Chapter 25: The Honored Guest Treatment

Fang Yuan patted Lu Lao’er on the shoulder. “If my dad calls you over, just go. My mom’s said it before—sons-in-law are the most honored guests in our family. You get the best treatment, even higher status than my sisters-in-law.”

Lu Chuan grew even more nervous. His father-in-law’s smiling eyes looked a bit menacing.

Fang family’s fifth child muttered from the side, “The reason I can’t get a wife is because you keep talking nonsense like this.”

Fang Yuan shot back, “You want to bring home a wife just to bully your little sister? Listen here, Fang Lao Wu, if you dare marry that spiteful woman and bring her home, let’s see if I’ll let you get away with it.”

Wang Cui Xiang, their mother, felt a headache coming on. “You’re already married off, why are you meddling so much? I’m the mother and I haven’t even said anything. Alright, enough arguing.”

But when she turned to Lu Chuan, her attitude changed instantly, warmly inviting him to sit down.

The eldest and second sisters-in-law brought out dishes. “Mom, our little sister isn’t wrong. When we married in, we were told to treat our husband’s little sister well. If we can’t get along with her, that’s not acceptable.”

Fang Yuan just snorted, not even bothering to acknowledge the sentiment.

Neither the eldest nor the second sister-in-law dared show Fang Yuan any attitude.

Lu Chuan could see now what kind of status Fang Yuan had in her family.

Even if his mother-in-law scolded her a bit, the daughters-in-law definitely had to watch Fang Yuan’s mood to get by.

But Fang Yuan’s emotional intelligence was lacking—she shouldn’t treat her sisters-in-law like this. He’d have to teach her later. After all, you can rely on your brothers, but you can’t afford to offend your sisters-in-law.

Wang Cui Xiang didn’t say another word, pulling her son-in-law to sit at the head of the kang bed—a spot so prominent, no one could mistake it.

The change in attitude was so sudden that Lu Chuan couldn’t keep up, his legs going weak as he tried to decline. “No, no, Dad should sit here. My brothers haven’t even sat down yet.”

He was perfectly content to sit at the end of the table—he knew his place.

Fang Da Leng said, “What are you being so polite for? We’re all family. Mom and Dad had so many of us, and the family’s not poor, but none of us managed to finish school, even though they pushed us. Who would’ve thought that one day, Dad would have a son-in-law who’s a college student?”

By the end, he was full of pride.

Lu Chuan felt uneasy. “It’s not a big deal, Dad, don’t get worked up.” Compliments were fine, but putting down his brothers-in-law made him nervous—what if they took it out on him later?

Fang Da Leng said, “A college student in our family—that’s the best of the best. Enough for Dad to brag about. Don’t worry, this is the seat for the son-in-law.”

His brothers-in-law, all big and burly, watched him with deep, unreadable eyes.

Fang Da Leng pressed Lu Chuan down into the seat. Honestly, it felt like sitting on a bed of nails. This was not a comfortable spot.

The Fang parents’ attitude had changed so much that even Fang Yuan was surprised. She looked at her family. “Are you all crazy?”

Wang Cui Xiang shot her daughter a look. “Watch your mouth. He’s the son-in-law—you picked him yourself.”

Fang Yuan thought, No need to put him on such a pedestal.

Fang Da Leng turned to Lu Lao’er. “Son-in-law, you’re a bit skinny. From now on, leave the heavy lifting to your brothers-in-law.”

Lu Chuan shivered in fright. What was he supposed to do? Were they planning to pamper him? “Dad, I might look thin, but I’m strong. I can handle it.”

Wang Cui Xiang chimed in, “Fang Yuan’s been spoiled since she was little—not much good at housework.”

Lu Chuan understood now. He wasn’t being pampered—they wanted him to help his wife with the housework.

He might look delicate, but he really wasn’t. Still, he wasn’t exactly skilled at chores either.

But with five big men staring at him, and his father-in-law’s eager gaze, Lu Chuan said, “Mom, there’s not much work at home. My mom handles the sewing and mending. We don’t have any girls in my family, so my brothers and I have always helped out. The housework’s no problem.”

Fang Da Leng wanted to say more—this son-in-law needed some teaching.

But Wang Cui Xiang stopped him. The son-in-law was a college student and cared about his reputation. Even if he helped out at home, he wouldn’t want others to talk about it.

Wang Cui Xiang cheerfully asked Lu Chuan, “Son-in-law, do you drink?”

Before Lu Chuan could answer, she bustled about, “Fang Yuan, pour your husband some wine.”

Lu Chuan didn’t dare. “No, I don’t drink, Mom. I’m not very capable. I’ll learn in the future.”

Wang Cui Xiang laughed. “That’s nothing. I haven’t seen many big drinkers amount to much. If you don’t drink, just eat more. Eat up.”

As she spoke, she kept piling meat into his bowl. Clearly, she was quite satisfied that her son-in-law didn’t drink. No need for him to learn in the future.

This was the best, most lavish meal Lu Chuan had ever had in his life, but it felt like he was swallowing thorns—he couldn’t taste a thing.

His hands shook so much he could barely hold his chopsticks.

His father-in-law asked if he smoked.

Lu Chuan replied, “Dad, I don’t. Never learned.” He didn’t dare add that he might learn in the future.

So his father-in-law just gave him a few more helpings of food.

Lu Chuan finally understood—when it came to drinking and smoking, it was better not to know how.

Throughout the meal, his brothers-in-law ate with him, not making things difficult at all.

He never expected to receive such treatment at the Fang family. It was so unexpected that he almost wished his brothers-in-law would rough him up a bit—at least then he’d feel more at ease.

After the meal, the newlyweds were about to head home.

The eldest Fang brother, whose household registration name was Fang Xiaohu, known in the village as Fang the Tiger, came out pushing a brand-new bicycle.

Fang Lao Da said, “Now that you two are married, Lu Chuan, you’re our brother-in-law. When my sister got married, she didn’t bring much dowry—mainly because we didn’t like your older brother. But you’re different. You’re the one my sister chose, and we can’t let you be wronged. Take this bike home.”

Lu Chuan was overwhelmed. “Big brother, that’s not necessary.”

Fang Lao Da said, “You’re still young, always running around. No wonder you’re not growing taller. Take the bike—it’ll make it easier for you two to get around. Think of it as us brothers making up for the lack of dowry.”

Alright, so his brother-in-law still had hopes for his height. But more than that, Lu Chuan was touched by this gesture.

Then he heard Fang Lao Da say, “This marriage—we accept it. You’re our brother-in-law now.”

Lu Chuan glanced at Fang Yuan. “Big brother, marrying Fang Yuan is my good fortune. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her.”

This marriage—Lu Chuan had to accept it too. That realization left him with mixed feelings. Only now did he truly feel like a married man.

Fang Lao Da nodded, satisfied with Lu Chuan’s response. “For our own, we brothers give our all.”

Lu Chuan nodded, and the five “tigers” added, “For outsiders, we give even more. Got it?”

Lu Chuan glanced at his brothers-in-law, thinking to himself that this was a whole intimidation routine from his in-laws, just to keep him in line.

He burped. “Got it.”

Meanwhile, Wang Cui Xiang watched her sons alternate between playing good cop and bad cop, and only then came out to see her daughter off.

Lu Chuan said, “Dad, Mom, don’t worry. Tomorrow when we come back to visit, my parents will come too. After all, our family was in the wrong, and we owe you an explanation.”

Wang Cui Xiang was even more pleased. “We’re all family—no need to be so formal. If your parents want to come visit, we’d be happy.”

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