Chapter 84: Didn’t Have the Upper Hand

The five tigers couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing. Fang Yuan finally caught on. “Don’t try to fool me—I’m not Dad. Did you try to pull one over on Dad?”

Wu Hu replied, “Nonsense, I was just listening to what Dad said.”

Fang Yuan shot back, “Cut it out. Learn something decent for once, instead of always trying to trick people. You don’t look like a good person at all.”

Wu Hu protested, “Come on, who are you talking about? Who am I tricking? Who am I learning from?”

If he remembered right, he’d been imitating his brother-in-law a lot lately. His brother-in-law always looked impressive and was respected when he spoke. What was wrong with learning from him?

Fang Yuan said darkly, “You just don’t look like a good person. It’s blazing hot, and it’s one thing to wear a tank top, but why are you wearing a dress shirt? It’s not comfortable for working.”

Wu Hu really hadn’t thought much about it and shot back, “My brother-in-law dresses like this too. Why don’t you say something to him?”

Fang Yuan replied, “I am talking about him! What a ridiculous habit. If you won’t say something to him, fine, but why are you copying him? What are you trying to do?”

Wu Hu pulled Fang Yuan aside. “Come on, don’t say that. My brother-in-law went to college—he’s not used to us wearing tank tops and big shorts. Besides, it doesn’t stop him from doing his paperwork.”

Fang Yuan muttered, “Bad habit.” Then she fell silent, clearly annoyed.

Wu Hu tried to reason with her. “Are you upset because shirts cost more money? Your brother-in-law makes good money, and besides, they’re all old shirts anyway.”

Fang Yuan said, “He just looks like a pretty boy. The day after the wedding, we bought him clothes at the supply store, but I’ve never seen him wear them.”

Wu Hu remembered—the tank top from the supply store. True, he’d never seen his brother-in-law wear it.

Wu Hu said, “Just tell him straight out to wear what you bought him. Don’t be so wishy-washy.”

Then he laughed. “So you can be wishy-washy too, huh? That’s rare.”

Fang Yuan retorted, “Me? Wishy-washy? I just see you’ve got a bit of money now and you’re not learning anything good, just copying that pretty boy.”

Wu Hu said, “Alright, next time I’ll take you to the department store in the county and help you pick out an outfit that makes you look just as suspicious as my brother-in-law’s shirts. Happy now?”

Fang Yuan said, “I’m a good person, I don’t care for that. What kind of brother dresses his sister up like that?” She clearly had her own principles.

Wu Hu couldn’t argue. No matter what she wore, she couldn’t pull off that “bad woman” vibe—she was just too straightforward.

Luckily, her brother-in-law didn’t seem to mind and was always trying to get closer to her.

Wu Hu thought, you could learn anything from your brother-in-law, except for picking a wife. Sometimes, college boys really are clueless.

As for what was going on with Big Brother Fang, Wu Hu couldn’t get involved, nor did he dare. Their own brother’s hard-earned money was being used to support their uncle.

If the second, third, and fourth brothers were willing to let themselves be taken advantage of, they had it coming.

Lu Chuan whispered to Fang Yuan, “Just watch, sooner or later the fourth brother will turn on him. He’s never been taken advantage of like this before.”

Fang Yuan said, “Why don’t we go beat that guy up and stick up for Fourth Brother?”

Wu Hu said, “It was Fourth Brother who made the biggest fuss about Big Brother splitting up with your husband. Serves him right. Let’s stay out of it.”

Fang Yuan agreed, “Yeah, serves him right. But if outsiders try to bully us, you’d better not chicken out. Dad would be heartbroken.”

Wu Hu replied, “Like you need to tell me.”

When Wu Hu took Fang Yuan to the county, there was no need for him to take her shopping—Lu Chuan had already bought her clothes.

The kind of clothes Fang Yuan would call “pretentious” just by looking at them.

Lu Chuan handed them to her with a proud little smile.

Fang Yuan opened the package, and Wu Hu immediately sensed trouble. Before he could say anything, Fang Yuan turned to Lu Chuan. “What’s this supposed to mean? Do you have a thing for these pretentious clothes? You dress like you never do a day’s work, and now you want me to wear this stuff too?”

Then she exploded, “What, you think the two of us can just stand around looking pretty and money will fall from the sky? Lu Chuan, you’ve got a bit of money and now you’re getting cocky, is that it?”

Wu Hu realized his brother-in-law was getting caught in the crossfire—this anger was a little out of line.

Wu Hu covered his eyes. “It’s just a token of his affection.”

Fang Yuan snapped, “Yeah right. Where’d you get the money?” That last shout—that was the real issue.

Lu Chuan had just given her a gift, only to be scolded like this. No matter how good his temper, anyone would be upset.

Feelings can’t be maintained by one person’s imagination alone—it’s tough. He pressed his lips together and said nothing.

Old Man Lu came over, face flushed. “The money’s from me, from Dad. I gave it to him.”

Lu Chuan had already turned and walked away, clearly angry.

Wu Hu said, “What’s with your temper? He spends money on you and you’re still not satisfied?”

Fang Yuan replied, “He could’ve just explained. Besides, do you really think I’d look good in that?”

Then she added, “Dad, you too. Why give him money to waste instead of giving it to Mom?”

Old Man Lu actually thought his daughter-in-law was right—he’d said the same thing when his son asked for money.

But now that his daughter-in-law was doing his job and scolding his son, it didn’t feel quite right.

Old Man Lu said, “Fang Yuan, if you don’t like the clothes, just exchange them. How is it a waste? It’s only right to buy you something nice.”

Fang Yuan glared at the clothes, clearly unhappy.

Wu Hu said, “What are you looking at? Even your uncle says so. What’s your attitude? Did you even let Lu Chuan explain?”

For once, Fang Yuan realized she was in the wrong, but she wasn’t entirely at fault either, so she didn’t argue back. She just went to find Lu Chuan.

Lu Chuan was actually too busy to be angry—he had to keep an eye on the project schedule, quality, and safety. There was no room for slacking off.

Just like he always said, they didn’t have much experience, so they had to be extra careful, and remember the lessons learned from Big Brother’s mistakes—they couldn’t repeat them.

When Fang Yuan came over, neither of them had time to hash things out.

It wasn’t until dinner that night that Fang Yuan put several pieces of meat in Lu Chuan’s lunchbox. Lu Chuan ate in silence.

You could say she was giving him face, but his face wasn’t as rosy as usual—clearly, he was still upset.

Wu Hu and Old Man Lu kept their distance, hoping the two would work things out.

Old Man Lu was worried too. Watching his son try to get close to his wife was better than seeing him sulking in silence.

Fang Yuan said, “You’re a grown man, why are you being so petty? Just talk it out.”

Lu Chuan finally looked at her. “Is it that you don’t like the way I dress?”

Fang Yuan coughed. “Well, it’s not the most comfortable for working. Do you not like the clothes I bought you?”

Lu Chuan immediately took off his shirt. Fang Yuan shielded her eyes and grabbed her lunchbox. “What are you doing?”

Lu Chuan gritted his teeth. “Look—I’m wearing the tank top you bought me underneath. It’s new.”

Fang Yuan lowered her hand and saw Lu Chuan in the tank top. For the first time, she felt a little sheepish. Maybe she’d misunderstood.

Lu Chuan said, “Look at these arms, this skin—do you really think it looks good if I show it off? You’re always staring at those big, burly guys, but with my skinny arms and legs, don’t I need to cover up? I just didn’t want you to laugh at me.”

By the end, Lu Chuan’s voice was tinged with bitterness.

The way Fang Yuan looked at others really hurt him.

Uh, Fang Yuan wasn’t having it, and she never expected Lu Chuan to say that—that this was the reason.

85."