Chapter 201: An Extraordinary Daughter

Old Lady Lu’s lack of principles showed in every aspect of her life, and Wang Cui Xiang just couldn’t stand it.

At lunchtime, when Fang Yuan said the rice tasted better if it was cooked softer, Old Lady Lu smiled and added more water to the pot, even saying, “Our Fang Yuan really knows how to care for the kids. Soft rice is better.”

Wang Cui Xiang could only cover her cheeks and slip away. If this was a contest for affection, she had to admit she couldn’t compete with her in-law. She’d never seen such a shameless, unprincipled mother-in-law.

They were both mothers-in-law, but wasn’t Old Lady Lu being a bit too humble?

Wang Cui Xiang even started to reflect on whether she’d been too harsh on her own daughters-in-law.

She watched as her in-law flattered—no, cooperated with—Fang Yuan, and it was clear she genuinely enjoyed it. Whatever Fang Yuan said was right. If there was something lively happening outside, Old Lady Lu would always ask, “Should we get involved?”

If her daughter said no, then no it was. If her daughter wanted to watch, she’d grab a little stool and tag along.

To put it bluntly, that wasn’t a mother-in-law—it was a sycophant.

Wang Cui Xiang thought to herself, well, this is eye-opening.

She asked Fang Yuan in private, “Is your mother-in-law always like this when I’m not around?” She just couldn’t believe it.

Fang Yuan replied with innocent sincerity, “Huh? What do you mean? Isn’t this normal? My mother-in-law is like this with everyone, she’s just soft-tempered.”

That made Wang Cui Xiang start doubting herself. “Tell me, I’m pretty open-minded, right? I’m not a mean mother-in-law to your sisters-in-law, am I?”

Fang Yuan, being considerate toward her own mother, reassured her, “Of course not.”

Wang Cui Xiang pressed, “But compared to your mother-in-law?”

Fang Yuan glanced at her mom, “Mom, just come visit me in the provincial capital, then go home when you’re done.”

Wang Cui Xiang was so annoyed she almost raised her hand to smack her. What kind of daughter was this? After all these years, this was the first time she’d ever hinted at something, and it would’ve been better if she’d just said outright that her own mother couldn’t compare to her mother-in-law.

At noon, Fang Da Leng arrived—a big man over six feet tall, loaded down with all sorts of things for his daughter, all of it food.

When he saw Fang Yuan, he was truly excited. “My dear girl, you’re amazing!”

His voice was so loud that even Master Liu next door and his apprentice looked over. Seriously, was it really worth all this praise just for getting pregnant?

Not being able to get pregnant would be strange. Oh well, it wasn’t their business to meddle in someone else’s family affairs.

Fang Yuan was so happy to see her father she almost ran over, but Wang Cui Xiang caught her. “Look how happy you are to see him. Don’t be so bouncy.”

As her mother, she’d never gotten that kind of reaction from her daughter—she felt a bit jealous.

Fang Da Leng strode over to Fang Yuan. “Don’t rush, Dad’s coming.”

Then he circled around his daughter, beaming. “Truly amazing, you’re about to give me a grandchild.”

Fang Yuan lifted her chin proudly. “That’s right, just wait, your grandchild will be chubby and healthy.”

The father and daughter were so pleased with themselves that Wang Cui Xiang couldn’t bear to watch.

Old Lady Lu was grinning along with them, looking just as proud, as if she could already see her chubby grandchild.

Wang Cui Xiang realized she just couldn’t stay here any longer. This mother-in-law understood her daughter better than she did.

Fang Da Leng showed Fang Yuan all the things he’d brought—smoked meat, blood sausage, cooked pig’s head, walnuts, fine grains. He’d brought all the best for his daughter.

He even asked, “If you want to eat anything, just tell Dad. I’ll buy it for you. Don’t worry about the money, I’ve got plenty.”

Fang Yuan glanced over at Wang Cui Xiang and lowered her voice, “He’s got a secret stash.”

Fang Da Leng replied, “Your mom gave it to me.” After that, the two of them spoke at a normal volume—it was fine to say it out loud now.

Fang Yuan said, “Dad, why did you bring so much? It’s hot and the trip is long, what if it goes bad?”

Fang Da Leng said, “That’s why you should eat it quickly, my girl.”

Wang Cui Xiang looked on, feeling troubled. That’s her daughter—how much could she possibly eat? “There’s so much, how could she finish it all?”

It was a real problem. Fang Da Leng said, “Where’s Old Five? Since I came all this way, I’ll take it to the construction site and let everyone have a taste of some meat.”

Fang Yuan said, “That’s great, our family is generous. Only my dad would think of something like this.”

Old Lady Lu immediately chimed in, “I’ll take it to the kitchen, slice it up, and send it over.”

Wang Cui Xiang honestly couldn’t find anything to do. She really felt a bit left out.

Then Fang Da Leng took out a pile of things. “Your third sister-in-law bought you some fabric. Your second sister-in-law sent cotton for your mom to make a little quilt and pee pads for the baby.”

Then, “Your eldest sister-in-law sent money.”

Fang Yuan wasn’t too happy and said, “Do I look like I need money?”

Fang Da Leng quickly soothed her, “Don’t be mad, don’t be mad. Your eldest sister-in-law sent money and said once the baby’s clothes are ready, she’ll bring them over. How could she upset my daughter? Not worth it, huh?”

Fang Yuan said, “I wouldn’t dare let her set foot in my house.”

Wang Cui Xiang said, “Oh, come on. You know what your brother is like. Even if your sister-in-law has issues, she can’t control your brother. Don’t blame it all on her.”

Fang Yuan said, “Neither of them are any good.”

Fang Da Leng agreed, “My daughter’s right, they’re both no good. Your second brother’s figured it out, but your third brother is still clueless.”

Fang Yuan lifted her chin. “It’s fine. My third brother has a good mentor, and honest people don’t get taken advantage of.”

She continued, “I’ve checked—my third brother’s master is amazing. Most of the workers in my eldest brother’s construction team are my third brother’s fellow apprentices. If my eldest brother dares mess with my third brother, he’ll get what’s coming to him. Those apprentices could leave my eldest brother in the dust.”

Fang Da Leng was a bit confused. “What do you mean?”

It was the first time Wang Cui Xiang heard the inside story. “So your third brother actually holds your eldest brother’s fate in his hands.”

Fang Yuan said, “Exactly. Without people, my eldest brother can’t do anything. If he tries to mess with my third brother, he’s in for trouble.”

Fang Da Leng slapped the table. “See? I knew the kids I raised couldn’t all be useless! Turns out Old Three’s got Old One right where he wants him. That’s my boy!”

Old Lady Lu really didn’t know what to say. Was that something to brag about?

Fang Yuan said, “Dad, don’t lump me in with them.”

Fang Da Leng quickly corrected himself, “You’re different, my girl. I put my heart into raising you. You’re a good one.”

Wang Cui Xiang turned away. So for the first few kids, you didn’t put your heart into it? And this girl is the worst of the lot.

She hadn’t agreed with that before and wanted to scold the father and daughter for being so clueless.

But looking at her in-law, and thinking about how she treated Fang Yuan, she suddenly agreed. “Your dad’s right. You’re not like your brothers.”

Fang Yuan was puzzled. Was her mom acting weird today? She didn’t even try to put her down. She wasn’t used to it.

Wang Cui Xiang kept quiet. If it weren’t for wanting to keep up with her in-law, would she be praising them like this?

Fang Yuan said, “Looking down on Lu Chuan is looking down on me. I’ll remember it forever.”

Fang Da Leng said, “My girl, don’t be so petty. We’re bigger than that—let bygones be bygones.”

202."