"What is it, Shuangshuang, stop keeping me in suspense, just tell me quickly." Mu Dalang urged.

"It’s actually not some brilliant idea. Uncle loves his reputation. Whatever you say to him, don’t say it in private; the more people present, the better!" Mu Shuangshuang replied.

Mu Dade is the type of person who likes to put on airs in front of others.

He always appears to be considerate towards others to earn a good reputation.

For people like him, you must thicken your skin and use special tactics.

Mu Dalang pondered over what Mu Shuangshuang said seriously, and after a while, he grinned widely at Mu Shuangshuang, "Then I’ll give it a try. I wonder if there are people at Old Mu Family’s house now."

Mu Shuangshuang said, "Just go see for yourself!"

A hundred and fifty coins, for a regular part-time worker, is about ten days’ wages.

Mu Dalang works so hard every day, and it’s uncertain how much he can earn. There’s no need to let Mu Dade take advantage of him. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Mu Dalang plucked up his courage once more and went to Old Mu Family’s house.

It happened that some villagers were visiting under the guise of checking on the sick Mr. Mu, while trying to build a relationship with Mu Dade. A large group of them were in the main room saying flattering words to Mu Dade.

Outside in the courtyard, Mu Dade’s laughter could be heard.

Mu Dalang remembered what Mu Shuangshuang told him: if you want to get the money, you need to thicken your skin.

Adjusting his mood, Mu Dalang strode confidently into the main room.

As soon as Mu Dade saw Mu Dalang, his expression turned somewhat unpleasant, but since there were so many people present, he still greeted Mu Dalang with a smile.

"Dalang nephew, why are you here? Sit down, sit down!"

Seeing Mu Dade’s warm attitude towards Mu Dalang, the villagers looked at Mu Dalang with eyes full of envy.

Similarly, their gazes towards Mu Dade were full of admiration.

Mu Dade loved it when people looked at him with such worshipful eyes, and at this moment, he straightened his back, accepting the villagers’ appreciative looks as a matter of course.

However, Mu Dalang did not sit down.

"Uncle, I’ve come today because I have something to discuss with you. Once I’ve said my piece, I’ll be leaving." Mu Dalang deliberately acted as if it was his first time visiting Old Mu Family, the first time meeting Mu Dade.

This gave Mu Dade an ominous feeling.

On the surface, he still smiled and said to Mu Dalang, "Dalang, whatever issue you have, just say it. You’re my nephew, part of the Old Mu Family.

Whatever it is, as long as Mu Dade can handle it, I’ll surely help solve it!"

Mu Dalang also appeared grateful, saying to Mu Dade, "Uncle, with your words, I’m relieved. It’s actually not such a big issue.

Just that the day Uncle returned, Grandpa mentioned he didn’t have cash on hand, so he temporarily took ten pounds of meat from me.

Uncle knows, I’ve now separated from the family, life’s tough, relying on slaughtering pigs and selling pork to scrape together daily meals. You see..."

Mu Dade’s face instantly changed.

That morning Mu Dalang asked him to pay for the pork, and he didn’t want to, so he made excuses.

He never expected Mu Dalang to embarrass him in front of so many people.

For a moment, Mu Dade did not know how to brush the matter aside.

"Oh, it’s about this matter. Dalang, you should have mentioned it earlier.

Now your grandpa’s sick, your uncle has to take care of him and worry about family matters. Naturally, some things might get overlooked.

But rest assured, the money will surely be covered by the first branch."

Mrs. Jin stepped in to smooth things over for Mu Dade; at first glance, her words were all in praise of Mu Dade.

But subtly, there was also a hint of blaming Mu Dalang for not being understanding.

The villagers’ gazes towards Mu Dalang instantly changed.

Mu Dalang wasn’t flustered. He smiled and continued, "Yes, that’s exactly what Grandpa told me initially—to come find Uncle after three days.

I’ve always thought Uncle just returned, surely has a lot on his plate, so I changed the date on my own. If it weren’t because of real hardship at home, I definitely wouldn’t have come seeking Uncle."

Mu Dalang’s words cleverly brushed off his lack of understanding.

Instead, Mrs. Jin didn’t gain any advantage.

Because in everyone’s eyes, Mu Dalang did give them some buffer time, and only came to Mu Dade when in real difficulty, which isn’t considered tactless.

With things at this point, Mu Dade took a breath, "Dalang, wait a moment, I’ll go get the money for you now!"

Mu Dade thought, right now, giving Mu Dalang the money in front of the entire village could even earn him a good reputation.

To avoid Mu Dalang saying unpleasant words again later.

Mu Dalang, upon hearing this, felt instantly excited.

But remembering what Shuangshuang said to him before he left, he intentionally acted as if he was in a dilemma.

"How can I feel good about this, Uncle? Dalang is troubling you, hoping you won’t take it to heart."

Mu Dade waved his hand, forcing a smile, "It’s no bother, it’s no bother!"

Mu Dade ultimately didn’t go to his own room to retrieve the money, as Mrs. Jin had brought the funds with her.

A hundred and fifty coins were handed to Mu Dalang in front of everyone.

Having received the money, Mu Dalang exchanged a few polite words with Mu Dade and headed straight for the third branch.

Mu Shuangshuang was in the kitchen room, making preserved eggs, and when Mu Dalang entered, the floor of the third branch’s kitchen room was covered with preserved eggs wrapped with ash.

Mu Shuangshuang’s hands were dirty, and she didn’t bother to clean them, saying directly, "Dalang, find yourself a place to sit. My hands are too dirty, so I won’t be entertaining you."

Mu Dalang chuckled, holding up the money he brought back, saying to Mu Shuangshuang, "Shuangshuang, thank you! I’ve got the money!"

Mu Shuangshuang was pleased as well, saying, "No worries, we’re family, no need for thanks! It’s good you got the money back.

Next time when doing business yourself, be more cautious, and ideally don’t sell on credit unless it’s a special situation."

Mu Dalang mostly does small-scale transactions, sometimes folks buy one or two ounces of meat.

With matters of a couple of coins, if you don’t ask for them, you lose out.

If you do ask, people say you’re stingy.

In short, before doing anything, you have to weigh it carefully!

Listening to his cousin Mu Shuangshuang’s advice on business, Mu Dalang was genuinely delighted.

When it comes to business, he definitely should learn from Shuangshuang!

"Shuangshuang, when you have time, can I learn about doing business from you?" Mu Dalang asked.

Mu Shuangshuang smiled, "Of course!"

"By the way, Shuangshuang, what are you making?" Mu Dalang asked, pointing to the preserved eggs on the floor.

"A dish for the restaurant, just wait a moment, I’ll get you some!"

Mu Shuangshuang said and then stood up, picking up a few already finished preserved eggs from beside the water jar, and placing them in a bamboo basket.

She also gave Mu Dalang some of the wild vegetables and mushrooms collected in the morning.