Chapter 52: A Rare Kind of Wisdom
After receiving such a nice handbag from her youngest son, He Cuifang couldn’t resist showing it off. All her mahjong friends knew about it, and once they returned home and talked to their sons, daughters-in-law, and daughters, the news quickly spread.
But unexpectedly, just a couple of days later, He Cuifang switched back to her old bag. When her mahjong friends asked why, she felt aggrieved and couldn’t help but confide in a few closer ones—repeatedly stressing not to spread it further. However…
There’s a saying: “The law cannot be passed on to a sixth ear.” Once a secret is shared with a second person, it ceases to be a secret.
Fang Qiuyu noticed Yang Xiurong had a luxury bag and immediately connected it with what her mother-in-law had told her. She instantly knew Yang Xiurong was that daughter-in-law.
She wasn’t being petty or deliberately picking a fight—she felt Yang Xiurong brought it on herself.
Not long ago, a guy from their village had treated people to a meal at their restaurant. While paying the bill, Fang Qiuyu chatted with him a bit more. Yang Xiurong then spread rumors suggesting something improper was going on between them. Though she said it in a joking tone, everyone could sense the malice behind her words. That guy had been her childhood playmate—practically like a brother. Chatting a little more when they ran into each other was totally normal. How did that become something “improper”? And she said it in front of other coworkers too!
Fang Qiuyu had held her temper back then and didn’t confront Yang Xiurong. But now that the opportunity had come, she naturally hit back.
Some coworkers nearby knew the backstory and quickly tried to break up the fight—but they were clearly biased.
They didn’t like Yang Xiurong either. They thought she was a troublemaker. Every time a pretty girl came into the restaurant with a man, she’d secretly whisper that the girl must be a “kept woman.” It was pure luck no customers had overheard her yet—otherwise she’d have been beaten up many times by now.
Fang Qiuyu could feel her coworkers were on her side and felt grateful. Taking the opportunity, she pinched Yang Xiurong hard—on some very private, sensitive spots.
Yang Xiurong screamed in pain and lunged with open fingers, aiming for Fang Qiuyu’s face.
That infuriated Fang Qiuyu!
She had been angry, sure, but never intended to harm Yang Xiurong’s face. After all, as women, they both knew how important the face is. But Yang Xiurong clearly had no such scruples—she was aiming to disfigure!
Fang Qiuyu yanked her hair and gave her a hard slap across the face.
Just then, coworkers jumped in and pulled them apart. The boss had also rushed over after hearing the news.
The fight ended there, but Yang Xiurong had to swallow the humiliation for now. Her hatred for Fang Qiuyu ran deep. She had never suffered such a huge loss before!
*
Meanwhile, Mu Lantu and his group had finished buying the car and drove straight back to Anfeng County without delay.
There was a small incident at the dealership—Mu Lantu ran into a high school classmate, Fang Dongxue, who was now a saleswoman at the 4S dealership. She hadn’t gotten into college and had been working in the city these past few years. She even married early last year.
They exchanged WeChat in front of Xu Huazhang, who was clearly a bit sour.
Since Mu Zhenguo didn’t have a driver’s license, Mu Lantu had to drive.
Zhenguo sat in the front passenger seat, beaming and running his hands all over the new car. He Cuifang, unable to contain herself, ignored her mobile data usage and started a video call with her mahjong friends.
“Look, look! My youngest bought this brand-new car for me and my old man. Pretty, right? It cost over 180,000 yuan—oh, my heart ached for the price… What are you saying? Of course I feel bad! Even if it’s not my money, I still ache for my son’s sake… hahaha…”
Mu Zhenguo found it noisy and gave her several glares, which she didn’t notice.
Just then, a call came in.
He Cuifang muttered to herself—what’s with all the calls today? It was Yang Xiurong.
“Xiurong? Aren’t you at work? Why’re you calling now?”
“Mum, where are you? Since my little brother’s back, we haven’t had a proper family gathering. Hongtu and I want to treat him to dinner tonight. Can you help me buy some groceries?”
He Cuifang frowned. “Why didn’t you say earlier? It’s already afternoon, the supermarket’s probably picked over!”
“I was just so busy I forgot. How about this—you get what you can, and I’ll bring more from our restaurant.”
He Cuifang still wasn’t pleased. “You could’ve waited until tomorrow night. I could’ve bought fresh ingredients in advance.”
“There are always things going on tomorrow too.”
He Cuifang turned to check with Mu Lantu, who nodded.
Another call came in—it was from Mu Zhenzhen.
“Zhenzhen—”
“Mum! I heard Lantu’s buying you and Dad a car and a house! Is it true?”
He Cuifang suddenly understood why Yang Xiurong wanted to treat them—she must’ve caught wind of the house and car. Of course! That daughter-in-law of hers never lifts a finger unless there’s something in it for her.
She felt a wave of discomfort in her chest but was relieved the house was in Lantu’s name and the car was under Zhenguo. Xiurong wouldn’t dare demand a car from her father-in-law.
“It’s true. How did you hear about it?”
“I heard from our shop owners’ group. Someone said a breakfast shop owner mentioned it. Wow, little brother is amazing! He’s really outshining me and big brother now! Mum, congrats to you and Dad—official homeowners and car owners now, hahaha!”
Since it was hard to explain over the phone, He Cuifang brought up something else. “Did your sister-in-law call you?”
“Nope. Why would she?”
He Cuifang grew angrier, patting her chest. Xiurong had said she wanted a proper family gathering, and Zhenzhen lived in the same county—not even three kilometers away—yet hadn’t been invited?
“She’ll probably call you later. I’m just giving you a heads-up—come over with Wangjun and the kids for dinner tonight.”
“Sure, I have lots to ask you guys. Are you home yet? I’ll head over now and help out.”
“We’re still out. Come by in about half an hour.”
After hanging up, Mu Zhenguo said, “Aren’t you going to inform your daughter-in-law?”
He Cuifang snorted, “Why should I? I’m buying, I’m cooking—I’ll invite whoever I want! Even if I invited the whole town, Xiurong has no say!”
“That’s not what I mean,” said Mu Zhenguo. “If you don’t tell her, and she finds out when Zhenzhen arrives in front of her husband, how do you expect Zhenzhen to save face?”
Knowing full well Yang Xiurong was capable of such pettiness, He Cuifang begrudgingly sent her a text.
Mu Lantu had stayed silent throughout. He then called Xu Huazhang.
“B—cough, Lantu, what’s up?”
“You and Brother Tao eat on your own tonight. I’m having dinner with my brother’s family.”
“Got it, no worries. Just call me after dinner—I’ll pick you up.”
“Okay.”
“Drive carefully—lots of cars in the county, and it’s a new car.”
“Will do.”
Mu Zhenguo said, “That friend of yours treats you very well. You should cherish that. True friends are hard to find.”
Mu Lantu nodded. “You’re right, Dad. True friends are rare, and so is knowing when to stay ‘blissfully ignorant.’ If anything ever bothers you, just remember those two lines.”
Zhenguo thought he was being comforted over the eldest daughter-in-law situation and laughed. “Don’t worry. ‘Blind and deaf must a father-in-law be.’ I get it.”
Mu Lantu simply smiled.
*
When they returned to the county, they stopped by the supermarket for groceries and then picked up their niece and nephew. At the community gate, Mu Zhenzhen’s family of three was waiting. Luo Wangjun was holding two large gift bags.
He Cuifang rolled down the window and called to them.
Mu Lantu parked downstairs.
She got out, picked up little Xingxing, and half-scolded, “How long have you been waiting? Didn’t I say half an hour?”
“Just got here, only two minutes ago. Nothing to do at home anyway.” Mu Zhenzhen patted Mu Lantu on the shoulder, inspecting the car. “Lantu, how much was this? Looks fancy!”
“Let me guess,” said Luo Wangjun, an experienced cab driver who could recognize car models by sight. After a detailed look, he gasped, “Close to 200,000!”
Mu Zhenguo, holding hands with Xuan Xuan and Xiao Yu, laughed. “Spot on—just over 180,000!”
“Whoa!” Luo Wangjun praised. “Little bro-in-law, you’re killing it! Dad, Mom, I told you your golden years were ahead—was I right? He may have outpaced us for now, but don’t write us off. We may not buy a house or car for you, but we’ll keep the fine wine and smokes flowing! Look—I brought some. Tonight, us guys will drink properly!” He’d heard they were buying two cars but saw only one, so wisely didn’t mention it.
Mu Zhenzhen wasn’t as tactful. “I heard little bro was getting you two each a car—where’s the other one? Was that a rumor?”
He Cuifang replied, “Your brother did say two, but since your dad and I don’t even have licenses, we told him to just buy one for now. Once we’ve practiced driving more, he can get the second one.”
Zhenzhen nodded. For everyday folks like them, a car is a big deal—totally understandable.
They all went upstairs.
Zhenzhen was efficient, helping prepare dinner while chatting with Lantu—asking about his life and the house and car purchase.
Mu Lantu and Luo Wangjun helped peel soybeans.
Xiao Yu and Xing Xing watched cartoons, and Xuan Xuan played games on her tablet, hiding behind Xiao Yu so adults wouldn’t scold her.
Mu Lantu mentioned he would be settling in the Capital, “Sis, Wangjun—I’ll need you to help look after Mom and Dad more in the future. This house is a retirement place I bought for them. It’ll be transferred to their names later, and they can decide who to leave it to—anyone but me.”
Zhenzhen and Wangjun exchanged a look.
Wangjun smiled, “Zhenzhen’s their daughter, and I’m practically their son too. Don’t worry—we’ll take good care of them.”
Mu Lantu smiled back. “Then I must toast you both later!”
