Chapter 206: The Daughter-in-Law’s Little Brother

When Third Fang’s wife saw what it was, she was shocked. “Mom, what’s the meaning of this? You’re secretly giving this to us? Do you like me that much?”

Who knows how this daughter-in-law could think that way. Wang Cuihua replied, “You wish! The other brothers all have their own incomes. Old Third is honest—he only earns a little through hard work. You never scheme for anything, and you just keep your money to yourself, letting others use it as their capital.”

Third Fang’s wife finally understood—her own money had turned into a house, and she got anxious all of a sudden. “You used my money to buy it, Mom! You didn’t even talk it over with Third!”

Wang Cuihua thought to herself, What nonsense. When you borrowed the money, why didn’t you discuss it with my third son? She said, “I didn’t discuss it with you either. Listen, you owe me two hundred yuan—forget about paying it back. Don’t come nagging me.”

Third Fang’s wife pulled a long face. “That’s a huge expense, and now the money’s gone. How am I supposed to explain this?”

Wang Cuihua pointed at her daughter-in-law’s nose. “You had no problem borrowing money from your own family, but now you’re scared to invest in your own household?”

She wanted to learn from Old Lady Lu how to coax a daughter-in-law, but she just didn’t have the patience for it.

Third Fang’s wife said, “How is it the same? Now the money’s just gone. I’ve never managed such a big household before. Mom, what should I do?”

Then she finally asked, “Where’s the house? How big is it?”

Wang Cuihua replied, “Not very big, just a shopfront of a bit over thirty square meters, with a small courtyard. In the provincial capital.”

Third Fang’s wife really didn’t have much foresight. She said to her mother-in-law, “It’s not even as big as our house. Why buy it? It’s not worth it.”

Wang Cuihua glanced at her third daughter-in-law. She thought to herself, I must be too idle, meddling in her business. “It’s rented out. The annual income is three hundred.”

Third Fang’s wife immediately shut up and grabbed the property deed. “People in the provincial capital must be fools—so expensive! Mom, don’t worry, I’ll explain it to Third. If anything comes up, I’ll take responsibility.”

Wang Cuihua was so angry her nose was crooked. This daughter-in-law was actually more likable when she kept her mouth shut. “So now you like it? Not scared anymore? Do you want it or not?”

Third Fang’s wife had already stuffed the deed into her pocket and sidled up with a grin. “I want it, Mom. Can I tell others about it?”

Wang Cuihua said, “Just don’t drag me into it.”

Third Fang’s wife replied, “Even if I say it, no one would believe me. How could I go to the provincial capital and buy a shop for myself? I’m not that smart.”

Wang Cuihua sent her third daughter-in-law away, feeling annoyed. She’d spent over two hundred on this trip. If it were another daughter-in-law, she wouldn’t bother so much. But Third and his wife were just too honest—if she didn’t help them plan, they’d spend their whole lives suffering.

No one else knew about this, but Fang Yuan was well aware. She whispered to Old Lady Lu, “See? She did all this for my third brother, even spent her own money. I’m so moved for nothing.”

Old Lady Lu said, “That’s what mothers do.”

Fang Yuan said, “If those brothers found out, there’d be a famine. But no one would say this money was my third brother’s own.”

Old Lady Lu replied, “You have to admit, your in-laws are well-off. Look, any one of their sons can come up with this much money.”

She thought to herself, If only my three sons could be this capable, I’d be smiling every day.

Fang Yuan said, “That’s just what they’ve earned these past two years. It was all thanks to Lu Chuan helping them pave the way. Otherwise, they’d still be earning five yuan a day.”

Old Lady Lu said, “You can’t say that. Capable people will rise sooner or later. Even without Lu Chuan, your brothers wouldn’t be doing too badly.”

Then she added, “Fang Yuan, listen to me—let this go. Don’t bring it up again, it’ll just hurt your feelings.”

Fang Yuan said, “Alright, I wouldn’t even talk about it if it weren’t you. I just can’t get over it with my eldest brother. Without Lu Chuan, he never would’ve taken that step. But look at what he did—was that even human? Lu Chuan doesn’t hold a grudge only because of me. He’s my big brother, but I can’t just let it go.”

Old Lady Lu hadn’t realized her daughter-in-law had such deep thoughts. No wonder she always looked sour whenever Fang’s eldest daughter-in-law was mentioned.

Old Lady Lu said, “Fang Yuan, it’s not worth getting upset over this. Look, now that you’re apart, things are fine. Lu Chuan gets along well with your fifth brother, and they’re earning good money. If you think about it, your eldest brother actually did you a favor, right?”

Fang Yuan’s stubbornness showed at this moment. She shot back, “That’s no excuse for kicking my husband out and dragging in my little brother-in-law.”

Old Lu and Lu Xiaosan were both working at the construction site, so Old Lady Lu really did know a bit about the Fang family’s affairs. “To be honest, there were definitely problems, but as for your eldest brother’s side, that little brother-in-law is just so-so these days.”

Fang Yuan said, “My fifth brother said he just wanted everything for himself. First he used my brothers to squeeze Lu Chuan out, then used the little brother-in-law to push out my fourth and second brothers. In the end, only the honest third brother was left to make up the numbers. What a piece of work.”

Old Lady Lu was convinced by her daughter-in-law and even nodded along. He really was a piece of work.

Then she quickly shook her head. “But your in-laws really know how to have sons—none of them are fools. Look, this is just like kids fighting. Your second, eldest, and fourth brothers still get along fine on the surface, don’t they?”

Fang Yuan said, “Why should I give him face?”

Old Lady Lu said, “That’s just your eldest brother humoring you. Otherwise, who would Fang Laohu care about?”

Fang Yuan was annoyed. “Mom, whose side are you on? Lu Chuan got squeezed out.”

Old Lady Lu never took sides in front of her daughter-in-law. “Of course I’m on your side! How could I be on anyone else’s? Here’s what—we won’t let your dad or Xiaosan go work on his construction site anymore. Our family’s cement mixer, we’ll rent it to that Sun guy, not your eldest brother.”

Fang Yuan was satisfied. “We still have to make money, though. Why shouldn’t we take his money? But I still don’t want to deal with him.”

Old Lady Lu just sighed, “You really were spoiled growing up.”

Otherwise, what girl would have this kind of confidence? Not talking to someone, but still wanting to make money off them. If he weren’t your real brother, no one would indulge you like this.

Old Lady Lu really took good care of her daughter-in-law, both physically and emotionally.

She was always making grand promises to her daughter-in-law, which gave Lu Chuan a headache. She wasn’t there to look after her daughter-in-law—she was there to compete with her son for his wife.

With Old Lady Lu around, Fang Yuan was happy every day. If Fang Yuan wanted to fix her bicycle, Old Lady Lu would set up a stall, help out, and even coax the young apprentice over to repair the bike.

All the good food was sent to the young apprentice, just so he’d sit there and fix the bike for a while and make her daughter-in-law happy.

When Fang Yuan said hiring a repairman was too expensive, Old Lady Lu watched the master for several days and even tried taking the wheel off herself.

In the end, she failed and told Fang Yuan with a frown, “I just can’t learn this stuff.”

Truly, the whole family wanted to sneak over and learn other people’s skills.

Master Liu was so angry his nose was smoking. If someone decent came to learn, he wouldn’t be so annoyed, but these two—one pregnant, one elderly—were just making a fool of him and his craft.

Master Liu couldn’t argue with a pregnant woman or an old lady, so he grabbed Lu Chuan and gave him an earful.

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