Chapter 56: Bring It On!

When Boss Fang said this, Erhu and Sanhu both breathed a sigh of relief. The matter was settled, and it was for the best.

Who were they, after all, in the village? Why should they get a share just because their brother-in-law was going to school with them? What right did they have to a cut?

This matter hadn’t really been resolved at its root.

On the other side, Fang Daleng wasn’t too happy. What did the eldest mean by that, acting like he wasn’t worried? Was he really saying everyone should just go their own way?

Wasn’t it all going well? Now that they were making money, why break up the partnership?

He wanted to speak up, but his wife shot him a glare, so Fang Daleng kept quiet.

Behind closed doors, the couple sighed and grumbled. Having money was turning out to be worse than not having any at all. Now even the brothers felt distant.

Wang Cuixiang said, “Don’t overthink it. Better to split up early than late.”

She figured, if they waited any longer, things might really blow up, and that would be truly embarrassing.

Wang Daleng muttered, “We’re all siblings, how come everyone’s acting so heartless?”

Wang Cuixiang replied, “Whatever you say.” Fang Daleng didn’t dare say another word.

Meanwhile, Fang Yuan and Lu Chuan headed home. The house was tidy, and the yard was neat as well.

Seeing how well everything was put together, Fang Yuan’s mood lifted. “Mom must have cleaned up for us.”

Lu Chuan, looking a bit downcast, said, “I’ll go let Mom know we’re back. You go inside and rest.”

Fang Yuan had no objections. She didn’t want to go to the new courtyard anyway, not with those two shameless troublemakers there. “Take the things we bought for Mom with you.”

Hearing this, Lu Chuan felt a lot better inside.

He frowned, reflecting on himself. Why did he suddenly feel reluctant to let Fang Yuan interact with Lu Laoda?

Fang Yuan opened the door. The inside wasn’t as clean as outside; it needed a good wipe-down before anyone could stay in it.

Lu Chuan’s mother came over with him. Seeing Fang Yuan as warm as ever, she beamed, “Fang Yuan, you’re back! If I’d known you were coming today, I’d have cooked for you.”

Fang Yuan said, “No need, Mom. We already ate. Thanks for looking after things these past few days. I’ll give you the key next time.”

Lu Chuan’s mother smiled so hard her eyes nearly disappeared. That was trust! She wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but without the key, she couldn’t get in to tidy up or warm the kang for her daughter-in-law.

So she decided to take the key.

Fang Yuan split the meat in half, giving one part to Lu Chuan’s mother. “Take this home for Dad and Xiao San.” She made it clear—none for Lu Laoda.

Lu Chuan’s mother protested, “No need, we’re not short of meat at home.”

Fang Yuan grinned, “Take it. Your son earned it—he’s really made a name for himself.”

Lu Chuan, standing to the side, felt a bit shy. Fang Yuan actually thought he’d made a name for himself, and his face felt hot. Was Fang Yuan proud of him? Did this mean he was a real man now, at least better than Lu Laoda?

Just one sentence from Fang Yuan, and Lu Chuan’s mind spun up a whole drama.

Lu Chuan’s mother, like a little fangirl, looked at Fang Yuan eagerly. “Really?” Her eyes sparkled.

Fang Yuan replied, “Of course.”

Lu Chuan’s mother slapped her thigh. “As long as you’re making money, that’s all that matters. With money in hand, there’s nothing to worry about. But, we don’t go around showing off—what do you think about the second family?”

Fang Yuan had never planned to show off. Was she supposed to wave cash around in the street? “Yeah, but what about it?”

The light faded from Lu Chuan’s mother’s face, and she frowned. “Your eldest sister-in-law—no, that shameless one—came to make a scene at home. Good thing we cleared things up in the village, or who knows what trouble she’d have stirred up.”

She added bitterly, “If our family had money, she’d be even worse.”

Fang Yuan was tough. She sneered, “Like I’d be afraid of her? Her family’s no good either. Let them come and make a scene—let’s see who’s tougher.”

She added, “No matter how much my big brother and I fight, when it comes to outsiders, he’ll always take my side.”

Lu Chuan couldn’t help but laugh. She wasn’t clueless—she knew there was trouble with her brother.

And she really didn’t want anyone to know about the siblings’ quarrels.

Lu Chuan’s mother didn’t dare let her daughter-in-law fight like that. “I just worry about you. I wish you could have a peaceful life.”

Fang Yuan nodded, feeling her mother-in-law cared about her. “Don’t worry. If word gets out, their family will be more embarrassed than ours. Selling their daughter twice—shameless.”

Lu Chuan’s mother couldn’t say anything. After all, that was her son, and she felt sorry that Lu Laoda’s life wasn’t going well.

Now, Lu Laoda only went to the fields when no one was around, afraid of being laughed at.

Last time, Lu Laoda came back from his wife’s family with Li Meng, but Li Meng’s family had kept all their clothes, and both their faces and necks were scratched up.

If it hadn’t been for the fact that Li Meng didn’t come out any better, and Lu Laoda said Li Meng had protected him, Lu Chuan’s mother would have scolded Li Meng for sure.

Lu Chuan’s mother said, “I just worry that if they find out you’re making money, they’ll come and make trouble.”

Fang Yuan was completely unfazed. “Let them! I’ll show them—my money is mine, and nobody else can touch it.”

Lu Chuan didn’t say a word, meaning he agreed with Fang Yuan. He had no intention of bailing out Lu Laoda with his money.

Lu Chuan’s mother understood—there was no way Fang Yuan or her second son would give money to the eldest.

But she didn’t expect them to, either. “Second daughter-in-law, I’m definitely on your side, but I’m a bit timid.”

Fang Yuan was easygoing. “Don’t worry, just stand by and watch the show. Just don’t side with those shameless troublemakers.”

Lu Chuan’s mother patted her chest in assurance. “Of course.”

Fang Yuan took the rest of the meat to the kitchen to cook. “Mom, we haven’t been home for a while. You and Dad have been looking after everything. Have Lu Chuan bring Dad and Xiao San over for dinner tonight. Let’s all eat together.”

Lu Chuan’s mother protested, “You two have it tough enough. We’ll just eat at home.”

Fang Yuan said, “It’s no trouble. We should have done this long ago.”

Lu Chuan’s mother thought it over and agreed. “I’ll cook here, and we’ll all eat together. No need to bring any more meat.”

With that, she went to the kitchen to help, but when it came to using any grain, she made sure to check with Fang Yuan first.

She was still careful around her daughter-in-law—always polite.

Fang Yuan didn’t mind. In the countryside, no one had any spare cash, and grain was everything.

Lu Chuan went to fetch his dad and Xiao San for dinner, leaving Lu Laoda and his wife out. Truth be told, neither Fang Yuan nor Lu Chuan wanted anything to do with those two.

If Lu Laoda had to eat at the same table as Fang Yuan, Lu Chuan felt he’d lose his appetite.

Once again, Lu Chuan realized he wasn’t as forgiving as he thought.

At dinner, when Lu Chuan’s father learned his second son was making money, he relaxed a lot. “That’s good, that’s good. Making money puts my mind at ease.”

Xiao San chimed in, “Dad’s been thinking about selling the grain at home these days, worried you wouldn’t have enough for school.”

Fang Yuan said seriously to Xiao San, “Your second brother isn’t going to school, and anyway, it’s time to sell the grain before it gets infested with bugs.”

Xiao San blushed. People said this second sister-in-law was stubborn, but she wasn’t stupid at all. She didn’t let anything slide, and it was hard to get on her good side.

Thank you for reading, dear friends.

(End of Chapter 56)"

"Chapter 57: Not One to Care About Saving Face