Chapter 15: Demanding Things
Chapter 15: Demanding Things
Lu Jiaxin bought three sets of clothes and two pairs of shoes for Xue Mao, all in dark and stain-resistant colors, and a pair of Liberation shoes.
It's not that she didn't want to choose something nicer for him, but Xue Mao was unwilling and said that even if he bought them, he wouldn't wear them. His reasoning was that he worked every day, and no matter how nice the clothes were, they would soon get dirty and be a waste of money.
Lu Jiaxin refused to compromise when it came to herself. She roamed the streets and put together six sets of outfits: three dresses and three sets of clothes, complete with shoes and socks. After buying the clothes, Lu Jiaxin asked Xue Mao to go back first, while she headed to the department store. Luckily, Lu Hongjun was working that day.
Entering the office, Lu Jiaxin handed over a shopping list she had prepared earlier: "These are the things I need for my new place. Let me know when you've bought them all for me."
Lu Hongjun took the list, glanced at it, and set it down. Calmly, he said, "Four thousand yuan. I deposited it into your passbook yesterday afternoon. There's only three hundred yuan left at home now; we don't have the money to buy these things."
Lu Jiaxin laughed and said, "You're telling me our family only has six thousand yuan in savings? Dad, do you really take me for a fool?"
"Just those three sets of finely crafted gold jewelry from Aunt Ding must be worth several thousand yuan. Ten thousand yuan is probably just a drop in the bucket for you."
She didn't believe a word of it when he said the family only had a few thousand yuan in savings. Having worked at the department store for over twenty years and as the general manager for more than a decade, even without any corruption, he could have accumulated a substantial nest egg.
Lu Hongjun's face changed, "Jiaxin, don't talk nonsense. Your Aunt Ding only has one gold ring. Where did the three sets of gold jewelry come from?"
Lu Jiaxin replied with an 'oh' and then casually said, "If you don't know about the three sets of gold jewelry, maybe they were left to her by a previous man."
As if only having one gold ring was believable. If that pretty woman hadn't had her eyes on his status and a comfortable life, why would she have married this old man?
When Lu Hongjun married Ding Jing, he only had a few sets of old clothes to change into. So, the gold jewelry must have been acquired after their marriage. The question was, where did she get the money? Lu Jiaxin could tell from his expression that Ding Jing had accepted favors from others behind his back. She had thought that Lu Hongjun had allowed it, but she hadn't expected her to be so bold.
Lu Hongjun quickly composed himself and said to Lu Jiaxin, "I'll buy you the watch and bicycle. As for the rest, no."
On the shopping list, besides the watch and bicycle, there were also a washing machine, refrigerator, color TV, electric fan, sewing machine, tape recorder, and more.
Lu Jiaxin coldly snorted, "Why should that pair of venomous mother and daughter get to use a refrigerator and color TV while I, your biological daughter, have nothing?"
Lu Hongjun controlled his anger and said, "If you're going to stay at home, you'll be able to use all of those things."
Lu Jiaxin was blunt, "I want to stay there. It won't be long before I go down to be with Mom."
Lu Hongjun said with a headache, "Dad knows you've had a hard time outside and hold a grudge. But your Aunt Ding and Si Yi explained that it was all a misunderstanding."
Lu Jiaxin didn't want to argue with him about whether that pair of mother and daughter were good or bad. All she wanted now were her things, "So, are you going to buy them for me or not?"
Of course, Lu Hongjun refused, not because he couldn't afford it, but because he had stated the previous day that he had given all the deposits to Jiaxin. If he bought so many big-ticket items at once, who knew if Liao Xiangmei would take the opportunity to cause him trouble? But he also knew that his daughter's temperament had changed drastically, and if she wasn't satisfied, she would definitely make a fuss.
After thinking about it, Lu Hongjun said, "Xin Xin, I'll buy you the watch and bicycle first. As for the color TV, refrigerator, and washing machine, I'll get them for you next year."
But Lu Jiaxin wasn't so easily fooled, "I want to learn English, and a tape recorder is essential for that.
"I don't know how to use a sewing machine, but Xue Mao does. It'll be convenient to have one at home for any future alterations," Lu Jiaxin remarked.
In truth, it was Lu Jiaxin herself who knew how to use a sewing machine. In her past life, her family had been in the clothing business, so she had studied to become a fashion designer. After graduating, she had gone to study abroad in Huadu for three years. To gain more work experience, she had stayed on at a large factory, eventually returning to China three years later. She had originally planned to go back to work for her family's company, but by then, her father had remarried and had a son. Her grandparents were overly cautious of her, treating her like a thief, so she found it pointless and decided to look for work in Pengcheng instead.
Ever since she was in the ancient capital, Lu Jiaxin had wanted to sell clothes, but she lacked the capital. She could only manage a small stall to support herself and Xue Mao. Now that she had the capital and connections, she was determined to return to her old industry.
Lu Hongjun, considering her weaknesses in English and mathematics, was naturally inclined to agree to her request for self-improvement: "I'll get you the recorder later, and we can discuss the sewing machine another day."
"What about the bicycle, watch, and an electric fan? It's so hot these days, I can't sleep without a fan," Lu Jiaxin pressed.
Lu Hongjun's headache intensified, and he said, "Alright, I'll send the electric fan and bicycle over in a couple of days. That's it for now, no more requests."
Lu Jiaxin knew she wouldn't get everything at once, so she planned to ask for more after these items were purchased. As her fifth brother had said, not asking for these things would only benefit that venomous mother and daughter.
Lu Hongjun brought up the topic of repeating a year: "I've already contacted the school, and your classes will start next Monday."
Lu Jiaxin didn't refuse the idea of repeating a year. She knew that neither Lu Hongjun nor Lu Jiaxin would agree with her, so she opted to stall: "Yesterday, when I was cleaning with Xue Mao, I felt chest tightness and shortness of breath after working for a while. I had to go back to lie down, Dad. I think my injury might have left some after-effects."
Hearing this, Lu Hongjun became anxious and exclaimed, "Why didn't you tell me about this earlier? Let's go to the hospital right now for a check-up."
Seeing his worried expression, Lu Jiaxin sighed inwardly. Lu Hongjun did care for her original self. However, this affection couldn't compete with the happiness he found in the beauty's embrace.
At the hospital, Lu Hongjun accompanied Lu Jiaxin for a full-body check-up.
The doctor examined the results and said, "There don't seem to be any after-effects from the head injury, and the wound has healed nicely. However, you're severely anemic and need to improve your nutrition."
Lu Jiaxin quickly added, "Doctor, I feel tired very easily, whether I'm working or studying. I only manage a short while before exhaustion sets in."
The doctor attributed this to her lack of qi and blood, instructing her, "Make sure to improve your nutrition and get plenty of rest. Avoid overexerting yourself."
Lu Jiaxin was delighted, feeling as if her wish for a pillow had been granted while she was still yawning.
Lu Hongjun's heart skipped a beat, and he asked with concern, "Doctor, will studying affect her condition?"
Lu Jiaxin quickly interjected, "I failed the college entrance exam this year, and my dad wants me to repeat a year and try again next year."
"Doctor, I failed the college entrance exam this year, and my father wants me to repeat a year. But I get chest tightness and shortness of breath so easily. Will my body be able to handle the stress of repeating a year?" Lu Jiaxin emphasized.
The doctor was aware of the importance of the college entrance exam to an individual's future. However, he couldn't possibly suggest that she prioritize her studies over her health—it was a responsibility he couldn't afford to take. Instead, he gently advised, "To have a healthy body, you need to focus on both nutrition and adequate rest."
Lu Jiaxin felt grateful for the doctor's understanding, and she immediately posed a question to Lu Hongjun: "Dad, which do you think is more important, my studies or my health?"
Without hesitation, Lu Hongjun replied, "Health is the foundation of everything. If your health collapses, everything else is meaningless. Let's focus on improving your health first, and we'll figure out the rest later."
Lu Jiaxin was somewhat satisfied with this answer.
(End of Chapter)
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