Chapter 155: A Bit Late to Wake Up

Li Meng couldn’t be bothered to listen to Old Man Lu’s rambling. She grabbed the money and left.

She thought to herself, “You two are his parents. No matter how rich or successful he gets, he’ll always acknowledge you. But if I don’t treat him well, when he’s rich in the future, will he even remember who I am?”

But for now, it seemed she needed to scrape together some start-up capital for this future tycoon. And all she had was fifty yuan.

Li Meng regretted it again—she’d let Fang Yuan sweet-talk her out of so much money before. Just thinking about that money made her want to smack herself for being so foolish.

She looked at the fifty yuan in her hand with some disdain. “What can I even do with this?”

Old Lady Lu watched her eldest daughter-in-law leave without so much as a backward glance, then looked at the thirty yuan left in her own hand. “There goes fifty yuan, just like that.”

Old Man Lu understood too. Their eldest daughter-in-law hadn’t listened to a word they’d said. “We’ll have to talk to our eldest son later. You can’t live life like this.”

Old Lady Lu sighed, “We used to be able to say a few words to him, but now, he won’t listen to anything. He really thinks he’s destined for wealth now.”

Just thinking about their eldest son and his wife was enough to make Old Lady Lu upset. “Forget it. We have grain and vegetables at home, and this thirty yuan is what we managed to save up all year. That’s something to be happy about. I’ll go cook and make something special for our second son’s family.”

Old Man Lu said, “Make something hot. They don’t get good food at the construction site, and it’s not easy for the kids out there.”

Old Lady Lu replied, “I know, I know. We’ve been raising all the chickens for them. I’ll save one for our eldest daughter-in-law’s confinement, and the rest we’ll slaughter tomorrow for New Year’s.”

Just because Li Meng came by didn’t mean they wouldn’t celebrate the New Year. Old Man Lu and Old Lady Lu started busying themselves at the stove.

Lu Chuan came back. He had to make the rounds, visit the village secretary, and there was also his classmate Zhang Xiaole.

People who make something of themselves are welcome everywhere. When Lu Chuan visited the village secretary’s house, he was warmly received.

Zhang Xiaole, his classmate, finally got a chance to talk to Lu Chuan. “A lot of my classmates come to see me, but look—when has my dad ever personally entertained anyone? I’ve figured it out. I really need to study hard and get into university.”

Who could disagree? Back when he’d come to see Zhang Xiaole, he hadn’t gotten this kind of treatment. It really was worth studying hard, so people would look at you differently. “Aren’t you in a technical college?”

At this point, Zhang Xiaole was determined to give it his all. “If I can get into university, why would I settle for technical college? Can’t I set my sights a bit higher?”

Lu Chuan said, “Alright, study hard. I’ll be waiting for you in the provincial capital. By the way, my family owes a lot to you all in the village. Come over to my place sometime, and I’ll invite everyone for a get-together.”

Zhang Xiaole replied, “I appreciate the thought, but let’s skip the gathering. Take my advice—keep things low-key for now. Let’s all just lay low for a while.”

Lu Chuan sensed there was more to it. “Why? My family really owes everyone here, and we’ll need everyone’s help in the future too. I’m truly grateful.”

Zhang Xiaole sighed, “You know Gong Er? The guy who was seeing Da Mei from the village? Gong Er’s no good. Da Mei’s been chasing him all over, and if something happens at your place, it’ll be a real headache.”

Lu Chuan was relieved it wasn’t some conflict within his own family. “Gong Er and Da Mei broke up?”

Zhang Xiaole said, “We’re all from the same village. It’s not right to talk about people behind their backs, but honestly, Gong Er’s not a good guy. Best to steer clear of him.”

Lu Chuan didn’t want to let one Gong Er stop him from doing anything. “Don’t worry about him. You should come. Just ignore him.”

Zhang Xiaole said, “I’m just worried he’ll show up if I go. Wouldn’t want to cause you trouble. I’d feel terrible.”

Lu Chuan replied, “Come on, we can’t just all stay home because of him.”

Zhang Xiaole said, “You don’t know—Da Mei’s been acting strange lately. I saw her throwing up in secret a few days ago. We really shouldn’t get involved in this.”

Lu Chuan realized this was serious. “That’s a big deal. Alright, better not come to my place then.” This really wasn’t something to get mixed up in.

Zhang Xiaole laughed at Lu Chuan, “It’s not your problem. Why are you so nervous?”

Lu Chuan said, “Don’t talk nonsense. Fang Yuan can’t stand to see anyone else have a baby these days.” He was thinking of his own wife’s feelings. As if Gong Er was worth worrying about.

Zhang Xiaole had never seen a man who talked about his wife all day long. “Aren’t you embarrassed?”

Lu Chuan said, “It’s the New Year. What’s wrong with wanting my wife to be happy?”

Zhang Xiaole wasn’t in a great mood. “If only Gong Er had half your conscience. Otherwise, Da Mei’s in for a tough time.”

Lu Chuan didn’t care much about Da Mei. He just thought, his own wife might not be the sharpest, but at least she’d never do something so foolish. Da Mei was clearly lacking in that department.

Zhang Xiaole punched Lu Chuan lightly. “You’re distracted. What are you thinking about?”

Lu Chuan said, “I’ve been out for a while. Fang Yuan’s probably awake by now. I’ll head back first—we’ll talk later.”

Zhang Xiaole said, “So what if she’s awake? Why do you need to go back?”

Lu Chuan replied, “My wife doesn’t know anyone in the village. It’s not right to leave her alone at home. I should go check on her.”

He turned and left. Zhang Xiaole snickered, “Your wife might not know anyone in the village, but everyone knows her. With Fang Yuan, it’s not just the village—even if she went up the mountain, the only thing she’d be afraid of is a tiger.”

Lu Chuan, this guy—he’s really learned how to care for his wife. Who would’ve thought the two of them would get along so well?

Back at home, Fang Yuan was sleeping soundly under the bright red double-happiness quilt.

Lu Chuan was a bit annoyed. He’d stormed out in anger, but Fang Yuan didn’t seem the least bit worried or anxious. She wasn’t even a little nervous about him.

Annoyed, he started to pester Fang Yuan, putting his cold hands on her face.

Back in the provincial capital, things had gotten better, but they were always so busy—there was never time to sleep in like this.

Now that they were home, with nothing to worry about, Fang Yuan just didn’t want to get up. She opened her eyes sleepily and said, “If you’ve got nothing to do, go help out in the other room. Don’t disturb my sleep.”

Lu Chuan asked, “You talked with Mom for so long last night. Why are you still so tired today?”

Fang Yuan pulled Lu Chuan’s hand under the quilt to warm it up. “You’re one to talk. Mom stayed up half the night, asking me all sorts of questions. It was exhausting.”

Lu Chuan was sharp—if her mother hadn’t been worried, she wouldn’t have kept her daughter up half the night. “What did she ask?” He asked, trying to sound casual.

Too bad he was dealing with the absent-minded Fang Yuan. “It was the middle of the night. How am I supposed to remember?”

Lu Chuan thought, “That’s just you being carefree. Otherwise, your mom wouldn’t have been up all night, asking questions.” He pressed, “Try to remember.”

Fang Yuan didn’t want to move, not even her brain. “What’s the point of remembering?”

Lu Chuan said, “I’m worried you didn’t answer sincerely and kept Mom up all night.”

Fang Yuan replied, looking innocent, “I don’t think so. I forgot.”

Lu Chuan didn’t even need to think to know why his mother-in-law was up all night, worried sick. But she just happened to have such a careless daughter—no wonder his mother-in-law was so anxious."