Luo Zhiyong always thought that Luo Zhiming was just spoiled at home by Luo Dashan and the others, didn’t like to work, and didn’t understand the hardships of the world. He really didn’t expect that Luo Zhiming would be so casual about matters between men and women too.
Especially since he was already married, yet he started fooling around outside not even half a month after leaving his wife.
In his view, if a man is willing to get married, it means he has grown sensible and should have a sense of responsibility towards both his family and his wife.
Even someone like Luo Zhiming, who became sensible late due to his temperament and had many problems solved for him by his family, which resulted in him lacking the sense of responsibility to uphold a family, should at least be faithful to his wife.
But he didn’t have that at all, which shows that it’s not just immaturity, but a problem with his character.
Seeing Luo Zhiyong’s pained expression, Fang Pingying sat by his side, holding his hand and persuading him, "You have been out for six years now; they have all grown from children into adults, naturally things are different. They still have to live their own lives, you can’t take their place."
Knowing that Luo Zhiyong wouldn’t be able to let go right away, after all, that’s his own younger brother, and if he was truly indifferent, he wouldn’t be this troubled.
She gave him a gentle smile and suggested, "Alright, forget it, don’t think too much. Now that it’s all resolved, anyway, the lumber mill is close by, and if you have nothing better to do, just go to the lumber mill more often. With you keeping an eye on him regularly, perhaps he will behave better."
Fang Pingying’s words somewhat steadied Luo Zhiyong’s heart, at least making him feel not entirely powerless. He gently squeezed Fang Pingying’s hand back, his voice more calm, "That’s the only way."
In the following days, Fang Pingying tidied up the house, making clothes for Luo Chun and Xiao Juzi, and also took the opportunity to make some winter coats for herself and Luo Zhiming.
In the blink of an eye, the end of the month had arrived. They had sent a telegram home a day before, asking Hong Lan to come on the first, and tomorrow would be the first.
She estimated that Hong Lan would likely take the same train they used to take, which wouldn’t arrive until the afternoon.
In the evening, after Fang Pingying finished dinner and cleaned up the dishes, she looked around the living room and thought that since Luo Zhiyong was also off work tomorrow, it would be the perfect opportunity to not only pick up Luo Honglan, but also to buy the wooden sofa she had been wanting.
The living room here wasn’t big, but it seemed spacious as there was not much in it originally.
Fang Pingying didn’t know what size sofa they should buy, worrying that if they got one too big, it might not fit in the living room.
She then called out to Luo Zhiyong, who was reading in the study, "Zhiyong, come out for a moment."
"What’s up?" Luo Zhiyong said, already on his way out.
Fang Pingying took a tape measure out of the drawer and handed it to him, "Can you measure this space for me? I’m thinking we could go buy that sofa together tomorrow."
"Buying it tomorrow?" Luo Zhiyong was a bit surprised.
Fang Pingying had mentioned wanting to buy a sofa for the living room before, but he thought since she had just arrived this month, and they had already spent some money furnishing some things at home, not to mention the money given to Luo Zhiming, there the remaining funds might not be enough for a sofa.
Fang Pingying didn’t think about the money issue right away and nodded directly, saying, "Hmm, it’s just in time for Hong Lan to come tomorrow, and it will be useful."
"Otherwise, wait until I get paid next month to buy it. Let Hong Lan make do with staying outside for one night this month." Luo Zhiyong hesitated for a while before saying, "Or wait for Hong Lan to come, and you can sleep inside with her, and I’ll sleep out here."
Fang Pingying then realized that he was worried about money and smiled at him, "You don’t have to worry about the money, I still have some."
Seeing that Luo Zhiyong still hadn’t agreed, Fang Pingying sighed with a smile, walked up to him, wrapped her hands around his waist, looked up at him, pouted, and pretended to be displeased, "We’re a couple, we shouldn’t need to be so clear-cut about money all the time. Normally the household expenses come from your salary, and if there’s an urgent need, I’ll contribute if I can. If not, wouldn’t you still need to figure something out?"
Seeing the little woman in his arms, acting coquettishly and all for the sake of his pride, Luo Zhiyong’s heart softened, and he nodded, "Okay, if money is tight on your store’s end, just tell me, and I’ll figure something out."
He had roughly learned about Fang Pingying’s business dealings with Xiao Juzi’s uncle from Huang Lin recently, and only then did he realize that if it really worked out, it wouldn’t be a small venture. His wife would likely manage a factory or embark on some other big endeavor.
Although he felt slightly uncomfortable about his wife being more capable than him, he certainly couldn’t keep her at home and not allow her to do anything just to protect his own pride.
He felt that he should be proud of his capable wife, and as long as he kept progressing himself, he should support her development.
So, naturally, he shouldn’t be so calculating about money either.
Seeing that he had come around, Fang Pingying winked at him, "If we’re short on money, I’ll definitely tell you. Could it be that I have some other way to figure it out?"
"Very good." Luo Zhiyong looked at her with a smile, hugged her tightly, then took a tape measure to help her measure the spot in the living room, "Where do you plan to put the sofa once it’s bought?"
Fang Pingying showed him the spot and let him hold the tape measure while she noted down the size.
Originally, there was a dining table and a few chairs in the living room area, but now that they were buying a sofa, Fang Pingying was thinking of getting a small, inexpensive coffee table as well if they found one. It would be handy to have something on which to place items usually, and if there wasn’t a suitable one, she planned to go to the carpenter who made their wooden wall paneling to get a small coffee table made.
That way, the dining table and chairs would be moved closer to the kitchen area, which would be perfect since there was some space there. It would be just fine for the two of them to dine at home, and if guests came, they could move the table to the center of the living room.
After both of them fussed around in the living room for a while, Fang Pingying got a bit hot and took off her outerwear, only wearing a tight, thin sweater.
The sweater was very form-fitting, outlining Fang Pingying’s lovely figure entirely, especially the upper body. The sweater clung tightly to her, making Luo Zhiyong, who stood beside her, feel a warmth inside, as if all the blood in his body was rushing to one place.
But since they were in the middle of a task, according to Luo Zhiyong’s temperament, he naturally wouldn’t stop what they were doing to indulge the thoughts in his mind.
However, he was somewhat eager inside and kept urging Fang Pingying to hurry up.
Fang Pingying found this strange and asked him with a smile, "Are you tired or what? You’re in such a rush today."
Luo Zhongyong’s expression was somewhat unnatural, but he feigned a cough, disguising his thoughts, "It’s almost ten o’clock; if we don’t move quickly, how will we get up tomorrow? Aren’t we planning to go to the city to shop in the morning and then rush to the train station to pick up Hong Lan in the afternoon?"
Fang Pingying felt his point made sense, nodded, and asked him to go take a shower first while she would be finished here right away. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to