Chapter 52: None of Them Seem Like Good People

On the other side, Lu Chuan quickly tugged on Fang Yuan’s sleeve, and she finally kept quiet.

Big Brother Fang said, “Here’s what I think, brother-in-law: let’s do it like everyone else and just take wages for our work. As for the profits, we’ll split them into two shares—one for you two, and one for us brothers. Our share, the brothers will split equally among ourselves.”

Lu Chuan was about to say something, but Fang Yuan made the decision right away: “That’s settled.”

She felt this was only fair—one side put up the money, the other put in the labor, so it should be split this way.

Lu Chuan looked at Fang Yuan, then at his brother-in-law. Should he agree or not?

He was worried the other brothers-in-law wouldn’t be happy. When it comes to money, family ties can easily get strained.

Fifth Brother, who had been watching for a while, finally spoke up, raising his eyebrows at Lu Chuan: “What, my sister’s words don’t count?”

Lu Chuan wouldn’t dare say Fang Yuan’s words didn’t count: “No, it’s just that this way Big Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, and Fifth Brother might lose out.”

Fifth Brother glanced at his brothers: “We’re all siblings here—what’s this talk about losing out? We didn’t put up any money or take any risks. If you’d asked us to chip in the five hundred-plus yuan at the start, none of us would have done it.”

Then he looked at his brothers: “Would any of you have put up the money?”

Did he even need to ask? Putting in some labor was one thing, but actually investing cash—they definitely wouldn’t have agreed. That’s why no one brought it up or offered any money at the time.

After Fifth Brother finished, the other brothers’ faces looked much better. They’d all seen with their own eyes that their sister had put up over five hundred yuan.

Since they hadn’t invested, why should they get an equal share? Fifth Brother was clearly speaking up for Fang Yuan.

Lu Chuan thought to himself, see? No matter how close the brotherhood, when it comes to money, things need to be made clear, or feelings get hurt easily.

Fifth Brother was really looking out for them—no wonder Fang Yuan trusted him most.

Fang Yuan at least knew how to play along with Fifth Brother: “Why bring that up? It just sours the relationship.”

Fifth Brother said, “We brothers wouldn’t let our sister use her dowry to cover for us. It’d be embarrassing if word got out.”

As soon as Fifth Brother finished, Third Brother spoke up: “Let’s do as Fang Yuan said. That way, brother-in-law won’t feel bad, and we shouldn’t take advantage of our sister. We brothers can just patrol the site at night and help keep an eye on things.”

Big Brother Fang said, “It’s settled then, brother-in-law. No more discussion, or you’ll just be making us brothers look bad.”

Lu Chuan thought, you’ve all decided already, so it’s not like I have a say: “Alright, Big Brother, it’s settled.”

At dinner, Big Brother Fang took the other brothers home to eat, while Fifth Brother went home to get some things and ate with Lu Chuan and Fang Yuan at the site.

Fang Yuan said, “We should be happy about splitting the money, but I feel like Second Brother and the others didn’t look too pleased.”

Lu Chuan thought, you should’ve said this earlier, when it was just the two of us. Now Fifth Brother’s here—what’s he supposed to say?

But Fifth Brother spoke up directly: “When it comes to money, even blood brothers need to keep accounts clear. You think Second Brother and the rest will feel good watching you two make money?”

Lu Chuan felt a bit awkward. Was it really okay to say this in front of him, the brother-in-law? Would Fifth Brother silence him after this?

Fang Yuan frowned: “I think I’ve been more than fair. Why shouldn’t they feel good about it?” She’d already put up half the money and still didn’t feel great about it herself.

Fifth Brother said, “Don’t overthink it. Later, you and your husband just mention school expenses and other costs a few more times. That’ll make them feel better.”

This Fifth Brother really was sharp.

Lu Chuan felt like nothing he said would be appropriate, so he just listened to the siblings chat.

Fifth Brother reminded them, “I figure Big Brother’s figured out how this works. If he gets the chance, he’ll probably want to go solo in the future.”

He didn’t even look at Lu Chuan as he spoke—he knew his own brothers well. It wasn’t really fair to Lu Chuan, the brother-in-law.

If it weren’t for Lu Chuan paving the way, they’d still be running around after Old Sun, getting nowhere.

Fang Yuan didn’t say anything, but her face looked pretty sour.

Lu Chuan said, “I messed up Big Brother’s relationship with Old Sun. If Big Brother doesn’t find another way out for himself, what’s he supposed to do? Don’t worry, Fifth Brother, Fang Yuan and I are only grateful for Big Brother’s help when we were in trouble. Without him, I wouldn’t have had the guts to take this job.”

Fang Yuan said, “I don’t feel great about it, but after hearing it put that way, I guess it makes sense. It’s just a shame. Do you think if I talked to Big Brother about working together, how would that go? Wouldn’t it be nice to make money together?”

Fifth Brother said, “Not really. This time you’re splitting half and half, but if Big Brother brought you in, how much would you get? Two tigers can’t share one mountain. Is he lifting you up or stepping on you?”

Fang Yuan said, “True, Big Brother probably wouldn’t want to split half with me. And as for earning wages, he doesn’t really have the stamina for it,” she said, a little worried.

Lu Chuan was puzzled—how did this turn into a discussion about his physical strength?

Fifth Brother glanced at Lu Chuan. The key was what Lu Chuan wanted.

Lu Chuan said, “Fifth Brother, actually, there’s still a while before school starts. If there’s another opportunity, I’d like to try something else.”

Fifth Brother grinned, “Big Brother might leave you behind, but you can’t leave him behind first.”

Lu Chuan said, “Of course. But if, by any chance, there’s really an opportunity, Fifth Brother, would you help me? I don’t have anyone else to count on.”

Then he added, “Two tigers can’t share one mountain, but I’m not a tiger.”

Fifth Brother laughed boldly, “You’re a smart one. I’m not that capable myself—not as clever as you. But I’m strong, and let me tell you, everyone Big Brother knows, I know too. I’m good at finding workers. I’m one of the Fang family’s tigers too.”

Lu Chuan knew how to flatter: “I can tell—all the young guys look up to you, Fifth Brother. You’re really something.”

The two of them hit it off, and Fang Yuan said, “Why do I feel like neither of you are good people?”

Fifth Brother said, “We’re just planning ahead. If Big Brother doesn’t have other plans, what’s it got to do with me?”

Then he added, “Don’t go telling Big Brother or the others about this. Just the three of us know—don’t even tell Mom and Dad.”

Fang Yuan nodded, “Got it. You’re not a good person, and I’m not a good person either.”

Then she said, “Fifth Brother, I don’t care how Big Brother splits things, but you get a share from me.”

Then she looked at Lu Chuan: “Once Big Brother’s share is divided, how do we split ours?”

Lu Chuan was startled—these two are actually splitting things between themselves? He quickly said, “Whatever it is, it’s all yours. You’re in charge of the household.”

In front of Fifth Brother, this had to be made clear.

Fang Yuan said, “Of course I’ll hold the money, but we still need to be clear. I’m not just sitting around on the site. Are you paying me wages, or are we splitting the profits?”

Goodness, if anyone ever calls Fang Yuan dumb again, Lu Chuan will have to argue with them—no fool could say something like that.

Lu Chuan said, “If anyone ever calls my wife simple again, I won’t stand for it. She keeps the books clearer than anyone.”

Fifth Brother snorted, “Our Fang Yuan always mixes herself into things—she’s got standards, you know.”

53."

"Chapter 53: Clash of the Tigers