Chapter 25: Son-in-Law Privileges

Fang Yuan patted Lu Er’s shoulder. “If my dad is calling you over, then go. My mom said long ago that in our family, the son-in-law is an honored guest. He gets the highest treatment, even higher status than my sisters-in-law.”

Lu Chuan became even more nervous. His father-in-law’s smiling face looked somewhat ferocious.

Wuhu muttered from the side, “The reason I can’t find a wife is because of nonsense like that.”

Fang Yuan said, “You want to marry a wife and bring her home to bully your little sister. Let me tell you, Fang Old Fifth, if you dare marry that annoying woman into the family, just see whether I’ll tolerate it.”

The sound of it gave Wang Cuixiang a headache. “You’re already married out, why are you meddling so much? I’m the mother and I haven’t even said anything yet. Enough, stop arguing.”

When she turned to Lu Chuan, she immediately changed her attitude and warmly invited him to sit down.

The Fang family’s eldest daughter-in-law and second daughter-in-law brought dishes over. “Mom, our little sister isn’t wrong either. After we married into the family, we had to treat our little sister well. Not being able to tolerate her wouldn’t do.”

Fang Yuan merely snorted and did not seem grateful at all.

The eldest and second sisters-in-law did not dare show Fang Yuan any displeasure.

Lu Chuan could finally see Fang Yuan’s status within the family.

His mother-in-law might scold her a little, but the Fang family’s daughters-in-law absolutely lived by reading their little sister-in-law’s moods.

Still, Fang Yuan’s emotional intelligence was lacking. She should not treat her sisters-in-law like that. He would have to teach her in the future. If she relied on her brothers for support, then she could not afford to offend her sisters-in-law.

Without saying a word, Wang Cuixiang pulled the son-in-law over and seated him at the head of the kang. It was an unmistakably prominent position that anyone could identify at a glance.

The change before and after was a bit too fast. Lu Chuan could not keep up with the situation. His legs nearly gave way in fright as he declined, “No, no, no. Dad should sit here instead. My elder brothers still haven’t come to the table yet.”

Being seated at the very end would be more than enough for him. He understood his own status.

Fang Dalen said, “Why be so polite? We’re all family. Your mother and I had so many sons. Our family isn’t poor, and we forced them all to study, but not one of them turned out educated. Who would have thought that one day I’d have a son-in-law who was educated?”

By the end of his sentence, he was overflowing with pride.

Lu Chuan was somewhat alarmed. “It’s not that big of a deal, Dad. Please don’t get excited.” Praising him was one thing, but belittling his brothers-in-law was another. He could not bear that. What if they beat him up afterward? It was a frightening thought.

Fang Dalen said, “A university student in our family is the very best. It’s enough for your dad to show off outside. Don’t be nervous. This is the son-in-law’s seat.”

The several brothers-in-law beside him were all tall and powerfully built, and their gazes were strange and unreadable.

Fang Dalen physically pressed Lu Chuan into the seat. To be honest, it felt as though he were sitting on a row of needles. This position was not easy to occupy.

Even Fang Yuan was staring sideways at her family after seeing the drastic change in attitude. “Have you all gone crazy?”

Wang Cuixiang disliked her daughter’s lack of perception. “Watch your mouth. This is your husband. You picked him yourself.”

Fang Yuan thought to herself that there was still no need to elevate him to this extent.

Fang Dalen said to Lu Er, “Son-in-law, your build is a little lacking. From now on, all the heavy work around the house will be handled by your brothers-in-law.”

Lu Chuan shuddered in fright. What was this supposed to mean? Were they planning to keep him like a pampered dependent? “Dad, I may look thin, but I’m strong. I can do the work.”

Then Wang Cuixiang spoke up. “Fang Yuan was spoiled by us since childhood. She isn’t very capable of doing household work.”

Lu Chuan understood.

He was not the one being pampered. They wanted him to help his wife shoulder all the household work.

People might say he looked delicate, but he really was not a delicate person. He was not particularly skilled at housework either.

But with five burly men staring at him and his father-in-law looking at him with eager expectation, Lu Chuan said, “Mom, there isn’t really that much work at home. As for sewing and mending, my mother handles that. We didn’t have any daughters in our family, so my brothers and I all helped our mother with such things from childhood. The chores at home are manageable.”

Fang Dalen was about to speak. This son-in-law needed some instruction.

Wang Cuixiang stopped him. The son-in-law was educated and cared about his dignity. Even if he helped with those chores at home, he would not want others talking about it. Wang Cuixiang cheerfully greeted Lu Chuan. “Son-in-law, do you drink?”

Before Lu Chuan could answer, she busily arranged things. “Fang Yuan, pour some wine for your husband.”

How could Lu Chuan dare? “No, no. I don’t drink, Mom. I’m not very capable. I’ll learn in the future.”

Wang Cuixiang laughed. “How does that make you incapable? I haven’t seen many drinkers achieve great success. If you don’t drink, then eat more. Eat more.”

As she spoke, she placed pieces of meat into her son-in-law’s bowl.

It was obvious that she was quite pleased by the fact that her son-in-law did not drink. The matter of learning in the future could be forgotten.

This was the best and most lavish meal Lu Chuan had eaten in his entire life, yet it felt like a bone stuck in his throat. He could not taste a thing.

Even the hand holding his chopsticks trembled so badly that it was hard to control.

His father-in-law asked whether he smoked.

Lu Chuan replied, “Dad, I don’t. I’ve never learned.” He certainly did not dare add that he would learn in the future.

Then his father-in-law put a few more bites of food into his bowl.

Lu Chuan immediately understood whether smoking and drinking were things he needed to know how to do.

Throughout the meal, his brothers-in-law all accompanied him while eating. Not one of them made things difficult for him.

He truly had not expected to receive this kind of treatment in the Fang family. It was completely beyond his expectations. Honestly, he would have felt more at ease if his brothers-in-law had simply beaten him up.

After the meal, however, the young couple had to return home.

The Fang family’s eldest son, whose registered name was Fang Xiaohu but who was known throughout the township as Fang Tiger, pushed out a brand-new bicycle.

Fang Tiger said, “Now that this marriage is settled, Lu Chuan, you’re our brother-in-law from now on. When my sister got married, she didn’t bring much dowry. Mainly because we didn’t think much of your elder brother. You’re different. You were chosen by my sister herself. We can’t let you suffer any injustice. Take this back and ride it.”

Lu Chuan was overwhelmed. “B-Big Brother, there’s no need.”

Fang Tiger said, “You’re still young. Walking around all day will tire you out and stunt your growth. Ride it back. If anything comes up, it’ll be more convenient for the two of you to travel around. Consider this the dowry that us brothers are making up for.”

Well then, his eldest brother-in-law still had high hopes for his height.

Of course, the affection behind his brother-in-law’s gesture moved Lu Chuan even more.

Then he heard Fang Tiger say, “We’ve acknowledged this marriage. You’re our brother-in-law.”

Lu Chuan glanced at Fang Yuan. “Big Brother, being able to marry Fang Yuan is my good fortune. Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Fang Yuan.”

He had to acknowledge this marriage too.

That realization filled Lu Chuan with mixed emotions. Only now did he truly feel like a married man.

Fang Tiger nodded, fairly satisfied with Lu Chuan’s response. “When it comes to our own people, us brothers treat them as well as we possibly can.”

Lu Chuan nodded.

Then Wuhu beside him added, “When they’re not our own people, we put in even more effort. Understand?”

Lu Chuan glanced at his elder and younger brothers-in-law and thought to himself, This is a coordinated combination attack from my wife’s family, specially designed to intimidate me.

He let out a burp. “I understand.”

Only after Wang Cuixiang saw that her sons had finished taking turns playing the bad cop and the good cop did she finally come out to see her daughter off.

Lu Chuan said, “Dad, Mom, don’t worry. When we come back for the return visit tomorrow, my parents will come too. Our family was in the wrong about this matter, and we owe you an explanation.”

Wang Cuixiang was even more satisfied. “We’re all one family. Why say such distant things? If your parents are willing to come visit and spend time together, we’ll be happy too.”