Chapter 1705 - 1700: Pleading for Yuanbao

"If your uncle falters, won’t your grandparents also suffer?" Lu Yuanfeng asked.

"Well! Speaking of this, it reminds me of another matter!" Mu Shuangshuang said.

"What matter?"

"My fourth aunt sold the Old Mu Family’s main house for thirty taels of silver, and my grandma doesn’t know yet!"

"Sold it? Your fourth aunt, such an honest person, actually sold the Old Mu Family’s main house?" Lu Yuanfeng was stunned.

He hadn’t had much contact with the rest of the Old Mu Family, but he was well aware of the temperament of the fourth family.

Back then, Shuangshuang wanted to lead them to a better life, but unfortunately, the fourth family was timid and couldn’t make a decision.

Now, Shuangshuang’s fourth aunt did something so... so indescribable.

"You don’t believe it, do you? If it were me, I wouldn’t believe it either! But it’s true! I estimate that if my uncle fails, my grandparents will have to return to the countryside. By then, the fact that the house was sold won’t be hidden anymore!" Mu Shuangshuang said.

"Yes, this matter can’t be kept under wraps for long. What’s your fourth aunt’s attitude then?" Lu Yuanfeng’s face was filled with curiosity.

He hadn’t thought about village matters much since he hadn’t returned for so long.

Surprisingly, upon hearing Shuangshuang talk about it, he also became somewhat interested in the outcome.

"She probably wants to escape! I talked with her last time, and she said she won’t return to the village anymore!" Mu Shuangshuang said.

"This can’t just end like this!" Lu Yuanfeng said.

In the county, where can they run to?

Could they really hide for a lifetime and not come out?

Would they really forsake all their rural relatives?

Normal people wouldn’t go to such lengths, let alone Shuangshuang’s docile fourth uncle’s family.

"Yes, that’s what I thought! But the choice is up to my fourth aunt, I promised her not to mention it. As for when my grandparents find out, it’s not mine to worry about!"

In life, many things are beyond your control.

If you try to manage every fact, you’d be exhausted.

"Fengzi, let’s go have breakfast first and talk while eating!" Mu Shuangshuang suddenly said.

Lu Yuanfeng thought about it and agreed.

He tidied his hair and followed Mu Shuangshuang to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Yu Si Niang’s breakfast had long been prepared.

But to avoid interrupting Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng, she hadn’t called them.

Now that they’ve come, Yu Si Niang felt a bit less worried.

Each person got a bowl of porridge, and there were several steam baskets of buns, letting them take whatever they liked.

"Fengzi, try this porridge. I’ve added century egg and lean meat as Shuangshuang taught me. It’s really tasty!" Yu Si Niang eagerly offered.

"Thank you, aunt!" Lu Yuanfeng said and took a big sip in front of Yu Si Niang.

The taste was indeed fragrant, soft, and tender, with the meat’s aroma and century egg’s flavor being exceptionally good.

"It must be tough in the military camp, right? You’ve lost so much weight! Try the meat bun too, it’s all lean meat!" Mu Dashan enthusiastically encouraged Lu Yuanfeng to try other dishes.

Yuanbao watched his second brother and laughed foolishly, while asking, "Second brother, why didn’t you tell me you came back yesterday? I only found out when aunt mentioned it!"

Lu Yuanfeng chuckled, "It was too late at night, didn’t want to disturb you! By the way, how’s your schoolwork going? Are you listening to the teacher?"

As soon as Lu Yuanfeng asked about studies, Yuanbao deflated.

Schoolwork was his biggest pain, so he feigned a commanding tone while pouting, "Second brother, just don’t bring up studies! You know I’m not cut out for academics, how good do you expect me to be?"

"You..." Lu Yuanfeng was frustrated by Yuanbao’s words.

"Second brother, don’t get upset! I won’t lie because you can just ask Mr. Luo Bai and know exactly how I’m doing!" Yuanbao spoke softly.

Lu Yuanfeng hadn’t seen someone so defiant even when admitting faults.

For a moment, he was so exasperated that he didn’t know what to say.

Mu Dashan quickly interjected, "Fengzi, you’ve just come back, so you don’t know Yuanbao’s progress! He’s been trying hard, and Luo Bai said that as long as he works hard, he’ll definitely have a good future!"

"That’s right, Fengzi, you can’t rush these things!" Yu Si Niang chimed in.

Even Little Zhi added, "Brother Yuanfeng, don’t be mad! Brother Yuanbao didn’t mean it!"

Although Xiao Han didn’t plead for Yuanbao, he said, "Brother Yuanfeng, I’ll help Yuanbao with studying in the future!"

Only Mu Shuangshuang didn’t speak.

She didn’t say a word to exonerate Yuanbao, focusing on her breakfast.

"Sister Shuangshuang, please say some good words for Yuanbao, second brother listens to you the most. If you persuade him, he surely won’t be mad!" Yuanbao tugged at Mu Shuangshuang’s sleeve, pleadingly.

"Say good words? Why should I say good words? Your second brother is right, if you don’t study hard, you deserve a scolding!

If you’re not putting in effort at the school, you should even be punished! We sent you to school not to mess around, but to learn and become knowledgeable."

Mu Shuangshuang didn’t agree with Yu Si Niang and Mu Dashan for pleading on behalf of Yuanbao.

Yuanbao was no longer young, having attended school for almost two years.

If he put in a little more effort, he wouldn’t still be only able to write his own name.

Claiming not being cut out for study is one thing.

But taking up space without effort is another.

It was the first time Mu Shuangshuang said such stern words, leaving Yuanbao deflated and dispirited.

Even with delicious food in front of him, he couldn’t eat!

He dejectedly supported his head with his hand, looking utterly disheartened.

"Yuanbao, second brother is out battling, and you should study well at home! Saying you’re not meant for study doesn’t mean you can quit school!" Lu Yuanfeng said.

"Second brother said before, there’s no expectation for you to be a scholar or top scorer, but you need to be literate, know how to write your name, and know how to write the names of second brother, Sister Shuangshuang, and everyone in the village!

Tell me now, how many names can you write? How much knowledge do you have?" Lu Yuanfeng asked.

"Second brother, I was wrong, I promise I won’t be lazy anymore! I’ll study hard!" Yuanbao’s eyes turned red.

Looking pitifully at Lu Yuanfeng.

Lu Yuanfeng turned away, resolute not to relent or easily compromise.

A child who always claims they’re not cut out for study, can they truly excel when it’s time to study?

"Second brother..." Yuanbao once again nudged Lu Yuanfeng’s shoulder.

"Second brother, forgive me, I promise I’ll diligently follow the teacher and learn to write, I’ll surely learn how to write your name and Sister Shuangshuang’s. You have to believe me!"