Chapter 105: Building a House

How much money could their brother-in-law possibly make to fill such a huge hole? The Fang family was really putting him in a tough spot. They’d better treat him well from now on.

And as for his own money, once he gets married, he should hand it over to his wife to manage. He can’t let Fang Yuan turn around and buy a crane with it.

Just look at Wu Hu—he’s really forward-thinking. But the bundle in his hands was so heavy; who knows what all Fang Yuan bought.

When Old Lu saw his daughter-in-law return, his face was all smiles, wrinkles and all: “It’s good you’re back, it’s good you’re back. I was really worried Lu Chuan might lose you along the way.”

He handed Fang Yuan an account book. It was all the work records he’d helped keep these past few days.

And also the consumption records for materials they didn’t need to manage themselves.

It was Wu Hu’s first time seeing an account book like this: “This has nothing to do with our work, does it? Recording the labor is enough—why bother with all this?”

Fang Yuan replied, “Lu Chuan said we should pay more attention, keep more records. For a project this big, how much material gets used—this is all experience for us. Maybe it’ll come in handy in the future.”

Wu Hu: “Brother-in-law said that?”

Fang Yuan: “Would I make that up?”

Wu Hu: “Then I’d better remember that. I’ll be more careful next time too.” Why doesn’t his brother-in-law teach him these things? He’s definitely keeping some tricks to himself.

Fang Yuan said, “Lu Chuan says, ‘Be extra careful when things are going well. Don’t get careless. Don’t let success go to your head.’”

Wu Hu: “Got it, got it. I’ve got my own little notebook from brother-in-law too.”

Wu Hu had always been the one to find workers, but he’d never dealt with management before, so he felt a bit unsure. Turns out everyone’s carrying around Lu Chuan’s words.

Old Lu, feeling sorry for his daughter-in-law who’d come all the way back from the provincial capital, said, “Yuan, you must be hungry. Let me make you something to eat.”

Fang Yuan replied, “No need, Dad, I’ve already eaten. Lu Chuan bought plenty of food—make sure you try some later.”

Then she added, “And please don’t call me ‘the second son’s wife’—it’s a mouthful. I’m the younger generation; just call me Fang Yuan.”

Just those two sentences, and Wu Hu could tell something was different. This wasn’t how her sister used to talk, nor was it her usual style.

If you didn’t know better, you’d think she was a city girl—using ‘您’ (the formal ‘you’) in every sentence, really sounding the part.

Old Lu listened to everything his daughter-in-law said: “Alright, Fang Yuan it is. It rolls off the tongue, and it’s a good name. The in-laws really picked a nice one.”

Fang Yuan said, “Once I get settled in here, Dad, you should go home and check on Mom.”

Old Lu replied, “No need, there’s nothing to see. I’m busy here and can’t leave.”

Fang Yuan insisted, “While I’m here, you really should go back and take a look. Xiao San’s at home, but he can’t really handle things.”

Hearing this, Old Lu immediately agreed: “Alright, I’ll listen to you.” Truth be told, he wasn’t at ease about things at home either.

Wu Hu could see it—whatever Fang Yuan arranged, her uncle would do. She really wasn’t just a daughter-in-law; she was running the show.

It didn’t look like the Lu family had just married a wife—they’d married someone who held the reins.

When it was just the two of them, Wu Hu asked Fang Yuan, “You’ve changed a lot. Did you pick this up from people in the provincial capital?”

Fang Yuan was puzzled, “What do you mean, ‘pick up’?”

Wu Hu explained, “‘您’, ‘您’—you sound nothing like a country girl. You really have the air of someone important.”

Fang Yuan didn’t think much of it: “I didn’t notice that in the city. It’s just that Lu Chuan insists on speaking this way with his parents.”

Wu Hu understood now. So it was brother-in-law who taught her, step by step. See, he gives his wife pointers, but never gives any to his brother-in-law.

Hmph, don’t think he hasn’t noticed—whenever Lu Chuan talks to someone important, he always uses that formal address. Well, Wu Hu would have to start acting the part too. Even if he couldn’t do it as well as Lu Chuan, he couldn’t fall behind Fang Yuan.

Who can’t put on airs? Wu Hu decided to secretly work on it.

With Fang Yuan back, Wu Hu felt less pressure. The two of them could work together and discuss things as they went.

With Fang Yuan helping out at the construction site, Wu Hu could free up some time for other things. Of course, he first learned how to use all the tools Fang Yuan brought back.

No wonder the bus driver had gone out of his way to help Fang Yuan—she had so much stuff, it was hard to carry.

But these gadgets were really useful. With them, their construction team looked much more professional.

All those little tasks became quicker and easier, which meant saving on labor.

Wu Hu brought over a few workers who’d been with him from the start and taught them how to use the new tools—another way to win people over.

Fang Yuan hadn’t understood these things before, but now she did—thanks to Lu Chuan’s hands-on teaching.

And with a wave of his hand, Wu Hu declared that the money for these tools was spent by him and Lu Chuan together. They had nothing to do with Fang Yuan anymore.

Of course, the money still went to Fang Yuan—otherwise, she wouldn’t agree. She really kept business and personal matters separate.

Fang Yuan was a bit reluctant to part with the good stuff. If she hadn’t gone to the provincial capital, she wouldn’t even know what these things were or how useful they could be. “You really know your stuff,” she said.

Wu Hu replied, “Here, take these little gadgets. They can’t be rented out for much anyway. You should save up for a big crane.”

Fang Yuan agreed, “That’s true.” She just took the money.

Then the two of them sighed—if you get the chance, you really should go out and see the world. It really broadens your horizons.

Wu Hu noticed that Fang Yuan was extremely meticulous in her work. When Lu Chuan was around, she’d check the accounts twice and feel at ease—no need for a third time.

But when Lu Chuan wasn’t there, Fang Yuan would go over the accounts again and again, who knows how many times.

Wu Hu said, “You don’t have to be so careful. As long as it matches up, what could go wrong?”

Fang Yuan replied, “What if I make a mistake? I’d rather check a couple more times—I’ve got the time anyway. I don’t want to lose out, but I don’t want to take advantage either.”

Wu Hu nodded. He felt the same way. When he had nothing to do, he’d look over his own little notebook too.

During the day, she’d drag Wu Hu along for safety inspections—more thorough than the official inspectors.

Wu Hu said, “You’re getting a little obsessed.”

Fang Yuan shot back, “We’re not as sharp as others, and we don’t think as far ahead. If we can’t even do well with what we do know, how are we supposed to get by?”

Wu Hu was convinced—Fang Yuan made sense.

He picked up his little notebook and checked it every day, walking around the site. He had to admit, it made him feel much more at ease.

When Old Lu came back from home, he brought Fang Yuan several dozen boiled eggs, pickles, meat sauce—everything.

Fang Yuan said, “Dad, what about the family? Why did you bring everything here?”

Old Lu replied, “Your mom said you don’t need to sell eggs for a bit of money now, so she saved them all up. She made salted eggs and sent them all to you.”

Fang Yuan was delighted—at least it was all from home. “How’s Mom doing?”

Old Lu said, “She’s fine. She and Xiao San go to the river to move stones. The two of them are planning that after the harvest, we’ll lay the foundation first. We have the materials, so it won’t cost much.”"

"Chapter 106: None of Them Are Any Good

Fang Yuan was delighted when she heard the news. “If we can get the house built, that would be great. When Lu Chuan comes back for the New Year, he’ll have a new house to stay in.”

Old Man Lu was tempted too, but he was only tempted—he couldn’t actually do it. “If we wait until after the autumn harvest to build, it’ll be too late. We won’t finish in time.”

Wu Hu, who had been listening in, offered a suggestion. “If we lay the foundation now and build after the harvest, we should be able to make it. Otherwise, let’s just start building now.”

But Old Man Lu, for once, stood his ground. “What’s the rush? It’s better to wait until next year to build.”

He was thinking that after the autumn harvest, they’d have more money on hand.

The second son and his wife had already brought home a lot of materials, and most of the money had been spent. With the money from the harvest and what he’d saved up, they’d be able to build the house.

In the countryside, building a house doesn’t cost much in labor since everyone helps out. Old Man Lu wanted to pay for the house himself.

As for Wu Hu and the others, if they were building regular houses, there wouldn’t be so much work, and they wouldn’t make much money either.

Wu Hu said, “Uncle, why not take advantage of the good weather and build now?”

Old Man Lu replied, “You’re just as impatient as Fang Yuan. Building a house is a big deal—you can’t rush it.”

The others didn’t say another word, but everyone had their own thoughts.

Fang Yuan, who never overthinks things, simply said, “Then we’ll listen to Dad.”

Wu Hu then started discussing with Fang Yuan, “You’re already married, and I need to get myself a wife too. I’ll talk to Mom and Dad about where I should build my house. I’m thinking I should get it built soon. Otherwise, if I just leave those materials at home, I won’t feel at ease.”

Fang Yuan asked, “What’s there to worry about? You can’t eat or drink building materials.”

Wu Hu replied, “Big brother, I won’t even mention him—he’s all about saving face, even if it means suffering. Second brother doesn’t even have a courtyard wall yet. Third brother wants to build an extra room. As for fourth brother, let’s not even talk about him. If I don’t use those materials to build my own house, they’ll all end up using them.”

Fang Yuan had to admit, Fifth Brother was thinking ahead. If the brothers used up the materials, what could he do? “But can you even go back home?”

They knew their own brothers best—none of them were easy to deal with. But the problem was, they couldn’t do without Wu Hu. If he went home to build, he wouldn’t be able to earn money.

Wu Hu just laughed. “Why would I go back? I’ll look for Big Brother. Isn’t he building houses for people now?”

Even honest Fang Yuan knew this was a bit shameless. “Aren’t you afraid Big Brother will get mad at you?”

If Big Brother built the house for him, how would they talk about payment? Would he charge or not? Either way, it’d be a headache for Big Brother.

Wu Hu brushed it off. “I’m giving him work—what’s wrong with that?”

Fang Yuan, for once, was the voice of reason. “You can’t do that. What if Dad gets upset?”

Wu Hu asked, “Then what should I do?”

Fang Yuan replied, “We’ll build our house the same way everyone else does. When the time comes, we’ll all build together.”

Wu Hu said, “But none of us are home—it’s a bit tricky. Maybe it’s better to just spend a bit more money.”

Fang Yuan laughed. “Fifth Brother, don’t call me slow, but I’m sure I’ve thought of something before you did—Fourth Brother is definitely going to come looking for you.”

Wu Hu didn’t want to talk about that. Their fourth brother was like a reincarnation of Shen Gongbao, a troublemaker through and through. “Don’t jinx it. I just hope he doesn’t start eyeing my stuff.”

Fang Yuan said, “I think it’s fine. If he really wants your things, don’t forget to have him help build my house too.”

Then she added, “Mom and Third Brother can manage things at home, but not outside.”

They didn’t bother hiding their conversation from Old Man Lu, who just pretended not to hear.

People always said the five tigers of the Fang family were all fierce in their own way. Old Man Lu thought, with sons like these, their father-in-law must be proud. Any one of them was worth several of other people’s sons.

Of course, when the brothers fought among themselves, it was a headache. Each had their own schemes.

Still, being a bit cunning was good—it meant they could get things done. If they were too honest, like their eldest, it was worrying. He only schemed against his own brothers, but outside, he was a pushover.

In the end, what Fang Yuan said came true—Fourth Brother showed up.

But he wasn’t after Wu Hu’s materials; he was interested in Wu Hu’s business.

He wanted to join Wu Hu and make money together. Wasn’t that just trying to get a free ride? The nerve!

Wu Hu thought, If I let you get involved, I must be out of my mind.

Their fourth brother didn’t have any other skills, but he was a master at stirring up trouble. Without him, nothing would get messed up.

Back when Big Brother and their brother-in-law were making money together, Fourth Brother was the loudest troublemaker.

He was the type who, when he saw money, forgot all about family. If he’d come to Wu Hu, it meant Big Brother must have already been tricked by him.

Fourth Brother started off on the wrong foot. “Fifth, we’re brothers. Me helping you is better than letting outsiders in.”

See? He was already trying to stir things up.

Wu Hu said, “Fourth Brother, come on. We all know each other too well. Remember how you drove brother-in-law away from Big Brother? You and Big Brother are brothers too, but that didn’t stop you from falling out.”

Fourth Brother’s face darkened. “Don’t mention Big Brother. He’s an idiot. Everything was going fine, but he insisted on dragging his brother-in-law along. If he was actually useful, I wouldn’t say anything, but all he does is boss people around at the construction site—he acts even more high and mighty than me, his own brother.”

Wu Hu thought, You probably wanted to boss people around yourself.

Fourth Brother continued, “Fifth, we’re the closest brothers. We’re definitely closer than the others.”

Wu Hu replied, “If that’s the case, are you closer to me than to Fang Yuan? We were together in Mom’s belly.”

Fourth Brother said, “We’re all brothers, aren’t we?”

Wu Hu said, “Fourth Brother, it’s exactly because we’re real brothers that we shouldn’t get mixed up together. You said it yourself before: ‘Two tigers can’t share one mountain.’”

Fourth Brother immediately got angry. “What, you want to hog everything for yourself?”

Wu Hu didn’t back down at all. “I hunted this down, so I’ll eat it however I want. Don’t try to push me around.”

He added, “Let me make this clear—this goes for you and even Big Brother. I’m from the Fang family too; I’m a tiger as well. I protect what’s mine. If I’ve got meat in my mouth, I’m not sharing it.”

Fourth Brother blew up. “You’re something else, Fifth. No sense of family at all. Fang Wu, I’m telling you—”

That’s when Fang Yuan walked in. “Fourth Brother, don’t be mad. Fifth Brother didn’t mean it like that.”

Fourth Brother snapped, “What’s it got to do with you, girl? He’s no good, and you’re even worse!”

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107."

"Chapter 107: The Trouble That’s Been Spread