Chapter 149: Fooled Again

Wang Cuixiang thought to herself, “There are only a few smart people at this table.” She looked at her fifth son and said, “Old Five, whether you make money or not, it’s good that you’re following your brother-in-law. You’ve learned to read the room.”

Over on Lu Chuan’s side, he choked on his food and couldn’t help but cough. He was losing his appetite.

The brothers at the other end of the table quieted down too. No point in stirring things up—they wouldn’t get anything good out of it.

After the meal, Fang Yuan and Lu Chuan didn’t rush home.

Lu Chuan had taken Fang Yuan out for several months already, so it was only right to stay a night at his mother-in-law’s place. Let Fang Yuan chat with her mom and put her mind at ease.

Besides, the mother-in-law’s house was spacious now. Fourth and Fifth Brothers each had their own rooms, so there was plenty of space for them to stay.

Eldest Brother Fang was at Fang Daleng’s place for a while, but soon realized there wasn’t much point in sticking around, so he took his wife and kids home. He didn’t get involved in his brothers-in-law’s conversations.

Second, Third, and Fourth Brothers all left, and Fifth Brother went off to meet friends. Only the four of them were left.

Wang Cuixiang started asking her daughter, “You’ve been away so long—has your Fifth Brother found a girlfriend? Has he saved any money?”

Fang Yuan replied, “No girlfriend, but he’s saved a bit. At least he’s doing better than Big Brother.”

She left it at that, and Wang Cuixiang didn’t press Lu Chuan, not wanting to put him on the spot.

Fang Daleng asked, “Chuan’er, how’s your schooling? You haven’t fallen behind, have you?”

Lu Chuan replied, “No, Dad, I haven’t fallen behind. It’s all thanks to Fifth Brother working hard to take care of things. He leads a group of people every day. Even if he doesn’t make money, he’s there to learn some skills.”

With that one sentence, he explained why they hadn’t made much money after being in the provincial capital for so long. It was also an answer for Fang Yuan’s mother.

Fang Daleng said, “Even if you don’t make money, it’s worth it. That’s a promising thing to do. Besides, it’s the provincial capital—being able to stand your ground there is a skill in itself.”

Fang Yuan added, “Mom, I bought a house in the provincial capital. You and Dad should come stay with me for a few days sometime.”

Lu Chuan felt like Fang Yuan was deliberately undermining him. She just said they weren’t making money, and he tried to smooth things over, but then she immediately said she’d bought a house in the provincial capital. How was he supposed to cover for that? What, did the house just appear out of thin air?

She really was his wife—how could she be so irresponsible with her words?

Wang Cuixiang glanced at her embarrassed son-in-law and said, “It’s fine. Fang Yuan said she and Fifth Brother pooled their money. I believe her.”

Lu Chuan’s face turned red. His mother-in-law was clearly teasing him.

But Fang Yuan wouldn’t let it go. “It’s my own money, nothing to do with him,” she said. What if someone tried to claim her money later?

Fang Daleng, straightforward as always, was happy for his daughter. “My daughter and son-in-law are doing well! Bought a house already!”

Fang Yuan said proudly, “I think that counts as a bit of an achievement.”

Lu Chuan couldn’t help but laugh in front of his in-laws. Suddenly, he didn’t feel embarrassed anymore. He wanted to hold Fang Yuan’s hand and be proud together.

Seeing the way her son-in-law looked at Fang Yuan, Wang Cuixiang felt reassured. Her son-in-law didn’t think her daughter was foolish.

Wang Cuixiang couldn’t help but snicker.

Fang Daleng grinned and said to Fang Yuan, “See? Your mom’s happy.”

Lu Chuan had to hold back his laughter, worried his mother-in-law would think he was laughing at his father-in-law.

Fang Yuan said, “Dad, it’s lively where I am. If you get tired of Big Brother and the others, come with me to the provincial capital. Selling meat there makes more money than here.”

Fang Daleng nodded immediately. “If anyone ticks me off, I’ll go with my daughter.”

Wang Cuixiang didn’t ask about the money anymore. She knew her daughter wouldn’t tell the truth, and she had a good sense of her sons’ situations anyway. “Do you think your Fifth Brother can find a girlfriend in the provincial capital?” she asked, clearly directing the question at Lu Chuan.

Lu Chuan replied, “Mom, there’s no rush. These things depend on fate. Look at me and Fang Yuan—it just happened.”

In other words, there was no need for his mother-in-law to worry about finding someone for Fifth Brother back in the village.

Fang Yuan, face drooping, said, “What, Mom, aren’t you planning to introduce Big Sister-in-law’s relative to Fifth Brother?”

Wang Cuixiang snapped, “Mind your own business! Who told you that?”

Fang Yuan said, “Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on just because I’m not home. Doesn’t Big Sister-in-law want to move her whole family in with us?”

Wang Cuixiang felt exhausted. This troublesome child—always meddling. She’d be lucky if she could just take care of herself.

“Is your Big Brother an idiot?” Wang Cuixiang said. “He doesn’t care, so why should you?”

Fang Yuan was bold. “Then let them come over and discuss it. Have Big Brother marry into their family.”

Fang Daleng protested, “No way! Don’t go making trouble. I won’t allow it.”

Fang Yuan said, “If you’re too embarrassed to bring it up, I will. I’m not afraid of offending her.”

Then she added, “Dad, as long as Big Brother is willing, what’s the difference? If he doesn’t marry into their family, isn’t he still working for his father-in-law?”

Fang Daleng was successfully provoked by his daughter. “Useless! And he calls himself a tiger?”

Lu Chuan was exasperated. He’d never seen such a troublemaking sister-in-law. And his own Big Brother—could he really marry into someone else’s family?

Was he really that clueless? Compared to Fang Yuan, Big Brother was on another level.

Wang Cuixiang said, “You’re still holding a grudge over that little thing? Your Big Sister-in-law is clueless—she hasn’t suffered enough yet.”

Lu Chuan admired his mother-in-law. After all this time, she still hadn’t learned her lesson. Did the family have enough to withstand all this drama?

Fang Daleng said, “Even my daughter heard about this in the provincial capital. If he keeps this up, I’ll have to knock some sense into him. Wasn’t I right to want to hit him before? You insisted they sort it out themselves—did they?”

Wang Cuixiang replied, “You’re so capable—you’ve put up with it this long. Give it another couple of months. If they still don’t get it, I won’t stop you from hitting him.”

Fang Daleng said, “I don’t have that much patience. If he’d just worked honestly with Fifth Tiger, would things be like this today? Look at how Fourth Brother looks at Big Brother, and look at Second Brother’s attitude. Third Brother’s no good either.”

Wang Cuixiang asked Fang Daleng directly, “You raised these sons. Which one do you think turned out well?”

Fang Daleng fell silent. None of them, really.

Lu Chuan thought, “If even the mother-in-law admits her sons aren’t much, would she really open her heart to her sons-in-law?” So he decided not to get involved in this topic.

Fang Daleng said, “I’m just saying, having my daughter makes my life complete.”

Lu Chuan finally understood how Fang Yuan got her name.

Suddenly, Wang Cuixiang asked, “How’s your Fifth Brother’s house in the provincial capital?”

Lu Chuan instinctively wanted to stop Fang Yuan, but it was too late.

Fang Yuan said, “It’s bigger than mine—enough space for you all.” Then she bit her tongue.

She glared at Wang Cuixiang, “How could you do this? I didn’t say anything!”

Fang Daleng looked shocked and proud. “Damn, Old Five bought a place too? Why didn’t you say so? I should set off firecrackers for him!”

Lu Chuan finally understood his mother-in-law’s skills. All that preamble was just to steer the conversation. With her smarts, how could she not see through her eldest son’s tricks?

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