Chapter 97: Not the Slightest Bit Within Our Control

Boss Lu’s face flushed red at the accusation. “I never intended to take advantage of Mom and Dad.”

Fang Yuan replied firmly, “You just want to take their house.”

Then she added, “But as long as I’m here, that’s not happening. Tell that shameless woman, whoever’s child she’s carrying, let her go bother them. If Mom couldn’t get her pregnant, then we’re not waiting on her hand and foot.”

Boss Lu tried to say more, but Fang Yuan chased him out with a broom. “What a piece of work. I’m more and more unimpressed with him.”

On the side, the corners of Lu Chuan’s mouth curled up bit by bit. He really liked Fang Yuan’s lively spirit.

But then his smile faded. Wait, did that mean she used to be impressed with him? Why did that make him feel so uncomfortable?

His mood changed so quickly, even Lu Chuan himself couldn’t keep up.

Fang Yuan turned to Mrs. Sun next door. “You’re no good either.”

Mrs. Sun protested, “Come on, Fang Yuan, wasn’t I just standing up for you? I was helping you out! Don’t worry, I won’t spread a word of this.”

Fang Yuan said, “Go ahead and talk if you want, you think I’m afraid? If you want my mom to help with your kids, then treat the old lady well, keep her happy. Otherwise, nobody’s going to help with anyone’s kids. She raised them all these years, married them off, and now she doesn’t even have a place to stay? She doesn’t owe them anything.”

Old Lady Lu grabbed Fang Yuan, her eyes red. How did she get such a good-hearted daughter-in-law? The Lu family must have done good deeds in a past life. She whispered, “The youngest hasn’t married yet, don’t say that.”

The youngest, Lu Xiaosan, walked in. “Second Sister-in-law is right. When I get married, it’ll be the same. If I keep you happy, and you’re willing, you can help with the kids. If not, then don’t. Whoever has the kid should take care of them.”

Mrs. Sun, standing by the wall, didn’t know how to respond. “Heh, well, that’s not a good way to find a wife.”

Lu Xiaosan glanced in Boss Lu’s direction, gritting his teeth. “Then I just won’t get married. No way I’ll let my mom be tormented like this.” With that, he went inside.

Mrs. Sun said, “Auntie, your son is really filial.”

But Old Lady Lu only had eyes for Fang Yuan. “It’s all because Fang Yuan set a good example. Xiaosan hasn’t married yet, so let’s not say too much. Our family isn’t like that. If my daughter-in-law has a baby, I’ll be happy to help.”

Mrs. Sun was stunned. Anyone who knew would realize Fang Yuan had only been married in for two months; anyone who didn’t would think she’d raised the kids herself. It was rare to see a mother-in-law praise her daughter-in-law like this.

Honestly, with a relationship like this, if Fang Yuan had a child, would the Lu family women not help out?

So now, everyone looked at Fang Yuan differently. This daughter-in-law was clever—she was already securing help with childcare. She’d really won her mother-in-law over.

Fang Yuan and Lu Chuan were busy and didn’t notice when Old Lady Lu went inside.

Mrs. Sun, seeing Fang Yuan was gone, quietly asked Old Lady Lu, “So what did the eldest daughter-in-law do to upset you like this? Tell me, so if gossip spreads, we can help defend you.”

Old Lady Lu shook her head. “Nothing worth talking about. No need to air our dirty laundry. Even if it’s not about the daughter-in-law, it’s about my son, my grandson. Please, let’s not talk about it.”

Mrs. Sun pressed, “Come on, it’s obvious something happened. Why won’t you say?”

But then Mr. Sun dragged his wife inside, or else she’d have kept asking. Not knowing the full story would make her lose her appetite.

Mr. Sun, seeing his gossipy wife, sighed. “Did you forget how Fang Yuan splashed you with water?”

Mrs. Sun said, “I was just trying to help.”

He knew better. “Just keep quiet. The Lu family is clearly on the rise—don’t get on their bad side.”

Mrs. Sun grumbled, “It’s only been a few days, how are they already on the rise? Did they dig up some ancestor’s grave?”

Mr. Sun said, “Watch your mouth. Their son is capable. Just focus on our own son’s schooling. I’ve given up on myself, I’m counting on him.”

Mrs. Sun didn’t know where all this emotion was coming from.

Meanwhile, Lu Chuan and Lu Xiaosan had no time for such gossip.

Lu Xiaosan said, “Second Brother, I went to talk to the village secretary. He said if we know where we want to build the house, we should just put the materials there, save us the trouble of moving them later. Have you thought about where to build?”

Lu Chuan replied, “Makes sense. Your sister-in-law said we should build together, and it should be in the old courtyard. But if we do that, you and Mom will have to stay elsewhere for a while, and Dad won’t be able to come back to help.”

Lu Xiaosan said, “I’m not a kid anymore. I’ll stay home and help Mom. That courtyard was never really the eldest’s anyway. I’m just living there out of loyalty. I heard what Second Sister-in-law said—whether I live there or not, that house is still mine.”

Fang Yuan nodded approvingly. This kid was teachable.

Lu Chuan thought, the only worry is that shameless woman causing trouble—Mom can’t handle that.

Lu Xiaosan grinned mischievously, “Don’t worry, Second Brother, as long as Boss Lu is around, she can’t get to Mom. I’m her son too.” Well, that settled it.

Lu Chuan said, “If we don’t have to tear down the old courtyard, let’s not. There’s plenty of space next to it. If you like, we’ll build there—six rooms will fit.”

Lu Xiaosan agreed, “Alright, I’ll listen to you. We’ll take half the old courtyard, and I’ll talk to the secretary about the rest. Second Brother, let’s be honest: you’re studying outside, you might not come back. Most likely, Mom and Dad will be the ones living here. I don’t have money for the house right now, but when I do, I’ll pay you back.”

Lu Chuan looked straight at Fang Yuan. This was her decision to make—he couldn’t call the shots in this family.

Fang Yuan said, “Building your house is Mom and Dad’s business, and it’s their money. No need to thank us, and you don’t owe us anything.”

She added, “The house for me and your second brother is ours. You just help out more at home.”

She made it perfectly clear—when it came to family property, there was no ambiguity, so there’d be no confusion later.

Lu Xiaosan looked at his second brother, then nodded. He realized that even if his brother made money, he couldn’t call the shots at home.

Lu Xiaosan said, “I’ll listen to Second Sister-in-law.”

He immediately knew who he should be listening to. Lu Chuan gave him a few instructions—he was in a hurry to get to the provincial capital.

At home, Li Meng was gnawing on corn when she heard Fang Yuan was building a house. She was furious. “She’s really something, building a new house with my money. My money!”

Boss Lu was too frustrated to speak. The money Fang Yuan got from Li Meng wasn’t enough for a house, but with the bride price she’d gotten earlier, it added up.

He’d been engaged twice, and the family’s money had been spent both times, but in the end, all of it ended up with the second brother.

Boss Lu just couldn’t understand—how did it end up like this? It shouldn’t have.

All the good fortune had gone to the second brother. He’d gotten both fame and fortune.

Now, seeing the second brother about to build a new house, there was no way Boss Lu didn’t feel resentful. He just couldn’t figure it out.

At least Li Meng was pregnant—he’d have a son soon. That was something Boss Lu could still feel a little proud about.

98."

"Chapter 98: A Woman Who Only Has Eyes for Her Career