Chapter Twenty-Three
The Zhou family's old house was dilapidated, and the earthen stove in the kitchen had collapsed halfway because it hadn't been used for many years.
Mu Nianjun had Mu Sheng bring them lunch in the rain. The three of them were grateful for this kindness and finally filled their stomachs, which had been empty for most of the day.
Mu Lingyun gave them a wild rabbit and a pheasant, which were leftovers from the New Year's feast.
Even without a stove, grilling it has a unique flavor.
The rain was still falling; the sound of raindrops hitting the roof and the ground was so soothing that it made one drowsy.
With her mother-in-law gone, after lunch, Mu Jin pulled Zhou Lin back to her room for a nap.
The rain lasted all day, and the sky only cleared up early the next morning.
Yesterday's division of the Zhou family property caused quite a stir, and today, as soon as the weather cleared up, a group of women and men came to the Zhou family's old house.
“How can anyone live in this house? The Zhou family’s house should be renovated before you move in.”
Uncle Mu and his eldest son, Mu Yunqian, brought over a wooden table.
"Your Uncle Heng will bring the stools over to you later on a cart."
Mu Jin quickly thanked them, saying that there was nothing left in the house, not even a cup of tea.
Feeling a little embarrassed, he said, "Thank you very much, Uncle Mu. I will definitely come to thank you in person another day."
Uncle Mu waved his hand, "We're all from the same village, why be so polite?"
A woman looked on with pity and asked Mu Jin in a low voice, "Was it because of what happened yesterday that your mother kicked you out?"
Just as Mu Jin was thinking about how to "clarify" things for Zhou Wu, the topic came up.
He shook his head hurriedly, replying in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the woman and husband who had arrived to hear:
"No, what happened yesterday was indeed a misunderstanding with my mother. I washed the clothes and was hanging them out to dry when my mother accidentally brought them inside. Come to think of it, if my mother had really stolen them, she wouldn't have dared to take them out to wash so openly."
Everyone nodded, seemingly believing Mu Jin's words.
"As you all know, we're expecting a new generation soon. The land is only so big, and the house is simply not big enough. Even though my parents are reluctant, we have to divide the family property in advance. Si'er can't bear to part with her older brother, so she'll stay with us for a while."
"So that's how it is."
"It's good that you're not going too far. You two are both hardworking people, and good days are ahead."
How much land did your parents allocate to you?
Mu Jin's eyes darted around. "As my uncle and aunt know, it's not easy for a family to support a scholar. That's why my parents didn't divide the land among us. However, the money to support them will only be given after they turn fifty. A Lin and I can understand the difficulties our parents face."
As soon as he finished speaking, opinions were divided. Mu Jin didn't say anything more. He had promised Zhou Wu Shi that he had done what he was supposed to do, and the rest was none of his business.
The group didn't stay long before returning home, bringing back some things for Mu Jin and Zhou Lin, enough to last them four or five days.
Mu Bai and Mu Zhou also came, bringing them an old pot from their home.
"Brother, you moved yesterday, why didn't you tell us? If you had called us, we could have helped you move your things."
Mu Jin patted Mu Bai's little head and smiled, "There's not much stuff, we don't need you."
Mu Zhou stood in the courtyard, looked around, and frowned slightly.
“Brother, this is the pot we replaced last year. Uncle hasn’t had time to sell it yet. I heard from the aunt next door that you don’t even have a pot here, so I brought it over for you. Please don’t mind it.”
This pot was used by Mu Bai last year when she cooked, but she forgot the time and boiled it dry.
While cleaning, he used too much force and accidentally poked a hole, which made Zhou Ling scold Mu Jin for a long time, saying that he hadn't taken good care of his younger brother.
"How could I complain? This pot is a real lifesaver."
"Brother, let me help you clear the withered grass in the yard," Mu Zhou said, rolling up his sleeves.
Mu Jin put the pot on the ground and hurriedly said, "Your brother-in-law and I can finish this in no time. You're about to finish your exams, so go back and study."
Mu Bai nodded in agreement, "Second brother, you should go back. I'll be here to help eldest brother."
Unable to withstand the two men's persistent efforts, the wooden boat eventually went home.
The withered grass in the yard was as tall as a person's calf, which shows how lush it was in the summer.
"It's a good thing it's winter, when snakes hibernate. Otherwise, this tall grass would be quite frightening," Zhou Si said with a laugh as he pulled up some withered grass.
Pulling up all the withered grass in the yard was surprisingly tiring.
With nothing else to do, and now that she lived so close to Mu Jin, Mu Mian came here after breakfast with the brothers Mu Lingqiao and Mu Lingyun to see if there was anything they could help with.
Mu Nianjun's child is still young and needs constant care, so she had to send Mu Sheng over to take a look first.
Mu Jin glanced teasingly at Mu Lingyun, who had moved closer to Zhou Si, whose face was flushed, and shook her head with a smile.
"Jin'er, you've noticed too, haven't you?" Mu Mian whispered quietly in Mu Jin's ear.
Mu Jin nodded. "Your brother-in-law's eyes are so blatant, it's hard not to notice."
Mu Mian laughed, "This guy looks like a rough and tumble man, but he's acting all awkward around the girl he likes."
"It's best for us outsiders not to interfere and let things take their course."
Kapok nodded and helped gather the withered grass into a pile. "There will definitely be a lot of grass in your yard in spring, so you have to hoe it frequently."
There were quite a few people here today, and the yard was tidied up before noon. It looks much bigger and neater now.
Mu Jin bought fifty catties of brown rice at Mu Sheng's house for three copper coins a catty, and brought it over when Mu Sheng came.
Mu Mian went home to get some seasonings. The people who came to help today were kept at Mu Jin's house for lunch, which was considered a way to warm their homes.
Zhou Lin cut the pot in two and built two simple stoves. Although they were rudimentary, they were enough to cook.
Mu Bai didn't go back at noon either, staying here to help with the cooking. Zhou Ling didn't come over to call him either.
Mu Jin cleaned up the rabbit and pheasant, and used the dried chili peppers that Mu Mian brought to make two dishes: spicy rabbit and spicy chicken. The group gathered around the small dining table, eating and chatting, creating a lively atmosphere.
After the initial discomfort subsided, Zhou Lin chatted with Mu Sheng and the others, revealing a few smiles.
The bones were kept by Mu Mian and taken back to feed the family's hunting dogs. The group patted their bellies and said, "A-Lin and Jin-ge'er have spent a lot today."
Zhou Lin rubbed his stomach; this was the most filling meal he had eaten in the past twenty years.
Mu Jin smiled and said, "These past two days, we are very grateful for the help from Brother Mu Sheng and others. Otherwise, we would have slept in the Water Curtain Cave yesterday. Besides, these pheasants and rabbits were sent by Brother Ling Qiao and Brother Ling Yun. We are just borrowing their flowers to offer to Buddha."
“Our two families live close by, so it’s only right that we visit each other more often. Besides, A-Mian and Jin-ge’er are the best of friends. They’re just two pheasants and rabbits,” Mu Lingqiao said with a smile.
Mu Lingyun placed a piece of leftover rabbit leg on Zhou Si's plate and instructed, "This place is close to the foot of the mountain, so make sure to close the doors and windows tightly at night."
Zhou Si blushed, nodded, and didn't dare to look up at him.
The others at the table exchanged knowing glances and smiled knowingly.
Only Mu Bai, oblivious to what was going on, was happily gnawing on a chicken leg.
The group chatted for a while, but since they still had chores to do at home, they didn't stay long and went home before noon.
Mu Bai was very reluctant to leave. Now that Mu Jin had separated herself and didn't have to worry about Zhou Wu's feelings, she lingered and refused to go.
Mu Jin said helplessly, "There are only two beds in the house, and they are old and dilapidated. The bed legs will break if you are not careful, so there is no room for you to sleep."
Mu Bai pouted, "I'll sleep with Si Ge."
Mu Jin shook her head. "Once the house is all set up, you can come and stay for as many days as you like."
Mu Bai pursed his lips, stayed a little longer, and before sunset, Mu Jin had Zhou Si take him home.
As night fell, Mu Jin leaned against the bed. "These past two days, money has been spent like water. After buying the new bed and rice, I only have 152 coins left."
Zhou Lin was also worried, "After the fifteenth, I will go to town to find some odd jobs."
Remembering Uncle Mu's instructions, Mu Jin said, "Uncle Mu came today and told me that Uncle Heng is short of an apprentice and wants you to learn from him. If you can learn, even if we don't have any land, we can still make a living."
Zhou Lin hesitated for a moment, "But when spring comes, there will be so much work to do in the fields, where will I find the time to learn?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Jin sat up straight and said angrily, "Land? Where did you get land to keep you busy?!"
"At our parents' place..."
“It’s only right to help our parents with chores, but we’re so poor we can’t even afford to eat. Shouldn’t we take care of ourselves first? There are three mouths to feed. How much do you think our parents will give us from the harvest? Before we separated from the family, we only had rice gruel. After we separated, you won’t even get a single straw!”
Zhou Lin was speechless.
Mu Jin softened her voice, "It's not that I don't want you to help our parents, it's just that I'm willing but unable to. It's not too late to go after you've taken care of things at home."
Zhou Lin nodded. "Then I'll go to Uncle Heng's place tomorrow. You and Si'er should keep an eye on things at home."
"Don't worry about things at home. Learn well from Uncle Heng. From now on, I and our children will depend on you. We don't have any land at home, and if we don't have a skill to make a living, we really won't have any way to survive."
Zhou Lin nodded heavily, no longer thinking about the matter in Zhoujiatian.
Early the next morning, sunlight shone through the morning mist into the courtyard. After having breakfast, Zhou Lin went to Mu Heng's house.
When Mu Heng saw Zhou Lin arrive, he was overjoyed, but his face remained serious.
“Uncle Heng, since it’s time to formally become an apprentice, I should have brought some gifts, but the shops in town haven’t opened yet. I’ll make it up to you later.”
Mu Heng waved his hand, "Let's not talk about these empty words. I'll be satisfied if you can learn diligently and pass on my skills."
The Mu family is now the only one left in their lineage; otherwise, Mu Heng wouldn't have chosen an outsider to inherit his craft.
Zhou Lin nodded emphatically, knelt on the ground, and offered a cup of tea to his master with both hands.
Mu Heng took it, a slight smile playing on his lips, and drank it all in one gulp. Their master-disciple relationship was now officially established.
Zhou Lin learned the craft from Mu Heng, while Mu Jin was busy at home.
Together with Zhou Si, we cleared six plots of land for vegetables, turned over the soil, and are just waiting for the weather to warm up so we can plant some vegetables.
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