Chapter 245: Jealousy and Flattery

Chapter 245: Envy and Sycophancy

"What the—?" Wu Yanhua thought to herself. "Didn't they say they were just picking up a car? How’d they get a monster truck like *this*?"

The roaring sound of the vehicle had neighbors pouring out of their homes, eager to see what was happening.

The children were the most excited, buzzing and hopping around the large truck, creating a lively scene.

When the truck stopped in front of their house, the Fu family kids were already bouncing off the walls with excitement.

Zhuang Zhuang, in particular, kept bragging to his friends, "That's my dad! The one driving is my dad!" His tone was full of pride, as if driving a big truck was the coolest thing ever.

"Uncle is driving a big truck now. I heard it was bought by Auntie in the city to make it easier to transport durians," Ya Ya blurted out.

"Yeah, this truck belongs to Auntie," Niu Niu added, his voice sour as a lemon.

"Hmph, so what if it's Auntie's truck? She still lets my dad drive it!" Zhuang Zhuang retorted, his chest puffed up with pride.

Wu Yanhua, overhearing the kids' conversation, swatted them each on the back of the head.

"Quit the bragging! Cut the nonsense!" she scolded as she hit them.

"Grandma, I'm sorry, I won't do it again!" Zhuang Zhuang, who got the most slaps, immediately took off like a shot in fear.

Seeing this, Ya Ya and Niu Niu quickly ran off too.

When Fu Dajun and Fu Guoqing got out of the truck, Wu Yanhua hustled over and asked, "What's going on? Didn't you say Ting Hua bought an ordinary tricycle? How did you end up with such a big truck? How much did this cost?"

Her fired-off questions made their ears ring.

"Let's go inside and talk. There are too many people watching out here," Fu Dajun said, trying to pull Wu Yanhua back into the house.

Just then, a neighbor hollered out to Fu Dajun, "Old Fu, is this truck yours?"

Everyone around turned to look at Fu Dajun, curious about his answer.

"Nah, not ours. It belongs to my youngest son and his wife. We're just test-driving it for now," Fu Dajun replied with a chuckle.

"Come on, if it's your son's, isn't it basically yours?"

"Exactly! Dajun, you've hit the big time now."

"See, even the way you talk has changed. Playing humble now?"

"If my son bought a truck for our family, I'd just say it's mine. After all the effort raising him, what’s his is mine, right?"

The envious tone in their voices made Fu Dajun grit his teeth.

Out of respect for his neighbors, he held back from retorting, but Fu Guoqing wasn’t about to bite his tongue.

"Hey, hey, hey! What are you all saying? This truck belongs to my brother Ting Hua. He's already moved out of the Fu family. Our family isn't like some others who just leech off one child."

His voice was laced with sarcasm as he shot daggers at those who had just been throwing shade at the Fus.

The neighbors grumbled under their breaths, "Big whoop. Just because they bought a truck."

"Yeah, having a successful youngest son must be real special, huh?"

The person who said this clammed up after saying it.

It really is impressive. Look at the recent changes in the Fu family—they’ve already pulled way ahead of these other families.

"These people sound like they’ve been sucking on lemons. I can’t stand it."

"Exactly, their words drip with envy."

"They can’t afford it themselves, so they envy those who can."

At this point, someone on good terms with the Fu family jumped in to defend them.

"Guoqing, in the future, if my family needs to move stuff, could we ask you to help with your truck? We’ll pay whatever the cost is." Some households, who frequently needed hauling services, couldn’t resist asking.

"Sure, but only when we don’t have goods to haul ourselves." So, business was already coming their way?

Let’s face it, in these times, hardly anyone in the village had a truck, knew how to drive, or even had a license.

When people hired truck drivers, they had to treat them well—feeding them full meals with meat to boot.

They had no choice—truck drivers were scarce. If one refused, you’d have to hunt all the way to the next village or town to find another.

Folks wanted things quick and easy. Who’d want to walk far just to find a driver?

The bigger issue was, even if they tried, they might not find one.

The families who had been sour toward the Fu family seemed to realize something, their faces fell.

The Wu family’s truck in the village got their truck seized by the police and hadn’t been returned yet.

Even if it were returned, villagers would think twice before asking them to move anything.

After the incident where Wu Qing stole from the Fu family, some villagers got to talking and remembered that when they had Lao Wu haul and sell their mountain produce, their goods had also been stolen back then.

But at the time, they let it slide, so it didn’t seem like a big deal.

Now, with the Fu family’s situation, many households came forward to confront Lao Wu, but naturally, it got them nowhere.

Not only did they not get compensation, but Lao Wu also showed them the door, saying:

"Bullshit! That was so long ago. Just because you say my son Wu Qing stole it, doesn’t mean he did!

Besides, how do you even know anything went missing?

Even if you take this to the police now, it won’t get you squat.

No evidence, and you still expect our Wu family to pay? In your dreams."

For the first time, the villagers saw Lao Wu’s true colors, especially those who had worked with him and suffered losses. They vowed they were done with him for good.

His arrogance came from thinking that people would always beg him for hauling services.

So, he blew off anyone who came asking for help.

But now things were different. The Fu family had a truck—villagers could ask them for help. Why kowtow to Lao Wu anymore?

Even after Fu Dajun and Fu Guoqing were dragged inside by Wu Yanhua to talk, the onlookers still hadn’t dispersed.

Village folks never passed up a chance to gawk.

In no time, a crowd had already gathered near the Fu family's doorstep, all come to check out their new truck.

"Is this a new truck?"

"You bet."

"The Fus are moving up in the world, huh? Just drove this baby home, right?"

"Has to be. Didn’t you see the red ribbons tied to the side mirrors?"

"This truck—most people wouldn’t dare drive it. It’s a bit too big."

"Yeah right, if you bought one for me, I'd be behind that wheel in a heartbeat."

What guy doesn't dream about having his own wheels? Just hand him the keys, and there’s no such thing as being afraid to drive.

"Wow, around here in town, I don’t think I’ve seen such a nice truck."

"Well, this one’s brand new, so of course it’s different."

"Old Fu sure raised his boy right!"

"That’s right. Ting Hua's always been solid, ever since he was knee-high—I’ve watched him grow up."

"Yeah, I used to say Ting Hua didn’t even seem like he belonged to the Fu family, the way he looks and acts."

"Don’t talk nonsense, or Old Fu’s wife might come out and rip you a new one."

......