From Folly to Fortune：I Rewrite My Life After Rebirth!
Chapter 130: Mr. Mu’s Concern (Second Update)

Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Mr. Mu’s Concern (Second Update)

The next day, just as dawn barely broke, Lu Yuanfeng pushed his family’s wooden cart to Zhao Yun’s house.

He loaded the cold noodles and raspberry juice made by Mu Shuangshuang into two wooden barrels.

Cheerfully, he headed towards the town.

Old Mu Family—

Mr. Mu took out a navy blue shirt that he usually wore only during the New Year or festivals and put it on his slightly hunched frame.

The smile on his face was unrestrained, with gaping mouth corners revealing big yellow teeth.

He smoothed out his clothes, and said to Old Mrs. Mu beside him.

"Xiangxiang’s mother, take a look at me, does this look good? Would I embarrass the big sister?"

Mu Xianxian married someone from the town, her in-laws owned a shoe store, certainly more respectable than these mud legs.

Mr. Mu didn’t want to lose face when visiting, so he had been tidying himself up all morning.

He even shaved the beard he hadn’t touched for a long time, making it clean.

"Looks good, looks good, Xiangxiang’s father, you look good in anything."

Old Mrs. Mu was in a good mood as well, her current demeanor was as flawless as it ever could be, not noisy, and didn’t cause trouble.

Even Mr. Mu couldn’t find a single fault.

"Xiangxiang’s mother, what’s going on? Why are you so quiet today?" Mr. Mu couldn’t help but curiously ask.

Understanding his wife deeply, Mr. Mu knew that normally, at this hour, she would be in the courtyard arms akimbo scolding daughters-in-law one by one. How could she be standing quietly here now?

"Oh, what could be up with me? Old man, didn’t you say you’re afraid of being late and missing the lunch at big sister’s house? You better head out now."

Old Mrs. Mu wished Mr. Mu to head to town early, so she could visit the third son.

"True, it’s been delayed for so long, I’ll be on my way then." Mr. Mu gave a final tug at his shirt.

"Wait a moment, I’ll go to the third room and call Shuang, let her take care of you on the way."

Old Mrs. Mu’s tone was gentle, a rare occurrence since early morning breakfast, usually the smallest bun was for Shuang.

This time, she deliberately picked a larger bun, and advised Shuang to wander around town if she liked, not to rush back.

"Alright then!" Mr. Mu, unaware of any ulterior motives.

Soon, Shuang emerged from her room.

Unlike Mr. Mu, she showed no change from usual, wearing a faded cotton shirt, clean and spotless.

There were patches on the fabric washed to white, the clothes were large, making Shuang look like a child who sneaked on adult clothes.

Mr. Mu furrowed his brows.

"Shuang, why didn’t you change into better clothes? This..."

Mu Shuangshuang understood Mr. Mu’s implication, yet the old man was quite amusing, as all family money was controlled by Old Mrs. Mu.

For someone like her, would they ever get money to buy some fabric to make clothes for her?

"Grandpa, there’s no other clothing at home, this is Shuang’s best outfit. Do you think... my aunt would really despise me as Uncle Five said?" Mu Shuangshuang curved her lips into a light smile.

"No... she wouldn’t." Mr. Mu waved his hand.

Mr. Mu decided that soon he’d have Shuang wait outside, ensuring big sister’s in-laws wouldn’t see her like this.

Mu Shuangshuang simply laughed, the more Mr. Mu tried to distance himself from her, the more she stayed close.

The grandfather-granddaughter duo each carried a jug of water, walking in the morning sun, trekking over twenty miles of mountain roads.

By the time they arrived in town, Mu Shuangshuang felt almost cooked by the heat.

Mr. Mu dawdling aside, they happened to arrive when the sun was at its harshest, causing her additional hardship.

Mu Xianxian’s in-laws were in a place called Three Willow Lane at the east market, the name seemed unsavory, but many wealthy people in town lived nearby.

Therefore, marrying Mu Xianxian there once made Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu proud.

Stopping before a house with vermilion wooden doors, Mr. Mu hunched his neck, adjusted his clothes, confirmed his appearance wasn’t too shabby, and knocked on the big lock on the door.

After a few knocks, a servant came to open the door.

"Who are you looking for?" The servant scanned Mr. Mu up and down, neither the clothing nor presence seemed affluent, rather impoverished.

"I’m looking for Mu Xianxian and Mu Xiangxiang, I am their father."

Mu Xiangxiang had been at Old Cao’s house for several months, yet no message sent home.

Mr. Mu felt solemn at the thought, fortunately, today he’d have a chance to see them.

"Then wait here, I’ll find the lady of the house." The servant thoroughly unconcerned, told Mr. Mu.

"Shuang, how do you think your aunt is doing now?" Mr. Mu curiously asked.

"Surely living well, Aunt is kind-hearted, won’t care about Shuang’s shabby clothes. The heavens have eyes, they’ll treat her well."

Mu Shuangshuang meaningfully remarked about Mu Xianxian, recalling when Mu Dashan worked at the dock to scrape together her dowry.

Yet she turned her back on the family, taking nothing when Mu Dashan married.

Such people, it’s perplexing for heaven to favor.

Sadly, Mr. Mu didn’t catch the sarcasm, blissfully accepting her remarks, even the notion of leaving Shuang outside dissipated.

Soon, the reporting servant returned, ushering Mr. Mu inside.

Mu Xianxian’s family home wasn’t particularly large, with a front and back yard about the size of a basketball court.

The servant led Mr. Mu straight to Old Cao’s back yard.

Mu Xianxian sat in a pavilion, a basin of sliced melon before her, upon seeing Mr. Mu, she waved.

"Father, I heard from the household that you’ve arrived, I didn’t want to believe it until seeing you to be sure."

Mu Xianxian remained seated, waiting for Mr. Mu to come over.

Mr. Mu didn’t mind, upon approaching, seeing Mu Xianxian adorned with bead hairpins, believed more than ever his eldest daughter could aid his son.

"Father, these melons were freshly bought from the market by the servants, try some, they cost quite a bit per pound."

Mr. Mu waved his hand. "No need, big sister, I’ve come today needing your help for your eldest brother, he’s soon exam-bound, urgently needing money."

Mu Xianxian glanced at Mr. Mu, "How much?"

"Fifty taels!" Mr. Mu peeked at his eldest daughter’s reaction, seeing slight surprise, hurriedly added.

"This time, Da De said hiring a tutor requires this amount."

"Father, not to be harsh, but how many times has my brother taken the exam? You still prepare for it this year, what if he fails again? Do you know how much could be done with fifty taels?"

(Please vote, the family should split tomorrow!)