Chapter 192: Who Did This Benefit?

This group of people had long been fed up with Oldest Brother Lu, and each one was more eager for drama than the last.

So, some were happy to fill Lu Xiaosan in on all the gossip and loopholes—like that neighbor lady who’d gone to find food with Oldest Brother Lu while carrying her child.

She pulled Lu Xiaosan aside and said, “Xiaosan, you probably don’t know, but your mom’s been having a tough time lately. It’s not just a little grievance. She’s been waiting on your sister-in-law hand and foot, barely getting a bite to eat herself. And your brother doesn’t want anyone talking about it—he’s even gotten mad at your mom. We’ve all heard about it for ages now.”

Someone nearby chimed in, “Xiaosan, your mom’s got it rough. She’s treated like a servant in her own home.”

Old Lady Lu didn’t even know where to start being angry. This whole family had been stirred up by these busybodies. Weren’t they just egging her two sons on to fight?

Lu Xiaosan was truly furious. How could Oldest Brother Lu do something so brainless? He pulled Old Lady Lu along, saying, “Don’t serve them anymore. Let them fend for themselves.”

Then he led her over to the old house, tossed all of Oldest Brother Lu’s things out in a heap, locked the door to the east room, and said to Oldest Brother Lu, “Remember this: this room is mine. Don’t even think about taking a corner of it.”

The sheer dominance of it all! Old Lady Lu held her head and followed her son home, while Oldest Brother Lu had lost not just face, but all dignity—utterly humiliated.

After all, half the village had come to watch the spectacle, and not one of them had a kind word to say. Everyone was calling Oldest Brother Lu a piece of work.

And the worst part? He’d lost the fight. Without Lu Xiaosan’s ferocity, he had no leg to stand on—his hands even went weak.

Oldest Brother Lu went home and shut down his little shop, knowing he couldn’t show his face around here anymore.

Li Meng didn’t need to worry anymore—since they couldn’t stay in the village, Oldest Brother Lu would probably have to try his luck in town.

Li Meng was still sitting inside, holding the baby, thinking: Is this really how the road to becoming the richest man starts? Forced out with nowhere else to go? In a way, wasn’t this all thanks to Lu Xiaosan and Old Lady Lu?

When Lu Xiaosan got home, Sister-in-law Sun was waiting at the door, timidly coming forward. “Auntie, I meant well. I thought if everyone talked to them, Oldest Brother and his wife would realize they were wrong. Who knew he’d react like that? How did things end up like this?”

She sounded so innocent, as if it wasn’t her fault at all.

Old Lady Lu was furious with Sister-in-law Sun—this whole mess was her doing. “Thank you so much for your good intentions, but from now on, please mind your own business when it comes to my family.”

Sister-in-law Sun replied, “Auntie, don’t say that. We can’t just watch the kids go astray, can we? I was hoping we could all be relatives and get along nicely.”

Old Lady Lu thought to herself, Who could possibly get along with you as relatives?

Lu Xiaosan said, “Sister-in-law, my mom’s tired and dizzy. She needs to rest.”

Sister-in-law Sun looked at Lu Xiaosan with an almost motherly gaze. “Of course, of course, she should rest. Xiaosan, if you need any help, just let me know.”

Then the Lu family closed their gate. As far as Sister-in-law Sun was concerned, she wasn’t exactly welcome.

Outside, Sister-in-law Sun muttered, “Having a courtyard wall is great—once the door’s closed, nobody knows what goes on inside.”

Lu Xiaosan’s face darkened. It’s not like we have anything to hide.

Meanwhile, Old Lady Lu felt wronged and muttered to Xiaosan, “All I did was eat a meal—I didn’t do anything wrong except not bolt the door.”

Honestly, looking back, Old Lady Lu realized the whole mess started with not bolting the door.

Lu Xiaosan said, “Sister-in-law Sun was right about one thing: if Oldest Brother and his wife are in the wrong, people should talk about it. We can’t just watch them keep making mistakes.”

Then he added, “If you really want a grandson, I’ll have Second Brother and his wife work on it. If that doesn’t work, I’ll get married and give you one myself. Don’t bother with those two anymore—they’re not worth it.”

Old Lady Lu scolded, “Nonsense! This isn’t about wanting grandsons. They’re all children of the Lu family.”

She sighed. “I just worry the kids will suffer if they come to our house.” What grandmother doesn’t worry?

Seeing her younger son care for her, Old Lady Lu couldn’t help but shed tears. “I see them working hard, just trying to live a good life. I thought I could help out a bit, but who knew Oldest Brother would turn out like this? He wasn’t always such a jerk.”

Lu Xiaosan snorted. Oldest Brother had never been any good, even as a kid. “When he wanted to get married, he watched the family struggle and was still selfish. Not worth getting upset over. When has Second Brother ever given him the time of day?”

Lu Xiaosan continued, “If you’re upset, I’ll go ask him for the fifty yuan from the shop. Does he think he can just pretend it never happened? Second Sister-in-law said, whenever he makes you unhappy, that’s when we ask for the money.”

Old Lady Lu smacked her younger son in exasperation. “Don’t listen to everything your second sister-in-law says. And don’t tell her about this.”

Lu Xiaosan asked, “So are you still going to serve them?”

Old Lady Lu replied, “No, let your oldest brother stew in his own anger. I’m going to the fields to tend the crops. And really, don’t tell your second sister-in-law about this.”

Lu Xiaosan sighed, “I regret building a house in the village. Living so close to them just means more drama. We have a big house we don’t even use. It’s a shame not to move to town. If not for Dad, the three of us could rent a place in town and eat together every day.”

Old Lady Lu said, “Stop thinking about spending money all the time. It’s not easy to save up. You have a house and you’re still not satisfied—so spoiled.”

Lu Xiaosan replied, “I know what I’m doing. If you care about Dad, don’t waste money on people who don’t matter. Mom, let me tell you, every penny Dad earns is hard-earned. Do you know how heavy cement is? Dad carries it bag by bag on his shoulders.”

Old Lady Lu hadn’t realized how hard her husband had it. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

Lu Xiaosan said, “Dad didn’t want you to worry, so he wouldn’t let us say anything. When he worked for Second Sister-in-law, the money he gave you was all hard-earned.”

Lu Xiaosan was shrewd. The mixer belonged to him, and he paid Old Lu for his labor, so there’d be no confusion among the brothers later.

Old Lu felt that things didn’t need to be so clear-cut between father and son, but Xiaosan was right.

When they bought the mixer, Xiaosan shouldered the debt himself.

Old Lu earned wages paid by his son. As for the money for the mixer, Xiaosan paid Old Lu back bit by bit as he earned.

Lu Xiaosan figured he’d be broke for the next six months.

He wasn’t working so hard just to benefit Oldest Brother, only for the old man to hand over all the money to that couple. Of course he had to make things clear to Old Lady Lu.

If someone doesn’t deserve your care, then don’t care about them.

Old Lady Lu felt bad. “I’ll make something good for your dad. You take it to him. Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I stewed a chicken and gave it all to those two, didn’t even save a piece for your dad.”

She really felt for her husband now.

Lu Xiaosan thought, I really do need to get married—nobody cares about me, not Dad, not Mom.

Old Lady Lu said, “I’ll go buy two chickens from the village and make something nice for you and your dad.”

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