Chapter 36: Daily Life of Three Families (Part 2)

Caught off guard this time, Mu Mian flapped her arms like a little chick and patted his arm. “I was just stating the truth! Uncle, let me go, or I’m going to fall off my stool.”

As she shifted, the small stool beneath her wobbled, tilting to one side.

Mu Xinglong, who loved goofing around with the younger ones, had no intention of letting go.

The old lady frowned, “You’re over thirty. Why are you still fooling around?”

The moment her words fell, Mu Mian exerted a bit of force and pried her uncle’s bent arm straight.

Mu Xinglong’s eyes widened slightly with interest. “Come on, let’s have a match.”

Mu Mian was puzzled, “A match in what?”

Mu Xinglong grinned, “Arm wrestling!”

Mu Mian puffed up her cheeks and spoke seriously, “Uncle, don’t cry if you lose.”

Mu Xinglong: “……”

The old lady chuckled and said to him, “I have a feeling you won’t win.”

Mu Xinglong refused to believe it and pulled his niece toward the courtyard, plopping down at the dining table. “Come on, let’s try!”

Their arms were nowhere near the same length, so Mu Mian grabbed a small stool and placed it on the table, resting her elbow on top so she could reach her uncle’s hand.

Zhao Meihua took on the role of referee with interest. She positioned their clasped hands right in the middle, ensuring absolute fairness.

Mu Mian declared, “Grandma, count down from three, and we’ll start.”

Instead of counting immediately, Zhao Meihua warned, “Your uncle has to go to work tomorrow. Don’t go too hard on him.”

Before Mu Mian could respond, Mu Xinglong protested, “Mom, that’s just insulting. You don’t even know who’s going to lose yet!”

A minute later, the courtyard fell into silence.

Mu Xinglong shook his right hand and looked at his niece, who was smiling sweetly. He tried to find an excuse: “Your uncle’s right hand was sore from lifting a pig yesterday. Let’s switch to the left.”

Zhao Meihua burst out laughing and teased, “You have no shame.”

Just as she finished speaking, Mu Fugui’s voice rang out from behind them, “Oh, arm wrestling? Fifth Brother, did you lose?”

Mu Mian turned her head and beamed, “Dad, you’re awake!”

After a good nap, Mu Fugui looked refreshed. He joined in enthusiastically, “Let’s have a match too.”

Mu Xinglong sprang up and immediately gave up his seat, conveniently forgetting that he had just insisted on using his left hand.

He knew when to back down and did so smoothly.

Mu Fugui was much stronger than the average man. Mu Mian had estimated before that her current strength was probably about the same as her father’s.

When they had dragged those two wild boars earlier, if it was just about pulling them along, her father could have done it too.

But when it came to arm wrestling, neither of them used their full strength.

After only two seconds, Mu Fugui eased up, and Mu Mian won again.

Mu Xinglong was quite pleased with the result. “Hahaha, Big Brother, you’re no good either.”

Mu Mian chimed in, “Dad let me win.”

Mu Xinglong insisted, “I let you win too.”

Mu Mian immediately shot him a ‘Do you think I believe that?’ expression.

Mu Fugui grabbed his brother’s arm, “Come on, let’s test how much you let her win.”

Mu Xinglong wasn’t about to take the bait. He turned and walked straight into the kitchen, going back to dealing with the meat he had brought.

—

Since Liu Shuangcui wasn’t home at noon, they didn’t cook any meat. The three of them just had a simple meal.

She probably won’t be back until evening.

Although she had a bicycle, Mu Chunfen and Mu Dongxue lived quite far away, so the round trip would take a good amount of time.

Mu Fugui originally planned to take a day off tomorrow and visit his two younger sisters.

But Liu Shuangcui thought that was unnecessary and said she could make the trip in one go.

As it turned out, she had a strong sense of time. Just as the sun set, she returned on her bicycle.

Mu Mian poured her a large cup of water and brought it over. Liu Shuangcui was indeed thirsty. She took it and drank half the cup in one go.

There were a few things hanging from the handlebars of her bike. She said, “Take these to the kitchen. They’re from your aunts.”

Mu Mian carried the bag inside, peeking in as she walked. There were some pickled vegetables and dried fish mixed in with other odds and ends.

In the kitchen.

The old lady was preparing the meat when she glanced at her granddaughter. “What did your mother bring back?”

Mu Mian replied, “Second Aunt made some pickled vegetables. Should we stir-fry them with the meat, Grandma?”

Her second aunt was great at making pickled vegetables. They were more flavorful than most.

Zhao Meihua nodded. “Alright, take a small plate and set some aside. I’ll add them later.”

Mu Mian immediately stood on her tiptoes, took a plate from the cupboard, and scooped out a portion. After that, she carefully stored the remaining pickled vegetables back in the cupboard.

Since the meat took more effort to cook, the old lady decided to stir-fry it first.

Before long, the kitchen was filled with a mouthwatering aroma.

Mu Xinglong, as if he had a thousand-mile nose, appeared just as the meat was taken out of the wok.

Seeing that the dish was ready, Mu Xinglong grinned. “This is what they mean by perfect timing.”

He didn’t linger for long, quickly taking the plate of meat and leaving.

Zhao Meihua then picked up another empty plate, scooped a generous portion of meat, and handed it to Mu Mian. “Take this to your fourth uncle’s house.”

Mu Mian had expected this. Her grandmother would never leave her Fourth Uncle out. “Got it!”

Honestly, her grandmother had a knack for managing the household.

In the village, many families—whether they had many children or just a few—often had conflicts between brothers and sisters-in-law.

The Mu family had many children, but whether before or after the family split, Mu Fugui and his siblings always got along harmoniously.

Mu Mian had long realized that while her father and his siblings had a good relationship, the real reason for their family’s harmony was her grandmother.

People say that the child who cries the loudest gets the candy.

If her little uncle was the one who knew how to cry for what he wanted, then her Fourth Uncle was the type who never asked for anything.

But her grandmother never overlooked a child just because they didn’t ask.

Like now.

Even though the family was separated, she still made sure to send a portion of the meat to the other household.

Mu Mian carried the plate and walked briskly. Just as she reached her fourth uncle’s house, the delicious aroma of food wafted from inside.

Mu Qiu was the first to see his cousin. “Xiao Mian, why did you bring meat over? We already have some.”

Mu Mian smiled. “Grandma told me to bring it. Second Aunt gave us some pickled vegetables, and we stir-fried them with the meat. It’s really fragrant!”

Mu Xingwang took the plate with a knowing smile. “Did your little uncle take his portion over to your grandma’s place?”

Mu Mian immediately gave him a thumbs-up. “Fourth Uncle, you’re really sharp! No wonder Sister Qiu is so smart—she must have inherited it from you!”

After all, her little uncle had brought over more than three pounds of meat, yet he only took one plate back with him.

The rest was likely left for her fourth uncle.

All the children raised by the old lady are clear-headed people.

Just as Mu Mian was marveling at this, she heard her fourth aunt’s voice behind her. “Xiao Mian, that’s not right! Xiao Qiu clearly takes after me.”

Mu Mian had completely forgotten about her fourth aunt. “……”

She quickly adjusted, flashing a smile. “She takes after Grandma!”

Tang Cuixiang: “……”

How could she argue with that?

Even though the family had split, she still had a deep respect for the old lady.

As the conversation flowed, Mu Xingwang came out of the kitchen carrying two bowls. He handed one to Gutou. “Take this to your little uncle’s house.”

Then, he gave the other bowl to Mu Mian. “Xiao Wan just finished stewing this. Take it back to your grandma and the others to try.”

Mu Mian was all smiles. “Sister Xiao Wan’s cooking must be delicious!”

Talent was a strange thing. Adults often joked that Mu Wan had a “food brain,” but in reality, she not only loved eating but was also a great cook.

Even at such a young age, her cooking skills were already impressive—far better than her mother, Tang Cuixiang.

Mu Wan’s proud voice rang out from the kitchen. “Of course! When I grow up, I’m going to be a chef at a state-run restaurant!”

Mu Mian chatted with her cousin for a bit before taking the meat back home.

That night, the meal was so good that Mu Mian even dreamed about it in her sleep.

—

The following days.

Mu Mian didn’t go up the mountain again. Instead, she stayed home, helping her grandmother with various tasks. Occasionally, she visited her little uncle’s house to play with her two younger cousins.

Just like that, a few days passed. Soon, Mu Mian welcomed an event that, while not particularly significant, still made her excited.

Her birthday was coming up! She was about to turn nine!