Li Zhaodi and her husband had prepared a birthday gift for Mu Jingzhe, and even Mu Han had gotten her a gift.

  As they hadn’t moved elsewhere after splitting up the family assets, Old Madam Mu and the eldest branch of the Mu Family could hear the joyful laughter on Mu Jingzhe and her parents’ side. Mu Xue could also hear them and felt a little dazed upon hearing the commotion.

  In the past, it used to always be lively on her birthday. Early in the morning, she would get to eat noodles and eggs. Her grandmother would even prepare a gift for her and specifically kill a chicken to celebrate her birthday. She was the only blissful girl in the village who had a birthday celebration. No one cared about Mu Jingzhe’s birthday.

  This time, it was the other way around. Mu Jingzhe’s birthday was so lively that the entire village knew about it.

  Old Madam Mu grumbled, “Isn’t it just a birthday? What’s so great about it? It’s not even a special birthday[1]…” Old Madam Mu was sulky at the mention of birthday celebrations. This year, she was supposed to have a celebration for her special birthday, but Mu Xue’s marriage had failed to go through, and her eldest and third son seemed to have forgotten about it. It was useless no matter how much she hinted at it.

  Mu Jingzhe pulled Mu Teng and Li Zhaodi out. When she saw Old Madam Mu’s long face, she smiled even more happily.

  “Let’s go, Dad, Mom. You must eat well today and enjoy life.”

  The chickens raised at home were more or less ready to be killed. She could kill two of the chickens and get two fish. In combination with the vegetables she had bought previously, they could have a sumptuous meal.

  Mu Jingzhe had a good plan. She didn’t expect to find a pile of things at the door as soon as she got home. Ji Buwang and Shao Qihai were standing at the door, confronting each other. There were also two chickens with their legs tied up by their feet.

  Ji Buwang’s eyes lit up when he saw Mu Jingzhe. “Jingzhe, you’re finally back. I’m here, but Shao Qihai won’t let me in.”

  “These are…” Mu Jingzhe wanted to go over, but the chickens on the ground blocked her way.

  “I prepared them for you. You’re the birthday girl today, so you have to eat and drink well. You’re not supposed to cook, so I bought some things and came over early to prepare for your birthday party. These are the ingredients I bought.

  “Because my culinary skills aren’t that good, I originally wanted to bring the chefs here and have them prepare a birthday banquet for you. This way, everyone in the village can come to celebrate your birthday. However, I’m afraid of bloodshed, so I can only regretfully give up.”

  As he said the last sentence, Ji Buwang glanced meaningfully at the livid Shao Qihai and whispered to Mu Jingzhe, “If looks could kill, I would’ve been hacked into pieces.”

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  Mu Jingzhe was very helpless. If it were anyone else, they would probably have been angry too. “Why did you think of buying so many things?”

  Shao Qihai snorted upon hearing Mu Jingzhe’s words. “That’s right. As if we can’t afford it.”

  “If you can afford it, you can very well buy them yourself. Where are the things you bought? If you take them out, I’ll immediately take mine back,” Ji Buwang immediately replied.

  Shao Qihai froze. His expression was uglier than ever, and his face turned green. “You…”

  Shao Qihai was furious at Ji Buwang’s arrogance and the fact that he wanted a yard after taking an inch. Also, he was angry at himself for doing nothing and giving Ji Buwang such an opportunity.

  If he had realized it earlier and made preparations, he could have kicked him out. Alas, he hadn’t prepared and had nothing to take out.

  “See, I knew this would happen. That’s why I bought all these things. I just wanted Jingzhe to have a nice birthday.”

  If Mu Jingzhe had been willing to go out to celebrate her birthday, there would have been a bigger variety and there would have been no need to go to so much trouble. However, celebrating in the village was fine too, for it made Li Zhaodi happy as well.

  Ji Buwang looked at Li Zhaodi and greeted her affectionately. “Auntie, today is your day of suffering. You should rest, eat, and drink well. You gave birth to such a good girl like Jingzhe. You did a great deed, so all the more reason to reward yourself.”

  Li Zhaodi could tell that Ji Buwang’s words were heartfelt. These words really touched the bottom of her heart. This was the first time someone had said this to her.

  “Why are you so sweet? Get in quickly. Your hands must be sore.”

  Li Zhaodi’s heart ached as she took the things in Ji Buwang’s hands and made the decision to accept them. She had to accept them, if only for what he’d said.

  Mu Jingzhe didn’t stop her. Ji Buwang must have bought these things earlier and rushed over early in the morning. She couldn’t let him down, so she accepted the groceries quickly.

  This way, both the giver and the receiver would feel good. She could just reciprocate in the future.

  Sure enough, Ji Buwang beamed. Of course, it would be even better if he didn’t shoot Shao Qihai a provocative look before entering the house.

  Shao Qihai’s face turned green and red, then green again, as what Ji Buwang had said were actually his own thoughts. However, it was Ji Buwang who had done and said those things.

  He hadn’t done enough. He needed to reflect.

  “Mom, I’ll get them.” Shao Qihai reflected on himself as he took the things from Li Zhaodi’s hands. Hearing the word ‘Mom’ made Li Zhaodi’s hands tremble and also made Ji Buwang dart an unfriendly gaze in his direction.

  Why would Shao Qihai address her as ‘Mom’ directly when he was still addressing her as ‘Auntie’?

  However, Shao Qihai was very calm and didn’t even glance at Ji Buwang. He had changed the way he greeted Li Zhaodi when they’d gotten married. It was just that he hadn’t had much of a chance to call her that afterward.

  Shao Qihai pulled himself together and displayed the advantages of being the host as he attended to the guest, Ji Buwang.

  “Take a seat, Buwang. Anyone who comes here is a guest. Drink some water and rest for a while. As for the rest, just let me do my job as a host.” He assumed the identity of the male owner of the house.

  “I know best what I bought. Shao Qihai, you should sit and rest.” Ji Buwang ignored him. As soon as he finished speaking, bleats came from the door.

  Ji Buwang stood up to handle it. “The goat is here.”

  As he spoke, he didn’t forget to call out to Mu Jingzhe, “Jingzhe, come and take a look! Don’t you love eating mutton? I bought a goat from one of the villagers. The goats in the village are more fragrant.”

  Upon hearing that, the villagers who mainly herded and sold goats were very happy. They smiled and agreed. “That’s right. Our black mountain goats are the most delicious.”

  “Uncle, thank you. Remember to come and eat with us tonight.” Ji Buwang took the goat and told Mu Jingzhe, “Tonight, those who love mutton will eat mutton, while those who don’t will eat chicken and fish. I also bought fish.”

  Seeing that Mu Jingzhe was silent, Ji Buwang was vigilant. “You can’t say that you don’t eat mutton. Last time, you said that the mutton was delicious.”

  Mu Jingzhe had forgotten that she’d told Ji Buwang about it previously. She had probably just mentioned it casually, or he had heard her telling the children, but he had kept it in mind.

  Shaking her head, she said, “I wasn’t going to say that. Just kill it and let’s have a good meal. You’ve never tried mutton before either, have you? Let’s have a good meal tonight. I’ll go invite the villagers who know how to prepare mutton.”

  It was a pity that the five kids hadn’t gotten to eat some last time. This time, it would be just right.

  Upon hearing this, Ji Buwang smiled. Shao Qihai, who was watching from the sidelines, gritted his teeth. When he had seen that Ji Buwang had brought so many things, he had thought that he could perhaps go and buy a sheep, but he hadn’t expected Ji Buwang to be one step ahead.

  Shao Qihai could only go and find some cured beef. He asked many people in the village, and in the end, he was lucky enough to find some ham, which was considered good stuff.

  Shao Qihai heaved a sigh of relief and thought that there was finally something decent he could offer.

  [1] Every ten years from the age of 50, i.e. 50, 60, 70, 80, etc