Chapter 122: Not on the Same Wavelength as Normal Thinking

Fang Yuan looked at the pants she was wearing. “Just trying them on, and you call this ‘wearing’ them? The way they sell things here in the provincial capital really doesn’t make sense.”

Lu Chuan said, “These pants are fine, they look neat. Let’s go get a stove. Even if we can’t cook anything complicated, it’ll be convenient for boiling noodles or eggs.”

Fang Yuan immediately stopped fussing about the pants—she couldn’t change them anyway. “This place is so small, and you still want to cook in the courtyard? That’s too much trouble. You eat at the school cafeteria, I’ll eat at the construction site. No need to go through all that hassle.”

Lu Chuan frowned when he heard this. Is that really how a couple should live? Not even eating together—what kind of marriage is that? He’d finally managed to bring Fang Yuan to the provincial capital; no matter how hard it was, they had to stick together.

Luckily, he managed to steer the conversation away and cheerfully coaxed Fang Yuan, “Having a stove makes it easier to boil water, too.”

Fang Yuan wanted to say, renting this place was a ridiculous idea. There’s hot water at the construction site anyway.

But she saw that Lu Chuan was already pulling her along. “Come on, let’s take a walk around my school. Maybe we’ll find a thermos or a stove.”

When Fang Yuan heard that they might find things for free, she immediately felt better. “What kind of place is your school? How come you can find anything there?”

Lu Chuan didn’t say much—he mainly just wanted to walk around the campus with his wife.

He took out a pair of flat shoes for Fang Yuan. She looked at them in surprise. “When did you bring these from home?”

Lu Chuan replied, “Why would I bring them from home? I saw a pair that looked like yours when I was out, so I bought them for you.”

Fang Yuan thought about how much money had been spent back and forth, and wondered if Lu Chuan still had any money left. “Be honest, how much money do you have left? How much do you spend in a month?”

This man spends money recklessly whenever he has it, never saving any. Fang Yuan didn’t even want to get mad at him anymore. In the future, she’d just give him less—just enough to get by. Solve the problem at the source.

Lu Chuan grinned, “Are you going to give me more money?”

Fang Yuan said, “I just want to know how much extra I’ve given you for you to waste.”

Lu Chuan felt guilty—he couldn’t tell the truth, or he really wouldn’t have any money left in the future. “Honestly, I’m out. Don’t give me any less.”

Fang Yuan said, “I give you money so you don’t have to go hungry, not for you to buy all this stuff or rent a place.”

Lu Chuan accepted the criticism, but didn’t really change. “I’ll remember that next time.”

Fang Yuan realized she couldn’t do anything about Lu Chuan. She couldn’t just not give him money, and once she did, she couldn’t control how he spent it.

Fang Yuan said, “Seriously, there can’t be a next time. Don’t think just because we’ve saved a little, it’s easy to earn money.”

Lu Chuan replied, “Mm, I know. My wife works hard every day at the construction site.”

Fang Yuan coughed, “You don’t need to know about that. I do it because I want to.”

Lu Chuan got back to the point. “Put on your shoes, let’s go walk around the school. Last time you came, the semester hadn’t started yet, so hardly anyone knew you. This time it’s different—even though it’s break, there are still plenty of people around.”

Fang Yuan said, “Alright.” In the end, she still went along with Lu Chuan’s wishes and put on the shoes.

Fang Yuan was going along with Lu Chuan, mainly hoping to score some free stuff at the school.

At the campus gate, Lu Chuan and Fang Yuan walking together made for a striking scene. Most of the looks they got were friendly and admiring.

As for Fang Yuan’s pants, hardly any girls at the school dressed like that. Plus, with her confident posture, she was quite intimidating.

She was really at the forefront of fashion. As for Lu Chuan, he was passable at best—definitely not as stylish as Fang Yuan.

They were both from the countryside, so having such a pretty, fashionable girl by Lu Chuan’s side really drew attention. Some people with less generous hearts were a bit jealous, and someone came over to chat, “Lu Chuan, I heard you already got married back in the village?”

The words were directed at Lu Chuan, but the person’s eyes were glued to the pretty girl.

Lu Chuan smiled and nodded, admitting it openly. “Yep, I’m married.”

He thought to himself, Who is this guy? But the topic was good, so he raised his eyebrows at Fang Yuan. “See? My reputation’s pretty good—everyone knows I have a wife.”

Fang Yuan didn’t say anything, but she nodded in satisfaction. A country wife wasn’t something to hide, which meant Lu Chuan had no ulterior motives. That’s what her second sister-in-law always said.

The newcomer raised his eyebrows. A married man openly walking around campus with another woman—wasn’t that a moral issue?

And this woman was quite fashionable. She knew he had a wife, yet still walked so closely with him. Shouldn’t she be keeping her distance? Why were they exchanging glances like that?

The person curled his lip. “Lu Chuan, that’s not right. You’re married—why are you still flirting with this girl?”

Before Lu Chuan could respond, Fang Yuan spoke up. “His wife doesn’t care, so why should you? Who are you, anyway? Does he need to consult you when he gets married? Who do you think you are?”

Don’t think she didn’t notice—this guy clearly had bad intentions.

His eyes had already darted over her several times. If they were back in the village and someone looked at her like that, her brothers would’ve taken care of him long ago.

Fang Yuan’s words left the guy stunned. She looked fashionable, but the way she talked was straight out of the countryside. “Wait, didn’t you hear? He’s already married—why are you still so close to him? No wonder you two are together. There’s something wrong with your morals.”

If Lu Chuan hadn’t been holding her back, Fang Yuan would’ve started a fight. “Are you out of your mind? What business is it of yours? You’re the one with a problem—your morals are the issue!”

Neither of them was addressing the real point. Lu Chuan pulled Fang Yuan aside and introduced her. “This is my wife. Got a good look?”

Fang Yuan added, “Is he even worth talking to?” People who go around stirring up trouble like this deserve to be put in their place.

The crowd around them was amused. So, after all that, they were husband and wife? Wasn’t this just meddling for nothing?

The guy’s face turned red. “Impossible! Absolutely impossible. Just because you say so?”

Lu Chuan was annoyed. What my wife looks like is none of your business. Why is it impossible? “Why not? It’s not up to you anyway.”

The guy looked stubborn, determined to expose Lu Chuan’s “country wife.” “Didn’t they say you married a village girl?”

Fang Yuan picked up on the implication. “What’s that supposed to mean? He can’t marry a village girl, or I can’t be a village girl?”

She realized that, despite dressing like a city girl, this person’s thinking was slow. He didn’t get it at all. The way he talked was full of that rural flavor—she’d misjudged him.

The guy looked embarrassed, glancing between Lu Chuan and Fang Yuan, his fancy clothes wasted. “You…”

Lu Chuan said, “This is my wife, Fang Yuan. If I had any moral issues, the school leadership is here—they wouldn’t tolerate it. No need for you to worry.”

Fang Yuan pulled Lu Chuan away. “Who is that guy? Doesn’t seem too bright. How did the university even admit someone like that? Stay away from him in the future.”

They walked off together. As for being a country person or a city person, Fang Yuan never cared about that. She didn’t take it to heart.

123."

"Chapter 123: For the Sake of Food

Lu Chuan couldn’t help but laugh. Honestly, having such an easygoing wife is a real blessing. She never gets upset over trivial things, and she doesn’t bother with people who aren’t worth her time.

Meanwhile, on the other side, those nosy classmates who can’t stand to see others doing well were left awkward and surrounded by a crowd. That kind of jealousy is truly contemptible.

He’d never seen so many busybodies before, and never seen anyone so obsessed with what’s in other people’s pockets. No wonder people say they’re not right in the head.

And then, the wife Lu Chuan had privately labeled as “the best,” actually lost her temper in the warehouse he’d mentioned: “Lu Chuan, look at you, acting all capable and telling tall tales. Where’s the thermos? Where’s the stove? And the bed? Are you just trying to fool me?”

Lu Chuan replied, “Keep your voice down, they’re really here. I’ve been coming for weeks, and I’ve used everything I could find.”

Fang Yuan looked at the pile of junk, still not convinced. How come Lu Chuan could always find useful things, but whenever she came, there was nothing? Was her luck really that bad? “Really?”

Lu Chuan nodded vigorously, determined to hold his ground—otherwise, it’d turn into a financial issue. “Really.”

Fang Yuan said, “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have come. There are so many people out on the street—if I’d just sold a few popsicles, I could’ve made enough to buy a thermos.”

Lu Chuan was deeply impressed by Fang Yuan’s financial sense—she not only dreams big, but actually does things. “Well, this way, we can at least walk around together.”

Fang Yuan rolled her eyes. “What’s so great about walking around? And what was up with that guy earlier? If he was a woman, I’d say he liked you, but he’s a man—what’s he trying to stir up? Did you offend him?”

Lu Chuan said, “We’re all from the countryside. Maybe he feels uncomfortable seeing a pretty girl with me.”

Fang Yuan replied, “So he really is sick in the head.”

She added, “He keeps going on about ‘country wives.’ Just watch, people like him won’t be able to marry anyone, let alone a country girl. He’s not good enough for one.”

Lu Chuan nodded, “He’s not even good enough for a village wife.”

Fang Yuan pursed her lips and actually smiled, and Lu Chuan couldn’t help but get distracted for a moment. His wife really was quite pretty.

Fang Yuan said, “There’s a lot of junk in here, but honestly, we shouldn’t take any of it. You should stop coming here so much. I’ve realized that even in a place dedicated to teaching and learning, not everyone is reasonable. Don’t let people start calling you a scavenger.”

Lu Chuan held his head high, “That doesn’t bother me.”

Fang Yuan said, “What’s the point? We don’t lack these things at home, so why let people talk? Just focus on your teaching and stop fussing over things we don’t need. You don’t have to scrimp and save.”

Lu Chuan grinned, feeling pampered like a kept man, “My wife really does care about me.”

Fang Yuan said, “Speak properly, and don’t pick up bad habits.”

Lu Chuan just nodded along—whatever Fang Yuan said, he agreed with. Seeing she was a bit unhappy, he changed the subject: “When the semester starts, I’ll introduce you to some of my friends at school. The job we have in the provincial capital was thanks to one of them. His family’s in that business.”

Fang Yuan said, “Then I definitely need to meet him. A real benefactor.”

Lu Chuan even took Fang Yuan to the public bathhouse. Fang Yuan came out looking confident and relaxed, not the least bit shy, and praised it, “This place is really nice.”

Seeing how happy she was, Lu Chuan immediately suggested, “How about I get you a bath ticket?”

Fang Yuan asked, “You still have money?” Lu Chuan didn’t dare say a word.

When it came to finances, Fang Yuan was always clear-headed and sensible.

At lunchtime, Lu Chuan took Fang Yuan to eat at his usual cafeteria. Fang Yuan said, “The food here is pretty good.”

Lu Chuan said, “If you’re not busy, why not come eat with me more often?”

Fang Yuan wanted to say it was too far, but looking at the food, she said, “Depends if I have time.” If she could make it, she would.

Lu Chuan thought to himself, After all my efforts, it turns out the cafeteria is the real way to win Fang Yuan over. Looks like I’ve been working in the wrong direction—I’ll have to adjust in the future. “I’ll always make time.”

Fang Yuan said, “Your cafeteria is really nice.”

Lu Chuan teased, “You’ve taken a liking to the chef’s skills, haven’t you?”

Fang Yuan replied, “Eating here is like dining at a restaurant every day—you can order whatever you want, and it’s not even expensive. No wonder everyone wants to go to college.”

Lu Chuan looked at Fang Yuan and wanted to say, We don’t go to college just for the food.

But honestly, in a way, it is about putting food on the table.

Some classmates nearby overheard and wanted to argue with Fang Yuan, but after thinking about it, they realized she wasn’t wrong. In the end, it all comes down to the same thing.

Fang Yuan not only ate, but also packed some food to go, saying, “Now we’ve got dinner sorted too.”

Lu Chuan didn’t mind at all. If the cafeteria could attract Fang Yuan, that was great—much easier than racking his brains to coax her over.

Relying on the cafeteria to win over his wife—Lu Chuan was a little embarrassed to admit it.

Back then, few men knew how to cook. Even if they did, it was usually behind the scenes, helping their wives, and rarely something to show off.

Lu Chuan was even considering coming to help out in the cafeteria, maybe learning to cook along the way.

Fang Yuan wasn’t much of a cook, and her mind wasn’t on household matters anyway, so he really did have a reason to learn. Otherwise, what would their kids eat in the future? He didn’t want them to suffer.

Otherwise, if the family ever wanted to improve their lives, they’d have to rely on the cafeteria. Lu Chuan was always thinking ahead.

Fang Yuan, on the other hand, was much simpler: “This red dish isn’t spicy at all. It’s really good.”

Lu Chuan said, “That’s tomato sauce. It’s sweet—just tomatoes.”

Fang Yuan praised, “People in the provincial capital really know how to eat. Back home, we just sprinkle sugar on tomatoes.”

Lu Chuan replied, “That’s your family. In mine, we just eat them straight off the vine.” They couldn’t even afford sugar.

Lu Chuan felt happy inside. He’d thought it through—Fang Yuan was adapting well to life in the provincial capital. She dressed casually, enjoyed the food, and wasn’t shy about going to the bathhouse. He could feel at ease with her anywhere.

When Fang Yuan ate well, she was in a good mood and chatted more with Lu Chuan: “When I got to the county seat, I already felt like there was too much to take in. Now that I’m in the provincial capital, it’s even more overwhelming—so many things I don’t recognize. Did you ever embarrass yourself when you first got here?”

Seeing his wife in such a good mood, Lu Chuan relaxed too: “If you want to hear about my embarrassing moments, give me a kiss and I’ll tell you.”

Fang Yuan instantly shot him down: “What’s with you and your nonsense? Who talks like that? Clearly, you haven’t learned any manners.”

Lu Chuan blushed, blaming himself for getting too comfortable and letting it slip. He said to Fang Yuan, “If you want to know, I’m not telling you.”

Fang Yuan ground her teeth—what could she do with him? He was getting bolder.

But looking at Lu Chuan now, Fang Yuan realized, “You’re different from when we got married.”

Lu Chuan was teasing her, feeling good, his whole expression relaxed, even his eyebrows seemed to be smiling: “How am I different? I look even better than before.”

He seemed less gloomy, and his whole demeanor had changed.

Thank you all for your support.

124."

"Chapter 124: Even Pettiness Has Its Limits