Some things are better left unsaid!

Once someone points them out, especially with some twisted reasoning, those who’ve done wrong start treating it as the truth!

Before, if Mu Dazhong had even a sliver of guilt in his heart, it evaporated completely when Mu Danian said he didn’t know who dug the last spadeful.

He remembered clearly, it definitely wasn’t him, nor was it Lin Dajun. It was Wang Dali’s men!

Even though he was now living as an outlaw, it didn’t change the fact that they were the real culprits!

"So, what you’re saying is, it’s got nothing to do with you, and you’re not taking responsibility?" Mr. Mu nearly spat in anger.

"I am taking responsibility, but only for my part. Lin Dajun and that Wang Dali have to take responsibility too!"

"Fine! Fine! Fine!"

Mr. Mu said "fine" three times, his glare towards Mu Dazhong was icy cold.

"Second Brother, you still have responsibility for this! We may listen to you, but will the government?" Mu Dashan couldn’t bear to see his father so upset, so he let out a statement.

And with that statement, he became the target of hostility!

"Old Third, do you really want me dead? So that your third branch can set off firecrackers in celebration? Let me tell you, I, Mu Dazhong, am not so easy to kill!

No one can make me die, even if people from Mountain Village come, I’m not afraid!"

...

Mu Shuangshuang finished picking mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms, gave some to Fu Xiaonan’s family, and then tidied up at Lu Yuanfeng’s house.

On her way back, she encountered two strangers asking for directions.

Both looked like they were in their twenties, young, full of energy, yet polite.

"Little girl, do you know where Mu Dazhong’s house is?"

Upon hearing they were asking about Mu Dazhong, Mu Shuangshuang couldn’t help but feel cautious.

"I know, but why are you looking for him, gentlemen?"

The two young men quickly shook their heads, "It’s nothing, we just want to see him!"

When the two young men said they wanted to see Mu Dazhong, their expressions were somewhat unnatural.

They looked a bit guilty, and Mu Shuangshuang hesitated about whether or not to tell them.

Then she overheard one of the young men whispering, "Let’s not ask her, let’s ask someone older, lest he escapes!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Shuangshuang knew something had happened to Mu Dazhong.

Although she didn’t know what, she felt it was best not to get involved.

With her basket in hand, Mu Shuangshuang walked towards her home.

Meanwhile, the two young men asked a talkative woman in the village where the Old Mu Family was, and headed there.

As Mu Shuangshuang returned home, she saw a flustered Mu Dashan coming towards her.

"Shuangshuang, your second uncle got into trouble, he..."

Mu Dashan told Mu Shuangshuang everything he had heard.

Mu Shuangshuang was startled, but mostly she felt disdain for Mu Dazhong.

"Dad, why are you getting involved in this? It’s a life and death matter, do you really want to help my second uncle escape?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.

"No, it’s not that, I just felt sorry for your grandfather, worrying something might happen to him!" Mu Dashan explained.

"Dad, protection has its limits. Think about the family my second uncle harmed, how pitiful they are?

And think about it, a life for a life, a debt must be repaid! If my second uncle is wrong, he should face the consequences! No one can help him!"

Once Mu Shuangshuang finished speaking, Mu Dashan’s head hung so low it nearly touched his chest.

"By the way, two young men came to the village, asking where my second uncle lives. They should be here by now?" Mu Shuangshuang said.

Having said that, Mu Dashan turned and ran.

He probably went to report it!

Mu Shuangshuang felt that her words fell on deaf ears, making her a bit angry!

She told herself that, no matter what, she would not get involved!

She went to the kitchen and placed the newly picked wood ear mushrooms in a sieve to dry outside.

She then began preparing lunch, figuring her parents would be back by the time it was ready.

Just as the meal was finished, she heard footsteps in the yard.

She went out and found a sweaty Mu Dashan, "Shuangshuang, your second uncle... your second uncle ran away! But those two young men are still at your grandfather’s house!"

After he said this, Mu Dashan added, "I didn’t tell your grandfather about the two people, I just wanted to say goodbye to your second uncle if he was caught. It was your second uncle’s wife who found out first and helped him escape!"

Mu Dashan’s words somewhat eased Mu Shuangshuang’s heart.

If her father wasn’t meddling in this matter, she wouldn’t have to worry anymore!

"The food is ready, you eat first, I’ll go call my mom!" Mu Shuangshuang said.

Mu Dashan shook his head, "I’ll go with you. Today’s events scared me a bit. I want to spend more time with you guys from now on!"

Though Mu Dashan was a man, his emotions were no less than a woman’s.

Now he wished for nothing more than for his daughter, wife Yu Si Niang, and family to live happily together!

He no longer sought wealth and status!

On the way, Mu Shuangshuang stayed silent while Mu Dashan talked the whole way.

He mentioned how Mr. Mu scolded Old Mrs. Mu for her.

And that, like her, Mr. Mu wanted to hand things over to the government, to deal with it as they saw fit!

But Mu Shuangshuang knew better than to take these words to heart!

Old Mu was notorious for protecting his own!

Finally, they reached the school, and Mu Dashan went in to call for Yu Si Niang and Little Zhi, while Yuanbao and the others stayed at the school to eat.

Naturally, the topic came up again.

Thankfully, Yu Si Niang agreed with Mu Shuangshuang’s view, advising Mu Dashan not to get involved. It would only invite trouble, and in the end, it wouldn’t help and would cost him.

Yu Si Niang said, "I have a say in this, Shuangshuang did so much and yet didn’t get any good name! In short, you are not allowed to get involved!"

Yu Si Niang had become much more assertive than Mu Dashan.

Thanks to Mu Shuangshuang constantly advising her in her ear.

Yu Si Niang gradually accepted Mu Shuangshuang’s views!

Just as the family thought the matter had nothing to do with them, who would have guessed that Mu Dazhong showed up knocking that night.

He knocked on Mu Dashan’s door, and when Mu Dashan opened it, he saw a filthy Mu Dazhong.

"Old Third, give me something to eat, I’m starving!" Mu Dazhong immediately begged for food.

Mu Dashan was at a loss.

"You...didn’t you run away? Why come back?"

"I have no money! Those two people are still at the house. Old Third, give me some money to leave, will you?"