Chapter 39: Using Power to Make Money

Fang Wuhu was afraid Lu Chuan wouldn’t understand, so he explained, “We’ve all gotten close to these guys before, hoping to learn a thing or two from these craftsmen. We know them inside and out.”

Lu Chuan immediately got it—his brothers-in-law had already built a solid foundation with this group. After all, if you want to learn from someone, you have to put in the effort to get on their good side.

His brothers-in-law also had a natural advantage: nobody dared owe them money. Lu Chuan started to get some ideas.

Before they could finish talking, the workers on the other side began packing up their things. Someone even called out, “Let’s go, let’s go! No money, we’re done for the day.”

Fang Sihu was annoyed. “What a waste. There goes half a day’s work for nothing.”

Sanhu was unhappy too. To them, working meant getting paid; no work, no money.

After packing up, the group looked around and realized their brother-in-law was nowhere to be found.

He’d just been here a moment ago, and now he’d vanished. Not exactly reliable. The brothers grumbled among themselves.

Just then, their younger sister showed up outside with popsicles. She was hawking them right where the argument had just happened, jacking up the price—popsicles that usually cost two cents each, she was selling for five.

The foreman, still fuming from the argument, bought ten on the spot, handing them out to everyone who’d backed him up—one each, showing off his status as the boss.

Other workers bought some too, and in no time, Fang Yuan’s popsicles were all gone.

Beaming, Fang Yuan came over with six popsicles left, handing one to each brother. She hadn’t expected making money to be this easy. Why hadn’t she thought of this before?

Too bad she didn’t see Lu Chuan here.

Fang Wuhu bit into his popsicle and asked, “How’d you come up with this? You really dared to hike the price. You just made a few dozen cents in one go.”

Fang Yuan replied, “I was worried you’d be hot, so I brought you popsicles. Making money was just a bonus.”

Fang Sihu scoffed at her big talk. “Listen to you! You make it sound so easy—just a bonus, and you pocket the cash?”

The brothers all laughed at her, looking down on Fang Yuan. How could she be so happy over a few cents?

But Fang Yuan just smiled and didn’t get upset. “From now on, I’ll bring you lunch every day. When I do, I’ll bring a crate of sodas too. I’ll make money on the side.”

Fang Yuan didn’t mind that it wasn’t much—every little bit counts. It didn’t get in the way of anything else, just a bit of running around.

The brothers fell silent, staring at Fang Yuan. “Are you serious? When did you get so clever?”

Fang Yuan lifted her chin. “Hmph! From now on, you guys get free soda, but you have to help me advertise—get the others to buy from me.”

The popsicles weren’t free, and neither was the soda. Wuhu said, “You really are a Fang through and through—money’s all that matters to you.”

As soon as he finished, Fang Laoda kicked him. Who badmouths their own family like that? Even if it’s true, you don’t say it out loud.

The brothers finished their popsicles, but Lu Chuan was still nowhere to be seen.

Fang Wuhu whispered to Fang Yuan, “You’re a woman—just being good at running a household isn’t enough. You need a man who can handle things. Look, everyone’s gone and he’s still missing. He’s so clueless, he’d miss out even if someone was handing out hot food.”

Fang Yuan shot back, “Don’t talk nonsense. If you look down on the man I chose, you’re looking down on me. Let me be clear: if I hear you say that again, I’ll be mad—at anyone who says it.”

Fang Wuhu glared. Wasn’t this just a brother-in-law she’d known for a few days? Why was she so protective? “Why are you siding with him? We’ve known each other since we were in Mom’s belly.”

Fang Yuan snorted. “Even if I side with family, it won’t be you.”

Fang Laoda, seven or eight years older than Fang Yuan, couldn’t stand their bickering and spoke up. “Alright, enough. Go look for him. It’s chaos here, and he’s a bookish guy—not used to this. Don’t let him get hurt.”

Fang Wuhu wanted to say, If he gets hurt in a place like this, what good is he?

Just then, they saw Lu Chuan coming over with someone who looked familiar—seemed to be the supervisor here, the same guy who’d just argued with the foreman.

Fang Laoda stood up instinctively, feeling uneasy about his unreliable brother-in-law. Had he gotten into big trouble? Why else would someone like that show up?

Fang Sihu stood up too, tugging at Laoda nervously. “Did he really cause trouble? Why’d he bring the supervisor over?”

Sanhu said, “The supervisor knows this place better than he does. Looks more like the supervisor’s bringing him over.”

He turned to Fang Yuan. “He’s just a troublemaker. Why’d you bring him here?”

Wuhu instinctively pulled Fang Yuan behind him and stepped forward. “Don’t worry, I’m here.”

But Fang Yuan shook him off and went straight over, grabbing Lu Chuan’s arm. “Are you alright? Did anyone bully you?”

She glared at the supervisor as if ready to start a fight. She’d never been afraid of anyone.

Wuhu hadn’t expected Fang Yuan to react like this. She’d only been married a day, and she was already taking an outsider’s side?

Sanhu sniped from the side, “No point protecting her—girls always side with outsiders once they’re married.”

Wuhu ignored him and followed Fang Yuan, standing beside her and Lu Chuan, looking imposing.

Lu Chuan hadn’t expected Fang Yuan to react this way either and felt a bit embarrassed. “Ahem, it’s nothing. I’m a man—who could bully me? I brought someone over to talk to big brother.”

Fang Yuan’s eyes widened. That didn’t sound like nothing. What did he need big brother for?

The supervisor saw the Fang brothers and his face turned a little green. “Brother, are these the Fang brothers you mentioned?”

Lu Chuan spoke politely, “You’re older and more experienced than me, so I’ll call you ‘big brother.’ Yes, I’m talking about the Fang brothers—my brothers-in-law.”

The supervisor clearly didn’t want to get involved and turned to leave.

Lu Chuan caught the look on his face and quickly called out, “Big brother, this is the supervisor here. He wants to discuss some work with us.”

Fang Laoda’s legs went a little weak at that. Wasn’t that a bit much? What could he possibly have to discuss with the supervisor?

Lu Chuan glanced at Wuhu beside Fang Yuan and gave him a look.

To be honest, Wuhu saw the look but didn’t get it—he had no idea how to play along or what Lu Chuan wanted.

Still, he stood firm behind Fang Yuan, glaring at the supervisor just like she did.

As the Fang brothers approached, the supervisor couldn’t just turn and leave. Lu Chuan could tell the man was giving his brothers-in-law face.

But he probably feared them even more.

Wuhu, tall and burly, stood right in the way, making the supervisor instinctively slow down. The Fang brothers had the same intimidating presence as debt collectors. What a headache.

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