CHAPTER 453: CHAPTER 450: JUST LOVE STANDING WITH HER (PART 1)

After breakfast, Lu Yuanfeng and Xing Beichen, the two grown men, took on the responsibility of washing dishes.

Fu Xiaonan followed Mu Shuangshuang to the room to help, but really, she just wanted to be the first to see Mu Shuangshuang with makeup on.

Mu Shuangshuang took off her plain clothes and pulled out the gauze dress that Yu Si Niang had her wear on Qixi from her wardrobe.

The style of the dress was drawn by Mu Shuangshuang herself, red and white in color, with two intersecting red lines at the collar. It looked gentle rather than ostentatious.

Unlike the hair bun Fu Xiaonan intentionally had her mother do, Mu Shuangshuang braided three thin plaits, making the top of her head slightly fluffy.

Then, she gathered the rest of her hair into a simple ponytail, making her appear very energetic.

Moreover, Mu Shuangshuang’s facial features were delicate, fully exposed for everyone to see at a glance.

Putting on makeup was even simpler for Mu Shuangshuang.

As she was already skilled, a few strokes were enough to complete a beautiful look.

Fu Xiaonan stood beside her, extremely envious; despite not having to work a day in her life, her skin didn’t look as good as Mu Shuangshuang’s.

"Shuangshuang, you’re so beautiful, I can hardly recognize you!" Fu Xiaonan exclaimed.

"You’re also beautiful! Let me do the last bit of prep, wait for me a sec!"

Mu Shuangshuang finished by applying eye makeup, essentially just eyeliner. Ancient women didn’t use this; typically, makeup involved applying water powder and dusting on a layer of rouge, and that was it.

Mu Shuangshuang’s makeup was more detailed.

She heated a piece of wire over an oil lamp, then curled her eyelashes with it.

This made her eyes appear larger.

"Wow, what is this?" Fu Xiaonan was amazed at how her eyes could appear larger so effortlessly.

"Let me help you!" Mu Shuangshuang fiddled around with Fu Xiaonan.

Only then did they prepare to go out.

This was probably Mu Shuangshuang’s most cautious moment, yet Fu Xiaonan insisted on embarrassing Lu Yuanfeng.

She rushed out first, watching the intense glow in Lu Yuanfeng’s eyes flare up. She looked behind, impatiently.

"Haha, Shuangshuang, Brother Fengzi thought the first one coming out was you. You hurry up!" Fu Xiaonan laughed playfully.

Mu Shuangshuang then slowly walked out.

She knew her makeup was excellent today, but what were Lu Yuanfeng and Xing Beichen being dumbfounded for?

"Miss Shuangshuang, you’re truly a phoenix among chickens, only visible once you step out!" Xing Beichen chuckled foolishly, but soon his gaze shifted to Fu Xiaonan.

He noticed that Fu Xiaonan had changed since entering.

Her eyes had become noticeably larger.

Lu Yuanfeng stood in place until Mu Shuangshuang walked up to him.

"What’s the matter? Lost in thought?" Mu Shuangshuang raised her eyebrows playfully.

"No... No... Shuangshuang looks very beautiful like this!" Lu Yuanfeng was glad he wore new clothes today; otherwise, standing next to Shuangshuang would show a great contrast.

"Of course, I’m naturally beautiful! But you better watch out, or else I might be taken away..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Lu Yuanfeng pulled her into his arms, seemingly worried about what Shuangshuang had said.

After hugging her, he realized how inappropriate he had been.

"Shuangshuang, I..." Lu Yuanfeng felt he could barely speak coherently.

"Relax, it’s just a simple trip to the market. We’ll sell as usual, earn our money, and live life the same way!"

Only then did Lu Yuanfeng start to feel assured.

For this trip, due to Fu Xiaonan joining, Fu Wu rented a carriage from the neighboring village for pick-up and drop-off.

Which made their arrival at the town much earlier than usual.

The four went straight to Jiu Si Xuan to drop off the cold noodles. This time, Mu Shuangshuang didn’t exchange many pleasantries with the Fat Chef.

She was busy with too many things.

But the bean sprouts sold out quickly, as expected by Mu Shuangshuang, without her having to shout.

People said a good shop, through word of mouth, could attract more customers.

Mu Shuangshuang was familiar with several stall owners due to her frequent visits.

Sometimes prices need to be in line with others’, or she’d be ostracized.

Fortunately, Mu Shuangshuang’s items were unique; there wasn’t another shop selling the same thing, so she’d never been criticized for it.

"Where are we heading next?" Xing Beichen asked.

"Didn’t you say you were eager to leave?" Mu Shuangshuang frowned.

She thought Xing Beichen would leave upon arriving in town.

But seeing his keen look, it seemed he didn’t plan to leave?

Xing Beichen hesitated; he initially intended to leave early in the morning, but seeing Fu Xiaonan made him reluctant to go.

Because he wasn’t sure when he’d visit next time.

And whether Fu Xiaonan would remain the same.

It was awkward, but thankfully, at this moment, Fu Xiaonan pulled Mu Shuangshuang over and said a few words, making Mu Shuangshuang let go of the matter.

"Xing Beichen, Xiao Nan, Fengzi and I need to go somewhere first; it might take a while. How about we meet later at Hua Yuerong in town?"

Hua Yuerong sold cosmetics and other feminine products and was on the main street where the lantern festival passerby would go.

"Alright, Shuangshuang, you and Brother Fengzi go quickly and come back soon!"

Compared to Mu Shuangshuang, Fu Xiaonan didn’t hold many thoughts about gender differences and that people shouldn’t get too close.

She was innately pure and viewed matters more superficially.

If she found someone agreeable, she’d talk more.

After the four split up, Lu Yuanfeng seemed more at ease, glancing at Mu Shuangshuang beside him lovingly and sincerely.

"Shuangshuang, are we heading to the Xue Family?"

For the last two times, they hadn’t been inside the Xue Family’s doors; they had given their things to the steward, and several times, Old Mrs. Xue had told the steward to invite Mu Shuangshuang inside next time.

"Yes! Might as well see Old Mrs. Xue!"

Mu Shuangshuang had her own intentions; after what Zheng Xiu had done, she couldn’t guarantee wouldn’t play dirty tricks next time. Her heart couldn’t tolerate injustice.

She’d endure her first harm, but two times in, she’d fight back, even if it meant chaos, and wouldn’t let her harm again.

If that’s the situation, the collaboration with Jiu Si Xuan wouldn’t be possible.

"Okay! Let’s hurry!"

Lu Yuanfeng carried a large basket containing the bean sprouts, century eggs, and other mountain goods prepared by Mu Shuangshuang.

All things Old Mrs. Xue liked.

Upon reaching the Xue Family, before Mu Shuangshuang could speak, the steward called out to her.

"Miss Shuangshuang, you must see the lady today; you don’t know how she’s given me an order. If I don’t bring you in to see her, she’ll be angry with me!"