Chapter 99: A Moment of Clarity in the Human World

Lu Chuan dragged Fang Yuan into the house and immediately started to protest, “How am I not being honest?”

Fang Yuan replied, “Didn’t you say you brought the marriage certificate just to show your classmates?”

Lu Chuan said, “I did.”

Before Fang Yuan could get angry, Lu Chuan continued, “But that doesn’t mean I can’t use it here too. It’s a proper relationship—showing it off just makes things more aboveboard.”

Fang Yuan said, “Back in the village, hardly anyone even knows about this thing. I didn’t expect it to be so useful in the provincial capital.”

Lu Chuan smoothly changed the subject, “You must be hungry. Let’s go eat.”

Fang Yuan was successfully distracted and agreed with Lu Chuan, “People are made of iron, food is made of steel—skip a meal and you’ll be starving. Can’t let ourselves go hungry.”

Fang Yuan valued money, but she wasn’t stingy when it came to spending it—at least, not unless it was being given away for nothing.

Then Lu Chuan tried to negotiate, “Why don’t you wear a dress?”

Fang Yuan replied bluntly, “No. Not convenient.”

Fang Yuan wasn’t one to be swayed by sweet talk or pressure. Lu Chuan patiently coaxed her, “Look, since I told everyone I’m married, I should introduce my wife to my classmates, right?”

Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow, “You think the way I’m dressed is embarrassing for you?”

Lu Chuan said, “Of course not. No matter what you wear, you make me look good. I just want those people who have their eyes on me to see that my wife is beautiful. Ordinary girls can’t compare, so they shouldn’t bother trying. I definitely won’t be tempted by anyone else.”

As he said this, Lu Chuan’s face turned so red it was almost painful to look at. He’d never bragged about himself like this before. He really couldn’t take it.

Fang Yuan nodded, “That’s reasonable.”

Then she immediately turned the tables, “So if you meet someone prettier than me, you’d be tempted?”

Fang Yuan was sharp when she needed to be. Lu Chuan quickly replied, “There’s no one prettier than you.”

Fang Yuan shot him a dark look, “Nonsense. I’m street-smart, not stupid.”

Lu Chuan felt wronged. He just wanted to express his loyalty, to say that in his eyes, his wife was the most beautiful. Why was it so hard?

Having such a practical wife had its downsides.

Lu Chuan said, “Back in the car, I saw that chicken cage brush against you a few times. Your clothes must be dirty now.”

Fang Yuan retorted, “Cut the crap.” She knew Lu Chuan had protected her well in the car—she could see that. Still, she went to change her clothes.

When she came out in flat leather shoes, Fang Yuan nodded, her expression softening, “These are actually pretty comfortable. Not so flashy.”

Lu Chuan rubbed his arm, still sore from where Fang Yuan had pinched him earlier, “If you like them, I’ll buy you another pair later.”

Fang Yuan’s face immediately darkened, “Got money to burn, huh?”

Lu Chuan said, “Look at you, always so quick-tempered. I was just discussing it with you.”

Fang Yuan looked serious, “Let me tell you something. When you’re out, you’re not allowed to lend money to anyone. Lending to others is out of the question, and borrowing from others is even worse.”

Lu Chuan was puzzled, “Why would I need to borrow money?”

Fang Yuan said, “Doesn’t matter why. Just don’t. And don’t you dare borrow money behind my back. My mom says, if a man doesn’t know how much money he has in his pocket, he won’t know anything else either.”

Lu Chuan nodded immediately, “Mom’s got great foresight. Don’t worry, I won’t borrow.”

Fang Yuan added pointedly, “That goes for Dad and Wu Hu too—you can’t borrow from them either.”

That was basically cutting off all of Lu Chuan’s escape routes. He didn’t want to agree, but Fang Yuan’s two fingers were already coming for him, so he covered his arm and gave in, “I won’t borrow.”

Then Fang Yuan took out two hundred yuan, “Be frugal at home, but don’t skimp on yourself when you’re out. But don’t spend on things you shouldn’t, and don’t pick up bad habits.”

Two hundred yuan as living expenses—that was a lot. Even in the provincial capital where things were pricier, six or seven yuan a month was enough.

Just two months ago, it had taken the family years to save up two hundred yuan to get married. That showed how much this two hundred meant.

When Lu Chuan took the money, his voice was a little muffled, “I know.”

So no matter what Fang Yuan said, she really wasn’t stingy with him.

Once they were ready, they headed out.

Lu Chuan wanted to take Fang Yuan to get a haircut or a perm, but of course, Fang Yuan refused.

She even scolded Lu Chuan for his bad habit of wasting money. With two hundred yuan in his hand, she just couldn’t feel at ease.

When they arrived at Lu Chuan’s school, Fang Yuan looked very serious.

Lu Chuan was excited about school and pulled Fang Yuan along, “Come on, let’s go have a look and find my dorm. If you ever need anything, just come find me here.”

Fang Yuan said, “It’s livelier than the village, livelier than the township. Looks like there are even more people than in the county.”

Lu Chuan was afraid Fang Yuan would be nervous, “Not really. It’s actually no different from home.”

Fang Yuan said, “It can’t be the same as home. You’re here to study, so you’d better make your brain work better. Don’t waste the trip.”

Then she added, “We spent money on this.”

Lu Chuan nodded, holding back a laugh, “Of course. I won’t waste your money, don’t worry.”

See, Lu Chuan now understood that all the family money was Fang Yuan’s.

What he’d said earlier was just to comfort her, afraid she’d feel out of place on campus. But instead, Fang Yuan walked around the campus with her head held high, even more confident than Lu Chuan, who was there to register. She looked like she belonged there, more so than Lu Chuan himself.

Some enthusiastic upperclassmen even greeted Fang Yuan, “Here early to register, little sister?”—treating Lu Chuan as if he were just a family member dropping off a student.

Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow at them, wondering why everyone was so friendly—what were they after?

Lu Chuan quickly nodded and smiled at them, pulling Fang Yuan away before she could say anything.

After walking around and getting familiar with the place, Fang Yuan was satisfied with the campus, “So not everyone who goes to college is stuck-up.”

Lu Chuan asked, “Why would they be stuck-up? Shouldn’t there be more nearsighted people here?”

Fang Yuan said, “Second sister-in-law said so. She said people who go to school look down on villagers.”

Lu Chuan said, “I’m not like that.”

Fang Yuan replied, “You’re from the countryside too. Why would you look down on yourself? There’s nothing to be proud of in that.”

Lu Chuan felt she made a lot of sense, “What do you think of this place?”

Fang Yuan said, “It’s alright. Lots of people. Selling popsicles here would definitely make more money than selling them at the construction site.”

Lu Chuan had to admit, that was a good idea. He cautiously asked, “So what do you think about coming to the provincial capital?”

Fang Yuan said, “For what? To sell popsicles? No way. I figure working with Fifth Brother still pays more. I’ve still got the concrete mixer—don’t go getting any funny ideas.”

Fang Yuan wasn’t interested in this business. She had no plans to invest.

Lu Chuan failed to persuade his wife and quickly changed his tone, “You really trust me to be here on my own?”

Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow and said sharply, “You dare mess around?”

Of course he didn’t dare, but that didn’t mean she should be so relaxed about it.

Fang Yuan said, “The little bit of money we have might be something in the village, but here in the provincial capital, it’s nothing. Just live your life and don’t go stirring up trouble.”

What do you do when your wife is just too clear-headed?"

"Chapter 100: Really Can’t Afford It