CHAPTER 188: CHAPTER 188: THE PITIFUL FOURTH HOUSEHOLD (FIRST UPDATE)

"Shuangshuang, when you take the watermelon to your fourth aunt’s house later, remember to avoid your grandpa and grandma."

Yu Si Niang didn’t forget to instruct Mu Shuangshuang. At this time, Old Mrs. Mu should be asleep, but being cautious is always good.

The fourth branch isn’t like the third branch. The third branch has separated from the family, and many things, the Old Mu Family can’t interfere with. But the fourth branch hasn’t separated, and everything is still under the control of Old Mrs. Mu.

If she finds out Mu Shuangshuang delivered food to the fourth branch, it won’t be Mu Shuangshuang who suffers, but the fourth branch.

"Alright, mom, I got it. You rest early."

Mu Shuangshuang took the watermelon and a handful of fish mint to the fourth branch.

The fourth branch’s house was dark inside at this time, not even an oil lamp lit. If Mrs. Liu hadn’t come out to pour the foot bath water, Mu Shuangshuang would have thought the people in the fourth branch had fallen asleep.

"Fourth Aunt, is Shuangshuang convenient to come in?"

Mrs. Liu was only wearing a tank top, with patches all over her clothes, clearly a product patched and repaired over many years.

The days for the fourth branch weren’t easy either.

Seeing Mu Shuangshuang, Mrs. Liu felt a bit embarrassed. These days, everyone in the fourth branch knew about Shuangshuang not doing housework.

In the afternoon, Mrs. Lin was questioning Yu Si Niang, but was then scolded harshly by Yu Si Niang.

Mrs. Liu looked at Mu Shuangshuang with envy before speaking, "Come in then, your fourth uncle hasn’t slept yet."

Not that he wasn’t asleep, but he simply couldn’t sleep. No matter who it is, after working all day, bones feel broken, it’s hard to just lay down and fall asleep.

After Mu Shuangshuang entered the house, Mrs. Liu lit the lamp, and its dim light illuminated most parts of the fourth branch’s house.

Unlike the third branch, the fourth branch’s house was slightly larger. Of course, Mu Shuangshuang had heard Yu Si Niang talk about the various reasons.

When Mu Dashan married Yu Si Niang, he didn’t spend a penny on betrothal gifts.

Likewise, Yu Si Niang’s family didn’t give any dowry, other than some food and mountain goods, but even so, those few things were all scavenged away by Old Mrs. Mu.

Because fourth aunt’s family gave quite a bit, the fourth branch naturally received a house larger than the third branch’s; the fourth branch had three rooms while the third branch had only two.

In the house, originally due to pain, Mu Dajiang was moaning, but upon seeing Mu Shuangshuang, he quickly silenced, not wanting to show weakness in front of a child for being a grown man.

"Fourth Uncle, Shuangshuang heard you were sick, brought a piece of watermelon for you and Fourth Aunt, hoping you’ll get better soon. Also, fish mint leaves, have Fourth Aunt boil them for water during the day for you to drink; it’s great for cooling down."

When Mu Shuangshuang handed the watermelon to Mrs. Liu, she even heard Mrs. Liu swallow.

Mu Dajiang got up from bed, hesitated for a long time before asking, "Did... your grandpa and grandma eat?"

As Mu Dajiang spoke, Mu Shuangshuang seemed to see the previous Mu Dashan, always thinking of Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu at any benefit.

But such a filial son, Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu couldn’t see, their eyes were only for the hypocritical Mu Dade and the two aunts.

"Fourth Uncle, you are like this, take care of yourself now. If grandpa and grandma want to eat something they can’t make, even if they can’t, the aunt can get it."

You can’t blame Mu Shuangshuang for speaking frankly. With the fourth branch like this, it’s time they considered themselves.

"Xiao Xia’s dad, you take it. Shuangshuang is right, if dad and mom want to eat something they can always get it. You are still sick, have to farm early tomorrow, if you don’t take care of your health what to do?"

Mrs. Liu stood in the corner, her words less timid than usual, with more firmness, perhaps because Old Mrs. Mu wasn’t around.

Mu Dajiang finally swallowed the thought of sending the watermelon to Old Mrs. Mu and Mr. Mu.

This watermelon he really hadn’t eaten in many years. The last time was when he was very young, when Mu Dade became a scholar, the family bought a watermelon.

The watermelon was all eaten by his big brother, second brother, and fifth brother. When Mu Dajiang and Mu Dashan finished their work and came back, there was only watermelon rind with a lot of red flesh thrown on the ground left by Mu Danian.

At that time, his mouth craved badly, without thinking, he picked up that piece of watermelon rind from the ground, it was probably the sweetest watermelon he tasted in his life.

Yet the watermelon before him now is probably the most heartwarming, because the person who brought it cares for them at their most critical moment.

"Fourth Aunt, take this, if there’s a chance, buy some nice food for Fourth Uncle, don’t let my grandma find out."

Mu Shuangshuang handed over the prepared ten copper coins strung with hemp rope to Mrs. Liu. Mrs. Liu, using the light of the lamp, saw the ten copper coins in her hand, knowing it was Yu Si Niang’s several days of wages, firmly refused to accept.

"Shuangshuang, bringing things to Fourth Aunt makes Fourth Aunt really happy, can’t take your money, your family has it hard too."

Mrs. Liu understood the living situations of the third branch well, no matter what, she wouldn’t take the money.

"Fourth Aunt, listen to me, now the most important issue for the fourth branch is Fourth Uncle’s health. Xiao Xia and Xiao Chu are still young, even if not for Fourth Uncle, you should consider for them. Save these coins bit by bit, one day they might be useful."

Mu Shuangshuang believes that even if Mu Dade becomes a scholar and an official, he might not bring the honest fourth branch. When that time comes, Old Mrs. Mu would take away everything from home and sell the lands, leaving the fourth branch truly with nothing.

At this stage, Mrs. Liu didn’t refuse anymore, just kept Mu Shuangshuang’s goodness in her heart.

Once Mu Shuangshuang left, Mrs. Liu sighed.

"Xiao Xia’s dad, I feel the third branch might have really made the right move, their days might get better and better."

Watermelons aren’t just for anyone to eat, the third branch just split from the Old Mu Family, didn’t get anything except for those few acres of land. So the silver for the watermelon must be earned by Shuangshuang herself.

"Everyone has their own life, we have ours. Maybe when big brother becomes a scholar, our days will be easier," Mu Dajiang fantasized.

"Yes, it’ll be soon. The hard days are almost over, as long as big brother passes the exam. Xiao Xia’s dad, eat the watermelon and rest early, tomorrow’s work awaits."

Mu Dajiang took the watermelon from Mrs. Liu’s hand, used a bit of force, and split the watermelon into two halves, giving one to Mrs. Liu. "Eat, I can’t finish it alone!"

Mrs. Liu looked at that half of the watermelon, her eyes instantly reddened.

"Xiao Xia’s dad, let’s finish the work earlier, bring the two kids over, I miss them."

Mu Dajiang nodded, he shoved the watermelon into his mouth.

The sweet taste of watermelon instantly awakened his memories of watermelon.

Just like many years ago, when he picked up the watermelon rind from the ground, this piece seems even sweeter!