Chapter 31: Getting the Marriage Certificate

Fang Yuan really didn’t understand what Wang Cuixiang was getting at. She spoke up, straightforward as always: “No need, I have money in my hands. I don’t need you guys to help. And anyway, what’s so special about going to school? Just because you’re in school doesn’t mean you don’t know anything about family matters, right?”

Wang Cuixiang shot her daughter a glare, wishing she could give her a couple of knocks on the head. “What nonsense are you spouting? Your brother-in-law is doing important things. He’ll have a bright future.”

Fang Yuan replied, “No matter what he’s doing, no matter what kind of future he has, he still needs to know how to earn money and support his family. He can’t get used to just asking for money all the time. Doesn’t he feel embarrassed?”

Say what you will about her being blunt, but everything she said made sense.

Lu Chuan’s face turned red. He felt a bit embarrassed, but honestly, Fang Yuan’s words were exactly what he’d been thinking. He should be the one to figure out his own school expenses.

Lu Chuan said, “Dad, Mom, don’t worry. There are still a few months before school starts. I’ll find some work and save up some money. If it’s not enough, I’ll ask you to help out a bit. It’s just that these years have been hard on Fang Yuan.”

Wang Cuixiang never intended to raise a son-in-law who didn’t know anything and acted like a lord. She glanced at her daughter—this was actually pretty good.

Once you know both the hardships and the sweetness of life, you’ll be more considerate of Fang Yuan in the future.

If he went to college and came out looking down on country folk, the first one to suffer would be her own daughter. She had to be careful.

It was just a pity to let go of such an easy benefit. To Wang Cuixiang, paying for her son-in-law’s college felt like picking up a bargain.

But if she thought about it from the perspective of her children’s feelings, going through hardships together as a couple wasn’t a bad thing. If you never suffer, how will you know how precious happiness is?

Especially with her daughter and son-in-law—one a college student, the other a country girl—Wang Cuixiang really couldn’t help but worry.

Fang Daleng wanted to say something like, “We have money, no need to make things difficult.”

But one look from Wang Cuixiang and he shut up. When it came to family matters, he had no say.

Wang Cuixiang said, “You two are the ones living this life. Now that you’re married, live well together. We just hope things get better and better for you.”

Lu Chuan saw things clearly—his mother-in-law was worried about raising an ungrateful son-in-law.

If he were in her shoes, he wouldn’t agree to let his daughter take such a risk either, so he really understood.

Wang Cuixiang continued, “By the way, in-laws, the two kids seem to get along well. Since they’re both willing, and we as elders have no objections, do you think it’s time for them to go get their marriage certificate?”

Lu Chuan’s mother found the topic novel. “Marriage certificate?”

When Wang Cuixiang heard this, her tone changed. “What, in-law, do you think the kids’ marriage isn’t stable?”

She was ready to flip out at any moment. Honest people refusing to do honest things—don’t even want to get a marriage certificate?

Lu Chuan’s mother felt a bit embarrassed, realizing she’d slipped up. “No, no, that’s not it. It’s just that in our village, we’ve only ever heard about it—no one’s actually done it.”

Wang Cuixiang said, “Times are different now. Young people getting married should go through all the proper procedures. Especially for Da Chuan, who’s going to college. We can’t let people gossip about this. In the city, they call this a matter of reputation.”

Lu Chuan’s mother listened intently—this was all new to her. She slapped her thigh. “You’re right! That’s how it should be. Should we get one too? We can’t hold the kids back.”

Wang Cuixiang couldn’t keep up with her in-law’s train of thought. “Get what?”

Lu Chuan’s mother said, “A marriage certificate. Your father and I don’t have one either. Would that cause trouble for the kids? We don’t have any reputation issues.”

She was so earnest that Wang Cuixiang could only stare, lost for words.

Wang Cuixiang was completely speechless in front of this in-law. All her cleverness was useless here.

Off to the side, Fang Daleng actually chimed in with Lu Chuan’s mother, “Wife, maybe we should get one too, so we don’t cause trouble for the kids. We don’t have any reputation issues either.”

Everyone in the room looked at Wang Cuixiang, all with such sincere expressions. They were all worried about “reputation issues.” The topic had been completely derailed by Lu Chuan’s mother.

Only Lu Chuan was still on Wang Cuixiang’s wavelength. He turned his head away. His mother-in-law’s suggestion to get the certificate was to keep him in line, to tie him down.

But somehow, this whole room of simple folks had managed to stifle the one person trying to be clever. He felt a bit sorry for his mother-in-law.

Fang Yuan said, “Why waste money? Getting the certificate costs a few mao, you know.”

Lu Chuan could barely hold back his laughter. The one who should be grateful wasn’t, and his mother-in-law was probably about to blow a fuse. The family wasn’t rich, but they definitely weren’t short a few mao.

Wang Cuixiang wished she could smack her daughter again. Now she knew how to be thrifty?

She gritted her teeth and said, “You’re getting married. Your father and I haven’t spent much on you. We’ll pay for this.”

Fang Yuan wasn’t happy. Her mom was being stingy. “That’s all you’ll cover?” Just a few mao? What’s wrong with her mom?

Wang Cuixiang’s forehead veins were about to pop.

Lu Chuan quickly pulled Fang Yuan aside. “Mom, Fang Yuan has money on her. We’ll go to the township office and get the certificate first. If it’s not too much trouble, you and Dad can go later and get yours too—just for the novelty.”

See how considerate her son-in-law was? Wang Cuixiang realized once again that her daughter and son-in-law were not cut from the same cloth.

If her son-in-law ever wanted to play tricks, her daughter would only get taken in. Suddenly, this marriage didn’t seem so carefree anymore.

Fang Daleng, the simple one, nodded hard. “Right, right, you two go first. We’re the older generation; it’s not lucky for us to go with you.”

Lu Chuan’s mother nodded along. “Our in-law is right. Makes sense.”

Wang Cuixiang looked like she was wondering where she was and what she was doing. She probably couldn’t control the situation anymore.

Lu Chuan could barely hold back his laughter. He wondered what his mother-in-law felt, facing a room full of honest people.

Once they were outside, just the two of them, Fang Yuan said to Lu Chuan, “Even if I didn’t get the certificate with you, you wouldn’t be able to run away.”

Lu Chuan looked at her in surprise. “You’re pretty sharp.”

If she understood, why just watch her mother-in-law get stifled? Her mom raised a daughter who wasn’t very considerate.

Fang Yuan thought to herself, He’s always looked down on me. “Don’t think I’m stupid.”

Lu Chuan felt a bit embarrassed. He did think Fang Yuan was a bit reckless, but she was so good at making money, she clearly had plenty of smarts.

Lu Chuan coaxed her, “I’m just afraid you’ll run off, okay? Come on, let’s go. If we don’t get the certificate, we’d be letting Mom’s efforts go to waste.”

After saying this, Lu Chuan glanced at Fang Yuan. He was surprised at how naturally he’d started calling her mother “Mom.”

This marriage—he seemed to have accepted it without any struggle.

Fang Yuan wasn’t angry. She could still chat with Lu Chuan. “I know, my mom just wants what’s best for me.”

Lu Chuan looked at Fang Yuan. Your mom is even more worried about me. “Our mom wants what’s best for both of us. Come on, I’ll take you. The sooner we go, the sooner we’ll be back.”

Fang Yuan said, “I may not be clever, but that doesn’t mean I’m dumb. If you have something to say, just say it.”

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