CHAPTER 168: CHAPTER 168 MAKING STRAW FANS

"He’s good, honest, and a decent worker. He can hunt and fix houses."

Mu Shuangshuang blurted this out without even thinking.

"So, what do you think about him becoming part of our family?"

Yu Si Niang asked directly, not spelling it out, but it was close enough.

"Do you want to adopt him as a godson?"

That was the first thing that came to Mu Shuangshuang’s mind.

It wasn’t that she was slow to react; it’s just that at thirteen or fourteen, she was still studying and never thought of such things.

"Cough, cough..." Yu Si Niang choked on her own saliva and coughed lightly a few times before speaking. "I’ve seen you and Fengzi together, and I wonder if you like him. If so, I can find a matchmaker early and get things settled for you."

"..."

"Mom, what did you say? I’m still so young; why talk about marriage? Besides, the reason I’m close to Lu Yuanfeng is that we’re good friends, and now we’re business partners, so it’s inevitable we have contact.

Don’t overthink it. Marriage should just let nature take its course."

Mu Shuangshuang felt there was quite a gap between her way of thinking and that of the older generation. What she thought was normal might seem like a big deal to others.

Should she maintain some distance with Lu Yuanfeng?

While she was contemplating it, Yu Si Niang spoke up. "I get it. Actually, I’m not just talking about Fengzi. If you like anyone else, tell me, and I’ll make arrangements so no one else snatches them up!"

Yu Si Niang’s earnest words made Mu Shuangshuang realize there was no need to distance herself from Lu Yuanfeng. No matter who she was close to, there would probably always be gossip.

If that’s the case, she might as well be herself. She’ll interact as she pleases!

"Mom, got it. Let’s get some sleep. I have to go check the fields tomorrow."

——

The next day, early in the morning, Yu Si Niang told Mu Dashan about Mu Shuangshuang’s thoughts. Mu Dashan could only sigh and give Shuangshuang as much freedom as possible.

"Daughters grow up and have their own ideas. As parents, the least we can do is not hold her back. But Shuangshuang said she would teach me how to make straw fans today. I wonder if she still remembers."

"Of course, I remember. I’m up already, aren’t I?"

Mu Shuangshuang cheerily opened the door, carrying a pile of sun-dried bulrush leaves.

"Mom, are you going to town today?"

Last night Mu Shuangshuang was half-asleep and thought she heard Yu Si Niang say she wouldn’t be going any time soon. She wanted to double-check.

"Yes, I talked to the steward at Wealth Master Zhang’s place. In the coming days, we’ll be planting rice seedlings and will be busy with farmwork."

"Then you should learn with us. It’ll be faster with the three of us."

Placing the leaves on the floor, Mu Shuangshuang picked up one and pointed to two outermost bulrush leaves.

"These two are extras. They need to be cut; once they’re trimmed, the fan will look rounder and nicer."

Separating the leaves, Mu Shuangshuang picked up the scissors and neatly trimmed the excess leaves and branches.

"Mom, Dad, you try. Follow what I did, and cut in an arc with one snip."

"Sure thing!"

Yu Si Niang was the first to try. Her hands moved swiftly and with such skill that she picked it up immediately, leaving Mu Shuangshuang surprised. Mu Dashan only needed one go to trim the leaves beautifully too.

No doubt, Yu Si Niang and Mu Dashan were the types who wouldn’t go hungry.

"Next, you need to flatten the fan handles a bit with the hammer." After demonstrating, Mu Shuangshuang handed the tools to Mu Dashan and Yu Si Niang.

They worked smoothly, and with a few efforts, had the handle done, looking no different from Mu Shuangshuang’s.

"Parents, you make as many as you can for now. Once they’re done, they need to be smoked with sulfur."

The initial steps could be done separately, but the final step could be done together.

It was Mu Dashan’s first task, so he took it seriously. Yu Si Niang intended to help make a few more, but then Old Mrs. Mu came stomping over.

"Third daughter-in-law, starting tomorrow we’re planting rice, so no going to town. Every idle person in the house must help, or if you don’t work, you won’t eat at home."

Maybe Mr. Mu said something, because Old Mrs. Mu didn’t mention Mu Dashan’s name, which surprised Mu Shuangshuang.

"Mom, I told Wealth Master Zhang’s steward that starting today, I’m not going to town."

"Not going, yet you dare rest at home. Get busy for this old lady. There’s piles of clothes waiting. Delay it any longer, and everyone will end up working naked."

"I’m going, I’m going!" Yu Si Niang nodded, hastily instructing Mu Dashan before getting ready for work.

"Granny, it’s barely dawn. Everyone’s still asleep. My mom hasn’t even had breakfast. What’s the rush? At least wait till she eats something!"

"Hey, you rebellious brat, daring to talk to me like that," said Old Mrs. Mu as she advanced on Mu Shuangshuang, hands on her hips.

Yu Si Niang quickly pulled her behind her.

A protective stance.

"Move aside, that brat needs a lesson!" Old Mrs. Mu shouted.

"Grandpa, Grandma’s going to hit someone. Come quickly!"

"Grandpa, Grandma’s ignoring your authority and going to hit someone!"

Mu Shuangshuang shouted, facing the still-sleeping Mr. Mu. She had long wanted to confront Old Mrs. Mu. Before the family split, she feared Old Mrs. Mu’s retaliation, but with no such concerns now, she feared nothing.

Mr. Mu awoke with a start at Mu Shuangshuang’s shout. Annoyed by the recent financial issues, he was further riled by this altercation, especially with his oldest son involved. Mr. Mu couldn’t sit by any longer.

In a hurry, he put on a coat and pulled Old Mrs. Mu away.

"What are you doing? Have you gone crazy, that brat dared oppose me."

"Aren’t you ashamed enough? Old Li asked me yesterday if Da De has any hope in his exams, wondering if it’ll be like before.

"Look, everyone’s watching our Old Mu Family. If you keep causing trouble, no one from our family will dare face the outside world after losing face."

"Hey, you old fool, you blame me for causing trouble while letting that brat off..."

All the way, Old Mrs. Mu cursed, repeatedly trying to shake off Mr. Mu’s hand, but he held on tight.

"Shuangshuang, don’t retaliate against your grandma in the future. Just ignore her."

Yu Si Niang understood Old Mrs. Mu well. If her daughter stepped on her toes, there would be consequences.

"Mom, our silence is the reason we get bullied so badly. No matter the issue, you and dad say nothing.

When you suffer and stay quiet, they think you’re living too comfortably and start making trouble for you."