Chapter 178: Not So Easily Fooled

Old Man Lu wanted nothing to do with the topic of the Fang brothers.

He might not know the saying “don’t meddle in family affairs,” but he’d lived long enough to understand it. He knew that no matter how siblings squabbled, they were still family, and outsiders shouldn’t get involved.

In private, he warned Lu Xiaosan, “Don’t play mind games with them. They’re big tigers.”

Lu Xiaosan understood perfectly. Just like Lu Chuan had said, he wasn’t lacking in smarts.

Even if he stopped working with Fourth Tiger in the future, he’d make sure to split things cleanly, so Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law wouldn’t be put in a tough spot.

Don’t be fooled by his age—he was sharp and socially adept.

Lu’s wife kept it simple. She packed a bunch of pickles, meat sauce, salted eggs, and grains for the two of them to take. She’d been preparing these for days.

She reminded Lu Chuan, “Take good care of Fang Yuan. Don’t just think about making money all the time. And don’t be petty—don’t give Fang Yuan a hard time.”

Lu Chuan twitched his lips. Now, that’s a real mom: “I’m the one always watching her mood.”

Lu’s wife replied, “Good, good. That’s how it should be—watch Fang Yuan’s mood.”

Lu Chuan almost wanted to ask, What’s wrong with me? Why do I have to be so humble, always watching someone else’s face? But honestly, he did have to.

Fang Yuan looked at the pile of stuff and said, “Good thing there are a lot of us going to the provincial capital. Otherwise, how would we carry all this?”

And plenty of people came looking for Lu Chuan and Fang Yuan, all wanting to go to the provincial capital to make money. It was a headache.

Everyone had heard that whoever Lu Chuan took with him came back with money. Naturally, they all wanted him to take them along.

Old Man Lu spoke up honestly, “Going out means hard work and tough days. Otherwise, why would Xiaosan and I stay at home?”

That cooled everyone’s enthusiasm. True enough—if Lu Chuan really had that much pull, wouldn’t he take care of Xiaosan first?

Lu Eldest didn’t get along with Lu Chuan, but everyone could see that Lu Xiaosan and Lu Chuan were close.

If their own family hadn’t been taken care of, it didn’t feel right to ask. Besides, nobody really wanted to go out and suffer.

Old Man Lu stepped in and, in his honest way, helped his son settle things. Fang Yuan and Lu Chuan didn’t have to offend anyone.

Fang Yuan and Fifth Tiger even brought Fang Daleng and his wife along to the provincial capital. The old couple wanted to see their son-in-law and daughter’s house.

As for Fifth Tiger, he still hadn’t told Fang Daleng and his wife that he had a house in the provincial capital.

He kept things vague, leaving Fang Daleng unsure—was his son really doing well, or just putting on a front?

He whispered to Wang Cuixiang, “Why can’t I figure this kid out? He sure knows how to keep things hidden.”

Wang Cuixiang replied, “You’ll see when we get to the city. Your daughter can’t keep secrets anyway.”

The bus was crowded, and Wang Cuixiang felt uncomfortable. Fang Daleng was even a bit carsick.

Fang Yuan looked at Fifth Brother and started talking, “If only I had money. If I did, I’d definitely buy a car.”

Fifth Tiger snorted, “A crane, maybe. Don’t try to fool me. No money for a car, and even if I had it, I wouldn’t buy one. Gas is expensive—costs more than keeping a wife.”

Fang Daleng was about to speak, but Wang Cuixiang pinched him. Just listen. They needed to observe whether these two really had money or not.

Lu Chuan, ever the supportive husband, chimed in, “Fifth Brother, sometimes you have to spend money where it counts. Otherwise, you’ll just work yourself to death. This year, you’ll be running back and forth to the city a lot. You need to take care of yourself. Buying a car would lighten your load.”

Fang Daleng and Wang Cuixiang were both stunned. Their son-in-law sure knew how to talk. Was their son about to be talked into something? Should they step in or not?

Fifth Tiger looked around at the cramped bus. It was annoying, sure, but better than riding a bike. Still, he shook his head firmly, “No money.”

Fang Daleng and Wang Cuixiang breathed a sigh of relief. Their son wasn’t stupid—he wasn’t about to be sweet-talked into spending money. Good, he knew how to save.

Fang Yuan snorted and threatened, “Fifth Brother’s saving up so he can lend me money for a crane.”

If he couldn’t bear to buy a car for himself, would he really lend money out? Now she’d put him on the spot. Fifth Tiger retorted, “You two are something else.”

Lu Chuan added, “Fang Yuan just cares about you, Fifth Brother. If I wanted to buy a car, she’d never let me. She only lets you.”

Fifth Tiger was annoyed, “Pfft.”

Fang Yuan scolded, “What’s with the attitude? Whether you buy or not, it’s your choice.”

Fifth Tiger was stubborn on the surface, but their words were getting to him. He couldn’t help but ask, “So, what kind should I buy? Are they expensive?”

Wang Cuixiang gave Fang Daleng a slap—see, their son was getting talked into it after all.

Fang Daleng grimaced but kept quiet under her glare.

Fang Yuan perked up, “One with four wheels, so it can haul cargo and my mixer. That way, we’ll save on hiring trucks.”

That was the real reason she wanted Fifth Tiger to buy a car—she needed to transport her mixer to the city, and that would cost a lot in shipping.

Lu Chuan had a different opinion. If they were going to buy, why get a cargo vehicle? Fang Yuan could get a nice ride out of it, too. “That kind burns a lot of gas. We mainly need something convenient for getting around the city and county. When you go out to meet people, it’ll look impressive. Your comfort comes first, Fifth Brother.”

Fifth Tiger said, “Looking impressive is just for show. Not practical. I can handle tough days.”

Lu Chuan replied, “Ideally, we’d rely on our abilities, but coming from the countryside, we don’t have a reputation yet. Sometimes you need external things to convince people.”

So now it was about appearances. Fifth Tiger said, “So you’re saying I should buy one?”

Lu Chuan nodded, “Sooner or later, you’ll need one. And it should be a good one—so people know you’re not ordinary.”

Fang Yuan pinched Lu Chuan, “It has to be a four-wheeler that can haul cargo.”

Lu Chuan said, “You can buy one for yourself later, use it at the construction site to earn extra hauling fees. This one’s for Fifth Brother, for him to use when he’s out meeting people.”

Wang Cuixiang just listened. Fang Daleng thought, What’s going on in this family? They’re talking about buying a car like it’s nothing.

He’d been selling meat for years and only had a pedal tricycle.

When they got to the provincial capital, Wang Cuixiang had Lu Chuan and Fang Yuan take them into the compound. As she walked, she looked around, “It’s a bit out of the way, but it’s much livelier than our village. Not bad at all. Looks like a real home. But isn’t it a bit far for your son-in-law to get to school?”

Fang Daleng was just happy, not noticing any of that. He pulled Fang Yuan aside, “My daughter has a house in the city. Amazing.”

Lu Chuan said, “Mom, it’s not far by bike. If I’m busy, there are dorms at school. I can stay there.”

Fang Daleng kept marveling, “Wow, this is the provincial capital!”

Suddenly, Wang Cuixiang asked, “What about your Fifth Brother? Where’s his house?”

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