Chapter 3: It’s Not That Simple

Old Man Lu had just married two daughters-in-law into the family, and there was still a youngest son who hadn’t found a wife yet. He really hadn’t thought about splitting up the family, but it wasn’t entirely out of the question.

He spoke to Fang Yuan in a tentative tone, “Isn’t this a bit inappropriate?”

Fang Yuan was blunt and decisive. “I refuse to live with someone so lacking in morals. I have my pride.”

Second Brother Lu shot her a glance, almost blurting out, “Pride? I don’t see it.”

Luckily, he managed to swallow the words before they escaped. Otherwise, he’d definitely have angered this female fiend.

Lu Feng was left red-faced by her repeated accusations of immorality, feeling like she was calling him shameless at every turn. “Why should you get to decide? This is the Lu family—it’s not your place to call the shots.”

Fang Yuan didn’t even pause to think before retorting, “Because you’re immoral, unrestrained, and a liar who tricked me into marriage. Because your Lu family doesn’t do things properly.”

Then she added, “Does your family really want someone like you, so lacking in morals, to be in charge and drag the whole family’s reputation through the mud?”

Old Man Lu nodded along with Fang Yuan’s words. He really couldn’t let his muddle-headed eldest son take charge. He couldn’t let the whole family be shamed together.

Old Lady Lu tried to defend herself in a small voice, “Our second son is promising—he’s a phoenix, a golden phoenix. We’re giving him to you, so you’re not losing out.”

Fang Yuan replied, “A phoenix? I don’t see it. He’s more like a little chick, and he’s still in school. Doesn’t that cost money? Where exactly am I getting the better end of this deal?”

Second Brother Lu was so angry he nearly ground his teeth to dust. This woman really had a sharp tongue.

The thing was, they were already talking about splitting the family, and no one had even asked his opinion. His biggest regret now was ever getting involved in this mess.

Old Man Lu looked at his second son. He hadn’t even agreed to give him to this she-devil yet. His second son was good-looking, a student, and hadn’t been engaged before—he’d have no trouble finding a wife.

But seeing Fang Yuan’s domineering stance and thinking of the Fang family’s reputation for being tough, Old Man Lu couldn’t bear to send his son into the tiger’s den.

Even though the family was short on money, if they tightened their belts, they could still support their son through school. He tried to reason with Fang Yuan, “About your engagement to our second son, can’t we talk it over?”

Fang Yuan glanced around at the shabby home, chin held high. “Do you have anything more valuable to offer me? Or do you just think our Fang family is easy to push around?”

Old Man Lu looked at his second son and lowered his head. There really wasn’t anything more valuable in the house.

The main thing was, this girl was too fierce, and the Fang family really wasn’t easy to deal with. Their honest family had never faced anything like this before.

Fang Yuan continued, “Your family sent a matchmaker to trick me into marrying your son, and on the wedding day, you brought in another woman to disgust me. What, do you think I’m easy to bully? Go ask around—when has Fang Yuan ever been taken advantage of?”

No need to ask. The Fang brothers could stomp their feet and make the whole village tremble.

Old Man Lu was so ashamed he didn’t dare look at his second son. “Our second son is hardworking, good-looking, and educated—he’s a better match for you, Fang Yuan. It’s the eldest who isn’t worthy of you.”

The couple immediately changed their tune, giving up any resistance.

Old Man Lu comforted himself: if this marriage went through, at least Second Brother would have the Fang family’s support. That wasn’t so bad.

Fang Yuan acknowledged this much. She glanced at Second Brother Lu, not seeing much to praise. “At least you’re more decent than your eldest brother.” That was about it.

Second Brother Lu felt like a piece of meat on the chopping block, being picked over and judged.

Fang Yuan snorted coldly. She was exhausted from the day and didn’t want to see those two troublemakers anymore. “Give us the old house. Any objections?”

Old Man Lu, relieved that he wouldn’t have to move out himself, quickly agreed in the face of this female tyrant. “No objections, none at all. It’s just a pity for you, Fang Yuan.”

Fang Yuan looked at Old Lady Lu, who quickly shook her head. “No, no objections. As long as you don’t feel wronged, Fang Yuan.”

If Old Lady Lu weren’t a little afraid of Fang Yuan and still worried about her eldest son, she’d actually prefer to have the eldest and that shameless woman move out together. Otherwise, it’d be hard for the youngest to find a wife in the future.

The old couple didn’t object, and since it wasn’t the eldest who had to move out, he didn’t object either. Not that his opinion mattered—the decision was made.

Fang Yuan looked at the man standing by the door with dissatisfaction. “What are you staring at? Go clean up the old house. Don’t you have any sense? And you call yourself a college student?”

Second Brother Lu was about to speak, but Old Man Lu pulled him aside. “Son, I’m sorry. Today, it’s our family that’s at fault. We can’t split your brother in two to make things fair.”

The key was, Fang Yuan had no interest in the eldest now, and they didn’t dare offend the Fang family behind her.

Lu’s third son, who had come in with Second Brother, had watched the whole thing unfold and knew this woman was tough. He started to cry. “Second Brother, just… just go along with it.”

Otherwise, he was afraid the female bandit would pick him to be the groom—she’d already looked him over several times, and he was sturdier than his second brother.

Old Lady Lu went over and pulled her second son aside, face full of guilt. “Second son, please just take that woman and leave. Don’t let her yell at me anymore—she’s scary.”

Then she added, “You have to get married even if you’re in college. Sooner or later, it has to happen. This way is fine.”

Second Brother Lu was so angry he was shaking. He’d only come in to break up the fight, and now he’d gotten himself trapped. He knew his parents were weak and indecisive, but he hadn’t expected things to go this far.

He laughed bitterly. “You’ve made up your minds, then? Once this marriage is set, there’s no backing out. And I’m done cleaning up my brother’s messes. For the sake of the eldest, you’ve thrown away the family’s money, and now you’re throwing away your son too.”

Old Lady Lu choked back tears. “What else could we do? Who knew your brother would cause all this?”

She glanced at Fang Yuan. “We’ve thought it through. We won’t bother you in the future.” That woman was too much to handle—they wouldn’t dare ask Second Brother’s family for help again.

Old Man Lu had to say something, showing a bit of cunning by taking a stand. “Second son, your brother was wrong, and he shouldn’t have dragged you into this. But we can’t let people talk behind our backs, and we can’t let Fang Yuan down.”

Second Brother Lu felt like he’d been devoured by this female demon today, but there was nothing more to say. He was utterly disheartened.

With parents like these and a family like this, why should he stand up and take responsibility? Let the female demon make a scene. This family deserved it.

He turned to leave, but the female demon called out, “Take all the stuff on the floor with you.”

Everyone looked down. There was only one luggage roll, but it looked new. If he remembered right, it belonged to Li Meng.

Second Brother Lu was a bit confused. Was this woman so angry she couldn’t tell whose things were whose?

Li Meng panicked and rushed over to protect her luggage. “This is all mine!”

Fang Yuan sneered and pulled Li Meng aside. “Yours? You think you can just get away with stealing someone’s man? Want to argue about it?”

Li Meng was furious. How did she end up dealing with someone like this? “How can you be like this? You’re a bandit! This is robbery!”

Fang Yuan replied, “Compared to what you did, what’s this? Is there any crime worse than stealing someone else’s man?”

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