Chapter 118: Schemes Everywhere

After dinner, the three brothers arrived at their lodgings. It was then that Wu Hu realized just how far behind his brother-in-law he really was—his own little tricks were nothing compared to Lu Chuan’s.

Lu Chuan took them to the place he’d rented himself. Inside, everything was ready: pots, pans, bedding, toiletries—nothing was missing. Of course, the place was a bit small.

But it was obvious in every detail that Lu Chuan had planned this all in advance, just waiting for them to move in.

Lu Chuan introduced the place to Fang Yuan: “There are dorms at the construction site, but it’s really not convenient for you to stay there. This place isn’t far from the site or the school, so I can keep an eye on things.”

Fang Yuan’s face darkened. “So this is how you live while studying away from home? Doesn’t your school care what you do? You just go out and do whatever you want?”

Now she was dragging his school into it, which was a bit unreasonable.

Wu Hu figured it out: after all this running around, his brother-in-law was really just trying to keep Fang Yuan close. The work was probably just an excuse—he was putting in a lot of effort.

He glanced at his own sister, still not seeing what made her so special that Lu Chuan would go to all this trouble for her.

Then he looked at Lu Chuan and tried to persuade Fang Yuan: “Don’t get worked up. He’s doing all this for you.”

Fang Yuan, as always, went straight to the point: “And the money? Where did you get the money to rent this place?”

Lu Chuan explained immediately, not the least bit annoyed: “From the allowance you gave me. I don’t spend that much at school.”

Fang Yuan’s anger flared. She’d given him extra so he wouldn’t be short of money, not so he could rent a place: “So you used it to rent a house?”

Lu Chuan explained, “It’s mainly because this place is convenient, and it’s cheap. And now that Wu Ge is here, he needs somewhere to stay too.”

Wu Hu scoffed. “With just this one room, I’d be better off in the dorms at the site. You sure know how to talk, brother-in-law.”

He watched as Lu Chuan quietly whispered to Fang Yuan, saying the rent was reasonable and not expensive—just sweet-talking her, really.

Honestly, the third brother’s wife was always saying that after Lu Chuan went to college, he’d look down on Fang Yuan. But now, it seemed she’d misjudged him. He really did care about Fang Yuan and wanted to take her everywhere.

And yet, Lu Chuan had the nerve to praise Wu Hu so much, almost making him believe it himself.

Fang Yuan said, “Mom and Dad told you to focus on your studies, but your mind is elsewhere. You’ve only been in the provincial capital for a few days—how did you even find the time to arrange all this?”

Lu Chuan replied, “Don’t worry, I won’t slack off. School is my main priority, and I won’t let it get in the way. I found this place through a friend. It wasn’t much trouble.” God knows how much of that was true.

Fang Yuan stomped on Lu Chuan’s foot, almost flattening it. He gritted his teeth and didn’t dare cry out in pain.

After a long, tiring day, Fang Yuan, who was broad-minded, felt better after venting her anger with a stomp. She went off to get familiar with the place and wash up.

Finally, Wu Hu had a chance to talk to his brother-in-law: “Why insist on bringing her to the provincial capital? Are you trying to make things hard for yourself?”

Lu Chuan rubbed his foot. “We’re a couple. If we didn’t have the means, fine, but now we’re doing okay—why not be together? Besides, there’s still some work here in the provincial capital.”

Wu Hu burst out laughing. “At this point, you’re still trying to fool me with that?”

He continued, “I may not be smart, but seeing this place, I get it. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Fang Yuan keeps an eye on things here in the provincial capital.”

Lu Chuan finally looked a little embarrassed. “Wu Ge, it’s not all about that. I’m planning to find a few young, sharp guys. Our work doesn’t have a strict deadline—whenever we finish paving the tiles outside the complex is fine. If we get the chance, we can even help out inside the buildings and learn some of the finer skills.”

Wu Hu’s expression turned serious. “Chuan’er, I get it. Once the work back in the county is done, I won’t take any more jobs. We’re not just here to make money—we’ll come over and broaden our horizons, learn some new things.”

Hearing this, Lu Chuan forgot about everything else and said, “Wu Ge, you have to make sure Fang Yuan’s mixer is taken care of. That’s her lifeblood.”

Wu Hu laughed. “I know. Otherwise, Fang Yuan wouldn’t be comfortable here, right?”

Lu Chuan turned away, not wanting to admit it. But with winter coming, it didn’t really matter—she’d have to stop using the mixer for a while anyway.

Wu Hu thought to himself, Brother-in-law, isn’t it a bit late to start worrying about your dignity?

Lu Chuan hovered around Fang Yuan. “Let me show you where the bathroom is. That’s the only inconvenient thing about this place.”

Fang Yuan really hadn’t found the bathroom. “You’re sure you’re not neglecting your studies?”

This time, Lu Chuan answered honestly, without any guilt. Growing up in the countryside, he knew what was most important: “Really, I’m not.”

Fang Yuan said, “My dad cares a lot about that. Back home, he tells everyone his son-in-law is a college student, and he wants you to do well. Don’t embarrass him.”

Lu Chuan hadn’t expected his father-in-law to be so proud: “That’s my livelihood—I won’t mess it up.”

Seeing that Fang Yuan was almost convinced, Lu Chuan carefully suggested, “When Wu Ge goes back, let him bring your things too.”

Fang Yuan replied, “There’s so much to do at home—the mixer, the house, and Mom. I have to go back myself and make arrangements.”

Lu Chuan changed tack: “I just feel bad about you having to travel back and forth. Even I don’t like all that running around.”

Then he added, “Anyway, there are several days off. I’ll go back with you.”

Fang Yuan thought Lu Chuan was being silly. “It’s not like traveling is free, and now two people have to go back and forth. What a waste.”

She added, “But honestly, I do dread all that traveling.”

Lu Chuan was secretly delighted, but outwardly he worried for her: “So what should we do? If I stay here and you go back with Wu Ge, I’d worry about you being here alone in a strange place.”

Fang Yuan said, “What’s there to worry about? Are you afraid something will happen to me?”

Lu Chuan tried not to laugh. Why did Fang Yuan always have such unexpected perspectives? “Don’t make me laugh.”

Fang Yuan didn’t see what was so funny. “You men are so wishy-washy. I’m being serious.”

Lu Chuan suppressed his laughter and said quietly, “I’m not as useless as you say, am I?”

But Fang Yuan’s mind was on business. “Do you think, if we really get jobs in the provincial capital, they’ll rent my mixer?”

Lu Chuan replied, “Of course, but we’ll have to wait until we make a name for ourselves here.”

Fang Yuan nodded and started imagining the future. “The provincial capital is so big. I need to save up and buy more mixers.”

She was planning to expand everywhere.

As long as Fang Yuan was focused on the provincial capital, Lu Chuan felt there was nothing to worry about. “Alright. Once Wu Ge’s projects are all wrapped up, we’ll see how much money we have, and you can buy as many as you want.”

Lu Chuan realized that he had no principles when it came to Fang Yuan—he was even starting to get a little muddled.

Wu Hu happened to overhear this and teased Lu Chuan: “Are you sick or something? Whatever she says, you just agree. Don’t you have a mind of your own? What’s the point of buying so many mixers? Besides your uncle, who else is going to help her keep track of them all?”

Lu Chuan lowered his head, embarrassed. He couldn’t very well say that he’d just been swept up in the moment and didn’t even know what he was saying."