Chapter 22: Chaos in the Extreme Household

Chapter 22: The Family in Utter Disarray

Lu Xiang's eldest uncle rushed home upon hearing of the trouble. By the time he arrived, his wife, Eldest Aunt Lu, had already been released. "It was nothing, just a misunderstanding!" she insisted.

The police had concluded that Eldest Aunt Lu had stored the gold bracelet without knowing its origins. Yet, suspicion lingered: how could she dare accept a gold bracelet for safekeeping from a nephew with no legitimate income? The police confiscated the stolen item, recorded her details, and released her. The entire Lu family breathed a collective sigh of relief.

No one in the Lu family dared to scold Eldest Aunt Lu. After all, it was an item worth over three thousand yuan—who wouldn't be tempted?

Lu Xiang's eldest uncle advised, "You'd best keep a low profile for a while!" Their family had been under intense scrutiny recently.

After the incident, Eldest Aunt Lu became noticeably more subdued.

Lu Zhaodi, however, was still resentful, complaining to her uncle, "It's all because of Lu Xiang! Otherwise, our family wouldn't be in such a mess!"

Lu Xiang's eldest uncle grew impatient. He slammed his chopsticks onto the table, abandoned his meal, and stormed out.

Coincidentally, shortly after he left, he saw Fu Qinhui returning from work and Lu Xiang heading home, with Fu Qinhui carrying her belongings.

Bystanders remarked, "Oh, what an affectionate young couple!"

"Indeed! Unlike our time, when did a man ever help carry things?"

"Forget carrying things—we had to work even the night before giving birth!"

They declared Lu Xiang had fallen into a blissful life, praising Fu Qinhui for his thoughtfulness and his promising future as a university student.

Lu Xiang's eldest uncle watched, feeling increasingly uneasy.

Recently, many had mocked his daughter, Lu Zhaodi, for rejecting such a good match. He could only swallow his bitterness.

Seeing Fu Qinhui, Lu Xiang's eldest uncle felt a prickle of irritation. "You're quite easygoing. But in the village, a man needs to show some masculinity!"

Before Fu Qinhui could respond, someone nearby interjected, "What do you mean by masculinity?"

Lu Xiang's eldest uncle retorted, "Why don't you try hitting her?" attempting to incite Fu Qinhui to strike Lu Xiang.

Lu Xiang, displeased, cut in, "Save that advice for your son-in-law. I've never seen an uncle who openly encourages others to hit his own niece!"

Lu Xiang's eldest uncle's face darkened. "I was just making conversation, girl. Can't you take a joke?" He then turned away in a huff, embarrassed.

Seeing him deliberately stir up trouble, Lu Xiang loudly asked Fu Qinhui, "Hey, what did you say earlier about someone failing the political background check?"

Someone nearby inquired, "What's a political background check?"

Lu Xiang explained, "A political background check is when government agencies or state-owned factories investigate your family's history, generation by generation. If your background is clean, you can take the exam. If not, you're disqualified."

The crowd only vaguely understood, but Lu Xiang's eldest uncle's heart sank. He was the only one currently undergoing a political background check for a clerical position in the county. Could something have gone wrong?

Forgetting his anger, he rushed straight to the village chief's office.

The village chief was reading last week's newspaper when Lu Xiang's eldest uncle burst in. "Chief, any news about my application?"

The village chief opened a drawer, pulled out a letter, and handed it to him. "See for yourself."

Lu Xiang's eldest uncle opened it and exclaimed, "Impossible! My family has been poor for eight generations!" The letter clearly stated in bold red characters: "Political Background Check Failed." He was utterly incredulous.

If he had secured the county job, he would have earned a higher salary with various benefits, and if he performed well, his entire family could have moved to the county. He had pulled many strings for this opportunity.

The village chief simply said, "There's nothing to be done."

The uncle pleaded with the chief, "Please tell me what went wrong!" He couldn't comprehend it.

Seeing his stubbornness, the village chief sighed, "I've always told you to keep your family in order. Look at all the trouble your wife has caused recently." First, their daughter's marriage swap scheme, then the hidden gold bracelet.

Lu Xiang's eldest uncle slumped into a chair, his mind blank. Months of effort had vanished into thin air. How could he possibly accept this?

He had even planned to settle scores with the Fu family once he secured the county clerical job, to show everyone how capable he was.

He was speechless.

It was all over. How could this happen? His daughter remained unmarried, his wife gained nothing from the gold bracelet scheme, the gold bracelet was confiscated, leaving her with a record, and now his own career plans had been shattered.

Overwhelmed with regret and with no one to confide in, his face turned ashen. Once this news spread, the entire village would mock them for years.

Returning home, Lu Xiang's eldest uncle was enraged at the sight of his wife and immediately started arguing with her. When she learned he had lost the county job, she too was devastated. "Let's try sending more gifts!" she stammered, her voice trembling.

Her reaction only fueled his anger. As their argument escalated, he lost control and slapped her.

Already on edge from being taken to the police station multiple times, Eldest Aunt Lu snapped. The slap pushed her over the edge, and they began to fight back, their commotion growing louder until the entire household was in utter chaos.

...

Meanwhile, the Fu household was a picture of ease.

Lu Xiang kept close to Fu Qinhui. His sisters-in-law, observing them, teased, "Still the honeymoon phase, aren't they?"

Third Sister-in-Law Fu added, "Indeed, how lovely!" They assumed the couple was sharing sweet nothings, unaware that Lu Xiang was actually discussing something entirely different with Fu Qinhui.

Lu Xiang asked, "Can I set up a stall in the county?"

Fu Qinhui replied, "They don't allow open street vending in the county now. You don't need to go; I earn enough to support you."

Lu Xiang, still holding about a hundred yuan, didn't want to simply live off his earnings. "Then can I go with you? Take me to the supply and marketing cooperative tomorrow when you go to work! I've never even been there."

Fu Qinhui wasn't entirely keen on the idea, but seeing the eager look in Lu Xiang's beautiful eyes, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. "Alright, but don't wander off!"

He immediately regretted agreeing so easily, but Lu Xiang's delighted expression softened him. *Whatever makes her happy*, he thought.

Lu Xiang, however, was plotting something else. Though she had 100 yuan, it didn't feel like enough. She wanted to earn more to eventually pursue bigger opportunities.

She looked forward to checking out current market prices—since coming into this story, she hadn't had a chance to explore.

Excited by the prospect of going out, she happily pulled out her two newest outfits, planning to dress up nicely. "I won't embarrass you!" she assured Fu Qinhui.

Fu Qinhui remained silent, simply watching her get ready, a gentle smile playing on his lips that he wasn't even aware of.