Chapter 12: Such a Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law

Fang Yuan found this mother-in-law’s words rather pleasant to hear: “Right now, that shameless woman hasn’t found her footing yet, so she’ll definitely try to flatter and please you. Just make do for now. If you get tired of her later, we’ll talk again.”

Then Fang Yuan added, “I’m not one for empty words. Your son still has to go to school, and I’ve got my hands full just getting by these days. Trying to win me over won’t do you any good.”

Clearly, they had real difficulties, and hearing this made Old Lady Lu even more satisfied. The second daughter-in-law was sensible—very good.

Fang Yuan continued, “Once your son gets on his feet and proves himself, I’ll stand up for you and make sure that woman doesn’t make your lives miserable. You’re welcome to come over whenever you want, but let’s be clear from the start—I want nothing to do with Lu Laoda and his wife.”

Lu Lao’er was stunned when he heard this. This girl was blunt in her actions and even blunter in her words, but she was sharp and not to be underestimated. She even knew about his school expenses, and most importantly, she didn’t look down on him.

Facing Fang Yuan, Lu Lao’er’s thoughts suddenly grew deeper—he was overthinking things a bit.

Old Lady Lu was touched. “No need, no need. Mom doesn’t need you to look after us. Just take care of Lao’er. He’s already a burden on you with his schooling, but don’t worry, your father and I will help you however we can.”

As for who to live with, Old Lady Lu really didn’t want to stay with Li Meng, that shameless woman. Sooner or later, the villagers would gossip, and it was all Li Meng’s fault.

Old Lady Lu didn’t know the phrase “endure humiliation for a greater cause,” but she did feel that putting up with Li Meng for now was a great sacrifice.

If she had to live with Fang Yuan, Old Lady Lu would feel pressured too—it was a heavy burden.

Fang Yuan nodded. “That’s true, no need for that. You’re both still capable, so just take care of yourselves. Don’t worry about old-age support.”

Old Lady Lu was already wiping her tears. Like a blind cat stumbling onto a dead mouse, this second daughter-in-law was just right. “Alright, Mom will listen to you. Lao’er’s wife, what would you like to eat tomorrow? I’ll make it and bring it over.”

Fang Yuan thought for a moment. “I’m so annoyed by those two shameless ones that I don’t even feel like eating. I’ll just make do with some meat rolls.”

Lu Lao’er finally snapped out of it and couldn’t help but twitch his mouth. Early in the morning, and she calls this “not wanting to eat”? No matter how sharp she is, there’s no hiding the fact that this woman is quite a character.

Old Lady Lu didn’t even hesitate. “That’s good. I’ll go knead the dough and let it rise on the heated kang. You’ll definitely have meat rolls to eat tomorrow morning. Lao’er’s wife, you haven’t asked for your share of grain yet. Remember to get it tomorrow.”

Fang Yuan nodded. The Lu parents were sensible people and handled things well.

How could she have forgotten to ask for grain? What a mistake. She needed to reflect on that.

Fang Yuan finally looked at her mother-in-law properly. “I really like your personality and enjoy spending time with you, but let’s get the ugly truth out in the open first.”

Old Lady Lu was especially obedient. “Just say what’s on your mind, Lao’er’s wife. Mom’s listening.”

Fang Yuan said, “I’ve observed you and Dad—you both have good tempers and are reasonable, but you’re not very good at disciplining your sons.”

Old Lady Lu glanced at her second son, not daring to say a word. Was it that Lao’er wasn’t to her liking?

Fang Yuan pulled Old Lady Lu to sit down and explained slowly, “Look at how Lu Laoda turned out. Sure, it’s his own fault for being shameless, but it’s also because you didn’t discipline him. If it were my brothers, my parents would’ve straightened them out long ago.”

Old Lady Lu thought of Fang Yuan’s parents and her many brothers, and swallowed hard. “You’re right, Lao’er’s wife. Laoda turned out this way because we didn’t raise him properly.”

Fang Yuan continued, “Lu Laoda is a lost cause now. Just keep a closer eye on the third son from now on. As for Lao’er, I’d prefer you didn’t interfere anymore.”

She was clearly worried they’d mess things up and turn Lao’er into another Lu Laoda.

Old Lady Lu felt stifled but still nodded in agreement. “You’re right, Lao’er’s wife. From now on, Lao’er is yours to manage. Your father and I won’t interfere.”

That was basically handing her son over. Lu Lao’er’s face was unreadable. In the whole village, he’d never seen such a humble mother-in-law.

Today, his mother had broken two village records, and Lu Lao’er didn’t dare feel proud.

Fang Yuan smiled. “I knew you and Dad were reasonable people. I’m straightforward and say what’s on my mind. Don’t worry—if the third son ever goes astray, I’ll speak up too.”

She even had a sense of responsibility as a sister-in-law.

Old Lady Lu took a deep breath—maybe it was best for the third son to behave. “I like straightforward people. Sorry to trouble you, Lao’er’s wife. Mom’s too soft and can’t control the kids. I’ll have to rely on you.”

Lu Lao’er, listening on the side, couldn’t help but rub his chest—he was finding all this hard to digest.

Fang Yuan said, “Don’t say that. It’s just that, after what’s happened in our family, we need to pay more attention to our reputation. It’ll affect the third son’s chances of finding a good wife in the future.”

That hit home for Old Lady Lu. No matter how unruly this girl was, she was reliable and knew what she was doing. “Exactly, that’s it. Lao’er’s wife, you’re thinking ahead and making the family look good. We’ll listen to you and make sure to teach the third son well.”

Then she added, “You must be tired, Lao’er’s wife. Is there anything else? Take a break, and if you think of anything else, just let me know.”

Fang Yuan replied, “It’s all for the sake of our family’s future, so the third son can marry a good wife. Mom, you should rest early too. Living with that shameless one must be exhausting—you’re really suffering.”

Just a few words, and Old Lady Lu was over the moon. This daughter-in-law was considerate, knew how to run a household, and cared about the family. After this conversation, their relationship reached an unprecedented harmony.

In all the surrounding villages, Lu Lao’er had never seen a mother as humble as his.

After talking with her daughter-in-law, Old Lady Lu was in high spirits as she said to Lu Lao’er, “Your wife is wonderful. I really like her.”

Lu Lao’er had never seen his mother so eager to please. “What’s so great about her?”

Old Lady Lu didn’t even have to think. “She’s valuable, not cheap.”

That didn’t sound quite right, but this was a daughter-in-law she liked. Old Lady Lu continued, “Just look at how capable your wife is. She’s so much better than that shameless, useless thing in your brother’s house. You can’t go wrong listening to your wife.”

Then, with a look of having struck a good bargain, Old Lady Lu whispered to Lu Lao’er, “Your third aunt really had a good eye. She said from the start your wife was good at managing a household.”

Lu Lao’er thought to himself, “But she wasn’t picking a wife for me back then.” Saying this now—aren’t you afraid of hurting your son’s feelings?

Then again, neither his mother nor Fang Yuan were the type for such delicate thoughts. It was a pity that he, a grown man, was left to feel all the bitterness alone.

Looking at Old Lady Lu, Lu Lao’er ground his molars. Admittedly, compared to that shameless one, Fang Yuan was indeed better.

But was she really that great?

Especially when it came to being a good match for her second son? Lu Lao’er almost wanted to ask, “Aren’t you counting on your son to bring honor to the family?”

Lu Lao’er looked at Old Lady Lu and knew some things were better left unsaid. Stabilizing the situation was the most important thing right now.

[End of Chapter. Please recommend and thank you for your support.]"