Chapter 50: Blinded by Money

What the site manager valued even more was that after Lu Chuan took over the construction site, not even a single brick had been carried out of it. He had never seen a contractor like this.

When Old Sun worked, today he would haul away some sand, tomorrow he would take out a few bricks. Lu Chuan and his wife worked conscientiously and diligently, and the site manager had noticed it all.

Lu Chuan had handled this matter beautifully and brought credit to himself, so the manager paid the money readily, right when it was most needed.

It had to be said that the comparison with his peers made him look even better.

Lu Chuan had not expected such a pleasant surprise either. “Big Brother, the contract didn’t say anything like this. You... I... I really am short of money.”

You see, he said all the polite words he was supposed to say, but he still accepted the money honestly, because he really was short of it.

The manager laughed as well. “Young man, you do decent work. Those brothers-in-law of yours aren’t easy people to provoke either. Giving you the money a few days early is no big deal. Let’s consider it making a friend. The rest of the money will still have to wait until this project is finished before it’s settled.”

Lu Chuan said, “That’s true. You’re looking out for us laborers because you know it isn’t easy. I won’t stand on ceremony with you. Once everyone sees some money in their hands, they’ll definitely work even harder.”

The manager looked at the young man who was not particularly reserved. “Little brother, no wonder you’re educated. Your brain works well. You’ve really done a good job.”

Lu Chuan rubbed his hair, becoming much more sincere. “I’m only doing this because I need money. I’ve been pushing things a bit too urgently. You’re generous enough not to hold it against me.”

After several rounds of polite exchanges, Lu Chuan ran off with the money.

Joy filled his eyes and even the corners of his brows.

This was when you could tell who counted as your own person. Even though Lu Chuan was making money with the help of his brothers-in-law, the first person he showed the money to was Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan’s eyes widened. This was definitely much more than five hundred yuan. “Where did this come from? So much?”

Lu Chuan grinned. The way he looked at the money carried the same amazement as Fang Yuan’s. “A lot, right? I’ve never seen this much money before either.”

Fang Yuan said, “There must be more than a thousand yuan.”

Smiling, Lu Chuan handed the money to his wife. “Mm.”

To be honest, Lu Chuan was proud at this moment.

Things like physique were not the important part. A man’s ability was what mattered.

Unfortunately, the young man was reserved. He had not worked out how to say that to Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan smiled somewhat foolishly. “At last I don’t have to worry about my five hundred yuan never coming back.”

Lu Chuan laughed. “You handed it over so readily. I thought you didn’t care about that five hundred yuan.”

Fang Yuan said, “Who said that? I care a lot. I just felt your brain works well. After a night’s rest, any idea you came up with was bound to make money.”

Lu Chuan could only say, “Thank you very much for your trust.”

He glanced at Fang Yuan, but could not exactly say that if she had not forced him to rest, maybe his brain would have worked even better.

Then he saw Fang Yuan pull out a cloth bag, preparing to stuff the money into it.

Lu Chuan quickly pressed down on her hand. “What are you doing?”

Fang Yuan looked at him as if he were an idiot. “Hide it and take it home. What else would I do?”

She said it as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

The corners of Lu Chuan’s mouth twitched.

This truly was the most genuine reaction possible. The moment she saw money, she wanted to hug it home.

Keeping his hand on the money, Lu Chuan said, “Not yet.”

A man’s pride shattered instantly.

What was there to be proud of? The money was not even his yet.

Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow and put her hands on her hips. It was practically her signature pose and appeared whenever she wanted it to. “What do you mean? You won’t let me hold your money? What’s wrong with your family?”

Lu Chuan did not even know how this had become a family defect.

He quickly explained, “We have to pay everyone’s wages first. Whatever is left afterward can go to you. This money isn’t ours yet.”

Fang Yuan swept her gaze around the area. “Pay who?”

She looked so fierce, as though she was ready to fight anyone who tried to take the money.

Lu Chuan almost felt as if the money were being given away for free.

Looking at the workers outside, his tone was nowhere near as domineering as Fang Yuan’s and even carried a trace of weakness. “They did all the work.”

Who else would the money go to?

Could it appear out of thin air?

He was genuinely afraid Fang Yuan would refuse to part with any money once it landed in her hands.

Following Lu Chuan’s line of sight, Fang Yuan’s expression darkened.

She could not even force out a smile.

After a long pause, she said with a gloomy face, “Then it still has to be paid.”

Rare indeed.

At least she understood that the money had to be handed out.

Lu Chuan immediately relaxed a great deal.

As long as she could be reasoned with, everything was fine.

Although Fang Yuan said that, her hand remained firmly pressed on the money.

She clearly hated to let it go.

I need to earn more money for Fang Yuan in the future. I like seeing her smile while holding money.

Lu Chuan comforted her. “When the remaining payment comes through later, most of it will be ours.”

Staring at the money, Fang Yuan looked as if she wanted to stuff it directly into her eyes. “Will there still be this much?”

Lu Chuan replied, “I’ll have to do the calculations. Even if it isn’t quite this much, it should be about the same.”

Only then did Fang Yuan finally look up at him. “Really?”

Lu Chuan said, “Probably.”

Fang Yuan became annoyed. “What do you mean probably? How can you say probably? Is it or isn’t it? Give me a definite answer.”

Lu Chuan pulled out the pen and notebook from his bag and started doing the accounts.

Finally, he said, “As long as nothing unexpected happens and we finish according to plan, there should be at least this much.”

Fang Yuan immediately brightened and revealed a smile. “Really? Don’t worry. There definitely won’t be any accidents. I won’t allow any.”

Anyone who got in the way of her making money would be in trouble.

Then Fang Yuan grabbed Lu Chuan’s hand.

The two of them stood there, full of anticipation for the future, grinning foolishly together.

Lu Chuan was inwardly astonished as well. Good heavens, I never imagined money could come this easily.

He needed some time to calm down his surging emotions.

He even wanted to calculate everything again to make sure he had not made a mistake.

It all felt unbelievably unreal.

Fang Yuan sighed emotionally. “My dad raised me for so many years, and when I got married my bride price was only two hundred yuan. This project is worth more than I am.”

When she put it that way, it was true.

Back when their family married off the eldest brother, gathering money had been incredibly difficult.

The burden of money had bent their parents’ backs.

Now the money was simply arriving on its own.

Lu Chuan quickly shook that thought from his head.

Fang Yuan really dared to say anything.

He hurriedly picked up the conversation. “You can’t calculate it like that. Father-in-law doted on his daughter. He never thought of exchanging his daughter for money.”

Fang Yuan’s mind was not on that at all.

She threw her arms around Lu Chuan. “I really found a treasure. Money. Ah, it’s all money.”

A man who could earn money was a treasure worthy of worship in her eyes.

It was shallow, but Lu Chuan found it immensely satisfying.

Lu Chuan felt as though everything before his eyes was swaying and even the ground was shaking.

His wife was being far too enthusiastic, and he felt terribly shy.

Ever since they had registered their marriage, this was the first time Fang Yuan had been so affectionate toward him.

Not only did he not dislike it, he even enjoyed it a little.

No wonder all men want to get married.

Fang Yuan’s face practically glowed, leaving Lu Chuan utterly captivated.

Just as he was about to say something to Fang Yuan, she had already let go of him and run outside.

Calling out toward the distance, she shouted, “Everyone, stop for a moment. The manager saw how well we’ve been working and paid us some wages. Everyone can get an advance payment first. Let’s celebrate a little.”

Well then.

Lu Chuan finally understood.

Fang Yuan had not been thinking of anything else at all.

She had simply been overwhelmed by the sight of so much money.

Whoever happened to be standing beside her at that moment would have received a hug.

He, Lu Chuan, was not special in the slightest.

Still, in the future, other people absolutely could not be allowed to stand next to Fang Yuan during moments like this.

It took Lu Chuan quite a while before his expression finally returned to normal.

Even so, that single hug gave Lu Chuan the most genuine feeling yet that he truly had a wife.