Chapter 61: Expecting Repayment
Editor: Atlas Studios
Mu Yangling hesitated for a moment. “Great-aunt, if you give me so much, your family won’t have any cellar vegetables in winter.”
Eldest Great-aunt said with a smile, “My vegetable garden is big and there’s plenty. You don’t have to worry.” Then, she said, “In the past, because we couldn’t afford meat, we could only grow more vegetables. Even if we were hungry, we could eat these to fill our stomachs. Now that you’ve brought us so much meat, I don’t have to worry about this anymore.”
Ma Xiuhong tugged at Mu Yangling’s clothes and whispered, “Cousin, just accept it. Otherwise, my grandma will personally send it over. My grandma said that your family doesn’t have much vegetables.”
There were indeed not many vegetables in the Mu residence. After all, Shu Wanniang did not know how to farm. The small vegetable garden they had was only enough for day-to-day consumption. During winter, Mu Shi could only go to town to buy vegetables and store them.
As for Mu Shi, he only knew how to plow the land. Even though Liu Daqian had taught him many times, the vegetables he planted were still half-dead. Meanwhile, Shu Wanniang was only slightly better than him.
Therefore, although the Mu family had spare money, they had never bought farmland like other families because they had no idea how to farm.
Mu Yangling did not decline and accepted it.
Only then did a smile appear on Madam Ma-Liu’s face. She rolled up her sleeves and said, “Play with your cousins first. Great-aunt will make delicious food for you.” As she spoke, she entered the kitchen.
Mu Yangling pulled her two cousins to play at the door and asked, “Are you taking back your family’s farmland?”
Ma Xiulan was confused, but Ma Xiuhong nodded and said, “Grandma said that Great-uncle will come over in a few days to measure the land and return the title deed after confirming it’s accurate.”
Not as ignorant as her younger sister, Ma Xiuhong looked at Mu Yangling gratefully. As the eldest daughter, because her parents had passed away early and her grandmother liked to nag at her about everything, she was aware of many things.
She knew how her eldest great-uncle’s family and the villagers had bullied the three of them. She knew that her grandmother resented her great-uncle and the others for not being able to stand up for her. She also knew that their family’s life only slowly improved after running into Uncle Mu in town.
Her cousin had brought her great-uncle and uncles to stand up for them and let the villagers know that they were not without support.
Now, she had even stepped forward to ask the Liu family to help them take back the farmland that had been robbed from them. Ma Xiuhong was only slightly grateful to Liu Daqian and the others, but she was extremely grateful to Mu Yangling, so much so she wished she could repay her by being her slave in her next life.
However, Ma Xiuhong only kept these emotions in her heart and did not show them. She knew that if her cousin found out, she would probably be embarrassed and come less often in the future.
Ma Xiuhong was fond of Mu Yangling.
Mu Yangling came with a full load, but she also returned with a full load.
Seeing that she had brought back so many vegetables, Shu Wanniang couldn’t help but smile. “Looks like your father doesn’t have to go to town to buy vegetables this year.”
Mu Yangling wiped her sweat and nodded. As she brought the things into the cellar, she said, “That’s right. Moreover, the vegetables grown by Great-aunt are even nicer than the ones sold in town.”
Mu Yangling placed the vegetables in the cellar and laid them out. Then, she climbed out and moved the stone slab over to cover it. Clapping, she said, “Alright, our family won’t have to worry about vegetables this year.”
Widow Liu saw Mu Yangling bringing back so many vegetables from West Mountain Village. At the thought that the Mu family had to buy vegetables from town every year, she went home and packed a large load of ripe cabbages to bring to the Mu residence. “Sister-in-law, I’ve brought you something.”
When Shu Wanniang came out and saw the basket of vegetables, she was a little shocked. She asked hesitatingly, “Rocky1 bought vegetables from you, Sister-in-law?”
Didn’t Mu Shi never buy anything from the villagers? Last time, he only bought grains from the villagers because they were having a really difficult time, and because the price of grains in town was expensive. Why was he buying vegetables from the villagers now?
Widow Liu held Shu Wanniang’s hand and said, “What are you talking about? It’s just a little something I grow at home, that I brought for you to try. Get Ah Ling to store them in the cellar, so that you can eat them in winter.”
“How can we do that?” Shu Wanniang quickly declined. “Your family only grows so many vegetables. How can we take yours? Besides, we shouldn’t accept rewards without doing anything…”
“Aiyo, I don’t understand what you’re saying. I just know that Ah Ling helped me. It’s only been a month and Goudan has gained a few catties. As long as you don’t mind that it’s too little.” As she said that, she threw down the vegetables and walked out. She waved her hand and said, “Remember to let Ah Ling carry it to the cellar.”
Widow Liu did not hide her actions from the villagers. When Liu Daqian saw this, he also asked his two daughters-in-law to bring two baskets of vegetables over. When the others saw this, they followed suit.
When Mu Yangling brought her mud-covered brother back from outside, there were a lot of vegetables piled up in the courtyard. Shu Wanniang was fretting over them.
Seeing Mu Yangling return, Shu Wanniang hurriedly waved her hand and said, “Ah Ling, come over quickly. Hurry up and send these back to the villagers. Otherwise, your father will be angry again when he comes back.”
“Why would he be angry?” Mu Yangling carried her younger brother and nimbly stepped over the vegetables in the courtyard. After successfully reaching her mother’s side, she said nonchalantly, “He might even be glad now that we don’t need to buy vegetables anymore.”
“What do you know, child?” Shu Wanniang knocked her head and said, “Although your father said that he doesn’t blame the villagers anymore, he still bears a grudge in his heart. Otherwise, his relationship with your great-uncle and the others wouldn’t be lukewarm all these years. Previously, when you brought them into the mountains, your father didn’t say anything and let you fool around. That’s because it was our family who gave the help. Now that they’ve sent these things over, it’s different.”
“I think it’s better for us to accept these. Otherwise, the villagers will think that we’re soft and easy to talk to. In the future, they’ll come to us for everything.” Although Mu Yangling wanted to improve the villagers’ standard of living, she didn’t want to spoil them.
A little help in one’s times of difficulty begets gratitude. But too much help and it results in dependency. Furthermore, once that help is stopped, it could result in resentment instead. Mu Yangling had heard too many such stories. Moreover, her father had also encountered such ingrates. Hence, she wasn’t planning on returning the vegetables.
Shu Wanniang rebuked, “I’ve only heard that one shouldn’t expect to be repaid for their kindness…”
“Mother, if one never receives repayment for their kindness, over time, who would be so free as to do good deeds? I’m kind-hearted and responsible, which is why I don’t expect repayment for my help to the villagers. However, there are very few people in this world who are as good as me. Therefore, in order for more people to do good deeds and help others, we should accept repayment for kindness. Even if it’s not much, it’s still a token of appreciation. When others see that kindness can benefit them, those who can help others will definitely be happy to do so.”
Shu Wanniang widened her eyes and looked at her daughter. She never knew that her daughter was such a thick-skinned person. For some reason, it felt a little familiar.
Shu Wanniang fell into deep thought. When Mu Shi returned from the county the next day, it finally occurred to Shu Wanniang. She punched her husband and said angrily, “I was wondering who Ah Ling reminded me of. So it’s you.”
Mu Shi was puzzled.
Shu Wanniang angrily recounted what Mu Yangling said yesterday and said, “This child is too thick-skinned. She speaks as if she’s the most kind-hearted person in the world.”
However, Mu Shi laughed out loud and said, “Your daughter is right. The Mu family has always been kind and responsible, and treat their family extremely better. Honey, am I not such a person?”
Blushing, Shu Wanniang reached out to twist the flesh on Mu Shi’s waist.
Mu Shi held his breath and did not dare to make a sound. He could only look at his wife pleadingly. Shu Wanniang snorted coldly before letting go.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Mu Shi said, “Ah Ling is right. We should accept the things. If there’s too much, we’ll just give them away. There are many people outside who can’t afford to eat. If we don’t accept them, it’ll be fine if it’s just once or twice. As time goes by, I’m afraid the villagers will think that it’s only right for our Mu family to help them. I’m only allowing it this year due to the overpopulation of rabbits in the mountains. Next spring, I won’t allow Ah Ling to bring them into the mountains again.”
Mu Shi had long passed the hot-blooded age of seeking benefits for everyone. Furthermore, his heart had hardened because of the betrayal back then.