Chapter 139

Early in the morning, there was a knock on the courtyard gate. Zhou Ming, who was unshaven and had dark circles under his eyes, knelt down in front of Zhou Lin and Mu Jin as soon as he entered.

Mu Jin was startled and said somewhat angrily, "Second brother, what is this? Your elder brother and I are not worthy of your kneeling!"

Zhou Lin rushed over to help him up.

But Zhou Ming dodged it, saying, "Big brother, big brother, listen to me first."

Zhou Lin said in a deep voice, "Stand up and speak!"

Zhou Ming shook his head. "Big brother, I've looked down on you since I was little. You only know how to bury yourself in work and don't know how to talk. My parents don't like you, and I saw that. I followed their example and called you big brother, but I never really regarded you as my big brother."

"Why are you saying all this?" Zhou Lin was no longer moved by these words.

“Brother, let me finish. I was very arrogant and thought I could live a rich life just by talking. Last year, I was proud and arrogant, thinking I was more capable than you peasants in the village. I was flattered a few times and became arrogant and ignorant. Little did I know that I made a big mistake, fell hard, made bad friends in town, lost my husband, was cheated out of the money I had earned, and was discovered by the Zhao family steward to have been to the gambling den. I even lost the job that I was so proud of.”

Zhou Lin and Mu Jin frowned.

As Zhou Ming spoke, he slammed his head hard against the ground, his forehead instantly turning red.

“Brother, brother, I was foolish and unaware of my own stupidity. I thought I was clever enough, so I refused to be honest. I know I was wrong now. I came here today because I had no other choice. Xiao Suo'er had a high fever and her body was covered in bruises from that inhuman man. All the money I had left went to Xiao Suo'er's medical treatment. I finally managed to get her treated yesterday, but I couldn't let A Qing and Xiao Suo'er go into that wolf's den again. But that man chased after me to my house and demanded ten taels of silver. Otherwise, he wouldn't let A Qing go.”

Mu Jin and Zhou Lin exchanged a glance. Little did they know that at this moment, Zhou Ming still harbored some affection for Mu Qing.

“I begged my parents, and they… not to mention my old cronies. Now only my older brother can help me. I can write an IOU and I will definitely pay it back within five years.”

Mu Jin felt a few ripples in her heart. Mu Qing was a person who loved to take advantage of small things and had high aspirations, but he shouldn't have fallen to such a state.

"Second brother, get up first. Have you talked to the elders about this? Now that Qing'er and that man have divorced, what are you going to do?"

Zhou Ming was also anxious and didn't think so much. After hearing this, he lowered his head and thought for a moment, "Brother, if A Qing is still willing to follow me, I am willing to take care of him and Xiao Suo'er for the rest of my life. Now I just want to work honestly, take good care of the crops in the fields, and live a peaceful life with A Qing, just like you, brother."

Mu Jin sighed, "Second brother, you've outsmarted yourself. Qing Ge'er was beaten, and Xiao Suo'er almost lost his life. The ones who can seek justice for them are not you, but their father and stepfather."

Zhou Ming suddenly realized that if anyone in their Mu Family Village was to ask which surname was the most dangerous to deal with, it would definitely be the Mu family.

"Thank you, brother. I know what to do now."

After saying that, he stood up, nodded apologetically to Zhou Lin, and then hurriedly went to Mu Qing's parents' house.

The news of Mu Qing's divorce and remarriage to Zhou Ming caused quite a stir in the village.

Mu Qing wanted to show his family that he and Zhou Ming had done the right thing by divorcing, and that the man he had hastily married was also the right choice.

Even when she was beaten, she never uttered a word to her family, gritting her teeth and reporting only good news to them, never bad.

But it almost harmed Xiao Suo'er.

She couldn't help but feel incredibly regretful; after all the twists and turns, she still ended up with Zhou Ming.

Ever since Zhou Ming lost his job in town and her husband ran away, Zhou Wu felt extremely ashamed in the village.

The anxiety she felt a few days ago finally came true when Zhou Ming placed the baby boy born to that boy into her arms.

She was deeply disappointed in Zhou Ming. If it weren't for a lingering motherly affection for her second son, she wouldn't want to take care of the little boy in her arms for even a day.

For the first time ever, he didn't interfere with or stop Zhou Ming and Mu Qing from getting back together.

With the help of her family, Mu Qing successfully divorced the man and moved back to Zhou Ming's place two or three days later.

Zhou Wushi quickly threw Zhou Ming's second son, who had just been born, over to her.

After this experience, Mu Qing's personality changed a lot compared to before.

She managed the household steadily and treated Xiao Shitou like her own brother.

Zhou Ming usually works in the fields, and when he has free time, he goes to town to find odd jobs.

Everyone in the village who saw it would be astonished.

"After all that fuss, I still don't know what Ming and Qing are up to."

"Both of them have changed a lot. Ming has become much more composed. Although he still makes some witty remarks when we meet, you can feel that he is no longer as arrogant and disdainful of us farmers as before. He no longer cheats or shirks his duties. The first few times my husband met him working in the fields, he even praised him."

"A prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold. For us farmers, it's best to be down-to-earth."

"Tsk tsk, that young Ming is actually willing to marry a boy who has already married someone else."

"What are you saying? Didn't he also marry someone else?"

"They still have feelings for each other."

"Now that you mention it, it's no wonder Qing'er's husband beat her. She's already married, yet she's still thinking about other men. Who can tolerate that?"

"This guy is nothing like a real man, he's filthy..."

"You should watch your words and do something good for your little buddy."

The villagers were talking about it, but Mu Qing seemed not to hear it. He heard Zhou Ming say that he was able to escape his misery thanks to Mu Jin's advice.

There wasn't much to give away. The guy in front of Zhou Ming wasn't the type to live a frugal life; the chicks at home were ones he'd asked Zhou Ming to buy from town yesterday.

After thinking for a while, I went to Mu Lingyun's place, bought two catties of meat, carried Xiao Suo'er in front and Xiao Shitou on my back, and went to Mu Jin's house with the meat.

"Why are you being so polite, second brother? Your elder brother and I haven't done anything."

Mu Jin felt something was strange. He didn't get along well with Zhou Lin and the second son's family. This Mu Qing followed Zhou Wu Shi, which caused Zhou Si and the hunter to separate from Uncle Mu.

But perhaps it was his own fault for being so foolish, but he always felt that Mu Qing looked more comfortable sitting in the second brother's seat.

Looking at the fair and tender little peach in the cradle, Mu Qing felt only envy.

After experiencing these things, he learned that jealousy is useless, and that living his life steadily and practically is the right thing to do.

“Brother, I know I made a lot of mistakes in the past. I’m grateful that you’re still helping me. This meat didn’t cost much money. If you accept it, I’ll feel at ease.”

After Mu Qing finished speaking, knowing that she wasn't very popular there, she wisely didn't linger, put the meat down, and went back.

Bai Qiqiu was surprised, "Big brother, is this still your second brother who's always greedy for cheap things and has a sharp tongue?"

Wen Zhaoran sighed, "They say it's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature. But looking at him like this, it's not that he can't change."

Mu Jin glanced at Mu Qing's departing figure and thought, "Living life like this is quite nice."

A slight smile played on his lips. "How many bolts of cloth are still undyed in the dye shop?"

Wen Zhaoran thought for a moment and said, "There are still five left, including the ones that Brother Nianjun gave us."

Mu Jin turned around and said, "Let's go, it's time to get busy."

…………

Sunrise and sunset, spring and autumn, five years have passed in the blink of an eye.

"Zhou Yaoyao! I just made you a new dress, and you've ruined it like this?! Wait till I never make you new clothes again!"

Five-year-old Zhou Yaoyao looked completely innocent. She had a pair of phoenix eyes like Mu Jin, with upturned corners, big and bright, making her look very beautiful and charming.

With her rosy lips pouting, she said, "Daddy, it's all Brother Weiji's fault. If he hadn't pulled me, I would have lost my balance and my clothes wouldn't have been torn by the tree branch."

Mu Jin rubbed his forehead; the passing years hadn't left any marks on his face, but his demeanor had become more mature.

Looking at the mischievous little boy in front of him, he felt a pang of nostalgia for the little Peach who was one or two years old, toddling around, babbling, and adorable.

"You're blaming others now? Your brother Weiji was just worried you'd fall. You, go back to your room and reflect on your actions! If you continue to act like a spoiled boy, I'll make sure you can't leave the house."

Zhou Yaoyao snorted, but ultimately didn't dare to go against Mu Jin, and reluctantly went upstairs.

Even at a young age, he knew that in his family, his stepfather was the only one who had the final say. His soft-hearted, burly father, no matter how much he loved him, would never dare to say a word for him in front of his stepfather.

"Little Daddy~"

Mu Jin snapped out of her daze and asked her youngest son, who was in his walker, "Little Mu Gua, what's wrong?"

Little Papaya, whose real name is Zhou Zhuohua, is a little boy who is a little over one year old. His eyes are just like his older brother's, and he looks like Mu Jin.

But she was incredibly obedient and gentle, and right now she was holding a milk cake in her hand, grinning at Mu Jin.

Mu Jin patted his little head. This child, when he was one or two years old, was so cute and easy to take care of.

"Father?"

Mu Jin smiled and said, "Father is in the pepper garden. Come on, let me take you to find him."

Zhou Yaoyao, who witnessed all of this from the second-floor window, hummed and shouted, "Daddy, I want to go too!"

Mu Jin looked up and said, "You're not allowed to leave the house today! Stay home and reflect on your actions!"

"Oh dear, big brother, why are you so angry? Did Little Peach upset you again?!"

Bai Qiqiu was holding a little boy who looked about the size of a small papaya. He had big, round cat eyes and was very cute. His nickname was Little Watermelon and his real name was Mu Youyou.

He was also holding the hand of a four-year-old boy who looked exactly like his father, Mu Zhaoye. The boy had handsome eyes and sharp eyebrows, and despite his young age, he was serious and composed.

Nickname: Little Pumpkin; Full Name: Mu Zining.

"And you're right, the clothes I just made for him, he just put them on today, and they've already torn a big hole in them. It's so infuriating."

Bai Qiqiu laughed and said, "It's just that the clothes are damaged. We can just buy new ones. Why get so angry?"

Zhou Yaoyao's voice came from the second-floor window, "Uncle Qiu, Taozi misses you."

Bai Qiqiu's heart softened upon hearing the sweet, childlike voice.

Mu Jin said helplessly, "It's because of you that you spoil him, giving him whatever he wants. He doesn't know how to cherish things. You should discipline him."

Bai Qiqiu put down the little watermelon in his arms. "Kids are like that, they love to play. Zining, take your little brother upstairs to find Little Peach to play with."

Mu Zining nodded slightly and led Mu Youyou upstairs.

"It's fortunate that Zhaoran went to the prefectural city with Muzhou. Otherwise, with Alin as well, I don't know how spoiled Xiaotaozi would have become."