Chapter 153: Awkward Silence, Huh?

Lu Xiaosan thought to himself, “Even my hundred yuan isn’t good enough for them? Just how much money do they need?” He said, “Second Sister-in-law, I don’t have much money, but if you need anything, just tell me.”

Lu Chuan raised his eyebrows—since when did this kid stop playing tricks?

Fang Yuan smiled, “I’ll remember that. Don’t blame me if I don’t stand on ceremony in the future.”

Then she turned to Lu’s parents and said, “Dad, let Mom keep your money. When you have money in hand, you feel more secure about life.”

Fang Yuan continued, “Lu Chuan is capable—he can build up a family business, and he can handle debts too. We’re not telling you this because we’re short on money. We’re just letting you know that we’ve bought something big, so you can be happy for us.”

Old Lu knew very well that his little bit of money couldn’t really help his second son. Fang Yuan was just letting them know—they now had a house in the provincial capital.

Old Mrs. Lu patted her chest. “As long as you can pay it back, that’s good.” Only then did she feel genuinely happy for her son’s new home in the city.

Life had long since worn down Old Mrs. Lu’s spirit. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have cared first and foremost about how much debt they owed.

Fang Yuan said, “Mom, it’s not a big deal. My dad knows what’s going on. The two of us aren’t lazy or greedy, so this amount of money is nothing. Besides, we have our business—the mixer, the new house—they’re all assets.”

Lu Xiaosan listened on the side and did a quick calculation. That really was quite a bit of family property. “When will I ever have the confidence to say something like that?”

Fang Yuan teased, “Probably when Fourth Brother feels embarrassed to give you a hundred yuan every two months.”

Lu Xiaosan was a bit embarrassed by his second sister-in-law. He was proud of being able to earn money, but he didn’t expect to be looked down on like this.

Meanwhile, Old Lu and Lu Chuan were talking about the house in the provincial capital, finally feeling the joy of building up the family.

Old Mrs. Lu said, “You’re complaining about a hundred yuan every two months? Back when you weren’t even married to the second son, we had to scrape together two hundred yuan from everywhere.”

Fang Yuan replied, “That’s all because unlucky Oldest Brother tossed away all of Mom and Dad’s savings.”

She wasn’t wrong. After all, when they got engaged to Li Meng, they spent a lot, and after breaking off the engagement, they didn’t get a single thing back.

But bringing up Oldest Brother at this moment made things awkward. Even Lu Chuan didn’t like it.

Old Lu looked at his second son, started to say something, then suddenly fell silent, his face darkening. He sighed inwardly—his second son really minded this topic.

But some people don’t just disappear because you don’t mention them.

That’s when Li Meng arrived, waddling in with her big belly, calling from outside, “Second son and his wife are back!”

Lu Xiaosan was stunned. Anyone hearing that greeting would think the two families got along great.

Fang Yuan ignored Li Meng and turned to Lu Chuan, “Am I really that close to her?”

Old Mrs. Lu felt exhausted at the sight of Li Meng. They clearly didn’t get along, so why force it? That’s just asking for a fight. Actually, with Fang Yuan’s personality, Li Meng was just asking to be scolded.

Old Mrs. Lu didn’t want the family to become a laughingstock. “Second daughter-in-law, if you’re tired, go rest. I’ve warmed the bed for you. I’ll deal with her.”

Keeping the two daughters-in-law apart was definitely the wisest choice.

But was Fang Yuan the type to avoid trouble? “No need. I’ll make things clear to her—she just needs to stay out of my way from now on.”

Old Mrs. Lu was really exasperated and muttered, “Always looking for trouble, what’s the point?”

By then, Li Meng had already pushed the door open and walked in—making herself right at home. She greeted them loudly, “Second daughter-in-law, you’re back!”

Fang Yuan spoke up bluntly, “We’re not that close. I can’t stop you from coming here, but don’t come to my place.”

Li Meng’s face turned awkward. There’s a saying: ‘Don’t hit a smiling face.’ But why was this woman so blunt? “We’re sisters-in-law—why so distant?”

Fang Yuan shot back, “What kind of relationship do we have? You’re like a weasel wishing a chicken Happy New Year—up to no good. But it’s useless trying that on me.”

Li Meng said, “Look at you! Lu Chuan is so successful, and you’re his wife—a college graduate’s wife, no less. You wouldn’t have all this if it weren’t for me. Shouldn’t you be grateful?”

After she said that, the room fell silent. How could she say something like that? Grateful to you and your ancestors for eight generations?

In the past, Fang Yuan would have cursed her out, but things were different now. She was used to dealing with people in the university cafeteria in the city—cursing wasn’t appropriate, and she felt a bit embarrassed to do so.

Fang Yuan replied, “Do I look like an idiot to you?”

Old Mrs. Lu, worried Li Meng would get hit, quickly said, “Eldest daughter-in-law, I’ve said it before—our family isn’t like others. You sisters-in-law don’t need to be close. Just nod when you see each other—or don’t. I don’t care.”

Old Lu added, “Eldest daughter-in-law, if you have any issues, just discuss them with me or your mom.”

Li Meng started wiping her tears. “What’s the point of talking to you? I’m about to have a baby, but we don’t even have a way to make a living.”

Lu Chuan’s face darkened—how embarrassing. She was making a scene for everyone.

Fang Yuan sneered, “You’re out here making a fool of yourself. Does your husband know? Can’t he support his wife and kid?”

Li Meng shot back, “If it weren’t for you tricking all my money away, would I be like this? I can’t even get together enough capital to start something.”

Fang Yuan replied, “So you really think I’m a fool, that you can get money out of me? Which of your eyes is crooked enough to believe that? Point it out, and I’ll help straighten it for you.”

Li Meng had never met a woman who could go from talking to throwing hands so quickly. She clutched her belly, “I’m pregnant, you know! And I was your matchmaker, after all.”

Fang Yuan didn’t even want to argue with her—it was beneath her. “Are you an idiot, or do you just think I am?”

If Lu Chuan hadn’t held her back, Fang Yuan would have kicked her. “She’s not worth it. She’s just here to cause trouble.”

Fang Yuan raised her chin at Li Meng, “It’s not just you—go ask around, see if anyone’s ever managed to scam money out of me. If you weren’t pregnant, I wouldn’t even bother talking to you.”

Li Meng shouted, “I’m just asking for a loan!”

Fang Yuan replied seriously, “You won’t get a loan from me. From now on, if you see me, go the other way. Otherwise, you’ll regret it.”

Old Mrs. Lu pulled Li Meng aside, “Just stop it. Do you even know what kind of person the second daughter-in-law is?”

If Fang Yuan were the type to fall for this, she wouldn’t have left Li Meng in her current state.

If Old Mrs. Lu hadn’t asked how much she wanted to borrow, Li Meng would still be pestering Fang Yuan.

This wasn’t about borrowing money—she just wanted to get back what she’d lost. Otherwise, why keep harping on about money with Fang Yuan? She’d finally figured it out.

Back in their own yard, Fang Yuan asked Lu Chuan, “Did I say something wrong just now?”

Lu Chuan understood and finished her thought for her, “You’d never lend her money.”

Fang Yuan said, “How can she be so shameless, thinking she can borrow money from me? Is she out of her mind?”

Then she added, “Do you think there’s something wrong with her brain? How does someone like that end up pregnant?”

Fang Yuan’s sudden change of topic made Lu Chuan turn his head and stifle a laugh—his good mood instantly restored.

Is there really a connection between those two things? Was Fang Yuan’s reaction a bit off?

154."