Chapter 159: Courting Trouble

Fang Yuan didn’t know what they were talking about, nor did she ask. She just listened quietly, sensing that the newcomer wasn’t very welcome.

Zhu Xiaosan frowned as well. This Gong Er was a bit of a buzzkill. “That won’t do, he’s hiding from Damei.”

Zhang Xiaole was exasperated. “He can’t avoid him now, he actually came here. I knew he was no good.”

Through the paper window, they could vaguely see two people entering the courtyard. As they came through the door, Lu Chuan, of course, greeted them with a smile. He hadn’t gone out, but spoke up first: “You were waiting for an invitation? Didn’t you just come on your own?”

Then he lifted the door curtain. When he saw who Gong Er had brought, Lu Chuan’s face darkened. Gong Er had brought a girl with him—an old classmate of Lu Chuan’s.

Gong Er immediately started teasing Lu Chuan: “Why are you standing there, classmate? Don’t you recognize Sun Hongyan? Didn’t expect this, huh? Too excited?”

Inside the house, Fang Yuan finally looked up. The tone was off. Sure enough, this Gong Er was no good—she didn’t like him much either.

Zhang Xiaole quickly glanced at Fang Yuan and explained, “Fang Yuan, Gong Er’s just no good. You don’t have to pay him any mind. You know what kind of person Lu Chuan is, right? Ha.”

He’d seen Fang Yuan’s fiery temper before, and was really worried that this would cause trouble between the couple during the New Year.

He added, “That Sun Hongyan is just a classmate. She and Lu Chuan barely ever spoke.”

Fang Yuan replied, “Oh, it’s fine. We’re not short on food at home—there are sunflower seeds and peanuts. If they want to come, let them come.”

Zhu Xiaosan looked at Zhang Xiaole in confusion. “What’s this got to do with Lu Chuan?”

Zhang Xiaole gave Zhu Xiaosan a kick, and the two of them went to invite Gong Er and Sun Hongyan inside, without waiting for Lu Chuan to say anything.

Sun Hongyan looked at Lu Chuan, her eyes soft and full of affection, standing shyly in front of him. Anyone could see she had feelings for him.

Gong Er egged her on from the side: “Why aren’t you saying anything? Just staring? Hongyan, are you embarrassed to see Lu Chuan?”

Lu Chuan shot Gong Er a look. You know I have a wife, and you’re still stirring things up? What, do you look down on my wife, or on me? “We’re not close. Nothing to say. Since you’re here, come in and sit.”

Fang Yuan was amused. She knew good men always attracted attention, but it was rare for someone to be so blatant about ignoring her presence.

Zhang Xiaole tried to smooth things over, mainly to get Lu Chuan out of the spotlight: “Gong Er, your house is shabby, so you bring classmates to Lu Chuan’s place? Not cool. Just so you know, Lu Chuan’s not footing the bill for dinner.”

Zhu Xiaosan scratched his head, not understanding, so he said nothing.

Gong Er strutted in, acting like he owned the place, and said generously, “Look how stingy you are. Lu Chuan’s not going to go broke over one meal.”

Zhang Xiaole retorted, “You’re generous with Lu Chuan’s money. Why don’t you ask if he’s willing?”

Lu Chuan went over to Fang Yuan and introduced her, “This is my wife, Fang Yuan. Let me introduce you.”

Gong Er looked a bit awkward. “Fang Yuan? No need for introductions, we all know each other.”

Lu Chuan addressed Fang Yuan and everyone else in the room, speaking very formally: “You see, back in school, I only focused on studying and never really talked to female classmates. I’m not good at hosting female guests. Fang Yuan, could you help out? You’re all women, you’ll get along.”

Zhu Xiaosan couldn’t help but laugh. He understood—Lu Chuan had a strong sense of self-preservation and was making his position clear.

Zhang Xiaole looked at Gong Er with a smirk. You think everyone’s as shameless as you? What are you up to, stirring the pot and getting shut down?

Fang Yuan glanced at Sun Hongyan. “Come in and have a seat.”

Then she asked bluntly, “By the way, Lu Chuan said he’s not close with any female classmates, so I don’t know who you’re here for. Mind telling me?”

Sun Hongyan was stunned. Who talks like that?

All the guys in the room, except Lu Chuan, were caught off guard. That was a bold move right out of the gate.

Fang Yuan continued naturally, “Otherwise, you’re a girl, not familiar with me, hanging out with a bunch of guys—what’s that about? Is this how things are in the village now? Or is it just the atmosphere at your school?”

Gong Er said, “Fang Yuan, that’s a bit old-fashioned. What’s the big deal? We’re all classmates. Isn’t it normal to hang out together?”

Zhang Xiaole added, “Don’t say that. Don’t badmouth the school. Our school’s atmosphere is pretty good.”

Zhu Xiaosan raised his hand, “I’ll say something too—the village atmosphere is good as well.”

Sun Hongyan looked up at Lu Chuan. “What do you mean by this? Lu Chuan, you just let your wife talk to me like that? Is this all you know?”

Lu Chuan wasn’t about to take the blame. He immediately said, “My wife’s from the countryside, she’s conservative. I’m from the countryside too, also conservative. Of course, city folks have their own ways, but everyone we’ve met has been proper. Don’t take it to heart—just say what you want. Maybe we can help you out.”

What’s that supposed to mean? Saying I’m not proper? Sun Hongyan felt like she was being pushed out, her eyes turning red with anger.

Gong Er quickly said, “Come on, Lu Chuan, can’t men and women just be classmates?”

Lu Chuan replied, “Of course we can be classmates, just not that close. Back then I only cared about studying, and now I focus on my wife. I haven’t had much to do with female classmates. When people come to my house, I have to let my wife know first. I can’t make her uncomfortable just for outsiders. If I say anything unpleasant, don’t take it personally.”

Zhang Xiaole and Zhu Xiaosan just sat back, cracking sunflower seeds and watching the show. Turns out Lu Chuan could handle himself just fine—no need to worry about him.

Sun Hongyan was on the verge of tears. “You… you…”

Fang Yuan said, “If you don’t want to say, that’s fine, but there’s no need to feel wronged. Let me be clear—I don’t know if you’ve heard, but not even men, let alone anything else that’s mine, have ever been taken from me. Just letting you know—don’t even think about my man.”

She made her position clear, then added generously, “As long as you’re not after my man, sit wherever you like, eat whatever you want.”

Lu Chuan looked at Fang Yuan with a bashful, admiring gaze, silently committing her declaration to memory—he’d have to write it down later.

This was definitely worth remembering: Fang Yuan’s man.

Gong Er had never seen such a straightforward woman before. Truly a country girl—clinging to a college student like he was a treasure.

Worried that Sun Hongyan would feel awkward, Gong Er tried to smooth things over: “Sit, sit. Fang Yuan didn’t go to school much, Hongyan, don’t mind her.” Anyone who didn’t know better would think this was Gong Er’s house.

Sun Hongyan’s face was about to crumble, but she couldn’t just leave. She found Fang Yuan more and more uncouth, and couldn’t see how she was worthy of a college-educated man like Lu Chuan.

She stared straight at Lu Chuan, trying to sit closer to him.

Lu Chuan immediately objected, “Gong Er, there’s nothing wrong with looking out for your classmates, but don’t put down my wife. Otherwise, we can’t be friends. My wife graduated from junior high and is still studying at home—she’s always improving.”"