Free Web NovelChapter 1388: Chapter 1383: The Thrown Steamed Cornbread
"Alright then!" Taohua’s face once again broke into a smile.
It was dark, and Mu Shuangshuang lit the lamp. By the light of the oil lamp, Taohua ate until she was full.
After she had eaten her fill, her gaze stayed firmly on Mu Shuangshuang, fearing that Mu Shuangshuang might leave.
Mu Shuangshuang secretly laughed at her silliness but still patiently stayed with Taohua.
Only after Taohua fell asleep did Mu Shuangshuang start to make a bed on the floor to sleep.
The next day, Mu Shuangshuang awoke from her sleep to a new beginning. She had to deliver the items Mrs. Liu had given to the fourth branch to them.
Otherwise, those dishes might not be fresh anymore!
After asking Taohua where Mu Dade lived, Mu Shuangshuang also drove the cart to Mu Dade’s house.
However, before even entering Mu Dade’s house, she spotted Mu Dajiang.
He was alone, wearing a shirt whose color had changed from washing, his steps somewhat unsteady, his eye sockets sunk—a clear sign of poor rest and lack of food, devoid of energy.
Mu Shuangshuang hesitated about calling out to him when she saw Mu Xiaxia chasing after him.
Mu Xiaxia held a cornbread in her hand, trying to give it to Mu Dajiang.
Mu Dajiang refused to take it, and the two began to tussle in the street.
Mu Shuangshuang thought for a moment, then decided to jump off the carriage.
"Uncle, Xiaxia!" Mu Shuangshuang called out.
Both were stunned, turning their heads to look at Mu Shuangshuang.
Mu Xiaxia ran over, "Sister Shuangshuang, why... why are you here?"
Seeing Mu Shuangshuang, Mu Dajiang’s first reaction was surprise.
But soon, he hid the dark cornbread behind him, not wanting Mu Shuangshuang to see it.
Mu Shuangshuang noticed Mu Dajiang’s gesture and frowned slightly.
This slight frown hit Mu Dajiang’s eyes. He thought Mu Shuangshuang was mocking him.
He forced a sentence: "This is for feeding the dog; I said it’s hard to find dogs on the road, so... so, it’s better to throw it away!"
Mu Dajiang forcefully threw the cornbread to the ground.
The cornbread rolled several times on the ground, covered in layers of dirt, looking filthy, just like Mu Dajiang’s heart full of holes.
Mu Xiaxia’s heart skipped a beat.
She opened her mouth to ask Mu Dajiang why, but Mu Dajiang interrupted.
"Xiaxia, it’s okay! Dogs have a sense; when they smell it, they’ll come looking! We..."
Mu Dajiang saw Mu Shuangshuang squatting down before he could finish his sentence. She picked up the cornbread he had thrown away and patted the dirt off.
Her intuition told her that if the cornbread remained on the ground, some things might veer off course.
"Shuangshuang, what are you doing? This cornbread is dirty! Did you not have breakfast? Uncle will treat you; order whatever you want, Uncle has money now!"
Mu Dajiang spoke, deliberately puffing out his chest.
As though by doing so, others would see him as worthy.
"The cornbread is dirty, but patting it clean makes it fine! Shuangshuang has experienced hardship and doesn’t care if there will be more; as long as she’s happy, that’s all that matters!"
Mu Shuangshuang spoke meaningfully.
She initially didn’t want to get involved with the fourth branch. But looking at Mu Dajiang and Mu Xiaxia, she felt sorrow.
Especially because the third branch had experienced similar hardships as the fourth branch.
Mu Shuangshuang occasionally reflected and asked herself, not just as herself, but as a modern person who sees things more clearly.
Would anyone else be willing to give up chasing wealth and honor for so long?
Moreover, the entire fourth branch truly sacrificed a lot for Mu Dade.
"Don’t talk about these things anymore; I’ll take you for breakfast, noodles, or wontons? We couldn’t afford them when living in the countryside. But now in the county, with money, the confidence rises!
I finally understand why Third Brother straightened his back after you opened the tavern!"
As Mu Dajiang spoke, Mu Xiaxia’s eyes turned red.
Her father, he had no money!
Not a single penny!
Her father wasn’t living well. Ever since leaving the village and separating from her mother, not to mention the daily struggles.
He barely survived in the grass piles of the kitchen.
Her father didn’t eat well!
His daily meals were worse than when they were in the village!
Back then, at least he could gnaw on a sweet potato when hungry, but now, even cornbread was saved bit by bit!
"Shuangshuang, let’s go!" Mu Dajiang urged Mu Shuangshuang.
Mu Shuangshuang hesitated for a moment but eventually followed Mu Dajiang.
They chose a decently sized eatery. Mu Dajiang immediately ordered three bowls of pork lard noodles, with pork lard at the bottom, along with meat, scallions, and peanuts.
The aroma of pork lard was incredibly rich.
Having eaten little that morning, Mu Dajiang swallowed hard.
To disguise his embarrassment, he quickly turned to Mu Shuangshuang and said, "Shuangshuang, eat up! This pork lard noodle has to be eaten hot. Xiaxia and I come often! It’s excellent!"
Mu Dajiang said, squinting his eyes.
He seemed as though he truly knew the taste!
Mu Shuangshuang found it hard to eat the noodles wafting with the aroma of pork lard before her.
She glanced at the cornbread in her hand and made no hesitation, biting into it.
"Shuangshuang, you..." Mu Dajiang was astonished.
Mu Xiaxia was too.
"It’s delicious; I love cornbread. I couldn’t eat it whenever I wanted to before. Uncle, Xiaxia, eat up!"
"Alright!" Mu Dajiang lowered his head and ate rapidly.
The noodles were piping hot, but Mu Dajiang acted as if he didn’t feel it; after a while, he suddenly looked up.
"These noodles aren’t spicy enough, add more chili!"
The landlady was kind and brought over a bowl of chili, with almost half ending up in Mu Dajiang’s mouth.
The consequence was naturally Mu Dajiang being so spicy that he was on fire, tears streaming, and Mu Xiaxia couldn’t bear it, finally crying.
"Dad, stop pretending. In the county..."
"Xiaxia, don’t speak, eat your meal! Remember what your aunt said, rich ladies shouldn’t speak while eating!"
Mu Dajiang scolded Mu Xiaxia.
"Dad, there’s no rich lady; I’m nothing but a swine, despised by everyone!" Mu Xiaxia shouted, her voice tearing.
Mu Dajiang slammed his chopsticks on the table heavily, "Shut up! If it’s not good, then don’t eat!"
After scolding Mu Xiaxia, Mu Dajiang explained to Mu Shuangshuang, "Shuangshuang, don’t take it to heart, Xiaxia is just a child, doesn’t understand. We’ve been very well in the county.
By the way, why are you in the county? Riding a cart, let your uncle guess, are you here to stock up?
I’ve always said, running a tavern is too hard for a girl, especially with Fengzi not around. Otherwise, wouldn’t let you, a woman, come to the county for supplies!
How about staying a few days, let uncle show you around. Uncle is very familiar with the county and goes out to see it every day!
Don’t eat the cornbread anymore; it’s hard, without nutrition, have some noodles instead!"
Mu Shuangshuang looked at the man in front of her, reduced to such a humble state.
She sighed deeply in her heart.
