Chapter 144: A Man You Can Rely On

Lu Chuan said, “We’re sorry, sorry to bother you.”

He whispered to Wu Hu, “See? Our Sixth Sister’s reputation really comes in handy. If it were someone else, we’d have been scolded already.”

Wu Hu gave Lu Chuan a kick, excited about buying a house himself. “Why don’t you move? You could stay at my place.”

Fang Yuan wasn’t having it. “I have my own home now. Why should I live at your place?”

Wu Hu was annoyed, as if he was begging her or something. “Because you don’t have any money! That courtyard—how can you live there without spending money?”

Lu Chuan didn’t want his wife to be put down by Wu Hu just because they were short on cash. “How about I go talk to Zhang Wei tomorrow? We’ve been working for a while now. It’s about time we got paid.”

Fang Yuan immediately brightened up. “See? That’s why you need a man you can rely on.”

Wu Hu was so frustrated by this couple that his chest felt tight. “Fine, you two are so capable—do whatever you want. It’s not like I’m begging you to stay.”

Lu Chuan said, “No, no, it’s just that Fang Yuan is happy to have her own place. Sooner or later, we’ll fix it up.”

Wu Hu looked at his brother-in-law, who was being so considerate to Fang Yuan. “Don’t get too happy. It’s not that much money.”

Fang Yuan replied cheerfully, “As long as it’s enough to fix up the house, that’s all I need. Just enough to live in.” The couple really were quite content.

They’d only been married half a year—who would have thought they’d have a house in the provincial capital? Even Lu Chuan couldn’t keep calm. “It’s a home, after all. Just thinking about it keeps me up at night.”

Having bought their own house, Lu Chuan was satisfied, and Fang Yuan was happy. The two of them sat across from Wu Hu, discussing how to renovate the house and fix up the courtyard.

Wu Hu fell asleep holding his head, thinking he’d never share a room with this couple again. What a headache.

When he went home for the New Year, he’d ask his mom to help him find a match. He was only getting bullied because he didn’t have anyone by his side.

When Lu Chuan was on winter break, Wu Hu and the others were already working inside the building. There was too much snow outside to do any outdoor work.

Zhang Wei was a good guy—he knew it wasn’t easy for Lu Chuan to bring people to work in the provincial capital, so he gave them all the jobs they could handle.

The pay wasn’t high, but at least there was work to do. They didn’t have to sit around doing nothing just because it was snowing.

Lu Chuan wanted to fix up his house, so he discussed wages with Zhang Wei. Zhang Wei was straightforward, saying he’d pay as soon as the work was done.

Lu Chuan said, “You’re quite the boss. I heard from Wu Hu that other people aren’t nearly as prompt about paying up.”

Zhang Wei replied, a bit smug, “I’m just earning some pocket money for myself. Can’t I at least make decisions about this?”

Then he joked, “But if I went to my dad for money, it definitely wouldn’t be this easy.”

Zhang Wei was so quick to pay because he had his reasons. He pulled Lu Chuan aside. “Bro, I should be thanking you. You do good work, and your crew is hardworking. Everyone here says I’m reliable. Even my dad praised me.”

Lu Chuan said, “That’s great. I don’t have any other connections. As long as you keep being reliable and there’s plenty of work, I’ll benefit too.”

Zhang Wei said, “Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? If you make other connections, are you just going to ditch me?”

Lu Chuan thought to himself, Isn’t that obvious? My wife works so hard, but you, as the middleman, make more than us.

Zhang Wei wasn’t stupid. He knew Lu Chuan’s crew was solid and wanted to keep working with them long-term. “Bro, you want to keep doing this, right? Don’t worry about the low pay—you’re learning a lot, aren’t you?”

You can’t fool an insider. Why would a bunch of skilled guys work so hard for so little if they weren’t getting something out of it?

Everyone was straightforward. Lu Chuan asked, “Bro, what do you think? Next year, can you get us some better jobs?”

Zhang Wei said, “If we do good work, and we’re reliable and skilled, there’ll be no shortage of jobs. I just worry your crew might not be able to handle it.”

Lu Chuan replied, “Don’t underestimate us. There aren’t many locals on the sites who can work like we do. And don’t talk to me about official qualifications—if we had those, we wouldn’t be here.”

Every word was true. Zhang Wei said, “Seriously, you need a proper master craftsman. Otherwise, I’m not helping you, I’m hurting you. I’d love to get some proper jobs too.”

Zhang Wei was right—without a top-notch master, they couldn’t take on bigger projects. Lu Chuan understood. “Don’t worry about that.”

Zhang Wei grinned. “Alright, when spring comes, let’s go for a big one. But you’ll have to give me some time. Lu Chuan, I’m not messing with you. We’re brothers—we help each other out.”

Lu Chuan joked, “What’s it got to do with you?” So he still wanted a cut, after all.

Zhang Wei punched Lu Chuan’s shoulder. “You haven’t even crossed the bridge yet and you’re already thinking of ditching me? Not cool.”

Lu Chuan half-jokingly bargained, “You have to let us have a piece of the pie, too.”

Zhang Wei said, “I’m just drinking the soup—the meat’s all yours. Next year, let’s talk it over and I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”

As long as there was room to negotiate, Lu Chuan was satisfied. “It’s all up to you, then.”

Zhang Wei asked, “You’re going home for winter break, right?”

Lu Chuan replied, “Go home? If I go, who’s going to do the work? Not everyone’s a little boss like you.”

Zhang Wei said, “Impressive. Your wife is really something. Maybe I should ask my aunt to find me a girl like her.”

Lu Chuan said, “Don’t talk about my wife. And don’t joke about her, either. If she really brings someone over for you, let’s see what you do then.”

Zhang Wei clicked his tongue. He’d been to the sites more than Lu Chuan and was a pretty serious guy when it came to business.

After spending more time together, he really got to know what kind of person Fang Yuan was, and got along well with Wu Hu, too.

If he really joked about it, Fang Yuan might actually bring a girl over for him to meet. Zhang Wei wasn’t about to mess around. “Don’t worry, I won’t joke about that.”

He wouldn’t dare joke with Sixth Sister, either.

From the start, they’d said the pay wasn’t much, but seeing the money, Wu Hu and Fang Yuan realized that “not much” in the provincial capital was a whole different concept from “not much” back in the village.

Wu Hu was a little excited. No wonder people said it was easier to make money in the provincial capital. Then came the question of how to pay the workers.

Wu Hu said, “It’s a good amount. Since we’re working in the provincial capital, we should pay people provincial capital rates.”

Lu Chuan had no objections and agreed readily. “Whatever you say, Wu Hu.”

Wu Hu said, “I knew you’d be generous, Lu Chuan. We have to think long-term.”

Fang Yuan was reluctant to part with the money. If they paid county rates, they’d have more left over. She steeled herself. “Just pay them quickly, so we can split what’s left. I need the money. Don’t let me see it—it’ll just upset me.”

Lu Chuan just laughed. Look at this man—Fang Yuan had never been so reluctant to part with money before. Wu Hu also felt the pinch as he handed out the wages. If they’d paid county rates, he and Lu Chuan would have had a lot more to split.

When Wan Shun and the others saw the money, they were overjoyed. “Working with our brother-in-law and Wu Hu was the right choice! And they said there wasn’t much money? When the guys who didn’t come hear about this, they’ll regret it for sure.”

No one had expected to get paid this much—it must have been at provincial capital rates."