Chapter Sixty-Seven
As evening fell, the rain stopped and the sky cleared, revealing a rainbow bridge in the mountains and forests, which birds flew across.
The sweltering heat of the past few days has been swept away by this heavy rain, and the Mujia Village is cool and pleasant in the evening.
The village road was soaked by the rain, and if you weren't careful, your feet would sink into the mud.
Of all the bad things that happen during the summer, this is the only place.
Zhou Lin helped the wooden beam back, and the road was covered in mud.
When I was rushing to catch the train, my trouser legs were covered in mud.
Back home, Zhou Lin took a quick bath in the river and changed into straw sandals.
Zhou Lin washed his mud-covered cloth shoes clean by the river and carried them home.
The scenery of Mujia Village after the rain was delightful. Zhou Lin sat comfortably on a chair in the courtyard, gazing at the sunset and birds in the sky, feeling relaxed and at ease.
The dining table was also moved into the yard, and the risen dough felt warm to the touch.
Sprinkle flour on the cutting board, then pour the dough from the wooden basin onto it. It has a honeycomb-like texture and stretchy strands.
The dough looks like it's risen perfectly.
Bai Qiqiu chopped the meat and prepared two small bowls of filling for the buns: one small bowl of mutton and vermicelli filling, and the other small bowl of pork and locust flower filling.
Dried locust flowers, when cut open and the water squeezed out, absorb the flavor of the meat broth even better.
Zhou Lin helped roll out the dumpling wrappers with a rolling pin, while Mu Jin and Bai Qiqiu wrapped them together.
Only Zhaoran was known to be neither able to roll out dough nor wrap it.
He was very eager to learn, and after following along, he made one. Not only was the filling small, but the pleats on the bun were messy, the opening wasn't sealed properly, and the top was still open.
Mu Jin couldn't stand it anymore, so she sent him to the kitchen to light a fire and boil water.
Bai Qiqiu glanced at the crooked and misshapen buns on the cutting board and couldn't help but laugh.
"Zhao Ran must have been a pampered rich young master who never lifted a finger before, destined to enjoy a life of luxury."
Finally, I couldn't help but sigh.
Mu Jin remained noncommittal, saying that farmers who spent their days working in the fields and dealing with poultry and livestock manure did hard and dirty work.
Although Wen Zhaoran was not good at these things, her past life had been filled with hardship and displacement, and she had even entered a brothel, so it was not a good life at all.
To be honest, he learned quite a lot during the time he was picked up from the foot of the mountain.
"Everyone has their own expertise; we probably can't learn what he knows."
Bai Qiqiu smiled. In his heart, a boy like Wen Zhaoran was born to enjoy a life of luxury.
Wen Zhaoran boiled the water, then left the stuffy kitchen and breathed a sigh of relief.
After watching for a while, Mu Jin and Bai Qiqiu's four fingers flew across the paper, and one by one, round and plump yellow buns took shape.
After praising it, he found a job that he could do now.
"Big brother, I'm going to the vegetable garden to pick cucumbers."
He picked up the bamboo basket not far away and said to Mu Jin.
Mu Jin nodded and instructed, "If any tomatoes are red, pick them too, but be careful not to get your clothes dirty."
Wen Zhaoran was wearing a light blue dress today. When picking tomatoes, the leaves and stems are the easiest way to stain clothes green.
It rained today, so if we don't pick the ripe tomatoes soon, they'll easily crack and spoil.
The water in the kitchen boiled. Mu Jin patted the flour off her hands, picked up the wrapped buns and put them into the steamer, then covered the pot with the steamer.
He added a thick, durable piece of firewood to the stove and then quickly left the kitchen.
How's the work in town today?
Mujin wiped the last dumpling wrapper around the wooden basin, then used a spoon to scoop the remaining filling into the wrapper and wrapped the last dumpling.
Zhou Lin smiled and said, "Everything is fine. It rained today, so we cooked indoors. It wasn't as stuffy and uncomfortable as the previous two days."
Mu Jin nodded gently, "That's good."
After rolling out the dough, the two small bowls of filling for the buns were completely used up.
For Mu Jin, knowing exactly how much filling to use and how much flour to use is truly a matter of perfect control.
He glanced at Zhou Lin with a smug look on his face, as if to say, "How about that? You didn't waste a single bit, did you?"
Zhou Lin chuckled. After being married for more than half a year, he could now understand Mu Jin's little expressions.
He added, "This dough is perfectly kneaded, not too soft, not too hard, and the amount is just right."
Bai Qiqiu, who was standing to the side, burst out laughing. Unable to bear looking at the two of them, he went to wash his hands.
Mu Jin and Zhou Lin both blushed slightly, and the aroma of meat buns wafted from the kitchen.
Dinner was ready, and only half a red sun remained in the western sky.
A dish of pickled cucumbers, a dish of pickled green beans, and a plate of cold cucumber salad.
Each person gets a bowl of millet porridge and a large bowl of soft and delicious meat buns.
Bai Qiqiu picked one up, took a bite while it was still hot, and exclaimed in surprise, "I immediately tasted mutton and vermicelli filling!"
There are very few mutton-filled buns to begin with, so they are really lucky.
Wen Zhaoran smiled and said, "Which one tastes better, the mutton buns that my brother-in-law brought back from the Zhao residence yesterday?"
Yesterday, the Zhao family served mutton buns for lunch. Zhou Lin kept two for his home, and the group shared them. Wen Zhaoran is still reminiscing about the taste today.
"Each has its own merits; although the flavors are different, they are both quite delicious."
Mu Jin chuckled. How could her homemade steamed buns compare to those made by the head chef at the Zhao family mansion?
It smells really good, though.
Wen Zhaoran ate to his heart's content and sighed with a smile, "Brother, I think I can eat green beans for another half month."
Everyone laughed. After this meat meal, they would indeed need to eat vegetarian meals for a few days.
It's fortunate that the family has income; otherwise, unless it's a festival or a harvest, it would be really hard to have meat to eat.
After a satisfying meal of millet porridge and steamed buns, Mu Jin rested for a while, rubbing her slightly full stomach.
The remaining ten or so buns were put into the cupboard, the pots and pans were washed clean, and the group of people, holding torches, caught cicadas in the yard while digesting their food.
The next day, after cutting pig feed, and spending another morning sorting the ramie, all that was left was to twist the ramie and weave fishing nets.
With victory in sight, Bai Qiqiu was full of energy and stayed indoors all afternoon with Wen Zhaoran.
Previously, Mu Jin had repeatedly warned Wen Zhaoran not to go out alone.
As a result, Bai Qiqiu now drags him along with everything they do.
After tending to her vegetable garden, Mu Jin went to the mountains to look for mushrooms.
After a busy day, Mu Jin took out the last bit of Bi Luo that she hadn't finished eating and shared it with Wen Zhaoran and Bai Qiqiu before dinner.
In the evening, Zhou Lin had just arrived home when his cousin from his uncle's family came looking for him.
In the Zhou family, Zhou Ming is making a fuss about dividing the family property.
Many relatives came to the main room. Zhou Wushi was clutching her chest, looking extremely angry.
Zhou Laosan was even more upset, his chest heaving. He admitted that even if he was biased, he hadn't wronged Zhou Ming.
I never imagined that I would raise such an unfilial brat.
"If my elder brother can divide the family property, why can't I? Either we all get a share, or we don't get a share at all."
When Mu Jin and Zhou Lin arrived, they heard Zhou Ming say these words from inside the house.
Mu Jin's heart sank. She glanced at Zhou Lin and pulled him aside before entering the house.
"Now that the family has separated, I have no intention of getting them back together. If you can't resist your parents' pleas and agree..."
Although Mu Jin didn't say the rest aloud, Zhou Lin understood.
If the family had just separated, Zhou Lin might have wavered.
Having experienced the joys of family life, with plenty of food and clothing every day and a husband in his arms, Zhou Lin now clearly understands what is more important.
Seeing Zhou Lin nod, Mu Jin felt a little relieved and they went into the main room together.
Upon seeing Zhou Lin and Mu Jin arrive, Zhou Wu's mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts, and the scheming in her eyes was almost impossible to conceal.
Now Zhou Lin works as a carpenter in town and earns money.
If we can get them to come back together, then the money Zhou Lin earned will still be his.
After exchanging a glance with Zhou Laosan, the couple made their decision with just a look.
Zhou Laosan spoke up, "This family definitely cannot be divided. Sigh, to be honest, ever since I separated the eldest brother, I have regretted it so much. Now there is a good opportunity. Eldest brother, you and Jin'er should come back."
Mu Jin inwardly scoffed. This affected manner, filled with expectation mixed with regret and annoyance, was truly disgusting.
Zhou Lin couldn't see through the pretense and was somewhat moved, but he also knew that if he returned, Mu Jin would definitely leave him.
Even if Mu Jin comes back with him, her life will definitely not be as comfortable and carefree as it was at home.
He couldn't bear to see Mu Jin unhappy, and this slight emotion was not enough to make him nod his head.
Zhou Lin shook his head. "Father, now that we've separated the family, there's no reason for us to get back together."
Zhou Laosan was taken aback upon hearing this. This was the first time in over twenty years that Zhou Lin had refused him.
He couldn't help but look up and take a closer look at his eldest son, whom he had never really paid attention to since Zhou Ming was born, except when Zhou Lin was a toddler.
He's gotten stronger and seems to have grown taller. He's wearing a cotton summer shirt without a single patch, and because he's gained weight, his face has become fuller, making him look much more handsome.
His features were clear and bright, and his eyes were fixed on Mu Jin standing beside him.
"If I say we'll get together, then we can get together."
Although she had lost hope that Zhou Lin would return home, she still said a few more words.
Zhou Lin shook his head again, a hint of persistence in his eyes.
“Father, even if A-Jin and I separate from the family, we can still live a good life. You and Mother, along with Second Brother and Fourth Brother, should live a good life. Don’t worry about us.”
Zhou Laosan was speechless. Anyone with eyes could see that Zhou Lin was doing much better after separating from the family than when he was at home.
Otherwise, Zhou Ming wouldn't have been clamoring to separate the business.
Grandfather Zhou spoke up at the right moment, "Let the young couple make their own way in life. Today, the main topic is Zhou Ming's division of the family property. Third son, what are your thoughts?"
Mu Jin secretly expressed her gratitude to Zhou's grandfather and decided that she should visit Zhou's grandparents more often in the future.
Since Zhou's grandfather had spoken, Zhou Lin and Mu Jin no longer needed to return to the Zhou family.
Seeing that Zhou Ming was determined to separate the family and that things had gotten so bad that they couldn't live together anymore, Zhou Laosan realized that Zhou Ming was making a scene.
He said fiercely, "Hmph, since you want to divide the family property like your elder brother, then divide it. However, you will divide it the same way your elder brother did."
Zhou Ming was stunned. Was he being told he would leave with nothing?!
Zhou Wu felt a pang of pity. Although her second son, Zhou Ming, was not as good as Zhou Qiang, she still had some affection for him.
But Zhou Ming's actions today really hurt her feelings, and he needs to be taught a lesson.
Therefore, Zhou Wu remained silent.
"Father, are you talking nonsense?"
Zhou Ming could not believe it.
Mu Qing couldn't sit still any longer. "Father, even if you don't care about your son, you should at least care about your grandson. I'm carrying the eldest grandson of the Zhou family. Are you going to let your unborn grandson starve along with me and A-Ming?"
As he spoke, he leaned forward, showing off his large belly.
Looking at the unborn grandson in Mu Qing's belly, Zhou Wushi gave in.
“Husband, after deducting the land we'll use for our retirement, there's still some left for our youngest son, so let him have a share.”
Upon hearing this, Mu Jin's lips curled into a mocking smile. In Zhou Wu's eyes, Zhou Lin was truly no son at all.
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