Chapter 158: Right and Wrong

Old Man Lu didn’t have the heart to say it out loud, but his second son wasn’t just good to his wife—he was downright flirtatious with her.

As their father, he couldn’t very well criticize his own son, but he knew exactly how Lu Chuan coaxed Fang Yuan into leaning on him. The way he handled it—well, Old Man Lu had to admit, he never had that kind of skill when he was young.

He looked at his youngest son and earnestly suggested, “Xiao San, if you can’t find a wife, you might as well go to school.”

Lu Xiaosan was baffled by this out-of-the-blue comment. “Dad, what are you talking about? What’s going to school got to do with finding a wife?”

Old Man Lu gave his youngest a deep, meaningful look, his face full of “you don’t understand, you’re still young.” Your second brother learned all his tricks at school.

He figured, he and his wife had always been honest, straightforward people—never had any of those fancy ways to win over a wife. So where did his second son pick up those skills? Must’ve learned them at school.

See, it made perfect sense to him: send Xiao San to school, let him pick up what his second brother did, and finding a wife would be a piece of cake.

Unfortunately, Old Man Lu’s theory wasn’t something he could share with others, so it was destined to go unappreciated.

Lu Xiaosan grumbled, “I couldn’t get into college even if I tried. If I could study, I wouldn’t be in this situation now.”

It was New Year’s, and for lunch, Old Lady Lu had cooked up a feast. She had Lu Xiaosan bring half a chicken and a bowl of meat over to Lu Laoda’s place—nothing left after that.

As for the fish that Lu Chuan and Fang Yuan brought back, Old Lady Lu didn’t send out a single piece, nor did she even mention inviting Lu Laoda and his wife over for a meal.

Old Man Lu wanted to arrange something, but Old Lady Lu said, “Second’s only home for a few days all year. Let him have some peace and quiet.”

Old Man Lu just couldn’t figure it out—what did any of this have to do with Second needing peace? If anyone should be upset, shouldn’t it be Fang Yuan?

But for the sake of a peaceful New Year, Old Man Lu let it go. This was fine.

The good news was, Li Meng was busy and really didn’t have time to come over for a meal.

On the 29th, she took fifty yuan from Old Lady Lu and that very night, started selling sunflower seeds, candy, peanuts, soy sauce, vinegar, and the like at home. No one knew how she managed to get her hands on all that stuff.

It just so happened that everyone had some spare cash for the New Year, and wouldn’t you know it, she really seized the opportunity.

So much so that Li Meng could even skip meals. Lu Laoda got a taste of easy money too—it really did come fast.

One of the village women who came to buy seeds even said, “Laoda’s wife, you’re so busy. Doesn’t your mother-in-law help you out? Didn’t she invite you over for lunch?”

Li Meng, wanting to attract more customers, wasn’t afraid of a little gossip. Women loved to chat, after all. She answered cheerfully, “Oh, come on, you all know about me and Second’s family.”

Just like that, half the village’s women gathered around to chat. The kids bought candy, the adults picked up some odds and ends, and by the end of the day, Lu Laoda was so busy he didn’t even care what Li Meng was saying to the others.

So what if people gossiped? So what if he, a grown man, became the talk of the village? As long as the money came in.

If business was this good every day, he’d be happy to let people talk about his feelings.

Clearly, when it comes to making money, everyone’s got ambition. Lu Laoda was no exception—and he didn’t mind losing a little face.

Lu Xiaosan was well-connected in the village, so by lunchtime, he’d already gossiped about all this.

Old Man Lu was happy for his eldest son when he heard the news. “At least it’s a way to make a living. If he works hard, he can support a family.”

Old Lady Lu wasn’t so optimistic. “Just wait and see. With her family, they’re nothing but trouble. Who knows what kind of drama they’ll stir up.”

Lu Chuan said, “No need to worry about him. Laoda’s about to be a father. If he can’t even protect his wife and child, what can he do?”

Lu Xiaosan chimed in, “If he doesn’t stand up for himself, no one else can do it for him.”

Old Lady Lu understood, of course. She just worried for her eldest—what would happen when her mother-in-law came to visit?

That afternoon, Zhang Xiaole and Zhu Xiaosan snuck over to hang out with Lu Chuan, mostly to hear him talk about college life.

Lu Chuan said, “You guys could’ve just come over. Why sneak around like thieves?”

Zhang Xiaole replied, “We didn’t want to bring a bunch of idle people over and ruin your New Year.”

Fang Yuan, gracious as ever, brought out all the peanuts, seeds, and candy to treat the guests.

Watching them chat, she even went next door to help Old Lady Lu, giving Lu Chuan and his friends some space. She was so considerate that Zhang Xiaole and Zhu Xiaosan almost thought Lu Chuan had a new wife—this just wasn’t Fang Yuan’s usual style.

Lu Chuan pulled Fang Yuan over. “No need to be so polite with them. We’re not talking about anything serious, and there’s nothing you can’t hear. Just stay in the room, we’ll chat.”

He didn’t feel awkward at all. In fact, if Fang Yuan wasn’t around, he’d be the one feeling out of place.

The other two, on the other hand, were a bit uncomfortable. Fang Yuan glanced at them, thinking, “It’s my house, I’ll do as I please.”

Seeing how well the couple got along, Zhang Xiaole finally joked, “Chuan, Fang Yuan is really considerate.”

Lu Chuan puffed up with pride. “Of course! My wife’s always like this.”

Fang Yuan looked up at Lu Chuan—she didn’t even believe that herself.

Zhu Xiaosan teased Lu Chuan, “Even I, who only cares about studying, can see it. Lu Chuan, you’ve changed since you got married. You dare say anything now.”

Lu Chuan replied, “Well, yeah. Getting married isn’t the same as hanging out with you bachelors. I’ve got a family now, I have to be more careful. Besides, I’m not wrong, am I?”

The other two didn’t bother responding. So what if you’re married? Does that give you the right to call us bachelors?

Zhang Xiaole said, “Maybe I should get engaged too. Can’t let Lu Chuan show off like this.”

Zhu Xiaosan replied, “You think everyone can be like Lu Chuan?”

He didn’t finish the thought, but Zhang Xiaole understood. If you’re aiming for college, you’re not planning to marry a village girl.

So who would you get engaged to?

Did Fang Yuan pick up on this? Of course, but she didn’t care.

That was their business, not Lu Chuan’s. And even if it was, there was nothing she could do about it. Things between her and Lu Chuan were fine, weren’t they?

Lu Chuan said, “Sure, congratulations in advance. Hope you find a wife who makes you happy just by looking at her.”

Fang Yuan added, “Yeah, study hard and find a wife you really like.”

The couple didn’t even bat an eye at the awkwardness in the air.

Zhang Xiaole and Zhu Xiaosan felt a little embarrassed. “We get it—Chuan is happy just looking at his wife.”

Lu Chuan said, “I don’t even have to look at her. Just thinking about her makes me happy.” That was a pretty public confession.

The two young men were embarrassed, but Fang Yuan acted like she hadn’t heard a thing—no reaction at all.

Lu Chuan thought to himself, “There I go again.” His face flushed, and he kept sneaking glances at Fang Yuan.

Zhu Xiaosan said, “So calm—people from the city really are different.”

Lu Chuan thought, “That’s just Fang Yuan. Any other girl would be blushing.”

Just then, Gong Er shouted from outside as he came in, “What’s the deal, you guys? Getting together and not inviting me?”

Zhang Xiaole frowned and muttered, “Don’t tell me he brought Da Mei along…”"