CHAPTER 236: CHAPTER 235 DEAD SICK CHICKEN (SECOND UPDATE)

The Old Mu Family was much livelier than usual due to the return of Mu Xianxian and Mu Xiangxiang.

The family was laughing and chatting about humorous childhood stories, even Mu Danian, who was usually quite critical, held back for once. He was smarter than his other brothers in the Old Mu Family.

He knew exactly whom to please for personal gain, and right now, Mu Xianxian, who had a store in town, was the one he was trying to cozy up to.

"Elder Sister, where did you buy this beautiful golden hairpin? It must have cost quite a bit! Elder Sister not only looks beautiful but also has better taste in clothing and jewelry than others."

Mu Danian’s flattering words made Mu Xianxian laugh uncontrollably, covering her mouth.

"Fifth, your sweet tongue is still the same. As your sister, I brought each of you a pair of shoes today, with this year’s best styles from the store, they’re worth quite a lot."

Mu Xianxian had spent a lot of time preparing for this visit, meticulously dressing herself up. She used the finest cosmetics, and even her clothing was a silk dress most popular among the girls in Qingshan Town.

The golden hairpin in her hair was the most expensive part of her ensemble and the driving attraction on her journey here.

Mrs. Lin and Mu Dazhong eyed the hairpin with drooling mouths.

Old Mrs. Mu, being a senior, desired it as well but tried not to be obvious.

In fact, Old Mrs. Mu was not as concerned about this oldest daughter as she was toward Mu Xiangxiang and Mu Zhenzhen because Mu Xianxian has never been close to her and treated her disdainfully.

Whenever Old Mrs. Mu washed dishes or touched things, Mu Xianxian would rewash them separately, and this tendency was only directed at her.

Since learning this, Old Mrs. Mu had been lukewarm toward Mu Xianxian.

"Mom and Dad, and everyone else, take a look, do you like the shoes!"

Mu Zhenzhen signaled the maid, who brought out a box of shoes.

She picked a few pairs and handed them over to everyone present, especially delivering to Mu Danian herself since he had complimented her.

Mu Danian was initially in a good mood, for with his elder sister’s arrival, the house was filled with good food along with free shoes. But as soon as he saw the shoes in his hand, his mood soured.

The styles of the shoes given by Mu Xianxian were outdated, not to mention the fabric on the surface had black spots, clearly a substandard item that couldn’t be sold.

Mu Danian’s expression changed slightly as he placed the shoes on the table and refused to touch them.

Just then, the neatly dressed third branch entered from outside, and Mu Xianxian promptly went up to greet them.

"Oh, Shuangshuang, you’ve come back; it must have been tiring in town today. I, as your big aunt, brought you some shoes for the third branch. See if you like them."

Mu Xianxian picked a few pairs of shoes from the box, trying to hand them to Mu Shuangshuang, only to be refused.

"Big Aunt, all of us in the third branch are slender and can’t wear such large shoes. You should see who in the family they would fit and give them to whoever can wear them!"

A stiff smile appeared on Mu Xianxian’s face as she awkwardly touched the golden hairpin on her head.

"Shuang, no matter what, it’s your big aunt’s rare gesture of goodwill. Even if you don’t wear them, take them back to make your second aunt feel better." Mr. Mu scolded Mu Shuangshuang lightly.

Unexpectedly, Mu Xianxian took the initiative to speak kindly on behalf of Mu Shuangshuang.

"Dad, don’t blame Shuangshuang. She’s justified. It’s rare for me, as the big aunt, to come back, and I’m not well-versed with the shoe sizes of the third branch. Tomorrow, I’ll send down a few craftsmen to measure your sizes and make some anew."

Mr. Mu looked at Mu Xianxian with approval, seeming proud of his eldest daughter’s insight.

"Everyone’s just standing around; hurry and eat, let’s eat!"

At Mu Xianxian’s call, everyone went to the main house to sit. This time, it was enough to be considered a grand reunion of the Old Mu Family. Except for Mu Dazhong’s eldest son apprenticed in town, all of Old Mu’s family and the fourth branch’s son and daughter were present in the main house.

The adults sat at one table, the children at another, but Mu Shuangshuang was brought to sit with the adults next to Mu Xianxian.

A pot of chicken captivated everyone’s gaze as soon as the lid was lifted.

Old Mrs. Mu stood up and addressed everyone, "This chicken was specially prepared by the fourth sister-in-law because we knew Xianxian and Xiangxiang would be coming back today. It tastes wonderful.

Da De, you read a lot and need to eat more. And Zhenzhen and Xiangxiang, didn’t you say you love chicken the most? This time, make sure you eat more of it."

There was only that one chicken, and Old Mrs. Mu went through naming her favorite children one by one, without mentioning the others at all.

The rest were left feeling awkward, their enthusiasm for eating chicken all but evaporated.

The most disappointed was Mu Dashan; he thought that after coming back, he would be respected by his parents, at least his name would be called at the dinner table.

Mu Shuangshuang thought this meal was not even as good as eating at home; Old Mrs. Mu and Mr. Mu were blatantly currying favor with Mu Zhenzhen and Mu Dade.

Since that was the case, Mu Shuangshuang decided not to be polite.

She grabbed the ladle first and served herself a bowl of chicken soup, then tore off a piece of chicken, much to Old Mrs. Mu’s surprise.

Normally, all the food and main dishes in the house were portioned out by her, and she felt reassured.

This time, she believed that if she didn’t portion out the food, the others wouldn’t dare touch it. Who would have thought this pesky Shuang girl dared to do so right in front of her.

"Grandma, why are you staring at me? Do you want me to serve you some soup?" Mu Shuangshuang asked with a cheerful smile at Old Mrs. Mu.

Old Mrs. Mu was about to lash out when she was stopped by Mr. Mu.

He gave Old Mrs. Mu a stern glare, trying to remind her of the situation.

Fuming but unable to speak out, Old Mrs. Mu continued staring daggers at Mu Shuangshuang, nearly popping her eyes out of her sockets. Mu Shuangshuang, unfazed, continued to eat the chicken. When she spotted the chicken’s small perforations, she spat it out quickly.

"Grandma, what kind of chicken is this, with so many holes?"

Mu Shuangshuang’s question made Mu Xianxian, who was about to eat some chicken, put down her chopsticks, and everyone focused on examining the stewed chicken.

Indeed, the chicken skin was uniformly filled with pockmarked holes, particularly on the wings, where the holes covered most of them.

"Mom, you didn’t give us a sick chicken, did you?"

Mu Danian chimed in, causing those with weaker stomachs to turn away.

"No... of course not..." Old Mrs. Mu mumbled, her tone lacking confidence.

Hearing this, the group figured it was likely true and avoided touching the large bowl of chicken soup, except for Mrs. Lin, who continued eating and gnawing away, her mouth covered in oil.

"Second Aunt, why do I feel the holes in the chicken were..." Mu Shuangshuang hesitantly ventured a guess while Mrs. Lin, still eating, shivered in fear.

"You little brat, why are you calling me? I didn’t stab it to death with a needle!"