Chapter 27: Taking Charge of the Household

After a whole day of tension, Old Lady Lu finally relaxed. So it really was like this! She slapped her thigh excitedly. “Our in-laws are reasonable people. We’ve met a family that knows how to talk things through.”

As for her eldest son, Lu Laoda, she couldn’t be bothered with him anymore. Let people say what they want about him.

Without even saying goodbye to Fang Yuan, Old Lady Lu hurried off.

The matter with the Fang family had been weighing on her mind for a long time. Now that she knew the Fangs were satisfied with her son, Old Lady Lu couldn’t help but feel overjoyed.

Watching her mother-in-law’s hurried figure, Fang Yuan asked, “What’s Mom in such a rush for?”

Lu Chuan glanced at Fang Yuan, his eyes full of complicated emotions. He muttered, “Who knows?”

Then he went inside. He was a grown man, yet he’d been dragged into this marriage business. His parents probably didn’t feel great about it either.

When Old Lady Lu saw that her second son hadn’t been put in a tough spot—in fact, he’d even been looked upon favorably—she couldn’t hold back her tears.

Back home, she said just one thing to Old Man Lu: “These in-laws are good people. I’ll bring some pastries to Third Aunt soon. They didn’t try to fool us, and they found us a good girl.”

Old Man Lu thought to himself, What’s gotten into her? She’s so excited she’s barely making sense.

Old Lady Lu said, “It’s not that I’m shallow and just like bicycles. What I value is how our in-laws treat their son-in-law. They didn’t take it out on our child, and even gave him face. They really respected our second son.”

Old Man Lu thought, My son is educated and still young. If this were a normal proposal, would he have ended up with the Fang family’s daughter?

After all, that Fang girl was famous for being hard to marry off.

But what could you do? Things had come to this point. The Fang family really had a good eye. They’d gotten a great deal.

What the eldest had done left their family unable to complain, and they still had to bow and scrape to others. Poor second son.

Lu Laoda had also heard about Lu Chuan’s new bicycle. Honestly, it had nothing to do with him, but he still ended up being compared.

After all, when he got married, the Fang family hadn’t given him a bicycle. Now, this had clearly raised the status of the second son in the family. How could Lu Feng be happy about that?

Li Meng had heard too, but she didn’t care. “What’s the big deal about a lousy bicycle? In the future, my man will be driving a Benz. I don’t even know what kind of cars those are.”

She comforted Lu Laoda, “Feng, don’t listen to them. You’ll be much more capable in the future. What’s so special about a bicycle? You’ll be driving a car with four wheels one day.”

Lu Feng glared at Li Meng. But the truth was, Lu Chuan’s bicycle had been bought by his father-in-law. This wasn’t about what kind of car you drove—it was about how much your in-laws valued you.

It was also a clear sign that his ex-in-laws didn’t approve of him anymore. He’d been put in his place.

Besides, talking about driving a car—now that the family had split, they didn’t even have a wheelbarrow at home. Did she think good days would just fall from the sky?

Li Meng regretted it too. She used to have money. “If it weren’t for that unreasonable woman, we’d have enough money to buy a bicycle ourselves.”

This made Lu Feng look down on Li Meng even more. Who told her to act so generous?

Li Meng wasn’t happy about something else either. “Does Mom not like me? She’s always praising the second son’s wife.”

Lu Feng finally spoke. “Did you forget what your family did to mine when you broke off the engagement?”

Then he went back to the west room, not wanting to say another word. How had his life turned out like this? He was supposed to be the one everyone envied.

Li Meng really had almost forgotten. To her, that was so long ago it was hard to even remember.

She’d been overjoyed when she found out Lu Feng was still unmarried, dreaming of a wonderful life together.

Thinking back, when they broke off the engagement, her family had basically trashed the Lu house.

Li Meng didn’t dare complain anymore. She went to fetch firewood, lit the stove, and even warmed up the kang in the east room. She decided she’d better behave for a while and try to please her in-laws.

In her previous life, the old couple from the Lu family were famous for being spineless and easy to manipulate. They listened to everything their sons said.

As long as she played her cards right, the old couple would be easy to win over.

Meanwhile, Old Lady Lu said a few words to her husband, stuffed some eggs in her pocket, and hurried back to Lu Chuan’s place.

Seeing that her second daughter-in-law’s door was open, she immediately went in to help Fang Yuan light the stove and warm the kang, even asking what she wanted to eat and offering to cook for her.

Lu Chuan said, “Mom, we just ate at Fang Yuan’s parents’ house. We’ll just have something simple tonight.”

Old Lady Lu replied, “That won’t do. You’ve been out all day, you must be tired. Whatever Fang Yuan wants to eat, I’ll make it. Tomorrow, when we go to your in-laws’, we’ll stop by town and buy some snacks for Fang Yuan to keep at home.”

Lu Chuan twitched his lips. His mom sure knew how to run a household. With three sons, they’d never had snacks at home before.

Fang Yuan said, “Mom, make a bit more food and invite Dad and Xiao San over so we can all eat together.”

Old Lady Lu said, “No need. There’ll be plenty of chances in the future. You two just got married, and there’s only so much grain. You need to save some for later.”

Fang Yuan nodded in agreement.

Old Lady Lu added, “Second son reads a lot but isn’t very strong. In the future, your dad and I will help with the farm work. Don’t worry about it.”

Lu Chuan pursed his lips again. What was it about him that people always looked down on? Why did he always seem to come up short?

Fang Yuan said, “My brothers say the same thing.”

Then she added, “Mom, don’t worry. I can work. Back home, I always went to the construction site with my brothers. Whatever work needed doing, I did. We’ll be fine.”

Old Lady Lu felt sorry for her. “No, that’s too tiring. In the future, your dad and I will help with the farm work.”

Given that their family was in the wrong, and the Fangs hadn’t made things hard for her son, she felt she had to repay them by treating their daughter well. Old Lady Lu truly cared for Fang Yuan.

Lu Chuan hadn’t expected the Fang family to care so much for their daughter, even letting her work on construction sites.

Fang Yuan said, “It’s not tiring. I like following my brothers around. No one at home played with me anyway.”

That was a problem. Maybe the Fang family was too domineering, so Fang Yuan didn’t have any friends.

Old Lady Lu felt sorry for her daughter-in-law. “Just do the lighter work. Women shouldn’t overexert themselves.”

Unless there was no other choice: “Your dad and I will help you as much as we can.”

Lu Chuan took a deep breath. So he was the one who couldn’t support a family? Not that he’d even had a chance to prove himself before getting married.

Old Lady Lu said, “Second son, from now on, you should listen to your wife. Fang Yuan is more sensible than you and knows how to run a household better.”

Lu Chuan, who had only just gained a bit of authority in the family, was left deep in thought. Never mind his studies—if he couldn’t figure out how things worked at home, he wouldn’t have any say at all. Even his parents thought his wife was the one in charge.

Fang Yuan said casually, “Mom, between the two of us, I’m not that smart. I’ll listen to Lu Chuan.”

Old Lady Lu grabbed Fang Yuan’s hand, moved. “You’re such a reassuring child. We’ll listen to you, all of us. Who says you’re not smart? You’ve got a good heart. Not just the second son, but in the future, the whole family will listen to you.”

Just like that, Old Lady Lu handed over the reins of the household, as if it were no big deal.

Lu Chuan looked at Fang Yuan thoughtfully. Was this a case of retreating in order to advance?

Old Lady Lu was really going all out to please her daughter-in-law—even saying things like that out loud."

"**Chapter 28: Changing Faces Faster Than Flipping Pages**

After that, Old Lady Lu just up and left. She said tomorrow was the day for the bride’s return visit, so she had to get ready—she needed to visit her in-laws.

Lu Chuan watched his mother come and go in such a hurry that he hadn’t even had time to settle his nerves before Fang Yuan started bossing him around.

Fang Yuan didn’t give Lu Chuan a moment to think. “First, fill up the water jars. Then take me to see the fields. Also, do we have any other relatives in the village? Who are we close with?”

Lu Chuan didn’t have time to think about anything. He worked while trying to sort out the family’s connections. As for who they were close with, he honestly didn’t know.

Lu Chuan said, “My parents aren’t close with anyone. Maybe there are some, but I don’t know. I’ve been away studying all these years, so I’m not familiar with the village. The only people I’m close to are the ones who came by this morning.”

Fang Yuan replied, “Let’s not talk about your parents for now. As for you, you’re not married yet, so your relationships are pretty thin. Our family isn’t very popular in the village. That won’t do. In the future, when things come up, no one will help us.”

Then she started calculating, “But there’s no rush. We can’t count on your older brother, but once your younger brother gets married, you brothers can help each other out. That’ll work.”

Lu Chuan had never thought that far ahead. He’d always focused on studying and leaving the village, never caring much for these social ties.

Fang Yuan continued, “My dad has a butcher shop in town, but he’s never abandoned the family’s land in the village. He always says this is our root, our ancestral property, and it can’t be lost.”

Lu Chuan felt like this straightforward girl had seen right through him—she was saying he hadn’t put down roots.

He’d always wanted to leave, never caring about the village. “Dad’s right. From now on, we’ll settle down and live well here.”

Fang Yuan didn’t agree. “Living in the village? I don’t think so. It’s too far from town. The two of us—you’re not strong, and even though I’m capable, I’m still a woman. If we rely on farming, we might not even have enough to eat.”

Lu Chuan had been hearing all day about how he wasn’t strong enough. It was starting to get to him. “What makes you think I’m not strong? I just look skinny.”

He’d never planned on making a living by farming, but still, his strength shouldn’t be questioned.

Fang Yuan was as blunt as ever. “You feel skinny too.” She said it casually, without thinking much of it.

Lu Chuan’s face turned red with embarrassment. “Don’t say nonsense. When did you ever touch me?”

He had no idea when that could have happened. He was the type to overthink things—how could she just say something like that?

Fang Yuan replied, “Why are you upset? I touched your waist when we were on the bus. No meat on you.”

Lu Chuan was mortified. How could she just blurt that out? Didn’t she feel embarrassed at all?

Even the neighbor, Sister-in-law Sun, couldn’t take it anymore. “Ahem, Lu Chuan, don’t worry. You’re still young. Eat more, work more, and you’ll get stronger.”

She glanced at Lu Chuan’s waist through the fence, making him want to crawl into a hole.

Lu Chuan hurried inside, completely mortified.

That sister-in-law was always a gossip—now the whole village would probably hear about this.

Fang Yuan looked up as Sister-in-law Sun introduced herself, “You must be Lu Chuan’s wife. I’m your Sister-in-law Sun. If you ever need anything, just holler.”

Fang Yuan greeted her, “Hello, Sister-in-law Sun.”

Sister-in-law Sun grinned and immediately cracked a dirty joke, “So, did you really touch him?”

Lu Chuan shot out of the house, knowing this woman was trouble, trying to take advantage of Fang Yuan’s naivety to get gossip out of her.

She just wanted to make a joke out of their private matters. Lu Chuan was about to tell Fang Yuan not to pay her any mind—

But before he could, Fang Yuan splashed a ladle of cold water right at Sister-in-law Sun. Both Sister-in-law Sun and Lu Chuan were stunned.

Just a moment ago, Fang Yuan was greeting her politely, and now she’d turned hostile in a flash—no warning at all.

Fang Yuan followed up, “Fine, I’ll treat you as a respected sister-in-law, but you’re just making fun of me for laughs. I may not be clever, but my parents warned me: anyone who asks about what goes on inside our house isn’t up to any good—they just want to make me a joke.”

Sister-in-law Sun finally came to her senses, wiping water off her face, realizing this girl was not to be messed with. “No, no, I’m just your sister-in-law, just joking around. Why did you have to get physical?”

Fang Yuan replied, “If I didn’t, you’d be too pleased with yourself. I’m not going to let you make a joke out of me and spread it around. Come on, let’s go to the village committee and sort this out. I don’t believe there’s nowhere to get justice in this village.”

Sister-in-law Sun had never met anyone this fierce before. She didn’t get her way at all. If they really went to the committee, what would that make her look like? “No, no, let’s just drop it. I won’t joke around anymore, okay? No need to go to the committee.”

As for the ladle of cold water on her head, Sister-in-law Sun accepted it and didn’t pursue it further. This wild girl’s reputation was well-earned—she really would get physical without warning. Best not to mess with her in the future; she was even more unreasonable than Sister-in-law Sun herself.

Lu Chuan hadn’t expected that the whole thing would be settled with just a ladle of cold water, without him even needing to step in. Sister-in-law Sun slunk back to her own house, defeated.

Fang Yuan said, “Even though we need to put down roots in the village and build good relationships, that doesn’t mean we have to get along with everyone. People like Sister-in-law Sun just won’t do.”

Lu Chuan laughed, “Alright, I’ll listen to you. You really do have some sense when it comes to judging people.”

Just for the way she handled Sister-in-law Sun today, Fang Yuan had earned Lu Chuan’s approval—she really did have good judgment.

There wasn’t much entertainment in the countryside these days. Except for a few loafers hanging around outside, once it got dark, everyone shut their doors and stayed home.

Fang Yuan got familiar with the house inside and out, and was exhausted. After washing up, she went to bed without a second thought.

Lu Chuan, on the other hand, lingered in the outer room, hesitating—should he get into bed or not? Should he do the same as yesterday? Or… well, anyway, there was no backing out of this marriage now. After visiting his father-in-law’s house, Lu Chuan understood that much.

His wife was really his wife now, so he couldn’t help but have a lot on his mind.

In the inner room, Fang Yuan noticed Lu Chuan still hadn’t come in and called out with a frown, “Tell me the truth—do you have some kind of problem?”

Lu Chuan panicked, not daring to let Fang Yuan shout nonsense. He lifted the curtain and came in, “What did I do to you? Why are you saying I have a problem? You can’t just say things like that.”

Fang Yuan was even more anxious than Lu Chuan, “A physical problem—do you have one? It’s just the two of us, don’t be embarrassed.”

Lu Chuan was flustered, “What are you talking about? I don’t have any problems! Be clear about what you mean.”

This woman was always doubting his health—he’d had enough.

Fang Yuan said, “If you’re fine, why have you been wandering outside for two nights in a row instead of sleeping? Are you constipated?”

Lu Chuan was dumbfounded by this and just stared at Fang Yuan, not knowing how she could even come up with that idea.

At a time like this, even if there was a problem, that’s not the direction anyone would suspect. What a bizarre train of thought.

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"Chapter 29: When It Comes to Money, There Are No Small Matters

Fang Yuan couldn’t stand seeing Lu Chuan looking so down. “Isn’t that right? There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I’ll have my mom go to the township and get you some medicine.”

If Lu Chuan stayed silent any longer, Fang Yuan would really go through with it. “No, no, I don’t have that problem. Don’t say that. Wish me well, would you?”

Fang Yuan said, “Fine, if you don’t have it, you don’t have it. But if that’s the case, what are you dawdling outside for? A man should be decisive. Why are you so wishy-washy? I’m telling you, you need to change that.”

Lu Chuan looked at Fang Yuan chattering away and felt aggrieved. Alright, I’ll be decisive, I’ll change. “I was just thinking, now that we’ve met each other’s parents and the engagement is settled, if I get into bed, should I share a quilt with you?”

He said it plainly and directly, not a hint of ambiguity.

The next second, Lu Chuan felt a gust of wind in his face, followed by a pillow smacking him, and Fang Yuan’s voice: “Dream on! Don’t you dare.”

Lu Chuan bared his teeth and sucked in a breath. So being too straightforward doesn’t work either.

He muttered to Fang Yuan, “Fine, fine, if it’s not okay, it’s not okay. Don’t I always listen to you? No need to get physical.”

Honestly, for someone as timid as Lu Chuan, saying something so bold was rare.

He added, “Besides, let me ask you—if I didn’t get into your bed, wouldn’t you scold me for not coming over later? You think I want to?”

Fang Yuan just thought he was trying to save face and tossed out two words: “Go to sleep.”

Lu Chuan didn’t say another word. Truth be told, it was barely dark—way too early for bed. He wondered if he could leave the light on to read for a while.

But remembering the pillow that just hit him, Lu Chuan didn’t dare say a word. If he couldn’t sleep, he’d just lie there with his eyes closed. There was no reasoning with this woman.

Fang Yuan was the type who never dwelled on things. If she said no, then it was no—she didn’t give it a second thought.

In no time, she was sleeping soundly, without a care in the world.

Meanwhile, Lu Chuan lay there with his eyes closed, sighing. This girl had a big heart—bigger than most. She didn’t even see him as a man.

Of course, even if he was a real man, Lu Chuan wouldn’t dare try anything with Fang Yuan.

That night felt endless.

The next morning, Lu Chuan’s parents arrived early, one carrying a sack, the other a hen.

Lu Chuan greeted them, “Mom, Dad, why are you here so early? You haven’t had breakfast yet, have you?”

His father replied, “We’ve eaten, we’ve eaten. Has your wife eaten? Let’s head over to your in-laws’ place early so we don’t keep them waiting.”

From inside, Fang Yuan called out, “Mom, Dad, just wait a bit. We’re almost done eating.”

Lu Chuan’s father noticed his son tidying up the table, moving quickly and efficiently.

Meanwhile, his daughter-in-law, Fang Yuan, didn’t even glance at the table, let alone help.

Lu Chuan’s father felt bad for his second son, but didn’t dare say a word. Instead, he asked Fang Yuan, “Do you have enough grain at home? Is Lu Chuan’s cooking alright? If it’s not to your taste, just tell your mother-in-law—she can make something and bring it over.”

Lu Chuan glanced at his dad. When you were taking care of Grandpa and Grandma, you weren’t this attentive. Really willing to go all out for your son.

Fang Yuan, on the other hand, was perfectly at ease, not sensing any problem. “Dad, I’m not picky. The more he cooks, the better he’ll get.”

Lu Chuan thought to himself, probably because her own dad does all the chores at home.

His father twitched his lips. “Right, right.” Then he fell silent. His college-educated son hadn’t even started working yet and was already learning to cook for his wife.

Fang Yuan quickly got herself ready, and Lu Chuan’s mother helped him finish clearing the table. Then Fang Yuan called out, “Let’s go.”

The four of them obediently followed her lead and set off.

As they passed by the new house, they ran into Li Meng standing at the door. “Mom, Dad, are you going back to Fang Yuan’s family with the second one?”

Lu Chuan’s mother shot her eldest daughter-in-law a glare. Why did she have to come over and stir things up, didn’t she know things were awkward? “Didn’t I tell you already?”

Li Meng raised her eyebrows at Fang Yuan. “Sister-in-law, today’s your return visit. I told Mom and Dad to go with you first.”

Lu Chuan’s mother frowned, worried her second daughter-in-law would misunderstand. “What nonsense are you talking about? Today’s your return visit, but your dad and I are going to Fang Yuan’s family to apologize. As for you and your husband, if you want to go, go by yourselves. If there’s anything, you’ll have to wait until after Fang Yuan. Did I not make myself clear, or did you not listen?”

Lu Chuan’s mother made her stance crystal clear in front of Fang Yuan, afraid of being misunderstood.

Li Meng’s face turned red. No mother-in-law would act like this. She forced a smile and tried to stir things up. “Mom, I’m not petty. I won’t argue with the second family.”

Fang Yuan replied, “Don’t come acting all innocent in front of me. Think I don’t know what you’re up to? Return visit? You eloped here—do you even have a home to return to?”

Lu Chuan glanced at Li Meng. Serves her right. She should know better than to provoke his wife.

Li Meng couldn’t keep up the act. “How can you talk like that?”

Lu Chuan added, “If you want Mom and Dad to go with you, why not bring up the compensation for the last time your family came and smashed up our house? Afraid big brother can’t get it back himself?”

Li Meng slunk away. She’d already run off from home and couldn’t explain herself. If the compensation issue came up, her sister-in-law would tear her apart.

If the Lu family kept pressing, she really wouldn’t be able to get by.

Li Meng wished she’d been reborn at a better time. If only she hadn’t broken off her engagement before, the Lu family would have treated her like royalty. Now, whatever treatment the second family got, she got the same.

Lu Chuan’s mother watched her eldest daughter-in-law walk away, fuming. “Why is she so troublesome?”

Lu Chuan’s father said, “Don’t let it get to you. We don’t want to be late to your in-laws’.”

Fang Yuan kicked Lu Chuan and asked seriously, “Where’s her family from?”

Lu Chuan looked at her, thinking, Is she really concerned about Li Meng? Or is it about the compensation? “You really want to go?”

Fang Yuan said, “Why not? I may not want to deal with her, but when it comes to getting money back for the family, I can put up with it.”

Then she started scolding Lu Chuan and his father. “There are three grown men in this family. How could you let someone come and smash up the house? And it’s been so long before you even thought about asking for compensation. In the future, don’t drag your feet on things like this.”

That’s not how you run a household. Does money mean nothing to you?

Lu Chuan stayed silent. His father said nothing either. They just listened to Fang Yuan’s lecture.

Lu Chuan’s mother said, “We just weren’t tough enough before. From now on, Fang Yuan, you’re in charge of the family. We’ll all listen to you.”

Lu Chuan’s father said, “Let’s just forget about the past. After all, they’re relatives. Their daughter ran over here herself. It wouldn’t be right to go after them for compensation now.”

Fang Yuan looked disapproving. “Let me be clear—I don’t know this shameless woman, but judging by what she did, her family can’t be much better. I doubt this is the end of it. When something happens, don’t blame me for not stepping up.”

Thank you all for your support. Please bookmark and recommend!"

"Chapter 30: Not So Easy to Make a Move