From Folly to Fortune：I Rewrite My Life After Rebirth!-Chapter 43: A Dog Does Not Despise Its Poor Home

"To the town? But Shuangshuang’s illness isn’t better yet. How about this, let Shuangshuang rest a bit longer, then mom will take you to town."

Er Gui Village is twenty to thirty miles away from the town. Yu Si Niang goes to town every day on foot. It’s nothing for her to walk, but if Shuangshuang were to accompany her, she would definitely refuse. It would be better to wait until Shuangshuang feels better, then go.

"Mom, I’m already better, really! If you don’t believe me, look at me. Aren’t I super healthy, like someone who could take down a cow with one look?"

As Mu Shuangshuang spoke, she presented a muscle-flexing pose. Originally, she was as thin as a bamboo pole, so performing such a pose naturally appeared quite comical.

Yu Si Niang couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Mu Shuangshuang took the opportunity to rub her nose against Yu Si Niang’s sleeve and said, "I know mom is worried about my health, but you also know that most healthy people frequently work or exercise. How about this, you take this as a chance for me to exercise, I’ll go with mom to help with the work, and mom can return home earlier."

Yu Si Niang sighed. Her daughter rarely acted childishly with her; how could she refuse?

"Alright, alright. Whatever my Shuangshuang says goes."

Mu Shuangshuang felt elated that her request was granted and set a time with Yu Si Niang to go early the day after tomorrow.

That day happens to be a market day on West Street in the town, where many villagers set up stalls to exchange goods. Mu Shuangshuang can take advantage of that entire day to collect some wild vegetables and fresh fungi to trade for an iron pot, which should be achievable. Thinking this, Mu Shuangshuang couldn’t help but smile.

"Oh dear, why is there a rabbit in our house?" Yu Si Niang was about to change clothes but was startled to see the little grey rabbit tied next to the wardrobe.

"Mom, I forgot to mention; it’s the Lu Family’s boy Lu Yuanbao’s rabbit for Little Zhi to keep. He said his family doesn’t allow pets, so Shuangshuang thought her brother was nice and agreed."

Mu Shuangshuang didn’t tell Yu Si Niang that the rabbit now belongs to Little Zhi. Yu Si Niang wasn’t too concerned, but Mu Dashan worried her a bit; he listens to Old Mrs. Mu too much.

Maybe one day Old Mrs. Mu will find out, speaks to Mu Dashan, and he’ll hand over the rabbit.

"Keep it carefully. Your grandmother can’t bear others having nice things. If she sees the rabbit, she’ll definitely take it and skin it to nourish your uncle."

Mu Shuangshuang’s old scholar uncle has always lived in the east wing. Though they say it’s the east wing, it’s a few minutes away from the Old Mu Family, not as close as neighbors next door. Usually, Old Mrs. Mu personally cooks for the Mu Family uncle and brings it over herself, never delegating this task.

So biased is Old Mrs. Mu, yet the Old Mu Family doesn’t express dissatisfaction. Perhaps everyone is waiting for Mu Dade to become a scholar, leading this big family away from farming!

"But dad..."

"Don’t worry about your dad. Since we’ve promised to keep the rabbit, it’s our responsibility to raise it well. Consider it our thank you for the Lu Family’s boy saving you twice."

"Twice? He only came to our house once, right?" Mu Shuangshuang furrowed her brow, puzzled that Lu Yuanfeng might have saved her twice.

"Yes, wasn’t it that day when Ma Houhou from the village upset you so much? You fainted, and it was Yuanfeng who brought you back. Our family still owes him."

Mu Shuangshuang recalled that the day she crossed over, Linshi, that woman, hit her head, and she taught Linshi a lesson, planning to wash up first. But she fainted midway, always thinking it was Yu Si Niang who saved her.

Thinking of this, she owes the young man even more.

"Mom, Shuangshuang understands and will repay Lu Yuanfeng properly in the future."

Just as Mu Shuangshuang finished speaking, the door creaked open, and Little Zhi poked her head in, followed by a less-than-pleased Mu Xiaohan.

Mu Shuangshuang had long been accustomed to Mu Xiaohan’s cold demeanor upon seeing her, so she wasn’t annoyed at all.

"Little Zhi, close the door!"

"Got it!" Little Zhi cheerfully closed the door and guarded it. Who knows if it was to keep others out or those inside from leaving.

"Mom, no matter what Xiaohan and I say later, don’t make a sound."

Yu Si Niang, still looking at the rabbit, paused, considering her elder daughter’s recent demeanor, and nodded in agreement.

"Last time Little Zhi brought a cornbread into the house, it was you who tattled to grandma, wasn’t it?"

Mu Shuangshuang’s voice was calm, her expression unreadable.

"What are you babbling about? You stole the family’s cornbread yourself, why blame me?"

"Mu Xiaohan, enough! Who are you showing that sour face to every day? Is it for Aunt’s family or people from our third branch? You cling to the second branch’s Gou Dan, does he even treat you like a person? Did aunt ever let you eat the sugar cake she bought for Gou Dan?

During midday, they eat well while you starve at home, watching them eat lavishly. Don’t forget, we are the real family.

When you were sick, it was mom who cared for you; when you were hungry, it was mom who saved food for you. You neglect her devotion, yet cluster with the aunt’s family who bullies mom. Who are you trying to please?

People say a dog doesn’t despise a poor family; I think you aren’t even as loyal as a dog."

Mu Shuangshuang carefully analyzed the situation last time. If it were Old Mrs. Mu or Linshi who discovered it, they would have stopped Little Zhi immediately, not allowing her to bring it into the house.

Mu Xiaohan didn’t intend for Yu Si Niang to suffer directly, rather his plan was for her to be silently hurt. His manipulation strategy is quite good; he just didn’t realize Mu Shuangshuang specializes in solving and judging cases. Dare to play tricks with her, perhaps in another life!

Yu Si Niang’s mouth hung open in shock, unable to believe her eyes as she looked at her son.

With his secret exposed, Mu Xiaohan stopped denying, instead using Mu Shuangshuang’s words to continue, "Is it wrong to dislike you? Because of you, I’m looked down upon, because you’re dirty, everyone refuses to play with me, I hate you, I hate you, why don’t you just die, it would be better if you were dead..."

"Slap!" Mu Shuangshuang directly slapped Mu Xiaohan across the face, his fragile body stumbled, glaring fiercely at Mu Shuangshuang.

"You hit me..."

"Not only did I hit you, but I’ll also teach you how to be a human." With that, Mu Shuangshuang pushed Mu Xiaohan onto the bed and started spanking him wildly, constantly reminding him of Linshi and Gou Dan’s actions.

"Listen, Mu Xiaohan, today who hit you is Mu Shuangshuang, because you’re ungrateful, befriending traitors, unable to distinguish foes, indulging yourself with those who bully mom..."

Immediately, the room filled with Mu Shuangshuang’s curses, mingled with the sound of spanking...

Memories in times of pain are the most profound, this Mu Xiaohan may never be close to her, but he won’t be close to the second branch either in the future.