Chapter 103: This Is a Test

It wasn’t that Lu Chuan didn’t want to make Fang Yuan happy by buying more things; it was just that Fang Yuan was sensible. She pointed out that people back in their county didn’t even know what these tools were for, so even if they bought them, no one would rent them.

She liked these things because she could use them to make money for herself. That was her core principle, through and through.

Save up first, buy more later. Of course, as they were leaving, she casually asked Lu Chuan, “How come I didn’t see any cranes for sale?”

Lu Chuan nearly tripped. His ability to make money would never keep up with his wife’s ability to spend it—that was truly the tragedy of being a man.

He’d just earned his first real bit of money and was feeling pretty pleased with himself, but with just one sentence, Fang Yuan brought him crashing back down to earth.

The money in his hand wasn’t nearly enough to meet his wife’s spending standards. So what was there to be proud of?

After dinner, Lu Chuan was reluctant to see Fang Yuan leave early the next morning. He wanted to take her out for a walk, look at the moon, and have a private chat.

But Fang Yuan was busy studying the angle grinder, the electric drill, and the cutting machine she’d bought, completely ignoring Lu Chuan. She was focused.

Of course, Lu Chuan couldn’t just go off and sulk, because Fang Yuan still needed his technical guidance.

She called him over: “Come here and show me how to use these. Otherwise, if I take them home and don’t know how to use them, it’s a waste.”

Lu Chuan didn’t want to waste time on these things. “There’s a manual. You can read it at home.”

Fang Yuan replied, “I still need to learn how to use them myself first.”

Then she asked, “What if these things break?”

Lu Chuan said, “As long as it’s not user error, there’s a warranty for a certain period.”

Then Lu Chuan’s eyes narrowed with a smile. “If that happens, you can come to the provincial capital and find me. We’ll go get them repaired together.”

He said it with such affection that he even thought, if he’d known, he should have bought something more likely to break, not something so reliable.

But Fang Yuan was on a totally different wavelength. “Will they reimburse the travel expenses?”

Lu Chuan just stared at her. Why was she always so sharp in the places she shouldn’t be? “Don’t you want to come see me?”

Fang Yuan’s face darkened. Was this man brainless? “Are you hoping these things break?”

She couldn’t stand it. Was this how life was supposed to be? She stopped looking at the new gadgets and decided Lu Chuan’s thinking needed correcting.

She started lecturing him on how to be a person. It was okay to be a little naïve, but you couldn’t be completely clueless. Did he know how much time and money it took to travel from their place to the provincial capital? How do you account for that trip?

She even added, “Don’t be so gullible when you’re out there. Don’t let people fool you.”

Then she told Lu Chuan that they needed to buy some spare parts tomorrow, so they wouldn’t have to make another trip if something broke.

Lu Chuan took it all as sweet talk—this was just Fang Yuan worrying about him. What else could he do?

At least his wife was looking at him now, not those machines.

Lu Chuan was easily satisfied. At least he’d achieved his goal: Fang Yuan was paying attention to him, even if the conversation had gone off track.

It would’ve been even better if they could have gone out to look at the moon.

Fang Yuan said, “Did you hear me?”

Lu Chuan blushed. “I heard you. I won’t let anyone fool me.”

Fang Yuan frowned. Was he even listening? Was that the point? “I said we’re going to buy spare parts tomorrow.”

Lu Chuan replied, “I’ll go with you.”

Fang Yuan was finally satisfied. Lu Chuan, meanwhile, was lost in his own thoughts, feeling pretty pleased.

As long as he could keep up with her pace, that was enough.

That whole evening, Lu Chuan finally managed to coax Fang Yuan out for a walk. He was looking at the moon, lost in his feelings.

Fang Yuan, on the other hand, was looking at screws—thinking about how many she needed, what sizes to buy.

Lu Chuan’s face stayed red the whole time. When Fang Yuan wanted to go back to the guesthouse, saying it was late and walking around was wearing out her shoes, Lu Chuan tried to keep her from going back so soon.

Fang Yuan was exasperated. “Do you think these shoes are rented? Are you trying to wear them out to get your money’s worth?”

Lu Chuan was at a loss for words but had to say, “If we go back early, it’ll just be the two of us. What if I start overthinking things?”

Fang Yuan was completely innocent. “Overthink what? What are you thinking?”

Lu Chuan couldn’t help himself—he grabbed Fang Yuan and gave her a quick kiss. That’s what he was thinking.

Fang Yuan hadn’t expected Lu Chuan to have the guts. She thought he was going to say something, so she even leaned in a little.

The effect was immediate. The “Fang family tigress” reputation was well-earned.

She immediately reached for Lu Chuan’s head, but he was quick this time and dodged, leaving Fang Yuan swinging at air, her face full of disbelief.

She gritted her teeth. “Lu Chuan, you pervert! Just wait till I get my hands on you!”

Lu Chuan definitely wasn’t going to stick around to be hit—he ran. Fang Yuan chased after him. If she’d just slowed down a little, it would’ve been romantic.

A bit of a pity, but Lu Chuan’s imagination made up for it.

When Lu Chuan finally couldn’t run anymore and Fang Yuan caught up, she twisted his arm—not too hard, not too soft.

Lu Chuan was content. It was as if Fang Yuan had caught up just to touch him. “Alright, let’s go back.”

Fang Yuan’s voice had lost its edge. “What are you trying to do? Are you up to something?”

Lu Chuan said, “No, don’t worry. I’ll fall asleep as soon as we get back—I’m exhausted from running.”

Fang Yuan huffed, “What a waste of dinner. You ran it all off. Would’ve been better to save your energy for thinking.”

Lu Chuan joked, “Or you could give me a kiss—I’d rest better than anything.”

Fang Yuan shot him a look. “You dare think about that kind of thing?”

As they talked, they arrived back at the guesthouse.

Lu Chuan said, “How is that a bad thing? When it comes to calming down, thinking clearly, and having enough space to reflect, aren’t I the expert?”

Fang Yuan scowled and finally managed, “Speak human language.”

Lu Chuan grinned, “Whoever’s got the better brain, we listen to them.”

Fang Yuan pursed her lips. Of course, that was Lu Chuan. “You say it.”

Lu Chuan said, “If you kiss me, I’ll be more energized than after a meal, and my brain will work even better.”

Fang Yuan asked, “Are you serious?”

Lu Chuan felt a little guilty and shot back, “Didn’t you say we should do what I say?”

Fang Yuan’s face darkened. She packed her things and went to bed.

Lu Chuan lay there awkwardly, not daring to move. He thought to himself, a bit regretful that he hadn’t managed to sweet-talk his wife.

Then Fang Yuan suddenly leaned over and pecked him on the cheek.

Lu Chuan froze, feeling like his whole body was on fire.

He never expected Fang Yuan to have such a passionate side.

Then Fang Yuan stared at him and asked, “Well? Can you rest your brain now and think about something proper?”

If he could think about anything proper at this moment, Lu Chuan figured he didn’t need to go to school—he should go become a monk.

Fang Yuan kept staring, waiting for his answer. “Is your brain clear now?”

Lu Chuan nodded. In reality, not only was his mind not clear, it was a complete mess."