Chapter 17: The Conjoined Lotus Jade Pendant
Chapter 17: The Conjoined Lotus Jade Pendant
Lu Jiaxin and Xue Mao were weeding in the yard when someone knocked on the door. To their surprise, it was Liao Xiangmei.
Inviting her in, Lu Jiaxin offered her a cup of water, apologizing, "We just moved in, and we don't have much. Please don't be offended, Aunt Liao."
Liao Xiangmei felt sad hearing this, blaming herself for her foolish son's actions, which had caused a distance between them. "You don't have much here, and your father didn't give you anything? Didn't he provide any money?"
Lu Jiaxin was not about to make excuses for him. "He said he gave me all the money he had, and he couldn't afford to buy me any furniture. After much persuasion, he finally agreed to buy me a watch and an English language tape recorder."
"I plan to buy second-hand furniture from the market. But I'm not familiar with that place, so I'll ask Fifth Brother to take me there on Sunday. That way, they won't take advantage of us and overcharge because we're young," Lu Jiaxin explained.
Liao Xiangmei thought for a moment before speaking, "Jiaxin, he's just trying to appease you. After working in the department store for so many years, it's impossible for him to have only saved a few thousand yuan. If you need anything, just ask him for it. If he refuses, make a scene like you did the other day."
"Jiaxin, don't feel embarrassed about it. He's your father, and it's only right that you ask him for things. If you don't, you'll only be letting that venomous pair of mother and daughter benefit," she added.
Lu Jiaxin sighed, feeling helpless. "I understand the logic, but if he says he doesn't have the money, there's not much I can do."
In the minds of the Chinese people, one should be grateful to their parents for giving birth to them and raising them. When they grow old, it's the children's duty to care for and serve them. Speaking ill of one's parents is considered unfilial and shameful. While it was acceptable to complain about Lu Hongjun, it was not acceptable to criticize or curse him.
Liao Xiangmei was angry as she said, "He didn't even care that his daughter was kicked out. What kind of father is he? I'll go talk to your father later and make sure he helps you get everything you need."
Lu Jiaxin was delighted at the prospect. If Lu Hongjun bought all the furniture she needed, she could save a significant amount of money. Every penny counted when one was poor.
Liao Xiangmei took out a wooden box, about the size of a palm, from her bag and handed it to Lu Jiaxin. "This was your mother's token of love for you. Keep it safe."
Lu Jiaxin opened the box and found a jade pendant with a conjoined lotus design. The jade was smooth and delicate, with a soft luster and a pure white color.
Thinking of the jade pendant she had asked Xue Mao to exchange for eighty yuan, Lu Jiaxin asked, "Aunt Liao, my mother loved jade and jadeite jewelry. Did she collect any jade ornaments?"
The original owner of the body had never seen Lu's mother wear jade jewelry, but Lu Jiaxin felt certain that she must have collected many exquisite pieces. When one deeply loved something and had the opportunity to possess it, it was hard to resist, even if there were risks involved.
Liao Xiangmei nodded. "Your mother acquired a few items by chance a couple of years before you were born. She loved them so much that she risked keeping them. After you were born, she even told me that she wanted to give them to you as part of your dowry one day."
"Do you remember what those items were, Aunt Liao?" Lu Jiaxin asked curiously.
"Besides the conjoined lotus pendant and the jade pendant you're wearing, there was also a jade bracelet and a hairpin made of Hetian jade. I'm not sure if she bought anything else after that," Liao Xiangmei replied after a moment's thought.
The situation had been tense in previous years, and given Lu Jiaxin's young age, the topic had never been brought up. Now, with the relaxed policies, Lu Jiaxin had become more assertive and was no longer afraid of being known for her interest in these things.
She was aware of the two jade pendants, having sold one and now holding the other, but she had no knowledge of the bracelet or hairpin. She wondered if these items were still in Lu Hongjun's possession or if he had entrusted them to someone else.
Liao Xiangmei asked with concern which school Lu Jiaxin planned to attend for her repeat year. With the setback this year, she believed that Lu Jiaxin would definitely pass the exam next year, given her academic performance.
Lu Jiaxin shook her head. "I went to the hospital this morning for a full body check-up, and the doctor said that my current physical condition couldn't handle such intense studying, so I won't be repeating the year for now."
"Aunt Liao brought milk powder and honey to nourish your body when she saw how pale you were yesterday. She knew your body was weak, and she's right that your health is the most important thing. If your health fails, everything else falls apart."
Like Xiaoxia, who sacrificed her life to save another's child, only for another woman to reap the benefits and her own daughter to suffer.
Lu Jiaxin nodded, intending to take care of herself from now on.
After chatting for a while, Liao Xiangmei prepared to leave. Before she did, she said, "Xin Xin, if you need anything, give me a call."
Lu Jiaxin politely declined, "Aunt Liao, you don't have to worry about me. After everything that's happened, I can take care of myself now."
Liao Xiangmei's expression turned glum. This child had repeatedly refused her good intentions, and it seemed like she truly felt distant from her now. Liao Xiangmei had originally wanted to bring Fan Yinuo to apologize to Lu Jiaxin, hoping to ease the tension between them. However, that good-for-nothing boy refused to come back and even left a note saying he would be staying at a friend's house for a few days.
Not only was she angry, but even Old Fan was furious. Their son had committed such a huge mistake, and he didn't even have the courage to come and apologize. Such a lack of responsibility and integrity would not get him far in life.
Lu Jiaxin saw them out to the mouth of the hutong. "Aunt Liao, Fifth Brother said we should host a housewarming with a couple of tables of food to celebrate. I'll let you know once we set a date."
A smile finally appeared on Liao Xiangmei's face. "I'll definitely come for such a big occasion."
After seeing them off, Lu Jiaxin returned to weeding the yard with Xue Mao.
"Xin Xin! Xue Mao! Come out and help with the luggage!"
The two stepped out and saw Lu Jiajie and his wife, Ma Lili, alongside a brand-new tricycle.
Ma Lilli had fair skin and pleasant features. She worked at a department store. Lu Jiajie had been able to win her over thanks to his uncle, Lu Hongjun, who was a general manager, and the fact that the Ma family wanted him as their son-in-law since they had no sons. However, Lu Jiajie's parents had disagreed, and after negotiations, it was agreed that their second son would take the Ma family name. Unfortunately, their second child was also a girl, and not long after her birth, the one-child policy was implemented, rendering the previous agreement meaningless.
Lu Jiaxin approached them with a smile and greeted her sister-in-law. "Fifth Sister-in-law, what brings you here?"
Ma Lilli held Lu Jiaxin's hands and examined her closely. "You've tanned, lost weight, and your complexion isn't good. You need to take better care of yourself."
Lu Jiaxin nodded in agreement and welcomed the couple into the yard.
Once inside, Lu Jiajie pulled out a watch and a tape recorder from the pile of things on the tricycle. "Xin Xin, Third Uncle said he'll slowly get you the rest of the things you need."
Lu Jiaxin took the watch and found it to be a well-known Chinese brand, renowned for its quality. As she put it on her wrist, she noticed the staples like rice, flour, and oil in the tricycle and asked, "Who bought all these things?"
Lu Jiajie smiled and replied, "Of course, it was your dad. Also, he agreed to give you 36 yuan a month for living expenses."
Lu Jiaxin was astonished. "How did he agree to that?"
Lu Jiajie laughed. "I brought it up with him, but he refused for a long time. It was only after Big Brother called him that he finally relented."
Big Brother's influence was indeed double that of anyone else's.
"Thank you, Fifth Brother." Although she knew she wouldn't be able to receive this allowance for long, she was still deeply touched by the gesture.
"Don't say that again, or I'll be angry," Lu Jiajie warned.
Lu Jiaxin smiled. "This is the last time. From now on, I won't hold back with you."
"That's more like it," Lu Jiajie said with a nod.
(End of Chapter)
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