Chapter 46: The Fang Family’s Big Tiger

The contractor over there saw Fang Eldest Brother and tried to negotiate first. “Fang Tiger, stay out of this. We’ve been friends for so many years. This job was mine. An outsider stepped in halfway and took it. I can’t afford to lose that kind of face.”

Fang Eldest Brother replied amiably, “Old Sun, now you’re the one being unreasonable. You couldn’t take on the job. Someone capable took it. Stop making trouble.”

Old Sun was holding back his anger. He had no idea why Fang Tiger was helping someone else. “If Fang Eldest Brother had snatched this job, I’d accept it today. But this job isn’t yours, Fang Tiger. Don’t blame me for not giving face. We’re all friends. Fang Tiger, stand aside and watch. No matter who takes this job, your brothers will still make money from it.”

He was genuinely giving Fang Eldest Brother a lot of face.

He was even promising that although the job was his, he would still let Fang Eldest Brother earn money alongside him.

Fang Eldest Brother sighed inwardly. Although Old Sun usually treated him well, he had never regarded him this highly before. A man really did need to climb higher.

Looking back at the people behind him, Fang Eldest Brother felt a sense of ambition for the first time.

Fang Eldest Brother said, “Old Sun, we’ve been friends for so many years. If this were truly an outsider’s matter, I wouldn’t bother getting involved. But they really aren’t outsiders. Let’s handle this according to reason.”

Old Sun glared. He seemed fierce on the outside but insecure inside. “Fang Eldest Brother, do you think I’m afraid of you?”

The atmosphere immediately became one where a disagreement could turn into a fight.

Lu Chuan hurriedly stepped between them. “Calm down, calm down. Everyone calm down. Um, I’m the current contractor.”

Among a crowd of bare-chested men, there suddenly appeared someone wearing a shirt.

Although the shirt was yellowed and old, it could not hide his unusual bearing.

Contractor Old Sun said, “Pretty boy, who are you? Beating you would make it look like I’m bullying someone. Let me tell you, take your people and your equipment and get lost. This job is mine.”

Lu Chuan said, “Well, you can’t put it that way. I took this job with a written contract.”

Contractor Old Sun replied, “Kid, let me tell you, around here, that thing doesn’t work.”

Fang Eldest Brother said, “Old Sun, it’s hot enough already. Let’s not make a fuss. You said it yourself, if the job were mine, you’d let it go. See that? That’s my brother-in-law. He went to university and has ability. He’s the one leading this. If you’ve got something to say, say it to me.”

The contractor’s face darkened. “Your sister’s husband? Brother-in-law? Who are you fooling? Your sister managed to marry a university student?”

He simply did not believe it. A university student must have lost his mind.

Fang Yuan lifted her chin over there. “Go ahead, say it. My man went to university.”

She was even more overbearing than Fang Eldest Brother.

Unfortunately, nobody was in the mood to gossip about that right now.

Old Sun was furious. It really was her brother-in-law. This marriage had probably been seized by that tigress.

If the Fang family’s five tigers had merely been working for someone else as hired muscle, he could still appeal to their friendship.

But if it was their actual brother-in-law, what could he possibly use to win the Fang brothers over?

The group of workers over there all came over carrying tools.

Contractor Old Sun was not stupid. He had only come today to intimidate people. He did not really have the courage to start a fight.

Moreover, when it came to being tough, he could not compare to Fang Eldest Brother. The man had five brothers. One shout and they would all charge forward together. Who on Old Sun’s side could show that kind of unity?

Besides, today’s display was nothing more than the usual intimidation tactics.

Fang Eldest Brother understood that perfectly well.

But if Old Sun retreated in defeat like this, he would lose face.

Who would still follow him in the future? Would he still be able to continue taking construction contracts?

Fang Eldest Brother truly understood the situation. In the past, whenever Old Sun intimidated others this way, Fang Eldest Brother had always been one of the people standing behind him adding to the pressure.

Fang Eldest Brother found himself in a difficult position.

This was becoming hard to resolve.

Lu Chuan quickly said, “Brother, Brother Sun isn’t an outsider either. Let’s all calm down first. I’m new to this industry and don’t have any experience. Brother Sun, please give me some guidance.”

Then he continued, “It’s also because I didn’t understand the industry’s rules. My brother already gave me a good scolding. But I’d already signed the contract with the client. If I didn’t do the work, I’d have to pay compensation. That’s why my brother helped me out. He kept saying how close he was with Brother Sun. He said that once everything was explained clearly, Brother Sun, being a reasonable man, would definitely understand.”

Fang Yuan turned to look at Lu Chuan.

When had that ever been said?

Did any of that even happen?

And another thing, with all these constant “brothers,” anyone who didn’t know better would think Mother Lu had given birth to an extra son.

This didn’t seem very much like a university student.

Fortunately, Wuhu reacted quickly and pulled Fang Yuan away.

Fang Eldest Brother followed Lu Chuan’s lead. “Old Sun, my brother-in-law is young and doesn’t understand the rules. I already scolded him. But things have reached this point. We can’t very well do the work and still end up paying someone else money. Old Sun, I’ll apologize to you properly later.”

Old Sun finally found a way down. “Hearing that from you, Fang Eldest Brother, makes me feel much better. Work can be found anywhere. But this client is no good. Using contracts to trap people. Fang Eldest Brother, you’d better be careful.”

The two of them then walked off together with their arms over each other’s shoulders, continuing their conversation.

Everyone else dispersed.

The workers at the construction site were eager to make money and turned around and left immediately.

They definitely did not want Old Sun to take the job back.

They quite liked a contractor like Lu Chuan.

The work was more tiring, but one day earned them what used to take two days.

The people Old Sun had brought were only there to bolster his presence.

They had never intended to fight.

Especially not with the Fang family’s five tigers.

It wasn’t as if they had eaten too much and had nothing better to do. Why provoke them?

After Fang Eldest Brother exchanged a few words with Old Sun, it became clear that all Old Sun really wanted was face.

Lu Chuan had given him face in front of so many people.

What else could be done after that?

Still, having someone take the job away felt almost the same as having money taken out of his pocket.

He genuinely felt unhappy about it.

Fang Eldest Brother said, “Old Sun, I’m sorry about this.”

Old Sun replied, “I lost by one move and you found a loophole. There’s nothing more to say. But in the future, I won’t dare hire you, Fang Eldest Brother, for my construction sites.”

That was a complete falling-out.

Fang Eldest Brother said nothing.

What could he say?

Time to change professions.

Old Sun had already left.

Lu Chuan came over and said apologetically to his eldest brother-in-law, “Brother, you’ve sacrificed so many years of friendship because of me.”

Fang Eldest Brother said, “A man can earn a living anywhere. I never intended to do this lousy work forever anyway.”

That was what he said, but Lu Chuan could not actually take it that way.

He genuinely felt sorry toward his eldest brother-in-law.

Wuhu said, “What’s the big deal? If Old Sun can take construction contracts, are our brothers’ reputations any smaller than his? If we don’t work with him, we’ll do it ourselves.”

Fang Eldest Brother felt temptation stirring within him, but he remained calm on the surface. “Listen to you bragging. How capable do you think you are?”

Wuhu became anxious. “Why can’t we do it? Are we supposed to spend our whole lives making money while hanging onto Old Sun’s coattails?”

Fang Eldest Brother shot Wuhu a glare. “Learn properly from Lu Chuan. You’re far too impulsive.”

Lu Chuan immediately understood that his eldest brother-in-law’s mind was already moving. Smiling, he said, “Let’s finish this job properly first before talking about anything else.”

Fang Yuan never came over at all.

Her attention was completely fixed on the mixer.

She was afraid that the Sun fellow might sabotage it.

Everyone went back to doing what they were supposed to do.

Lu Chuan walked over to Fang Yuan. “Were you frightened?”

Who was Fang Yuan?

As if she would be frightened.

She glanced at Lu Chuan and felt the question was strange. “No. I’m just afraid they’ll cause trouble. Tonight I’ll have my brothers stay here.”

Lu Chuan said, “I don’t think that’s necessary. Would they really dare provoke Eldest Brother and the others?”

He genuinely sounded confident.

Fang Yuan replied, “You don’t understand. Listen to me. I’m not afraid of them bringing people here. I’m afraid of them causing trouble in secret.”