Chapter 21: The New Son-in-Law’s First Visit

He definitely wanted to continue studying, but faced with this lineup, he did not dare say so. “After taking a wife, I naturally have to think first about supporting the family. If I hadn’t married, I originally planned to keep studying.”

So he handed the choice over to the Fang family. This was the cleverness of a scholar. He had plenty of little schemes.

Then he added, “I haven’t met the elders yet. I don’t dare make decisions about this marriage myself, and I don’t know whether Fang Yuan’s word alone counts. I was planning to bring Fang Yuan to pay respects to the elders.”

Wuhu thought to himself, This isn’t a good bird. He’s full of tricks. “Whatever my little sister says goes? If you stop studying because of my little sister, then my little sister isn’t taking the blame for that.”

Lu Er was still sensible enough to read the situation. “Of course not. If I can’t even support a family, what’s the point of studying?”

Though not studying would amount to much the same thing. After all, no one could really count on him to support a family.

Sanhu was not very calculating. “What a pity. Our Fang Yuan has good taste. She picked a good brother-in-law. But your elder brother won’t do. He’s a bit morally loose. Don’t learn from him. Men shouldn’t be like that.”

Lu Er could only nod along. It truly was disgraceful.

Then they heard Sanhu ask Wuhu, “What level of schooling did he study?”

Wuhu raised an eyebrow and glanced at Lu Er. “High school, if I remember correctly?”

Fang Yuan said, “He’s already been admitted to university.”

When she spoke, there was actually a trace of pride in her voice.

Lu Chuan immediately understood. Fang Yuan’s pride definitely was not because of the university itself. She was probably proud that the person she had snatched was a university student.

After hearing that, Sanhu immediately fell silent. Then, all the way to the Fang family home, none of the brothers spoke again.

Their little sister had snatched herself a university student. Did that count as gaining an advantage, or suffering a loss? Could he really become their brother-in-law? Would the Lu family even agree?

It did not seem very reliable. A university student. Could the brothers even keep someone like that in line? The thought troubled them.

At the Fang family home, Lu Er was surrounded by the five Fang brothers. Sitting above them all was Fang Yuan’s father, Fang Dalen, his face dark and gloomy.

Under such oppressive pressure, Lu Er did not dare say a single word. Since no one allowed him to speak, he did not dare open his mouth.

Moreover, Lu Er made another discovery. When he was extremely nervous, he could not even hiccup.

He considered himself someone with a bit of experience and knowledge, but in this place and on this occasion, he felt his experience was far too shallow. It was not enough. His palms were sweating.

Facing his daughter, Fang Yuan’s father seemed more troubled than anyone else. “Tell me what happened. How did a perfectly good son-in-law get replaced?”

This had gone beyond the limits of his understanding.

Fang Yuan was not afraid of her father. In fact, she still felt wronged. “How was he any good? Look at the things he did. He already got a morally loose woman pregnant. How disgraceful. What were all of you doing? What exactly did you investigate when arranging the engagement?”

She sounded like the aggrieved party herself.

This was clearly a case of insufficient investigation beforehand.

Fang Dalen felt his daughter was right. Turning toward his sons, he roared, “How did you investigate? You let your little sister suffer such a huge loss.”

Lu Er tried his best to make himself inconspicuous. Although he did not think Fang Yuan had suffered a loss by switching to him, there was no helping it if her family refused to acknowledge that.

At this moment, Lu Er did not dare entertain even the slightest thought of refusing this marriage. The way Fang Yuan had resolved the matter had already given the Lu family tremendous face.

Just look at her brothers. If Fang Yuan had turned hostile over this, the matter could never have ended peacefully.

Lu Er was already preparing himself mentally.

Fang Yuan said, “Enough. It’s already over. Don’t mention that immoral thing again. It disgusts me.”

Fang Dalen said, “Old Daughter, that’s not the way to look at it. This matter can’t just pass like that. What about your marriage?”

Fang Yuan pointed at Lu Er, who was shrinking into himself like a quail. “Isn’t he right there? The Lu family’s second son. I’ve already asked around. He’s never dated anyone before. From now on, he’s my man.”

The decisiveness and efficiency with which she said it left no room for doubt.

Fang Dalen swept a glance over Lu Er. “No. My youngest daughter can’t just marry anyone.”

Fang Yuan immediately turned hostile. “So you insist on picking another immoral man? Another fiancé?”

Fang Dalen said, “Old Daughter, don’t be angry. I’ll go demand justice for you. Within dozens of kilometres around here, nobody dares bully the Fang family like this.”

Fang Yuan said, “Enough. What’s there to demand? Their family is so poor that he’s the only worthwhile person they have left.”

Fang Dalen was unhappy. “What kind of thing is that to say? If word gets out, will it sound proper? Everyone in the village knows you’re marrying the Lu family’s eldest son.”

Before Fang Yuan could speak, her mother slapped Fang Dalen’s words right back down.

“What are you shouting for? Afraid other people won’t hear? What do you think you are? Who knows anything about the little messes in your family? My daughter is marrying the Lu family’s second son.”

Otherwise, were they really supposed to let their daughter carry the reputation of being married a second time? That would be an even greater loss. In that respect, her daughter’s decisiveness was far better.

Fang Dalen had not processed it yet. “Wang Cuixiang, what are you talking about? Have you lost your mind? Can this even work? We’ll become a laughingstock.”

Wang Cuixiang glared at him. “Whatever my daughter says is the truth. The second son is the second son. From now on, Lu Er is our son-in-law.”

Fang Dalen stared at Lu Er and no longer dared mention Lu Feng again.

At this point, whatever his wife said went.

Wang Cuixiang, Fang Yuan’s mother, turned to Lu Er and asked very kindly, “Child, what’s your name?”

Fang Yuan also looked at Lu Er. She had forgotten to ask as well.

Lu Er answered, “Uncle, Auntie, my name is Lu Chuan.”

Wang Cuixiang’s expression remained gentle. “What uncle and auntie? This matter is a bit messy, but a marriage isn’t fake. My daughter married you, and she was a respectable unmarried girl. Other people may not know it, but your family should.”

Lu Er thought to himself, That is absolutely true.

“That’s right. Fang Yuan is a good girl. If my parents can acknowledge my marriage to Fang Yuan, and if the elders approve, only then would I dare change the way I address you. Fang Yuan also said that the matter only counts if our parents agree.”

After hearing only that much, Wang Cuixiang already knew this son-in-law was not ordinary.

The way he spoke was completely different from the rest of her family.

Fang Wuhu also glanced at Lu Er. This fellow was smooth-tongued and pretty-faced. He would not be easy to handle.

Wang Cuixiang nodded. At least the boy understood the situation and knew how to say pleasing things.

“Our Fang Yuan was engaged and then married. From beginning to end, she only met that immoral man twice, and both times her brothers accompanied her. We need to make that clear.”

Lu Er nodded. That was true.

It was precisely because of that that his parents had been eager to rush the wedding. They had been afraid Fang Yuan would not fancy his elder brother.

Then Wang Cuixiang continued, “Although it was your elder brother who came to fetch the bride, the one who was together with Fang Yuan was you, correct?”

Lu Er, Lu Chuan, replied, “Yes, that’s correct. Please don’t worry. The marriage between Fang Yuan and my elder brother fell apart halfway through and does not count. The person who married Fang Yuan was me. There is nothing confusing about it at all. My entire family can testify to Fang Yuan’s innocence.”

Fang Yuan stared at Lu Chuan for a couple of moments.

This man spoke quite fluently. He was not nearly as slow and hesitant as she had thought.

Wang Cuixiang nodded.

He was someone who understood things clearly.

“This matter has to be made clear. Mainly because we’re afraid you’ll feel wronged.”

What she really meant was that nothing had happened between her daughter and his elder brother.

She was laying the groundwork for Fang Yuan’s future married life.

Such was a parent’s heart.