B5SB -Chapter 146 The Fang Family’s Thoughts

Fang Family, Fang Yi raised an eyebrow, looking at the dishes on the table with obvious disdain, picking at them.

She glanced at Big Sister-in-Law Fang, who was busy serving food, and said mockingly, “Sister-in-law, it’s not easy to celebrate the New Year, and this is what you call a meal? Are you feeding beggars?”

Big Sister-in-Law Fang heard her young sister-in-law’s sarcastic remark. Even though it made her feel a bit satisfied inside, she couldn’t show it.

After all, her sister-in-law had married into a better family, and even a little bit of money that slipped through her fingers could sustain them for a while.

Smiling, she placed a piece of meat into Fang Yi’s bowl and said softly, “Our family isn’t as well-off as yours. Low wages, fewer meat rations.”

“These meat dishes are what your parents saved up for. They knew you’d be celebrating the New Year at your parents’ house and specifically told me to cook more.”

Fang Yi proudly picked up the meat in her bowl and put it into her mouth—she loved being pampered and praised.

Mother Fang’s expression darkened as she glared at her youngest daughter, Fang Yi, and said sharply, “If you disdain the family’s food, go home and eat your own.”

Fang Yi’s expression stiffened. Her eyes flickered for a moment, then she pretended to be angry: “It’s only because a bumpkin came to the house. Once she leaves, I’ll go back.”

Father Fang swallowed the rice in his mouth and said sternly, “You’re the eldest daughter-in-law. It wouldn’t do for your sister-in-law to arrive for the first time and not be at home.”

After being sent back to her parents’ home, Fang Yi was also anxious, but thinking of her daughter Miao Miao, she calmed down.

Lu Huaixu loved Miao Miao to the core, and for the sake of the child, he wouldn’t divorce.

Mother Fang, however, sensed something was off. Looking at Fang Yi with suspicion, she asked, “Did you get into some trouble at the Lu household?”

Fang Yi, seeing everyone staring at her, replied impatiently, “It’s just that my mother-in-law favors the younger son.”

“The first day that bumpkin arrived, my mother-in-law already gave her plenty of good things.”

Fang Eldest Brother squinted his puffy eyes. “Little sister, are you crazy? Knowing the mother-in-law is biased, and you still didn’t stay home?”

Mother Fang couldn’t eat anymore, her heart ached. Everything in the Lu household would eventually belong to her grandson.

If her son-in-law and daughter didn’t have a son, wouldn’t she have to rely on them for support in old age?

And now all of that would go to someone else. Doesn’t that mean her own grandson will have less?

Father Fang set down his chopsticks, picked up a cigarette, and smoked for a while. Then he looked at Fang Yi and instructed Mother Fang, “Send Fang Yi back to the Lu household. Later, you follow her and go apologize to the in-laws.”

Fang Yi was displeased. Although it was Lu Huaixu who had sent her back, she didn’t feel she had done anything wrong.

If Mother Fang went to apologize, what would happen to her dignity?

Fang Yi angrily slammed her chopsticks down, stood up, and said, “If you don’t want me to eat, just say so.”

She put down her bowl, kicked a chair, and went back to her bedroom.

Mother Fang looked at her daughter’s actions, her face darkened, and she turned to Father Fang: “Old man, do you see this?”

Father Fang frowned and snorted coldly, “She’s just scared, putting on a show.”

Mother Fang kept wringing her hands. She didn’t want to go to the Lu household, always feeling inferior, having to register every time, and endure questioning for ages.

The two-story villa made their own home look even poorer, and she couldn’t help but envy that the Lu family had a dedicated cook.

Meanwhile, she had to take care of everyone at home by herself. Every time she saw Mrs. Lu’s lifestyle, jealousy gnawed at her.

Father Fang noticed his wife’s thoughts. “If you don’t want to go, fine. Just wait until your son-in-law and youngest daughter divorce.”

Fang Eldest Brother paused, questioning whether their father was overthinking: “Dad, aren’t you taking this too seriously?”

Father Fang shot him a glance. “If you want to benefit from the Lu family in the future, you better listen to me.”

He finished his cigarette, lit another, and continued, “Think about it. During the New Year, married daughters rarely come back to their parents’ house.”

After the meal, Big Sister-in-Law whispered to Fang Jiyue, who was still eating, “Go talk to your aunt, say some kind words. She’ll definitely give you money to buy food.”

Fang Jiyue’s eyes lit up. He nodded, quickly finished his last bite, set down his chopsticks, and ran off.

Big Sister-in-Law cleaned up the table, returned to the living room, and sat on the bench next to Mother Fang. “Mom, Yi marrying Lu Huaixu has brought quite a lot of benefit to our family.”

“If the two of them couldn’t make it, our family would suffer. Jiyue is growing up, and one day he’ll need the Lu family.”

Mother Fang, unable to sit still, paced the living room. Looking at Father Fang, she asked, “Old man, why don’t you go with me?”

Father Fang looked up and glared at her. “These are women’s matters. I, an old man, shouldn’t interfere. You go and soften your attitude toward the in-laws.”

Mother Fang felt a pang in her heart. In front of Mrs. Lu, she had never stood tall—how was she supposed to be ‘soft’?

Knock, knock, knock.

Hearing the knock, Big Sister-in-Law got up, muttering, “Who is it?”

“It’s me,” came Lu Huaixu’s deep voice.

Big Sister-in-Law was momentarily stunned. She glanced at Father Fang and Mother, signaling with her eyes: Lu Huaixu was here? Had they misjudged?

Father Fang’s eyes were filled with confusion as well. Thinking he might have guessed wrong, he quickly signaled her to open the door.

Big Sister-in-Law smiled and opened the door warmly. “Brother-in-law, come in. Are you here to pick up Fang Yi? I’ll go call her.”

Lu Huaixu entered the Fang family living room and glanced at the water stains on the table, realizing they had just finished eating not long ago.

He called out to Big Sister-in-Law, who was about to fetch Fang Yi, “Sister-in-law, I’m here to see you.”

Hearing this, the Fang family stiffened, worried he might refuse to take Fang Yi.

Father Fang’s gaze darkened, but he forced a smile: “Here to see us?”

Lu Huaixu smiled at the Fang family. “Yes. The family split, and I came to let Fang Eldest Brother know that after the New Year, we’ll need the house for ourselves.”

Fang Eldest Brother was stunned and extremely displeased. They had lived in that house for three years and had long considered it their own.

Father Fang shot him a threatening glance, signaling him to keep quiet.

He smiled at Lu Huaixu. “Son-in-law, don’t worry. Tomorrow we’ll have him vacate the house for you.”

Mother Fang grew anxious, noticing Lu Huaixu hadn’t asked about Fang Yi.

She went to him and softly asked, “Son-in-law, today is a holiday, a day for family reunions. Would you let Fang Yi come with you?”

Lu Huaixu shook his head with a smile. “Mom, Fang Yi should stay at her parents’ house for a while.”

Ignoring Fang Eldest Brother’s glare, he told Father Fang, “Dad, I have things at home. I’ll leave now.”

Without giving anyone a chance to stop him, he turned, opened the door, and left in long strides.

Fang Yi, in her bedroom, heard his voice and immediately pressed herself against the door, listening to the conversation in the living room.

Only after the voices faded did she slowly realize what had happened—Lu Huaixu had just left! Furious, she threw open the door and chased after him.