Chapter 55: Easy Money, Hard Feelings

Lu Chuan settled the accounts with the site manager. Lu Chuan did a great job, and the manager was just as fair—he didn’t short Lu Chuan a single cent.

The manager said, “You did good work. Even the finishing touches are flawless.”

Lu Chuan smiled shyly, but the truth was, he really had done a solid job.

For the final cleanup, all the leftover materials—wherever the manager wanted them sent, Lu Chuan personally delivered them with his five-man crew, using only trusted people.

As for what channels the manager used or how he handled things afterward, Lu Chuan never asked a single question. He just did his own job.

Fang Dahua (Big Tiger) never did figure out all the ins and outs of what was going on.

The manager insisted on treating Lu Chuan and Fang Yuan to a meal.

Really, he just wanted to get closer to Lu Chuan. The leftover materials on the site could be worth a little something—anything useful was taken away, the rest was treated as trash.

But before Lu Chuan made any moves, he always put the manager’s interests first. He never tried to take advantage or grab a share for himself. How could he not leave a good impression?

Still, Lu Chuan politely declined the manager’s invitation: “If you really think I’m a decent guy, that my work’s up to standard, and you trust me, just call me if you have more jobs, or introduce me to some work for my brothers. Ever since I took your job, my wife and I haven’t even been home. We need to go back and check in.”

The manager was understanding, and made things clear: “I’ve never seen a foreman as dedicated as you. Go on home. I’ll call you in a couple of days.”

Lu Chuan could tell—there really was more work waiting for him.

He couldn’t help but grin: “Thank you, brother. I promise, when it comes to work, I’ll never let you down.”

Lu Chuan took the money home, paid Fang Yuan back what she’d fronted, and then went to split the profits with his brother-in-law. The moment of victory had arrived.

None of the Five Tigers expected to make so much money in just over ten days. No wonder the boss didn’t care about saving face anymore.

Fang Yuan’s face was flushed with happiness as she asked the Five Tigers, “How do you feel?”

True siblings—Big Tiger immediately said, “My sister married cheap.”

Fang Yuan and Lu Chuan both looked at him. Big Tiger pointed at the two stacks of cash: “Look, compare them—didn’t she?”

Fang Yuan actually nodded. “Seems like you’re right. I wasn’t even worth five hundred—I only asked for a two-hundred-yuan bride price.”

Lu Chuan got anxious. “Don’t say things like that!”

He quickly hustled the two troublemakers home. No one knew that the lunchbox bag they were carrying was now full of cash.

Back at his father-in-law’s house, Lu Chuan and Big Brother Fang split the money. Lu Chuan took out the ledger—how much was on the contract, how much was spent—everything was clear, line by line.

In the end, Lu Chuan and Big Brother Fang each got over seven hundred yuan. Not bad at all.

Compared to Lu Chuan’s seven hundred, the five brothers splitting seven hundred looked a little less pleased.

Fang Yuan noticed the mood across the table and her own face darkened.

Big Tiger looked at his share and spoke up: “Not bad at all. In just a few days, over two hundred in wages, plus another hundred in profit—over three hundred in total.”

Fourth Tiger nodded. If you didn’t compare it to his brother-in-law, it was a good haul. He said honestly, “This job pays.”

Big Tiger added, “But look, Fang Yuan, you were at the site all day, and Lu Chuan and Big Brother didn’t pay you any wages. My brother-in-law was running around all over the site, but he didn’t get paid either. You two worked and split seven hundred—so that’s just over three hundred each, about the same as me. Now I feel balanced.”

Big Tiger’s blunt words made the other brothers feel better too. Wasn’t that the truth? If you split it by headcount, everyone got about three hundred.

They put in the labor, but Fang Yuan put up the capital. Brother-in-law might not have done as much hard labor, but he handled a lot of the site work.

So, all in all, brother-in-law didn’t really take advantage.

Second Brother Fang was the first to smooth things over: “Don’t talk nonsense. Are you really worried your own sister has money? We’re all family—no need to talk about who got more or less.”

Big Tiger looked at his brothers and thought, If I didn’t say it, would you guys have figured it out? The moment you see money, you forget your own sister. Shameful.

He glanced at his brother-in-law and joked, “I just felt a little unbalanced seeing how much he made.” Then he shot a look at his brothers.

Third and Fourth Tiger turned away, now feeling fine. Clearly, he wasn’t talking about them.

Big Dummy Fang watched, excited, just happy for the kids: “Amazing! Our son-in-law is really something—making so much in just a few days.”

But as soon as someone who can’t keep his mouth shut joins in, the balanced atmosphere shifts.

Big Brother Fang stayed silent. How was this money made? Wasn’t it all thanks to brother-in-law? Without him, there’d be no money.

Third and Fourth Tiger raised their eyebrows at Big Brother Fang, their looks full of silent argument.

Wang Cuixiang cheerfully sent Lu Chuan and Fang Yuan on their way: “Alright, hurry home now. You just got married and I’ve kept you here for over ten days. Your in-laws must be worried.”

Lu Chuan was eager to go too: “Let’s listen to Mom. Dad, Fang Yuan and I will come visit soon, but we really need to go home first—we’re filthy.”

Who knows what the future holds, but for now, this is a good ending. Lu Chuan was a smart man.

Wang Cuixiang packed a piece of meat for her daughter to take home. She really felt sorry for her—over ten days on the construction site, even without hard labor, she was tanned and thinner.

Third and Fourth Tiger tidied up and ran out to play. Once they let it go, they didn’t dwell on it.

Third Tiger grumbled, “Mom, see? Even if our brother-in-law is capable, he just wants to take the money home.”

Wang Cuixiang snapped at her third son: “When you make money, you don’t give it to your mother either.”

Third Tiger fell silent—well, he was married, wasn’t he?

Wang Cuixiang turned to her eldest and second sons: “Let me make this clear. You brothers working together is a good thing. If you can do it, do it. If not, don’t. But don’t let money get in the way of family harmony.”

Third Tiger looked at his mom, unhappy she was only scolding her sons: “We’ve helped brother-in-law so much—he wouldn’t dare fall out with us.”

Wang Cuixiang laughed: “Helped him? Did you give your wages to your brother-in-law, or did you not get a share of his earnings?”

Second Tiger said, “That’s not what I mean, Mom. Without Big Brother and us, brother-in-law couldn’t have made this money.”

Wang Cuixiang knew her sons well. When it comes to money, they’d turn on each other, let alone their brother-in-law: “Without your brother-in-law, would you have made this money?”

Second Tiger said nothing. Big Brother Fang was also silent. They had to admit—it was a team effort.

Wang Cuixiang said, “You’re always working on sites, but I’ve never seen you bring home this much. If you don’t want to be grateful, fine, but don’t hold a grudge.”

The sons said nothing.

Wang Cuixiang continued, “Money is a good thing, but don’t value it too much. You’re all grown with your own families. I won’t meddle, but if you feel you can’t work together, talk it out with your brother-in-law. Go your separate ways, each on your own merit. That’s nothing to be ashamed of—it’s what real men do.”

Finally, Big Brother Fang spoke up: “Don’t worry about that, Mom.”

56."

"Chapter 56: Bring It On!