Chapter 170: The Only Taboo

Fang Yuan: “What’s the rush? I’m busy working, you know my situation right now.”

Wu Hu couldn’t help but tease, “Short on cash again? At the rate you spend, no matter how capable your husband is, he’ll never keep up.” Since when did Fang Yuan ever speak so tactfully?

Fang Yuan shot back, “Pfft, pfft, pfft, don’t say that, especially during the New Year! I’m doing just fine financially.”

Wu Hu just laughed in exasperation. If you want to be well-off, maybe try buying less and saving more!

Lu Chuan always knew how to step in at the right moment to wrap things up for Fang Yuan. “Fifth Brother, I heard there are a lot of people playing cards over at Fourth Brother’s place.”

Wu Hu replied, “Don’t worry. The folks working with us all have families to support and want to earn money. No loafers here.”

Lu Chuan said, “Fifth Brother, keep an eye on this. Our place is big, there are a lot of people and things can get complicated. If any of our hometown folks go astray because we didn’t look out for them, we’d feel guilty. It’d even embarrass Dad.”

Wu Hu nodded, “You’re right, brother-in-law. However we take them out, that’s how we have to bring them back. Don’t worry, we don’t recruit anyone addicted to gambling.”

Fang Yuan added, “If someone goes out to work and loses all their money gambling, then people will say they worked all year for nothing. That’d ruin our reputation.”

Wu Hu hadn’t even thought that far ahead.

Lu Chuan started to sweet-talk Fifth Brother, “Our projects are small now, but they’ll definitely get bigger. Finding work is important, but finding good people to work with us is even more crucial. Fifth Brother, we’re counting on you for that.”

Wu Hu replied, “Got it. I won’t let you down.” Then he asked, “When do you think we’ll land a big project?”

Fang Yuan, ever the realist, chimed in, “Fifth Brother, what can you do? What can your people do? If we get a big project, can you handle it?”

Wu Hu’s face darkened, “Aren’t you guys heading back to the village? Hurry up and go.” Just when he was feeling good, she had to bring up the harsh truth.

Even if Fang Yuan’s words were blunt, she had a point. You need capable people on your team.

When Wu Hu was back home, he’d always focus on the essentials when hanging out with others—strengthening the stability of those who’d already gone out to work, and building unity among those who’d go in the future. He was truly thinking about the long-term.

He wasn’t just home for the New Year—he was building connections for the future.

Even Wang Cuixiang commented that all the smarts Fang Yuan lacked must have ended up with Old Five. Just look at how Old Five’s always paving the way for the future.

But Fang Daleng didn’t like hearing that and refused to admit his daughter was lacking. She was just like him—straightforward and genuine.

After leaving Wu Hu’s place, Fang Yuan made a symbolic visit to Si Hu’s house, mainly to check if there were any differences between Fourth and Fifth Brother’s homes, and to see if Fourth Brother had shortchanged Fifth Brother. Fang Yuan really cared about Wu Hu.

Lu Chuan, meanwhile, sincerely thanked Si Hu, “Fourth Brother, my mom and Xiao San both said the house wouldn’t have come together without your help.”

Si Hu replied, “Brother-in-law, no need to be so formal. Besides, I didn’t do it for nothing—several families from your village hired me to build their houses this year.”

Lu Chuan said, “That’s your own skill, Fourth Brother. They hired you because they know quality when they see it.”

Si Hu was all smiles after Lu Chuan’s praise. “Brother-in-law, don’t just say nice things. If there’s ever a good opportunity in the provincial capital, don’t just think of Fifth Brother.”

Lu Chuan replied, “That’s only if you’re willing, Fourth Brother. Honestly, I’m just a student. Over there, it’s always Fifth Brother and Fang Yuan running around.”

He scratched his head a little sheepishly after saying that.

Si Hu knew Fang Yuan was always the dominant one, and felt a bit sorry for his brother-in-law. “Brother-in-law, I believe you.”

Fang Yuan shot Lu Chuan a sideways glance—now wasn’t the time to call him sly.

But she didn’t think much of Fourth Brother—he wasn’t as sharp as Fifth Brother, and nowhere near as clever as Lu Chuan. How could he believe that?

As they left Si Hu’s place, Fang Yuan pinched Lu Chuan’s arm. “You’re getting better at sweet-talking my family.”

Lu Chuan didn’t say he avoided getting too close to Fourth Brother for Wu Hu’s sake. “I can’t undermine Fifth Brother. I know who I’m closest to.”

Fang Yuan said, “They’re all my brothers—I’m equally close to both.”

Lu Chuan didn’t respond, but it was clear he didn’t quite agree. After a moment, he asked, “If both Fourth and Fifth Brother liked the same girl, who would you introduce her to?”

Fang Yuan scoffed, “That would never happen. Fifth Brother’s standards are way higher than Fourth’s.”

What Fourth Brother likes, Fifth Brother wouldn’t even care for. There’s no way they’d go after the same girl.

Lu Chuan thought, You can say that, but do you really treat them the same? If I ever let Fifth Brother down, you’d be furious.

Fang Yuan insisted, “I really am equally close to both.” Stubborn as ever.

Lu Chuan changed the question, “If you needed money, would you borrow from Fifth Brother or Fourth Brother?”

Fang Yuan didn’t hesitate, “Definitely Fifth Brother. I’m not that close with Fourth.”

Lu Chuan said, “Then let me thank Fifth Brother for you.” Who knows if he’d be happy to hear that—some trust you just don’t need.

Fang Yuan added, “At least you know better than to ask who I’d lend money to.” This guy’s smart—he knows not to lend money out.

Lu Chuan knew Fang Yuan well and said casually, “You’re not the type to lend money to others anyway.”

Fang Yuan laughed. The couple really did understand each other. “I’m not that stingy, but you do know me well.”

Lu Chuan thought, You can say that, but I really do know you. You’re generous, but you never lend money.

Fang Yuan said, “Fourth Brother is someone you just can’t mess with.”

Lu Chuan thought, Wu Hu already told me that. Besides, even if I had two tigers on my side, I couldn’t handle it. Gotta stick to the big principles.

Of course, his wife and Wu Hu were exceptions—they were twins, after all.

Since they were heading back to the village, they had to stop by and say goodbye to Fang Yuan’s parents. So the couple went to pay their respects.

At her parents’ house, they ran into the legendary acquaintance—Fang Lao Da’s brother-in-law.

He had come to pick up his sister, whose husband was visiting her family for the New Year. He was very polite, even stopping by to greet his sister’s in-laws first. That’s how they ran into each other.

Lu Chuan didn’t know this guy—he’d only ever heard the name, never met him.

But the man was very outgoing and greeted Lu Chuan warmly, “You must be the brother-in-law! I’ve heard about you for ages. Out of all the villages around here, you’re the only college student. That’s impressive!”

Lu Chuan felt a bit awkward—he hadn’t expected this kind of person.

He glanced at Fang Yuan, thinking, If she’s as warm as this guy, with her clear likes and dislikes, I’d better not get on her bad side."