Chapter 93: Revitalizing the Family Business

After putting down their chopsticks, when the family was alone, Second Sister-in-law spoke up: “Is the brother-in-law deliberately putting on a show for us?”

Otherwise it did not make sense. Why would he be so protective of his little sister-in-law even while eating?

Third Sister-in-law was straightforward and had no scheming mind: “Why would he put on a show for us?”

Second Sister-in-law said: “The brother-in-law is good-looking, seems capable, and even has some money in his hands, and he is still going to study. What if he runs away?”

The straightforward Third Sister-in-law Fang immediately went to find the mother-in-law: “Brother-in-law is so good to my younger sister, is he trying to coax us so that once he goes to school he will not come back? Mom, should we be on guard?”

Wang Cuixiang darkened her face and scolded her third daughter-in-law until she ran away: “Are you full and bored? Go home if you have nothing to do, and take care of your child.”

Third Sister-in-law did not dare say another word, while Second Sister-in-law stood there smiling as if it had nothing to do with her.

Wang Cuixiang said: “I know exactly what kind of person the third daughter-in-law is. She has no scheming mind. You should keep your mouth shut and stop spouting nonsense. Do not let her be used as someone else’s weapon.”

Then she added: “Even if my daughter says that men cannot be relied on, when she returns to her parents’ home she still has her father and mother. She will not become a burden to you brothers.”

Wang Cuixiang was not just saying that. She had really prepared for this. The son-in-law was good, very good, but too good, and she had no ability to keep him tightly in hand for her daughter. In the end, Fang Yuan was a girl who could think things through, so they would just take things as they came.

Second Sister-in-law of the Fang family almost cried: “Mom, you cannot say that. I am definitely hoping for the younger sister’s good. I just have a loose mouth, really, I meant nothing else. I was only trying to remind her.”

Wang Cuixiang said: “If you say a few less words, that will already be helping your sister accumulate virtue.”

Fang Eldest Sister-in-law stood to the side without saying a word, but she was still dragged into it. Wang Cuixiang said: “You are not a good one either. You also have sons now, yet you do not think about your children and keep thinking about your natal family all day long. When are you going to go back there and stay?”

Second Sister-in-law did not feel wronged anymore. Compared to her, the eldest sister-in-law was clearly even less favored by the mother-in-law. Those words were quite harsh.

Fang Eldest Sister-in-law said: “Mom, that is not the case.”

Whether it was true or not, Wang Cuixiang knew perfectly well. She ended up scolding all three daughters-in-law away.

Fang Dalen only dared to speak after a long while, once the daughters-in-law had left: “Who made you angry? Why are you taking it out on the daughters-in-law?”

Wang Cuixiang said: “Tell me, can that son-in-law be relied on?”

So the root of it all was actually the exceptionally good son-in-law. This anger had been bottled up.

The son-in-law was clearly about to soar far and wide. As a mother, she felt heartache for her daughter. Who could feel at ease?

Wang Cuixiang said: “I heard he has earned quite a lot of money. Tell me, now that the son-in-law is not short of money, what can we use to restrain him?”

Fang Dalen said: “Mother of the child, what are you thinking? Did you not say we should treat the son-in-law well so that he feels he owes our daughter and becomes guilty? If we want things to last, we cannot restrain him.”

Wang Cuixiang did not want to speak anymore. This foolish man believed whatever was said. Without some methods or leverage, could you really hand your daughter over to a son-in-law like that? That would be foolish. Forget it, she would just think more openly.

Wang Cuixiang said: “Later I will withdraw that money and use it to buy a house for Fang Yuan in the township.”

Fang Dalen said: “Our family’s money, you decide. I already said we should buy something for our daughter. Sons and daughters are no different. I bought houses for all of them, how could I shortchange my daughter? If we give it as dowry, it would be very impressive.”

Wang Cuixiang looked at him and did not know how to respond. I am trying to leave a fallback for my daughter.

Only then did Fang Dalen remember something important: “Right, how much did those two brothers actually earn?”

Wang Cuixiang thought to herself: this father really has no idea. “Do you think I can ask them?”

Fang Dalen said: “That is true. They were quite happy, so why hide it?”

Wang Cuixiang completely stopped talking to him. You really do not understand your own daughter and sons.

When Fifth Brother was not yet mixing with Lu Chuan, he already had a sharp mind. Now after so long with Lu Chuan, even the soles of his feet were full of schemes.

Lu Chuan and Fang Yuan returned home, and Mother Lu was overjoyed: “I was worried you two would delay school.”

Fang Yuan said: “That would not happen. It is not that big of a deal. We would not forget it.”

Then she took out two floral jackets: “Father picked one for you, I picked one for you. You can wear whichever you like.”

Originally she wanted to pick one for Wang Cuixiang as well, but because of Fang Eldest Brother’s face, she did not. That was why Fang Yuan had been upset and picking faults earlier.

She had been holding back that frustration.

Then she took out a pile of needles and thread: “These are convenient for you to use.”

Mother Lu was overjoyed beyond measure, not even noticing that Fang Yuan addressed her as “you” respectfully.

In the village, a woman who had a complete set of needles and thread was something very enviable.

She held the jacket and happily tried it on: “Why spend this money?”

But clearly, she was very happy to spend it.

Fang Yuan took out one hundred yuan: “My father earned this. You should keep it.”

Mother Lu no longer even dared to smile. She grabbed Fang Yuan and asked: “How much hardship did your father suffer to earn so much money? Where did this money come from?”

Lu Chuan said: “Do not worry, my father is doing well. This is all money he earned properly.”

Then he explained everything that had happened at the construction site.

Fang Yuan said: “It is fortunate that my father handles everything carefully. Otherwise the project would not have gone so smoothly, and the next job is already secured. I do not have to worry about my mixer being idle.”

Lu Chuan thought to himself: why did it end up back on the mixer again? Is that not supposed to be my main business?

Unfortunately, there was no room for him to interrupt. From beginning to end, it was either Father Lu or the mixer, nothing to do with him.

Fang Yuan said: “Right, Mom, at our construction site there is some leftover material. The owner saw that we were honest and wasted nothing, so they entrusted us to handle it. I think Third Brother still does not have a house in the future, so we can spend a bit on transport and bring the materials home first.”

Mother Lu grabbed Fang Yuan’s hand: “There is such a good deal?”

Lu Chuan thought to himself of course there was not. At most, a symbolic payment would still be needed. But compared to that, it was indeed cheap, and Fang Yuan and the Five Tigers were reluctant to give it to others, so they brought it back themselves.

Seeing that Fang Yuan did not object, Lu Chuan also said nothing. In any case, his father knew what he was doing.

Fang Yuan said: “My Fifth Brother is also going to build a house. We can bring everything back together and store it first.”

Mother Lu was so excited she stuttered: “Good, good, good.”

It had only been not long since the daughter-in-law married in, yet there was already money, and even building materials were being prepared. Life was clearly getting better and better.

Mother Lu felt almost light-headed, as if it was unreal.

Lu Xiao San came in from outside: “Will this delay Second Brother from going to school?”

Fang Yuan said: “You are just eating idle food at home. Help Mom clear out the space and call the driver in for a meal. It will not delay your Second Brother’s schooling.”