Chapter 145: Keeping Things Close to the Chest

Wuhu: “Compared to others, we’re actually getting less, so I hope everyone can be understanding. Next year, when we get some proper jobs, I promise we’ll make it up to everyone.”

Wanshun: “Fifth Brother, don’t say that. If we hadn’t followed you, we’d have just been lazing around at home all winter. We’ve earned plenty coming out here. Those who aren’t married yet, you’ve got enough to go home and get yourselves a wife.”

Wuhu: “Well, you’ll have to hold off a bit—wait until after the New Year to go back and get married. We’re not done with the work here yet.” Everyone laughed at that.

Wuhu: “By the way, my brother-in-law has found a new place. When we get a break here, let’s all go over and help him fix it up.”

Wanshun: “Fifth Brother, don’t be so formal. We’ll go over tomorrow. Family comes first—helping out is more important than making money.”

Everyone chimed in: “We wouldn’t have come with you if we weren’t like family. Don’t be a stranger—think of it as us just coming over to check out your new place.”

Wuhu: “Really, there’s no rush.”

But Wanshun and the others were eager. Being able to come out with Fifth Brother and Fang Yuan was a favor, and they were anxious to repay it.

Wuhu and Lu Chuan had just split the money when Fang Yuan, still unsure what to buy with it, saw Wanshun and the others arrive, tools in hand.

When the group saw the courtyard, they were amazed. “Fang Yuan, you’re something else—got a home in the provincial capital! Our brother-in-law’s really capable.”

Fang Yuan: “It’s my mixer that’s the real breadwinner—earns as much as five men for me. Why’s he the only one who gets credit?”

Wanshun pulled Fang Yuan aside and whispered, “We know you’re capable, but you’ve got to let your brother-in-law save some face. You can’t say things like that.”

The others, familiar with Fang Yuan, nodded and laughed. “If your brother-in-law hadn’t started all this, where would the mixer have come from? Even if you had one, who’d use it?”

Lu Chuan said, “I’m just a student—I’m nowhere near as useful as Fang Yuan. No need to spare my feelings, I know where I stand.”

He added, “We’re not the type to fight over this. I’ll work hard and catch up to Fang Yuan one day.”

Wanshun immediately chimed in, “Our brother-in-law’s got a big heart. When we go home and get married, we’ll have to learn from him.”

Later, Fang Yuan chatted privately with Lu Chuan: “When people ask, just say the mixer made most of the money.”

Lu Chuan replied, “My wife’s getting clever. We’re a family—since you’re the breadwinner, what do I care what others say?”

Fang Yuan kicked him playfully. “You should get a little smarter, or I’ll never hear the end of your nonsense.” Just like that, the couple laughed it off.

Wanshun and the others fixing up the house made it livelier than when Lu Chuan and Fang Yuan tried to organize things themselves. These guys were pros.

Whenever something was needed, they’d call Fifth Brother to buy it, and they’d help carry it into the courtyard.

Some worked on the yard, others on the windows, and some even climbed up to fix the roof. Lu Chuan didn’t have to worry about a thing.

Honestly, they were all skilled workers—there was no need to hire anyone else.

Lu Chuan even overheard a few of them telling Fifth Brother, “You’ve got to talk to our sister—let your brother-in-law save face.” The things people worry about!

Wuhu said, “The couple’s doing fine—just fix the roof, will you?”

Wanshun added, “Xiao Fu’s been apprenticing with his master for years—his roofing skills are famous back home. But here in the city, he hasn’t had a chance to show off. This job’s perfect for him.”

Up on the roof, the young man worked quickly and joked, “Don’t talk nonsense—I’m doing fine in the city. I don’t want to go back to roofing in the village. Don’t get me in trouble.”

Lu Chuan rolled up his sleeves and worked alongside everyone. Wuhu borrowed a four-wheeler from the construction site to haul stuff in and out. The neighbors all noticed—someone new was moving in.

Some even came over to ask which construction crew they were from, what kind of work they did, and if they could help fix their houses too.

Wuhu was thrilled—this could bring in more business. Their crew now had a new way to make money in the city.

If you don’t have the right attitude, people avoid you. But with Wuhu, people came to ask for help.

Wuhu even dragged Lu Chuan out: “Talk to them nicely. If it’s a job for three to five people, we can take it—we’ve got the manpower.”

Lu Chuan tried to talk him out of it: “It’s almost New Year, and it’s freezing. Maybe we should let it go.”

Wuhu replied, “If it wasn’t winter, would they come to us outsiders? If we help them fix their houses, everyone can have a good New Year, and we’ll build a good reputation.”

He added, “These are all residential houses—we know this kind of work inside out. A couple of our guys can handle it, and Fang Yuan can help find more people if needed. It’s convenient.”

Fifth Brother had it all figured out—he really had a nose for making money.

Lu Chuan, with not much cash on hand, couldn’t argue. Earning a bit more before New Year to give to his wife was a good thing.

Lu Chuan put aside his own work and showed everyone his master’s skills. That whole day, he did nothing but play host.

Fang Yuan, though not very worldly, could tell the house’s original layout was good, so she didn’t change much inside—just cleaned up the walls and brightened the place.

Lu Chuan even had the window frames outside repainted.

After all that, when they opened the main gate, the courtyard looked bright and spacious, and the house seemed much grander.

Fang Yuan said, “If the seller had fixed it up like this first, there’s no way I’d have gotten it for this price.”

Lu Chuan looked at the spacious, bright courtyard and house, happy as could be. “That’s because you have a good eye.”

The guys hauling out the trash didn’t even look over, but Wanshun joked, “See that? That’s how a college boy sweet-talks his wife. We should all learn from him.”

The young men nearby nodded—they really did need to learn. If they mastered this, it’d be great for keeping their wives happy. Didn’t you see how he tamed his “tigress” with just a few words?

That night, everyone celebrated noisily in the new house.

Lu Chuan was especially grateful for everyone’s help. No one complained about the smell of paint or anything.

Lu Chuan noticed something: from start to finish, Wuhu never once mentioned to the others that he also had a house in the city, and neither did Fang Yuan.

Lu Chuan couldn’t help but suspect that Fifth Brother was also worried about people knowing how much money they’d made.

After everyone left, the three of them went back to their rented place. Lu Chuan asked, “Fifth Brother, are you not planning to let the family know about the house?”

Wuhu didn’t hide it: “Once Fourth Brother gets married and moves out, I’ll bring our parents to the city—no problem. But not now. Fourth Brother’s no good—I have to be careful.”

Lu Chuan laughed—Fifth Brother was certainly cautious, maybe a bit too much so. But then again, this was a house, not something you could just argue your way into.

Fang Yuan said, “What are you laughing at? Don’t go blabbing. I’m telling you, my fourth brother is a real piece of work. Since we were kids, he’s always been shameless—never missed a chance to take food or drink from us.”

That was just food and drink, but this was a house.

But who could say for sure? When they built houses back in their village, the eldest always got the best, and didn’t Lu Feng still try to get his hands on it?

Every family has its own troubles."