Chapter 91: Not Willing to Give Face Anymore

After getting down to business, Wu Hu said, “Everything’s arranged at the construction site. Brother-in-law, you’ll have to work a bit harder these next few days. Let’s get things up and running together before you start school. Once you’re gone, I’m worried I won’t be able to handle it all myself.”

Lu Chuan was thinking the same thing. “Of course, that’s how it should be.”

Fang Yuan added, “Before school starts, you’ll need to set aside a few days. There’s always stuff to get ready.”

Lu Chuan couldn’t help but smile a little sheepishly—Fang Yuan really had him in her heart, always thinking about his needs.

Wu Hu glanced at the two of them. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m not Huang Shiren, you know.”

Wu Hu, who was definitely not Huang Shiren, didn’t let Lu Chuan go until three days before school started.

And that wasn’t all—he even made a little notebook and had Lu Chuan write down all the important things to remember. Just in case something urgent came up, he wanted to be able to reach Lu Chuan.

Lu Chuan said, “The university in the provincial capital isn’t that far. I can come back on weekends. Fifth Brother, I’ll be counting on you.”

Then, leaving his brother-in-law and father behind, he took his wife and headed home.

Fang Yuan was always thinking ahead. “I used to think that if we had the means, we could get a house in the township. But now, it looks like we won’t be staying there much anyway.”

Lu Chuan was thinking even further ahead than Fang Yuan. “Let’s wait and see. We can talk about the house later.”

Fang Yuan suggested, “Let’s buy one in the county.”

Originally, Lu Chuan had wanted to buy a house in the township so his father-in-law’s family could help look after Fang Yuan. But now, after all those years of university ahead, he didn’t want to be separated from her.

Lu Chuan said, “There’s not much work in the county, so buying here isn’t much different from buying in the township. The main thing is, we’re not exactly flush with cash. Let’s see how this batch of work goes first, and maybe budget a bit more.”

Fang Yuan agreed, “That’s true. We can’t let people say we got a bit of money and started showing off.”

Lu Chuan pursed his lips and just grinned. “My wife really has foresight.”

Fang Yuan knew her own worth. “That sounds a bit weird coming from you.”

Lu Chuan coughed. “So, what did you buy at the department store? Did you get anything for Mom?”

At this, Fang Yuan perked up. “I did! I bought some sewing supplies.”

Lu Chuan thought that was a bit meager. “That’s all for work. Didn’t you get her any clothes? I’ve troubled your mom so much, and she’s given me so much meat sauce. Shouldn’t we show some appreciation?”

Fang Yuan said, “My mom doesn’t care about that stuff.”

Lu Chuan felt that wasn’t quite right and tried to reason with her. “It’s not about the stuff, it’s about the thought.”

Fang Yuan replied, “When it comes to money, listen to me.”

Lu Chuan said, “Of course I’ll listen to you. But we still need to do the right thing. We need to let Mom know we care about her.”

Lu Chuan wanted to make a good impression on his mother-in-law.

Fang Yuan’s tone turned a bit cold. “My mom sent word: don’t bring anything when you come back. My big brother didn’t get much money, and if we show up with bags of stuff, my mom says it’ll make him look bad.”

Lu Chuan nodded—so that was the concern. “Then how about just giving Mom some money?” He really was asking for her opinion.

Fang Yuan said, “For my mom, I’m willing. And for your mom, I’m willing too, don’t worry.”

Lu Chuan replied, “Of course I’m not worried.” But he didn’t dare ask how much Fang Yuan had set aside for her mother.

Then Lu Chuan carefully asked, “Mom even told you about this?”

Fang Yuan said, “Yeah. Otherwise, if I upset my big brother, would that be good? My brother only cares about two things: money and saving face. When he doesn’t mess with me, I always give him face.”

There was a lot of meaning in those words, but unfortunately, Lu Chuan didn’t think too deeply about it.

Lu Chuan figured, since there was no money for the brother, at least don’t make him lose face. But honestly, there wasn’t much left over anyway.

The county and the township weren’t far apart, and everyone worked in the same business, so gossip never stopped.

When they arrived at Fang’s house, Fang Daleng had just come back from work. Seeing his son-in-law, he called out, “Lu Chuan, you’re back! Staying for a few days? School’s starting soon, right?”

As for Fang Yuan, even though Fang Daleng didn’t greet her, he looked her up and down several times, clearly worried about his daughter. “My girl’s been working out in the sun at the construction site, but she looks even prettier.”

Fang Yuan acted like she didn’t hear him. “Where’s Mom?” Clearly, she wasn’t the doting daughter type.

Wang Cuixiang came in from outside. “She’s not lost. Let your husband go inside and rest.”

If it were any other daughter, she’d probably stomp her foot and complain her parents were playing favorites.

But Fang Yuan just said to Lu Chuan, “Go inside, so Mom and Dad don’t have to say anything.”

Wang Cuixiang looked at her daughter, and so did Fang Daleng. They didn’t know how to smooth things over for her.

With a daughter like this, could she really keep hold of a college boy? It was enough to make them anxious. As Lu Chuan’s school start date approached, the couple felt more and more uneasy.

Lu Chuan was very obedient. “Mom, you and Fang Yuan talk. I’ll go inside first.”

Just like that, he really did go inside. Did he agree with Fang Yuan, or was he just going along with her? Hard to say.

Fang Daleng said, “Wife, do you think this is a case of the pot fitting the lid, or the lid fitting the pot?”

Wang Cuixiang replied, “Do you think your daughter is the lid that matches your son-in-law, or the pot that matches him?”

That was a deep question, and even the rough-and-tumble Fang Daleng was left speechless.

Fang Yuan interrupted, “What are you two talking about? Mom, make something to eat. We’ll head back to the village soon.”

Wang Cuixiang said, “I know, you should go back and check in. Your sister-in-law is cooking in the other room. We’ll eat there in a bit.”

Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow. “Which sister-in-law?”

Wang Cuixiang glanced at her daughter, knowing she was looking for trouble. “Your eldest brother’s wife.”

Fang Yuan’s face darkened. As for her eldest brother, fine, but she wasn’t about to give this sister-in-law any face. “Not going.”

Wang Cuixiang said, “Aren’t you something? Go wash your hands. Are you waiting for your sister-in-law to invite you?”

Fang Yuan replied, “Even if she invites me, I’m not going. If there’s no food at home, we’ll just leave.” Then she called out, “Lu Chuan, come out, we’re going home.”

Fang Daleng grabbed his daughter. “Wait, wait, what did your brother do to upset you? Don’t be like this. Dad’s here, I’ll sort him out.”

Fang Yuan said, “I just don’t want to give him face. Didn’t you say, when a daughter gets married, she should still be treated well when she comes home?”

Fang Daleng said, “I did say that. My daughter should be treated like this. Which brat upset you?”

Fang Yuan replied, “It’s not a brat, it’s your son. We never learned to cater to little brothers-in-law, did we?”

Fang Daleng immediately shut up. He glanced at Wang Cuixiang, then said with a dark face, “Wife, Fang Yuan’s home, so we’ll eat here.”

Fang Yuan pulled out ten yuan and stuffed it into Fang Daleng’s hand. “I want to be good to my parents. I don’t need to look at anyone else’s face, and I’m done with it.”

Just as Lu Chuan came out, he saw Fang Yuan bickering with her parents. What should he do? He was at a loss.

Wang Cuixiang said, “You don’t want your big brother to use your mixer anymore?”

That’s a mother for you—she knew exactly where her daughter’s soft spot was.

Fang Yuan replied, “If he really needs it, we’ll talk then.”

But that wouldn’t do. Lu Chuan said, “Ahem, it’s been a while since I talked to Big Brother.”

Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow—whose side was Lu Chuan on? Was he undermining her? Did he even know what it meant to be a couple? She glared at him.

Lu Chuan didn’t say another word. Sure, his wife was his, but her temper was all thanks to her father-in-law’s spoiling.

92."