Chapter 93: Revitalizing the Family Business

After putting down her chopsticks, when it was just the family in private, Second Sister-in-law spoke up: “Isn’t our brother-in-law deliberately putting on a show for us?”

Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense—why would he be so protective of his own sister-in-law at the dinner table?

Third Sister-in-law, who’s straightforward and simple-minded, asked, “Why would he put on a show for us?”

Second Sister-in-law replied, “Our brother-in-law is good-looking, seems quite capable, and he’s got some money now. He’s still planning to go to school. What if he just runs off one day?”

The blunt Third Sister-in-law went straight to their mother-in-law: “Brother-in-law treats little sister so well—does he just want to keep us happy so he can go off to school and never come back? Mom, shouldn’t we be on guard?”

Wang Cui Xiang, their mother-in-law, scolded her third daughter-in-law until she left in a huff: “You must have nothing better to do. If you’re so free, go home and take care of your kids.”

Third Sister-in-law didn’t dare say another word. Second Sister-in-law, on the other hand, just smiled as if none of this had anything to do with her.

Wang Cui Xiang said, “I know exactly what kind of person Third Daughter-in-law is—she’s not the scheming type. But you, watch your mouth in the future. Don’t use the third family as your mouthpiece.”

Then she added, “Even if my daughter really can’t count on a man and has to come back home, she’s still got her parents. She won’t be a burden on you brothers.”

Wang Cui Xiang wasn’t just saying this—she really meant it. This son-in-law is good, very good in fact, but he’s almost too good, and she doesn’t have the means to help her daughter keep a tight hold on him. Luckily, her daughter Fang Yuan is open-minded. They’ll just have to see how things go.

Second Sister-in-law was almost in tears: “Mom, you can’t say that. Of course I want little sister to be well. I’m just too blunt, that’s all. I didn’t mean anything else—I just wanted to remind her.”

Wang Cui Xiang replied, “If you’d just say a few words less, you’d be doing your sister a favor.”

Eldest Sister-in-law kept quiet on the side, but still got dragged in. Wang Cui Xiang said, “You’re no good either. You have a son yourself, but you never think about your own child—always worrying about your own family. Why don’t you just move back to your parents’ house?”

Second Sister-in-law didn’t feel so wronged after that—compared to her, Eldest Sister-in-law was even less favored by their mother-in-law. That was a harsh thing to say.

Eldest Sister-in-law protested, “Mom, that’s not true.”

But Wang Cui Xiang knew exactly what was going on, and ended up scolding all three daughters-in-law out of the room.

Fang Da Leng didn’t dare say a word for a long while. After the daughters-in-law left, he finally asked, “Who made you so angry? Why take it out on the daughters-in-law?”

Wang Cui Xiang said, “Tell me, can we really count on this son-in-law?”

Turns out, the root of her anger was actually the best-behaved son-in-law. She’d been bottling it up.

Her son-in-law was about to have the whole world at his feet, and as a mother, she worried for her daughter. Who wouldn’t? Wang Cui Xiang didn’t think of herself as petty, but she really couldn’t be sure about this.

She said, “I heard he’s made quite a lot of money. If he doesn’t even lack for money, what do we have to keep him in check?”

Fang Da Leng replied, “Wife, what are you thinking? Didn’t you say we should treat our son-in-law as well as possible, so he’d feel guilty about our daughter and wouldn’t want to leave her? If you want things to last, you can’t try to control him.”

Wang Cui Xiang didn’t want to say anything more—her foolish husband really believed everything he heard.

If you don’t have any tricks up your sleeve, no confidence, and just one son-in-law, can you really trust him with your daughter? Isn’t that just being naïve? Forget it, better to just let things go.

Wang Cui Xiang said, “Later, I’ll take some money out and buy a house for our Fang Yuan in the village.”

Fang Da Leng said, “It’s our family’s money, you decide. I’ve always said we should get a place for our daughter—sons or daughters, it’s all the same. I’ll get one for each of them. Why would I shortchange my own daughter? If we’d given it as a dowry, it would’ve been so impressive.”

Wang Cui Xiang looked at Fang Da Leng, but couldn’t say that she was actually preparing a backup plan for her daughter.

Fang Da Leng finally remembered the main thing: “By the way, how much money did the two brothers end up making?”

Wang Cui Xiang thought to herself, This father really has no clue: “Do you think I could get a straight answer out of them?”

Fang Da Leng said, “Why not? They seemed so happy—what’s there to hide?”

Wang Cui Xiang just ignored him at that point. He really didn’t understand his own daughter and sons.

Even before the fifth son started working with Lu Chuan, he was already pretty sharp. After spending so long with Lu Chuan, now even the soles of his feet are full of schemes.

When Lu Chuan and Fang Yuan returned home, Lu’s mother was overjoyed: “I was worried you’d be late for school.”

Fang Yuan said, “It’s not a big deal—how could we forget something like that?”

Then she took out two floral blouses: “My dad picked one for you, and I picked one. You can wear whichever you like.”

She’d originally wanted to pick one for Wang Cui Xiang too, but because of Fang Da’s pride, she didn’t. Otherwise, why would Fang Yuan have made such a fuss?

She was still holding a grudge about that.

Then she took out a bunch of sewing supplies: “These will be handy for you.”

Lu’s mother was so happy she could barely contain herself—she didn’t even notice her daughter-in-law used the formal “you” to address her.

In the village, a woman who has all the sewing supplies she needs is the envy of others.

She held up the blouses, beaming: “Why spend money on this?”

But clearly, spending the money made Lu’s mother happy.

Fang Yuan took out a hundred yuan: “My dad earned this—he wants you to have it.”

Lu’s mother was almost too stunned to smile. She grabbed Fang Yuan’s hand and asked, “How hard did your dad have to work to earn this much? Where did the money come from?”

Lu Chuan said, “Don’t worry, my dad’s doing well. He earned every bit of it.”

Then he explained what happened at the construction site.

Fang Yuan said, “It’s all thanks to my dad being so attentive. Otherwise, the project wouldn’t have finished so quickly, and there wouldn’t be another job lined up. Now we don’t have to worry about the cement mixer being out of work.”

Lu Chuan thought to himself, Why does it always come back to the cement mixer? Isn’t that supposed to be my business, my main job?

But the mother and daughter-in-law were deep in conversation—he couldn’t get a word in. From start to finish, it was either about Lu’s dad or the cement mixer—nothing to do with him.

Fang Yuan said, “Oh right, Mom, there were some leftover materials at the construction site. Since people see us as honest and don’t want any waste, they asked us to help deal with it. I noticed Little Third doesn’t have a place of his own yet. If we just pay a bit for transport, we can bring the materials home.”

Lu’s mother grabbed Fang Yuan’s hand: “Is there really such a good deal?”

Lu Chuan thought, Of course not. We still have to pay something, at least symbolically. But compared to the market price, it’s a real bargain. Fang Yuan and Fifth Tiger couldn’t bear to let anyone else have it, so they brought it home themselves.

Seeing Fang Yuan stay quiet, Lu Chuan didn’t say anything either—his own father knew what was what.

Fang Yuan said, “My fifth brother is going to build a house too, so we’ll bring it all back together. Just to have it ready.”

Lu’s mother was so excited she started to stutter: “Good, good, good.” How long has it been since the new daughter-in-law joined the family? Now they have money, and even building materials are ready.

Life was clearly on the up and up. Lu’s mother felt like she was floating—like it wasn’t real.

Lu’s third son came in from outside: “Will this make Second Brother late for school?”

Fang Yuan said, “You just eat and do nothing at home. Help Mom clear out some space and get ready to feed the driver. It won’t delay your second brother’s schooling.”"

"Chapter 94: Learning Brings Happiness