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

When the county’s big trucks arrived, hauling bricks, sand, and all sorts of building materials, Lu Chuan and Fang Yuan happened to be catching a ride into town.

Seeing several truckloads of supplies delivered right to the edge of Lu Chuan’s yard, everyone in the village started talking: “People with real ability will always find a way, no matter where they are.”

Just look at the Lu family’s second son—he barely had money for school not long ago, and now that he’s married, he’s building a house. Must be his in-laws lending a hand.

Lu Chuan overheard a bit of this gossip but didn’t say a word. That’s just how it is in the village—rumors are built on guesses, no one bothers to check the facts.

Some people even said to Fang Yuan, “Your parents must really dote on you.”

Fang Yuan had no idea what was going on, but she knew her parents did care about her, so she just nodded. In everyone’s eyes, that was as good as admitting it.

So, the rumor spread: Lu Chuan’s new house was paid for by his father-in-law.

When Lu’s mother and Lu Xiaosan heard this, they figured it made sense—after all, if Fang Yuan hadn’t nodded, the house wouldn’t be going up.

How a family lives isn’t decided by what others say. Let them gossip all they want.

The one who was really upset was Li Meng, because Lu Feng had said to her, “Just focus on your pregnancy. I’m not counting on my father-in-law to build me a house.”

If you’re not counting on it, would you even bring it up?

Li Meng touched her chest, feeling a chill. How could a future tycoon count on his in-laws?

Was she supposed to help the future tycoon set his priorities straight?

That wasn’t part of her plan after being reborn. She wanted to share in the wealth, so she’d thrown herself in headfirst. Who knew she’d have to go through hardship with the future tycoon first?

Li Meng rubbed her belly, almost in tears. Looking at this rundown house made her want to cry even more. When would the tycoon finally make his fortune? She was afraid she’d run out of patience and leave before that happened.

Seeing that Xiaosan had things well in hand, Lu Chuan took Fang Yuan and left.

Once they got to the county, they had to stop by the construction site to talk to Wu Hu.

When Wu Hu heard Lu Chuan was taking Fang Yuan to the provincial capital, he complained, “What are you going for? I’m busy here. If you leave, Fang Yuan can’t stay either.”

Lu Chuan was worried Fang Yuan would be reluctant to leave her work behind, so he grabbed her and hurried off, saying they had to catch the bus.

Wu Hu watched the two of them run off and thought, “This is what happens when your brother-in-law trusts you too much. Maybe a little less trust would be better.”

Wu Hu was dumbfounded—his brother-in-law really treated Fang Yuan like a treasure, taking her everywhere. Wasn’t he afraid she’d embarrass him in public?

But Fang Yuan went to the department store and bought Lu Chuan several shirts, making him grin from ear to ear. “Didn’t you say you didn’t care about shirts?”

Fang Yuan replied, “I don’t, but all you students dress like this. I can’t let you get talked about just because of my preferences.”

Back when they got married, Fang Yuan wouldn’t have cared if people talked about Lu Chuan. This was a real change.

Lu Chuan was over the moon, telling himself over and over that Fang Yuan really cared about him now. His imagination ran wild, and it made him feel exhilarated.

Lu Chuan said, “Two shirts are enough. I don’t mind if people talk. What matters is that you like how I look.”

Fang Yuan picked out another one for him. “Shirts might not look great, but it’s better than you walking around in a tank top, letting everyone stare.” She was just choosing the lesser of two evils.

Lu Chuan hadn’t realized Fang Yuan cared about this sort of thing. This was what you’d call being possessive—he was what was in Fang Yuan’s bowl. Lu Chuan’s heart was practically boiling over with happiness.

He’d thought Fang Yuan only cared about making money and didn’t pay much attention to him. Turns out, all his imagined feelings were suddenly validated.

Lu Chuan said, “If it bothers you, I won’t wear tank tops anymore…”

Before he could finish, Fang Yuan cut in, “You’d better behave yourself when you’re out. Women who throw themselves at you aren’t good news, and you shouldn’t go chasing after anyone else either. Look at Li Meng—your big brother’s situation is the result of getting involved with someone like her. Got it?”

Sweet talk turned into a lecture. Lu Chuan said, “I thought you didn’t even know her name.”

Fang Yuan frowned. “You’re missing the point. I’m talking about you.”

Lu Chuan laughed. “I’ll carry our marriage certificate with me and tell everyone I’m married. Don’t worry, no one’s going to come after me.”

Fang Yuan immediately praised him, “That’s why you’re an educated man—smart thinking. Actually, let me handle it.”

Just imagine Fang Yuan carrying around their marriage certificate, telling everyone they were married—what a scene that would be.

Lu Chuan couldn’t stop grinning. So Fang Yuan really did care about him. She wasn’t as nonchalant as she seemed.

Fang Yuan said, “What are you laughing at? This is serious. My mom and my sister-in-law both told me so.”

Lu Chuan insisted, “Our mom would never say something like that.”

Fang Yuan pursed her lips and emphasized, “My mom said it.”

Lu Chuan just laughed. His mother-in-law was a sharp woman—she’d never say something so blunt to someone as straightforward as Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan, a little embarrassed, pinched Lu Chuan’s arm.

Lu Chuan just took it as a little couple’s playfulness and enjoyed it.

Traveling wasn’t easy in those days. The bus was packed.

Lu Chuan made sure Fang Yuan got a seat at the very back, the two of them squeezed together, but there was no time to feel shy—right next to them, an older woman was holding a chicken coop. The smells and sounds were overwhelming.

Fang Yuan scowled the whole way. “If I’d known, we should’ve just ridden bikes. This is expensive and miserable.”

Lu Chuan thought to himself, “If we’d done that, our legs would be worn down to sticks before we ever got there.”

Fang Yuan was even more upset about Lu Chuan’s new shirts. “If I’d known, I would’ve had you change into the new shirt after we arrived. Now it’s all dirty.”

Lu Chuan nodded. “You really do think ahead. What you’re wearing is just right.”

Fang Yuan’s mood improved a little. Lu Chuan had suggested she change, but she insisted on wearing what she had. Turns out she was right.

If she’d worn that white dress, it would’ve been filthy before they even got off the bus.

While they talked, their heads were almost touching. Lu Chuan realized this was the closest he’d ever been to Fang Yuan, and it was all thanks to the crowded bus.

When they got off in the provincial capital, Fang Yuan stared at the tall buildings on both sides, wide-eyed. “They’re so tall! How do they build them?”

Lu Chuan thought, “She really is a construction site regular—she notices the technical stuff first.” He said, “When we have time, I’ll take you to a building site to see how they do it.”

Fang Yuan grabbed his arm. “Really? We have to go!” Just one sentence, and she was delighted.

Lu Chuan looked at her, wanting to tease her for being more interested in buildings than his school. “Have you forgotten we’re supposed to visit my school?”

Fang Yuan replied, “Of course not. We have to go there too. I know why we came.”

It was getting late, so Lu Chuan took Fang Yuan to find a guesthouse. Hotels were hard to come by, and even if you found one, you couldn’t afford it.

When Lu Chuan showed their marriage certificate at the front desk, Fang Yuan commented, “You’re not being very honest.”

The receptionist gave Lu Chuan a long look, wondering if the certificate was fake.

Lu Chuan quickly explained, “This is my wife. She didn’t mean anything by it. The certificate is real.” This wasn’t something to joke about.

Fang Yuan was curious and craned her neck to look at the certificate. “People fake these?”

Well, that settled it. The certificate was obviously real—it was just that the girl’s way of speaking was a little hard to figure out.

99."

"Chapter 99: A Moment of Clarity in the Human World