CHAPTER 180: CHAPTER 180: THE HEN THAT DOESN’T LAY EGGS (FIRST UPDATE)

Lu Yuanfeng gave instructions to Mu Shuangshuang but still felt uneasy, his eyes occasionally glancing around Mu Shuangshuang.

Having spent so much time in the mountains, he can sense if there’s any danger.

Right now, birds are singing high in the sky, with insects occasionally flying by, not looking like there’s any danger.

He saw Shuangshuang find a spot, squatting down and tinkering with something, so he focused on his task.

Mu Shuangshuang took out a fishing net she had prepared from a pile of stuff she brought and laid the net over each rabbit hole around, pressing it down with stones.

Finally, she took out her secret weapon, Little Black and a small bell.

This method of catching rabbits was taught by Lu Yuanfeng. In the past, Lu Yuanfeng would use smoke to flush out the rabbits, but he often failed.

But now things are different. With Little Black, it can burrow into rabbit holes to chase them.

With Mu Shuangshuang’s cooperation, there’s absolutely no rabbit that can escape her grasp.

She placed Little Black with the bell tied around its neck at the rabbit hole entrance, whispering.

"Little Black, it’s time to show your skills, don’t forget, you still owe me eight hundred thirty-three rabbits. Otherwise, I’ll sell you to Xue Yi for a coat."

In a flash, Little Black burrowed into the hole, and Mu Shuangshuang quickly blocked the last rabbit hole.

She followed the sound of Little Black’s bell, tracking the rabbits’ movements, and when she was sure Little Black had slowed near the grassy hole, Mu Shuangshuang kept her eyes fixed on the entrance.

The moment the rabbit emerged, she swiftly grabbed its ears.

The black rabbit struggled in Mu Shuangshuang’s hands, still entangled in a layer of netting, making its movements particularly sluggish.

Mu Shuangshuang held the rabbit and grabbed the dirt-covered Little Black from the rabbit hole, running towards Lu Yuanfeng.

"Lu Yuanfeng, I caught a rabbit..."

Shuangshuang was overjoyed, eager to share her catch with Lu Yuanfeng, while Lu Yuanfeng put the rabbit caught in a beast trap into a sack and looked up to see Mu Shuangshuang rushing towards him.

Her face bore a satisfied smile, the curve of her mouth stretched to the fullest extent.

Lu Yuanfeng, feeling a hint of affection, accepted the rabbit Mu Shuangshuang handed over, and inexplicably felt his mood lift.

"Shuangshuang is amazing."

At this moment, Lu Yuanfeng praised Mu Shuangshuang like a big boy.

After all, Lu Yuanfeng was seventeen, four years older than Mu Shuangshuang, and in terms of mentality and age, he should be more mature.

"Of course, but the most impressive one is Little Black." Mu Shuangshuang lifted Little Black and was surprised to see a flash of cunning in its eyes.

"It’s still showing off." Mu Shuangshuang exclaimed as if she had discovered a new world, pointing to Little Black.

Both Lu Yuanfeng and Mu Shuangshuang knew Little Black was intelligent. They were both glad they hadn’t sold Little Black back then, or their lives would have been less joyful.

"Probably because it caught a rabbit," Lu Yuanfeng explained.

"Maybe. How many animals did you catch in your traps? Why don’t we take Little Black and catch more rabbits?"

Catching rabbits once was addictive, and Mu Shuangshuang found herself increasingly fond of life in the mountains, where even the smallest gain could bring her immense joy.

"Sure, let’s wander around some more!"

...

...

That afternoon, the harvest was astonishing. Lu Yuanfeng’s beast trap caught three rabbits and a fawn. The fawn was small, merely a few pounds.

Little Black’s burrowing was even more impressive, catching four rabbits. In total, this trip should earn several hundred wen.

On their way down the mountain, both of them and the mink were in good spirits. The bell on Little Black’s neck had been accepted by it, and when Mu Shuangshuang tried to remove it, Little Black turned its neck away, clearly showing resistance.

Mu Shuangshuang was in a good mood and let it have its way.

While Mu Shuangshuang was doing well, Old Mu Family wasn’t faring as well.

For the first time in many years, Mrs. Jin worked in the fields of Old Mu Family, feeling all kinds of discomfort.

The old man asked her to pull seedlings, but even Little Zhi and Xiao Han were better at it, leaving the old man with no choice but to switch Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Jin’s roles, sending Mrs. Jin to transplant rice seedlings.

In the paddy field, Mrs. Jin wrapped herself like a mummy, not letting the sunlight touch her, and even splashing a bucket of water on her face would take some effort.

But in doing so, Mrs. Jin found it hard to breathe.

After an afternoon, Mrs. Jin had transplanted less than half a row, feeling utterly exhausted.

She realized that if this continued, her life would be half gone because of Old Mu Family.

No, she needed to gather that fifty taels of silver quickly.

Mrs. Jin looked around the fields, knowing she couldn’t rely on Yu Si Niang.

After the family split, she couldn’t control that unruly girl’s life, but she still had leverage over Qingqing of the second household.

Mrs. Jin quickly plotted how to deal with these problems as she slowly approached Mrs. Lin, who was also working.

"Xiao Zao, are you tired?"

"Big Sister-in-law, are you kidding? Working isn’t tiring; what is?" Mrs. Lin rolled her eyes.

"Hehe, true enough!" Mrs. Jin forced a laugh and continued, "Xiao Zao, do you want to live a good life?"

Just the mention of a good life made Mrs. Lin’s eyes glow with greed.

Who doesn’t want to live a good life? Even a fool would.

"I want to, but it’s useless. Big Brother has taken so many exams and hasn’t passed; we want to enjoy life with him, but there’s no chance.

Big Sister-in-law, I think you should pray more to the Bodhisattva. Your son can’t be born, and Big Brother can’t pass the exams. Perhaps it’s because you’ve done too many bad things."

Mrs. Lin’s words left Mrs. Jin seething with anger.

Yet she relied on Mrs. Lin at this moment.

Mrs. Jin took a deep breath, telling herself she had to endure, just until she got the money.

"Xiao Zao, you’re right. I’ve actually consulted someone, and they said passing the exam depends on this time. But you also know the family’s current situation, I..."

"Fifty taels isn’t hard for Big Sister-in-law. Just marry off one of your daughters, Dan Dan or Yingying, and once the money comes, the Old Mu Family can enjoy life."

"You mean our branch should provide people and effort, and then take you all to enjoy life, right?"

Hearing Mrs. Lin talk about her daughters, Mrs. Jin was displeased.

Among Old Mu Family’s members, what she detested the most was this.

Greedy, always expecting others to sacrifice so they could benefit themselves.

Why?

"Big Sister-in-law, you’re talking nonsense. Back then, it was all our branches who sacrificed everything to support Big Brother in his studies, giving him the chance to study instead of working. Otherwise, wouldn’t Big Brother be just like us, working in the fields right now?

In the end, it’s your branch owing us. If Big Brother fails again and again, maybe our Gou Dan’s father would have had a chance to study too. He’s probably already passed by now."

"You’re talking nonsense. Is someone like Dazhong meant for studying?" Mrs. Jin completely lost her temper.

No money and being humiliated; who wouldn’t be upset?

"Hey, you barren hen, humiliating my man, I’ll fight you..."