Chapter 164: The Essence

Old Lady Lu was afraid Fang Yuan would overthink things, so she comforted her, “Fang Yuan, don’t worry. There aren’t any men like that in our family.”

Lu Xiaosan coughed awkwardly and added, “Second Sister-in-law, don’t worry. You’re not Damei, my second brother wouldn’t dare.”

Fang Yuan nodded—she trusted what Lu Xiaosan said, “That I believe.”

Lu Chuan’s face darkened. “What are you believing? You should trust my character, trust the bond between us. It’s not about being scared, it’s about feelings.”

Old Lady Lu kept eating, Old Man Lu stayed silent, and Lu Xiaosan thought to himself, “If my second sister-in-law really believed you, she’d be a fool.”

Fang Yuan clearly shared the same thoughts as the other three, calmly saying, “Let’s eat.”

No one said anything more. It was obvious that the whole family didn’t believe Lu Chuan’s words. They trusted more in the power of the Fang family’s five brothers.

This left Lu Chuan feeling stifled—was his character really that questionable? This was a matter of trust.

Unfortunately, no one wanted to discuss this issue with him. Feelings and trust—such intangible things—were beyond the family’s scope.

Lu Xiaosan had also bought some firecrackers to liven up the courtyard. It was all about having a bit of festive noise.

On New Year’s Eve, Lu Chuan took Fang Yuan around the village to visit a few families along with Zhang Xiaole and the others—just a handful of close neighbors.

Everyone’s conversation still revolved around the matter of Gong Er and Damei. No doubt, this Spring Festival, Gong Er was the talk of the village.

On the first day of the new year, Lu Xiaosan came over early to pay his respects. Fang Yuan gave him a five-yuan red envelope, which made Lu Xiaosan overjoyed. “Second Sister-in-law, since you’re not married yet, you’re not considered an adult, so I’m still a kid. I’ll gladly take this money.”

Fang Yuan was generous, “It’s yours. I’m not taking it back. As long as you’re unmarried, Second Sister-in-law will always give you a red envelope.”

Lu Xiaosan tucked the envelope into his chest. “If I’d known, I would’ve come knocking at midnight. Don’t worry, Second Sister-in-law, I won’t stay single just for a few red envelopes.”

Fang Yuan teased, “Does that mean you’re ambitious, or not?”

Lu Chuan said disdainfully, “That’s just being a nuisance. Ambitious or not, it’s nothing special.”

Fang Yuan happily called out, “Come on, let’s go eat.”

Lu Xiaosan really liked this sister-in-law—she was fun, generous, and did big things. Like the whole Gong Er situation.

Over at the east courtyard, they paid their respects to Old Man Lu and Old Lady Lu. Old Lady Lu took out two yuan and gave it to Fang Yuan, “Don’t mind that it’s not much.”

Fang Yuan replied, “Of course not.” She accepted the red envelope with a smile—this was a token of affection from her elders.

On the first day of the new year, knowing that Lu Laoda and his wife would be coming, Lu Chuan took Fang Yuan out after breakfast.

But they ran into Gong Er, who clearly hadn’t slept all night.

Gong Er had been thinking things over and felt something was off. “Lu Chuan, I didn’t expect you to be so underhanded. Was it you stirring things up behind the scenes?”

Fang Yuan wasn’t afraid of him. “Isn’t Damei pregnant with your child? Should we go ask Damei?”

Gong Er, furious, pointed at Fang Yuan’s nose. “I knew you were trouble.” He muttered about how they’d just left Lu Chuan’s house and then ran into Damei.

Lu Chuan stepped in front of Fang Yuan. “Who are you talking about? Go be crazy somewhere else—it’s the New Year.”

Fang Yuan said, “As long as the child is yours, you can’t deny it. A village girl—you’re marrying her for sure.”

Gong Er knew he’d brought this on himself. “I won’t let this go.”

Fang Yuan replied, “Fine, let’s play. I’m not afraid of trouble. I’ll even invite the girls from your school to come and confront you—let’s see if there’s anything to it. I don’t believe all those college girls are blind and only have eyes for you.”

Gong Er was exasperated. “You’re so mean! Are you trying to ruin me on purpose?”

Fang Yuan sneered, “You tried to dump a girl on our family—who’s the one lacking morals? Who are you trying to ruin? Who do you think I am?”

Lu Chuan’s face was dark—just who was Gong Er trying to ruin?

Gong Er’s face turned red and black. “You’re talking nonsense. I was being kind.”

Fang Yuan shot back, “Then I’m being kind too. Look, I’ve even arranged a wife and child for you, a warm home.”

Fang Yuan added, “No need to thank me, just doing my part.”

Lu Chuan looked at Fang Yuan with admiration. “You’ve really got some skills now.”

Fang Yuan said, “I may not have gone to school, but at least I came back from the provincial capital with my man. That’s better than someone who didn’t even get into college and hasn’t seen the world.”

She’d been holding in her anger, and now she finally let it out—it wasn’t easy.

Gong Er protested, “You’ve gone too far.”

Lu Chuan said, “Whether you go to school or not, you still have to learn how to behave. Plenty of college graduates get married—believe me, this won’t ruin your future.”

With that, he pulled Fang Yuan away. Fang Yuan said, “I haven’t even finished scolding him—he’s definitely up to no good.”

Lu Chuan said, “Don’t bother with people like that. You won’t have anything to do with him in the future.”

Fang Yuan, still angry, felt she’d been too soft. “He doesn’t deserve a wife. Do you think Damei and her family know? Maybe they should go make a scene at his school.”

Lu Chuan said, “Don’t worry, Zhang Xiaole will handle it. As long as Damei still wants him.”

Fang Yuan agreed, “True. Even if the girl’s taste isn’t great, she shouldn’t be stuck with someone like him. Better to see his true colors early.”

Then, by chance, they saw a crowd at Lu Laoda and Li Meng’s door, all gossiping about Gong Er. Li Meng’s voice was the loudest.

Fang Yuan said, “Didn’t expect Gong Er to steal her spotlight. With him around, her little drama doesn’t stand out anymore.”

Lu Chuan said, “My wife’s getting smarter by the day. She’s got her beat.”

They heard Li Meng say, “Second brother’s family is here. I’m so busy here, I can’t get over to Mom’s right away. Second brother, you and your wife help me explain to Mom.”

Lu Chuan ignored her. She’d just opened a little shop and was already acting high and mighty after two days.

But her gossiping really did draw in a crowd and helped her sell a lot.

Lu Chuan glanced at Lu Feng—he really did whatever his wife said. Even during the New Year, he didn’t go home to see his parents. If he remembered right, the shop’s startup money had come from his mom.

With so many people around, whenever they saw Fang Yuan and Lu Chuan, they’d greet them. The couple was well-liked in the village.

Just like Lu Xiaosan said, some people even wanted to ask Lu Chuan for help finding work in the provincial capital. No wonder everyone was so friendly.

Fang Yuan didn’t say much, and after Lu Chuan greeted everyone, he took her away.

As for Lu Laoda and Li Meng, Lu Chuan ignored them from start to finish. The estrangement between the brothers finally stole a bit of Gong Er’s thunder.

Over there, people teased Lu Laoda’s wife, “You and Fang Yuan are both new brides. Look at how much more she acts like one.”

Li Meng boasted, “Of course. Look at how big my belly is—I’m about to be a mom.”

The implication: could Fang Yuan compare to her?

Then people started whispering, “It’s been over half a year, right? How come she’s not pregnant? Maybe Second Brother isn’t interested in Fang Yuan.”

Li Meng just smiled, not saying a word, but her meaning was clear.

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