Chapter 53: Slapping the Older Brother and Sister-in-law in the Face
Mu Zhenguo and He Cuifang’s smiles were practically frozen in place. Regardless of whether Luo Wangjun’s words were true or not, the gesture and attitude were there, and that made them happy.
“Smoke rises from the beacon towers, gazing north across the land…”
It was Mu Zhenguo’s phone.
He answered with lingering amusement in his voice, “Hongtu, what’s up? Are you off work yet? We’re all at home.”
“Dad, is that black car downstairs our new one? Looks really good! Bring the keys down, I want to take it for a spin.”
Mu Zhenguo hesitated. “It’s pretty late. We’re about to eat. Come upstairs quickly.”
“I won’t go far, just around the block. If you don’t want to come down, I’ll come up and get them,” Mu Hongtu replied.
Mu Zhenzhen grabbed the phone. “Bro, my husband and I have been waiting for you and Sis-in-law for quite a while! You’re neglecting your guests—hurry up and come upstairs!” Then she hung up.
Mu Hongtu returned with his wife, Yang Xiurong.
Yang Xiurong politely greeted Mu Zhenzhen and Luo Wangjun, then smiled and asked, “Didn’t you say you bought two cars? Where’s the other one? Didn’t have it in stock?”
He Cuifang explained the reason.
Yang Xiurong’s disappointment was plain to see, but she quickly composed herself and brought out snacks and fruit to entertain the guests.
Mu Hongtu sat next to Mu Zhenguo. “Dad, you don’t understand—new cars need to be broken in properly, or they won’t drive well. Tomorrow, give me the keys. I’ll drive it for a few days to break it in, and then it’ll handle much better when you use it.”
Mu Lantu continued chatting with Mu Zhenzhen and her husband as if he hadn’t heard anything.
Mu Zhenguo said, “You’ll get the hang of it as you drive. Every driver starts out new.”
Mu Hongtu replied, “You’ve got a point. Once you get your license, practice with my old junker for a couple of months before driving the new car.”
Mu Zhenguo just smiled and continued talking with Mu Lantu and Luo Wangjun.
At dinner, the conversation naturally turned to whose name was on the property deed.
Upon hearing it was under Mu Lantu’s name, Yang Xiurong chuckled. “Uncle, so all that stuff you said was just to fool Mom and Dad? You said the house was bought for them, but the deed is in your name. And the cars—you said you bought two, but there’s only one. You’re something else! Your reputation in town is through the roof now!”
He Cuifang clenched her teeth, wishing she could rip Yang Xiurong’s mouth off, when her eldest son chimed in: “Lantu, that was wrong of you. I understand wanting a good reputation, but you shouldn’t use Mom and Dad like that. You’re a grown man—still not acting mature!”
Luo Wangjun shelled the last edamame bean, then began peeling the skin from the already-shelled ones. He silently admired his brother-in-law’s self-restraint—being criticized by his own brother in front of everyone and still staying calm.
“Shut it!” Mu Zhenguo’s face had lost all its cheer. “Your brother wanted to put the house under your mother’s and my names, but I refused. He paid for it—shouldn’t it be in his name? By that logic, when you bought your house, should it have been under your mother’s and my names too?”
“The truth stings—that’s why it’s hard to be the good guy.” Mu Hongtu feigned deep emotion and respectfully poured his father a glass of liquor. “Dad, fine, I won’t say anything more. Don’t upset yourself. Lantu, don’t be mad at your brother. As the saying goes, ‘An elder brother is like a father.’ You’re still young—I can’t just let you go down the wrong path.”
He was getting more and more self-righteous.
Luo Wangjun’s expression was unreadable. “An elder brother is like a father?” Then what’s your father? The actual father is right there!
Mu Zhenzhen gently patted He Cuifang’s back, whispering comfort while thinking silently: Big Bro and Sis-in-law really are a perfect match—for each other.
Mu Lantu asked curiously, “Brother, Sister-in-law, I’ve already said I’m settling in the capital. Tell me—what good is a local reputation in the county? Will it help me buy another house in the Capital?”
“Let’s just drop it. Let’s say your sister-in-law and I were out of line.” Mu Hongtu poured him a drink. “Come on, drink up, eat!”
If not for the sake of his parents, Mu Lantu would’ve liked to throw a punch right then.
“Since you said something wrong, you owe three drinks as punishment!” Mu Zhenzhen grabbed the bottle and reached for Yang Xiurong’s glass.
Luo Wangjun chuckled quietly, then joined in, “Yeah, yeah, penalty drink!”
He Cuifang brought over Yang Xiurong’s glass, while Luo Wangjun picked up Mu Hongtu’s.
The couple had no choice but to drink three glasses each.
Dinner wrapped up in a barely civil atmosphere.
After a short rest, Mu Lantu, Mu Zhenzhen, and Luo Wangjun said their goodbyes.
Luo Wangjun had drunk a bit too much—he could still walk fine, just a bit slow in reaction.
He Cuifang and Mu Zhenguo walked them downstairs.
Mu Lantu offered to drive Zhenzhen and her family home. Mu Zhenguo didn’t feel assured, so he insisted on going too, and He Cuifang didn’t want to return alone, so she came as well.
Outside the complex, Mu Lantu said, “Sis, don’t open the shop tomorrow.”
Mu Zhenzhen looked at her poised younger brother. “Need my help with something? Alright.”
“I’m taking you to Qingning City to buy a car. If brother-in-law is free, he can come too, help you pick.”
Everyone was stunned, staring at him wide-eyed.
Half of Luo Wangjun’s drunkenness vanished.
Only little Xing Xing was asleep, mouth slightly open, unmoving in He Cuifang’s arms.
Mu Zhenzhen pointed at herself, stammering, “You… you’re buying me a car?”
Mu Lantu chuckled at her reaction. “I’m your brother. Can’t I buy you a car?”
Luo Wangjun tried not to grin. His taxi was owned by the company—he didn’t have a private car. With county-level wages, a home loan, school savings for their kid, and emergency funds for illness, they hadn’t bought a car. His brother-in-law buying one for his wife was just as good as buying one for him—how could he not be thrilled?
“Then I won’t be polite?” Mu Zhenzhen grinned from ear to ear. She understood that her brother’s gesture was partly to spite the older brother and sister-in-law, and partly to ensure she and her husband would continue looking after their parents. But she hadn’t expected such generosity.
“No need to be polite to your own brother,” said Mu Lantu. “Pick anything under 200,000. I need to leave money for the renovation. I can’t afford anything more expensive right now.”
Mu Zhenzhen beamed. “Are you dumb? You say that, and I’ll pick the priciest thing just under 200K!”
It’s not just men who love cars—women do too. She’d gotten her license long ago and drove well. When Luo Wangjun was busy, she’d sometimes take his cab out to work.
“Pick the priciest. Not picking the priciest would be dumb.” Mu Lantu laughed.
Mu Zhenzhen was touched—his motive didn’t matter. As long as this gave her backing in her in-laws’ eyes, she believed her days ahead would only get better.
“Okay, I’ll pick the priciest!”
He Cuifang turned her back and wiped her tears.
Mu Zhenguo said, “No need to leave renovation money. Didn’t you deposit a sum with me last time? Forgot?”
Mu Zhenzhen, Luo Wangjun, and He Cuifang all looked surprised. She hadn’t known.
Mu Lantu was wary that giving too much money would be siphoned off by Mu Hongtu and his wife, so he went along. “I actually forgot. In that case, just use that money for the renovation. If it’s not enough, let me know. Buy good furniture and appliances—don’t be afraid to spend. It’s a pain to repair or replace poor-quality stuff.”
Mu Zhenguo nodded. “Don’t worry, I know what to do.”
Luo Wangjun chimed in, “I’ll help out with this. I’ve got several friends in the home renovation business. I’ll make sure everything’s top-notch.”
Mu Zhenzhen added, “Right! Your brother-in-law’s been driving a cab for years—he knows lots of people. With him handling it, you can rest assured.”
Mu Lantu said, “Why wouldn’t I trust my brother-in-law? Look how well he’s taken care of you all these years. That says everything.”
Mu Zhenguo and He Cuifang also praised Luo Wangjun endlessly.
Everyone loves to give praise when it’s due.
Luo Wangjun humbly accepted the compliments, grinning nonstop.
“Let’s have one more meal with Mom and Dad tomorrow noon, then I’ll head back to the capital,” said Mu Lantu. “I’ve got work piling up these past few days.”
Mu Zhenguo and He Cuifang understood and didn’t try to keep him—he’d be back eventually. Qingning City wasn’t a tourist spot anyway. His friends probably couldn’t wait to leave.
After sending Mu Zhenzhen’s family home, Mu Lantu brought Mu Zhenguo and He Cuifang back as well. Then he called Xu Huazhang.
Less than two minutes later, the RV pulled up on the roadside.
“That was fast!” Mu Lantu said as he got in.
Xu Huazhang pulled him close. “Hanging out with Ge Tao and the others got boring. Came to pick you up early.”
Mu Lantu didn’t say anything, just wrapped his arms around Xu’s neck and kissed him lightly.
Xu Huazhang hugged his waist and kissed him back, gently patting his back. “What happened, baby? Why the long face?”
“I’m fine now.” Mu Lantu leaned into him, fully relaxed.
Xu Huazhang wasn’t satisfied. He picked Mu Lantu up and set him on his lap, then hugged him tight. “Just one kiss and you’re fine? Am I that powerful? Want some more kisses?”
Mu Lantu blinked in surprise at his strength, then leaned comfortably against him. “Save them for later. I’m taking my sister to buy a car tomorrow morning. We’ll head back to Beijing in the afternoon.”
He only mentioned his sister, not his brother. Xu Huazhang could guess what had happened.
“Should I give Sis or Bro-in-law a little gift too?”
Mu Lantu didn’t refuse. “Maybe a watch for brother-in-law?”
Xu Huazhang’s heart skipped. Baby didn’t reject the “our sister” phrasing!
“Great! I’ll get a watch. Want to get a handbag for Sis too?”
“Maybe later,” Mu Lantu replied. “Last time I was home, I gave my brother a 20K watch.”
Xu Huazhang smiled. “Got it.”
Mu Zhenguo and He Cuifang wanted to tag along to Qingning City. Since there were too many people, Mu Lantu drove his father’s new car too.
Mu Zhenzhen’s remark about picking a 200K car was just a joke. She and Luo Wangjun didn’t want to buy something more expensive than her father’s car, so they picked a white SUV worth just over 180K. The stylish, elite design, spacious interior, and generous storage met all their needs—it was perfect for taking the whole family, including the in-laws, on outings.
