the family?

How could Mu Shuangshuang not understand Yu Si Niang’s thoughts? Not to mention Yu Si Niang, even a man facing this might not be able to shoulder such a burden.

"Mom, don’t worry about these things. Shuangshuang has the ability to care for Dad, Mom, and the siblings now.

Besides, Dad just needs recuperation; he’s not paralyzed. After half a year, our family will be fine.

By spring next year, we’ll rent a few acres of land and make our days prosperous."

"Yes, you’re right. Your dad just needs rest. He will definitely get better..." Yu Si Niang wiped away her tears, her expression determined.

————

The next day, Mr. Mu brought the village chief and several respectable uncles to gather early in the morning. The reason for the division was simple.

The third branch wanted to establish their own household and try a different way of life.

Although the reason was somewhat far-fetched, it was ultimately a family matter of the Old Mu Family. The village chief had nothing much to say and soon served as a witness.

The family was finally divided.

At that moment of receiving the document, Mu Shuangshuang knew the third branch was finally liberated, no longer needing to hide everything.

"Just when everything was fine, why divide the family? Da De is about to take the Autumn Examination. If he succeeds, good days are assured." The village chief sighed.

"Exactly, Da De is definitely going to venture into a career someday. The Old Mu Family’s good days are yet to come."

"Haha, these kids have their own ideas. We can’t control it, can we? We just want the kids to have a good life." Mr. Mu said.

"Indeed, children’s well-being is more important than anything. You should relax your mind. Later, when Da De succeeds, he will surely support the third branch."

An old man with gray-white beard stroked his mustache as he spoke.

Mr. Mu felt awkward and could only nod in agreement.

After finally sending off Uncle Li Zheng, Mr. Mu found his face stiff from smiling.

Mu Shuangshuang had been watching Mr. Mu’s awkward solo performance from the side. By now, she had already formulated a plan.

She needed to quickly pick up the pace, build the kitchen at home, and set up the stove. Once everything was done, they could formally separate from the Old Mu Family.

Mrs. Jin blocked the door. She couldn’t show up when the village chief was there, but now that people had left, she came for the contract.

"Shuangshuang, give the contract to me!" Mrs. Jin said, her face swollen and her speech slightly accented.

"Aunt, you’re really eager, aren’t you? It’s just a contract; why rush?" Shuangshuang said with a smile.

"Are you thinking about reneging?" A flash of fierceness crossed Mrs. Jin’s eyes.

"How could we? Our third branch is honest. We keep our word, unlike my aunt, introducing marriages one day and selling people the next."

Mu Shuangshuang sarcastically remarked to Mrs. Jin, reminding the fourth branch to beware of Aunt’s tricks.

The third branch might be poor, but compared to Mrs. Liu of the fourth branch who gets beaten every day, it’s much better.

Beside them, Mrs. Liu glanced at the document in Shuangshuang’s hands and was somewhat dazed by Shuangshuang’s words.

She thought: If only that document belonged to the fourth branch.

But she didn’t have the courage like the third branch to propose the family division.

"Shuangshuang, don’t blame your aunt. I’m doing this for the good of the Old Mu family. Only when your uncle succeeds can the Old Mu Family prosper." Mrs. Jin feigned pitifulness.

This time, selling Shuangshuang was off the table, but Da De’s expenses still weren’t covered, and she had to rely on the second and fourth branches.

Because no other method comes faster than marriage to earn money.

"Aunt, you might as well deceive yourself than speak such shameful words. Here, take the contract!"

Mu Shuangshuang threw the contract on the ground, and Mrs. Jin quickly squatted down to pick it up. Seeing a name written on it, her anger almost made her spit blood.

The blank space initially meant to marry Wang San was now filled with a different name: Wang Ba.

Mu Dandan was to marry Wang Ba!

"Mu Shuangshuang, I won’t let this slide!"

——

Over several days, since the banquet at Wealth Master Zhang’s family in town had ended, Yu Si Niang was free at home.

During the day, she was tasked by Old Mrs. Mu to do various chores—the clothes and meals for the big family, and the pigsty that hadn’t housed pigs for years.

She was busy like a spinning top every day, but thinking about the upcoming family division left her with no complaints.

Mu Shuangshuang took a chance to visit Lu Yuanfeng’s home. She thought if tasks like building the kitchen and stove could be done by Lu Yuanfeng, it would be best to let him do it.

She only needed to pay him according to the village standard for such work, as local resources shouldn’t go to outsiders.

It’s better to benefit one’s own people than others.

Due to the family division, everyone in the village was aware. So when Shuangshuang walked the road, she felt others watching her.

Dividing a family wasn’t a big deal, but division while parents were alive naturally became a topic of gossip.

Shuangshuang faced those probing eyes with poise, and afterward, they quieted down.

Arriving at Lu Yuanfeng’s house, unexpectedly, she encountered Xia Guagua lurking suspiciously at Lu Yuanfeng’s entrance.

She thought to herself: Damn, is Xia Guagua planning to be shameless to the end?