Chapter 63: Selfishness Runs in the Family

When it comes to family matters behind closed doors, you can make as much fuss as you want. Her own daughter is stubborn as a mule, and she gets along well enough with her husband. Wang Cui Xiang couldn’t bring herself to tell her daughter, “You should keep your guard up with your husband.”

No matter how worried she was, as a mother, she just had to shoulder it all herself.

But Fang Yuan didn’t care about any of that—her ambitions lay elsewhere. “Of course, Mom. I wanted to discuss something with you.”

Wang Cui Xiang felt her scalp tingle. Her daughter was as bold as they come, and if she said she wanted to “discuss” something, it was bound to be a big deal. “What is it?”

Fang Yuan, with not a hint of embarrassment, said openly, “I want to borrow some money.”

Wang Cui Xiang replied, “You’re not short on money, are you? Your husband just got over seven hundred. What do you need it for?” Seven hundred was a fortune in those days.

Fang Yuan said, “I’ve got my eye on that mixer.”

Wang Cui Xiang clutched her chest—she knew this daughter of hers would never give her peace of mind. “No way. That’s not a piece of candy or a new dress. You can’t just buy it because you want it.”

Fang Yuan insisted, “But I do want it, and when I want something, I have to get it. With that, I could earn more than a few men put together.”

Wang Cui Xiang wanted to hide from her daughter. “Still no. Do you know how much that costs?” Then she added, “Would your husband even agree?”

Fang Yuan said, “It’s my money. I decide how to spend it.” She was so stubborn, it was infuriating.

Wang Cui Xiang was so angry she didn’t know what to say. “You’re married now. The money isn’t just yours—it’s you and your husband’s. You should talk things over before spending it.”

Fang Yuan replied, “He said himself that thing would definitely make money, but we just can’t afford it.”

Wang Cui Xiang cut her off, “Then that means you shouldn’t buy it yet.”

Fang Yuan argued, “If we don’t buy it now and my brother gets one first, what’s the point? Wouldn’t that mean I’d be competing with him for business?”

Wang Cui Xiang asked, “Your brother wants to buy one too?”

Fang Yuan said, “If he doesn’t buy it now, he’ll buy it later.”

Wang Cui Xiang scolded, “You troublesome girl. You just said your brother wants to buy one, and you expect me to help you instead of my own son? When I’m old, am I supposed to live with you?”

Fang Yuan answered, completely clueless, “That’s not out of the question.”

Wang Cui Xiang was about ready to kick her. How did she end up with such a brainless daughter? Living with her daughter in old age—her five sons would never let her live it down.

But Fang Yuan thought her mother was the one who was clueless. “There’s still Fifth Brother. You think you can count on my eldest brother?”

Wang Cui Xiang said, “Just stop talking. At least I know what your eldest sister-in-law is like. Who knows what kind of wife your fifth brother will marry? Can I count on him?”

Fang Yuan said, “Fifth Brother is clever. He’ll definitely marry a good one, so it won’t be a problem. Besides, why are you worrying so far ahead? Right now, they all still need Dad’s help.”

Wang Cui Xiang looked at her daughter, truly exasperated. The only reason she could get along with her brothers at all was because their parents still had some authority at home. Otherwise, with a sister like this, who knows if they’d even keep in touch in the future.

Wang Cui Xiang said, “Just stop talking. With that mouth of yours, you’ll offend all your sisters-in-law. What will you do then? You need to get along with them. Otherwise, when your father and I are gone, you won’t even have your family to rely on.”

Fang Yuan agreed, “Exactly, that’s what I think too. I need to get along with them. I can’t spend my days tiptoeing around my sisters-in-law. If I buy the mixer, the family will only get better. Think about it, Mom—five men, all earning money and handing it over to me.”

Wang Cui Xiang was so angry she grabbed the feather duster. “Shut up! How can you say things like that? It’s so crude!”

Fang Yuan, still stubborn, said, “Well, it’s the truth.”

Wang Cui Xiang never knew what to do with this daughter. “Let me think about it.”

Fang Yuan grinned, “I knew you had money.”

Wang Cui Xiang was startled, “Don’t talk nonsense! When did I ever say I had money?”

Fang Yuan said, “You didn’t say you didn’t have any. You said you’d think about it, so that means you do. Don’t take me for a fool. If you won’t give it to me, I’ll go ask Dad.”

Wang Cui Xiang was exasperated. Normally, this girl was a bit slow, but when it came to money, she was sharp as a tack. “Your dad really doesn’t have any. It’s no use asking him.”

Fang Yuan said, “I’ll ask Dad to buy pigs on credit for me. Once we sell the meat, we’ll have money. Dad’s got good connections—he could get credit for half a year if he wanted.”

This troublesome child—if she didn’t get a beating, she’d never rein in her arrogance. She still had sons who weren’t married yet, and here her daughter was, ruining the family’s reputation. What girl would want to marry into a family like this?

And now she’s trying to rope her dad into buying pigs on credit? How capable did she think she was?

Wang Cui Xiang threw down the feather duster, grabbed a fire poker, and chased Fang Yuan out of the house.

But in the end, she knew her daughter was stubborn, so she took out the bankbook anyway.

Something that expensive, just buying it on a whim—how was she supposed to explain it to her son-in-law?

Her sons were being selfish, leaving their brother-in-law out, while her daughter was just squandering money. She really didn’t know how to face her son-in-law. Just thinking about it gave Wang Cui Xiang a headache.

Even if she lent the money to her daughter, her son-in-law probably wouldn’t appreciate it. What had she done in a past life to end up with such a bunch of kids?

In the end, she took the bankbook and went to talk it over with Fang Da Leng—this was a matter for the man of the house to decide.

Fang Da Leng was nothing but proud when he heard the story, not a hint of hesitation. “My daughter is something else. Not even the men have that kind of vision. She’s better than all her brothers put together.”

Wang Cui Xiang retorted, “Even all your sons together wouldn’t dare squander that much money.”

Fang Da Leng said, “Come on, this is serious business for the kid. If we can help, we should. You can’t just sit around waiting for the kids to be filial.”

Wang Cui Xiang replied, “If she’s going to be filial, it’ll be to her in-laws, not you. Don’t kid yourself.”

Fang Da Leng said, “Still, she’s my daughter. Her abilities make me proud.”

Wang Cui Xiang said, “When your daughter comes asking you to buy pigs on credit, remember to give her the bankbook. But don’t go around ruining our family’s reputation. I’m telling you, if you dare go out and buy pigs on credit, don’t bother coming home.”

Fang Da Leng replied, “I wouldn’t. I’m not about to do whatever that girl says.”

Wang Cui Xiang shot him a cold look, and Fang Da Leng immediately shut up. On this point, he really didn’t have much credibility.

Wang Cui Xiang said, “Just keep this in mind. It’s not easy to talk about this with your sons.”

Fang Da Leng said, “It’s my money. I’ll give it to whoever I want. It was meant for my daughter’s dowry anyway.”

Wang Cui Xiang’s headache only got worse. “I told you to stop talking, so stop talking.”

Fang Da Leng said, “I’ll listen to my wife.” See, things are so much simpler this way—no point arguing with someone who doesn’t get it.

Wang Cui Xiang was satisfied, but everyone knew Fang Yuan didn’t actually have that much money. It was just for appearances.

Lu Chuan and Wu Hu came back soon after, and ran into Fang Yuan on the way.

Wu Hu was over the moon and chattered to Fang Yuan, “Turns out, it’s not just about being capable. Reputation matters too.”

Fang Yuan didn’t have time for his rambling—she was in a hurry. “Get to the point. Any work?”

Wu Hu replied, “Yeah, the manager really values us. He introduced us to a job in the city. He likes that we’re willing to invest in equipment, do quality work, and are good people.”

Fang Yuan was relieved. “See, I told you we need to buy that mixer.”

Wu Hu was all in, too. “Let’s buy it. I’ll give you all my money, we’ll buy it together.”

But Fang Yuan was just as selfish as her eldest brother, not one bit less. “No way. Don’t get involved. That’s my way of making money. You still have to go to school. If I can’t work, the mixer will help us earn money. Why are you getting involved?”

64."

"Chapter 64: The Question of Who's in Charge