CHAPTER 268: CHAPTER 267: I’LL LISTEN TO YOU (SECOND UPDATE)

Xia Guagua has been called an outsider since arriving in Er Gui Village because she still isn’t registered there.

"Get away!" Xia Guagua slapped away Wang Fugui’s hand with a flick, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes.

By now, the villagers had already left, leaving only Xia Guagua and Wang Fugui in the surroundings.

Xia Guagua felt fear in her heart, but her hatred for Mu Shuangshuang was stronger.

If it hadn’t been for that slap, she definitely wouldn’t have cried, nor stayed here so long.

"Stop pretending. You were just cozying up to that kid Lu Yuanfeng, why can’t you do the same with me? Anyway, it’s all about embracing, what’s the difference if it’s one or two?"

As he spoke, Wang Fugui reached out to touch Xia Guagua’s face, like Mu Shuangshuang, he also had mud on his hand, but he wasn’t angry at all—instead, he found it intriguing.

Just imagine, a beautiful body wrapped in mud, with skin as smooth as an egg underneath...

The more he thought, the drier Wang Fugui’s throat became, itching to deal with Xia Guagua then and there.

Suddenly, Xia Guagua burst into tears, cursing Wang Fugui for bullying her, calling him inhuman.

For some reason, Wang Fugui felt a pang of sympathy in his heart. Most women he’d encountered pursued his money without saying a word, diving into his embrace, enjoying the moments even more than he did.

Not like this delicate young woman before him.

"Alright, alright, I give up to you today. Tell me, what will make you agree to let me pamper you?"

Xia Guagua suppressed the urge to vomit and told Wang Fugui, "Mu Shuangshuang, help me teach that ugly woman a lesson, I want her to lose face in Er Gui Village!"

"That’s no problem, she’s just a rustic girl, leave it to me, I’ll crush her easily. But after that, you have to make sure to spend time with me."

...

...

Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng reached the foot of Niuwei Mountain and saw a large patch of ground ears, Mu Shuangshuang picked up a bamboo basket and started harvesting with great enthusiasm.

Lu Yuanfeng kept close by, the two worked with nimble hands and soon collected half a basket.

After the rain, the earthy smell was thick in the air, and the harvested ground ears were hard to preserve, so Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng decided to call it a day and head back.

Since they were quite near their vegetable garden, Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng decided to check it out.

The garden was full of vibrant greenery, while the vegetables were still seedlings, their growth was promising, undoubtedly due to the effort Mu Shuang and Lu Yuanfeng had put in.

"At this rate, we might have some small cabbages to eat soon," Mu Shuangshuang said with excitement, feeling happiest seeing how the vegetables had grown.

She had always seen others planting vegetables, but doing it herself was a first for her!

"Yes, we won’t need to care about others’ opinions anymore," Lu Yuanfeng nodded in agreement.

"By the way, Shuangshuang, did Uncle Fu give you any answer regarding the dry land you mentioned last time?" Lu Yuanfeng asked curiously.

"Not yet, he said he’ll let me know if he finds a good one. I’m considering buying an acre, planting some vegetables, and when the time comes, I’ll plant rapeseed there."

Right now, Mu Shuangshuang’s household needs to buy oil, so every time Yu Si Niang cooks, she uses oil sparingly, worried that they’ll run out and have to buy more.

"Hmm!" Lu Yuanfeng nodded, hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "I’m thinking about buying two acres of paddy fields, but I don’t know if Uncle Fu has any good ones."

Buying paddy fields was an idea Lu Yuanfeng had suddenly after meeting Liu Zian.

Though he could get by on hunting, he knew he couldn’t rely solely on that in the future, especially if more family members joined—hunting alone wouldn’t suffice.

Lu Yuanfeng hoped to start accumulating some assets from now on, just in case... just in case...

Lu Yuanfeng kept the rest of his thoughts to himself, afraid that saying them would disrupt the natural relationship they currently had.

"Buying paddy fields is a good investment, if you don’t have time to farm, you can rent them out, plus you’re right, growing our own food is the way to go."

Having land meant their food supply was secured, no need to buy rice.

"When I go to buy the land, you must come with me, help me choose, whichever you like, that’s what I’ll buy."

Lu Yuanfeng was so excited, he almost couldn’t contain his joy.

"Of course, I’m not only going to help you choose the land, but I’ll also help with the fertilization." Mu Shuangshuang gave Lu Yuanfeng a look that said everything, then cheerfully headed home.

Talking about fertilization, Mu Shuangshuang hadn’t dared to mention it before, but now she did because they had pigs at home. Pig manure, combined with some rotting leaves, piled together and covered tightly, held at the right temperature, made excellent fertilizer.

Lu Yuanfeng’s heart was filled with joy, looking forward to the future with hope and anticipation.

Back at home, Mu Shuangshuang saw Mu Dashan still making straw fans and couldn’t resist speaking, "Dad, it’s getting cold, stop making straw fans, take a good rest."

"I know, but if I don’t make them, I have no way to earn money. Your mother asked if she should go back to Wealth Master Zhang to work short-term, but I didn’t let her, thinking I should work harder so she doesn’t have to suffer too much."

Being home bound was Mu Dashan’s hidden pain; even though it had been just half a year, this was indeed the hardest time for the family, as days passed and their rice and grain supply dwindled rapidly.

Though the third branch earned some money, it didn’t cover everything, even the simplest greens had to be borrowed or bought. If he didn’t work hard, all the pressure would fall on his daughter and wife.

Mu Shuangshuang sighed and took the straw fan from Mu Dashan’s hand.

Lately, Mu Dashan had worked day and night on straw fans, his hands full of blisters from the sun palm fibers, and he needed various tools—Mu Shuangshuang had seen Mu Dashan so hurt that he couldn’t hold chopsticks to eat.

"Dad, let’s stop this. Weather’s cold, and straw fans don’t sell well anymore. You should rest and take care of your health, that’s more important than anything."

"It’s okay, I’m not tired. These don’t sell for much, but I’ll just make more, even if it’s just one penny each, it’s better than sitting around idle," Mu Dashan shook his head.

Living with the Old Mu Family all these years, he knew too well how helpless it was without money. If not for his capable daughter ensuring they weren’t starving, he might have gone back, begging his parents not to divide the family.