CHAPTER 319: CHAPTER 317: SECOND AUNT-IN-LAW’S TANTRUM (PART 1)

"Don’t grab, there’s enough for everyone!" Mu Shuangshuang said with a smile, watching the children, but not stopping her hands.

The two women in the room stood up, full of enthusiasm.

"Oh, this is Shuangshuang from Si Niang’s family! She’s grown so big, so fair-skinned. When I last saw you, you were only this big."

The speaking woman wore an old dark green dress, with well-defined features and high cheekbones, her cheeks slightly sunken due to thinness. Yet, her face looked natural when she smiled.

The thickness of her lips was even, and her face didn’t suggest a mean person.

Old Mrs. Yu pointed at the woman and said: "This is your big aunt, Mrs. Zhang."

"Hello, big aunt!" Mu Shuangshuang bowed and greeted.

The other woman couldn’t hold back as introductions began. "Shuangshuang, I’m your second aunt. You shouldn’t have brought anything! Tiancai, take the things your Sister Shuangshuang brought to her room — no eating until dinner’s finished."

"Okay!" The boy named Tiancai reluctantly took the bamboo basket, his eyes constantly darting to the white rice puffs inside, just as he was about to grab some, he was stopped by Shuangshuang’s second aunt.

"Yu Tiancai, you’d better not sneak any today. If I find less in the basket, I’ll chop off your paws."

Shuangshuang’s second aunt had a fiery temper, mostly shouting when speaking, and slightly tempered her tone since Mu Shuangshuang arrived, but quickly reverted to her true self.

"Haha, Shuangshuang, your brother Tiancai is quite mischievous. If I don’t yell at him, he’ll turn the house upside down."

The second aunt standing before her was short, at most 1.55 meters, rather plump, with a rounded belly resembling a five-month pregnant woman, though distinctly due to where the flesh was gathered, Mu Shuangshuang didn’t misconstrue it.

Her actions suggested she wasn’t one to be trifled with.

Mu Shuangshuang silently mused: It seems Old Yu Family and Old Mu Family operate in completely different models.

In the Old Mu Family, everything was dictated by Old Mrs. Mu; the daughters-in-law didn’t have a say.

Even Scholar’s wife, Mrs. Jin, behaved obediently like a cat in front of Old Mrs. Mu. No matter the inner anger, she wouldn’t dare act out in front of Old Mrs. Mu.

But at the Old Yu Family, the daughters-in-law seemed to hold some status, at least since she arrived, it was Old Mrs. Yu doing the busy work.

"Second aunt, Shuangshuang doesn’t mind." Mu Shuangshuang shook her head gently.

Old Mrs. Yu looked embarrassed, especially after her daughter-in-law’s behavior, Shuangshuang could still forgive her.

She stepped forward, placing her hand on Shuangshuang’s, gently stroking.

"Shuangshuang, your second aunt has this temperament, don’t mind her..."

"It’s alright, grandma, second aunt is quite interesting, Shuangshuang won’t take it to heart." Mu Shuangshuang said, then asked, "Grandma, do you have a ladle? I’m thirsty."

Mu Shuangshuang didn’t hold back with Old Mrs. Yu, because they were family.

Old Mrs. Yu stood up and fetched two clean cups from the cabinet.

"You rest a bit; I’ll go make tea for you. We just have some freshly picked tea. Try it, it’s fresh."

When Shuangshuang’s second aunt heard they were using tea leaves, she immediately fussed, "Mom, didn’t you say the tea leaves would be sold when the Xue Family came to collect them in a few days? Last time I wanted to bring some to my mother’s house and you refused, but now with Shuangshuang here, you don’t remember what you said?"

Old Mrs. Yu frowned, "Old second daughter-in-law, Shuangshuang is a guest from Si Niang’s family. Her having some tea shouldn’t be a problem, especially since she’s brought so many things for the family, including you."

"Mom, that’s not how it goes. Shuangshuang brought stuff because it’s her first time visiting; if she visits more, she surely won’t bring anything." Mrs. Li argued.

"You..." Old Mrs. Yu was so angry she stepped back two steps, her expression turning ugly.

"Grandma, it’s fine, Fengzi and I can just have some cold water. No need to fuss." Mu Shuangshuang stepped forward to support Old Mrs. Yu and comforted her.

Mu Shuangshuang had decided internally that she wouldn’t let her second aunt have the red cloth she brought; the popcorn was trivial if gone.

"That’s better, why can’t we drink cold water? Our Tiancai, Tianmu all drink cold water and still grow robust." Mrs. Li shamelessly exaggerated.

"Li Erju, just hush. Shuangshuang and Fengzi are here the first time, surely our mother can serve them tea?" Yu Erlang loudly scolded.

"Well, you damn Yu Erlang, I married into your family, labored like a beast, and bore you three children. Now, you dare shout at me?! I want a divorce!"

"Divorce it is; I’ll invite the village chief to write a divorce notice right now!"

"Alright, if you want to argue, take it outside! Don’t scare Shuangshuang and Fengzi. Get out, both of you!" Old Yu finally lost his temper and slammed his hand heavily on the dining table.

Only then did Yu Erlang and Li Erju quiet down.

The two, displeased with each other, picked up their own bowls and started eating.

"Old woman, hurry up and make tea for Shuangshuang and Fengzi!"

"Alright!"

Soon, Old Mrs. Yu came over with two cups of hot tea. Mu Shuangshuang took the somewhat hot tea, blowing on it several times before daring to drink.

The hot tea entered her mouth, gradually dispelling the smokey feeling in her throat. They say drinking hot tea in summer works wonders, and indeed, though she sweated profusely, she was no longer thirsty.

"These tea leaves are really good; the taste is simple!"

"As expected of Si Niang’s daughter, her sense of taste is similar to Si Niang’s!" Mr. Yu exclaimed excitedly upon hearing Mu Shuangshuang’s words.

"Hmph, it’s just tea. I know this tea leaf is worth quite some money." Mrs. Li muttered, dissatisfied upon hearing Mr. Yu praise Shuangshuang.

"Old second daughter-in-law, if you think you can do this well, then in the future, all tea-picking and quality checking, Lao Liu won’t do it – you can do it all yourself!"

"Why should I? That’s Lao Liu’s job, I won’t do it!" Mrs. Li retorted again, thoroughly angering Yu Erlang, who threw his bowl aside and dragged her out by her sleeve.

Mrs. Li struggled hard, spewing all sorts of unpleasant words.

Mr. Yu’s face turned blue; today, the Old Yu Family’s reputation was completely ruined in the hands of the old second daughter-in-law.

"Shuangshuang, once you’re done with tea, hurry and eat; I’ll fry two eggs for you and Fengzi."

Old Mrs. Yu genuinely liked Shuangshuang. Ever since she arrived, her smile hadn’t faded; whenever there’s a pause, her gaze landed on Shuangshuang, regretting why she hadn’t visited Shuangshuang earlier.