https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-259-Lu-Hongjun-s-Private-Collection/12576502/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-261-Taking-Advantage-of-the-Market/12576504/
Chapter 260: Cellar Within a Cellar
Chapter 260: Cellar Within a Cellar
When Su Hongying saw Lu Jiaxin, she was also taken aback. This young lady had changed a lot in a year; not only was her fashion sense more stylish, but she had also become even more beautiful.
Lu Jiaxin was also surprised because the long-sleeved dress Su Hongying was wearing was one of her designs from last year, and it suited her perfectly. If she were still in Port City, she would have suggested to Su Heyuan that Su Hongying could be invited to model for their advertisements. Of course, it was just a thought. In her position as Mrs. Xie, such a suggestion was impossible.
Leading Lu Jiaxin upstairs and closing the door behind them, Su Hongying said with a smile, "No wonder you were voted the most beautiful campus belle. That title is well-deserved."
Lu Jiaxin, rarely flustered, said, "Aunt Su, you're teasing me now, aren't you?"
Su Hongying patted her hand and said, "I'm just speaking the truth. In another two years, you'll undoubtedly be the most beautiful woman in Port City."
Lu Jiaxin thought to herself that she didn't want to be some silly "most beautiful woman of Port City." Her ambition was to become the top female entrepreneur of the city. The woman who had been crowned the most beautiful had become the prey of wealthy men and their spoiled sons, and eventually, due to the "golf" incident, she had fallen from grace and become a laughingstock. But it would be different for the top female entrepreneur; those wealthy men and their sons would have to treat her with respect.
Noticing that Lu Jiaxin didn't seem too interested in the topic, Su Hongying smiled and changed the subject. "Jiaxin, how long do you plan to stay this time?"
Lu Jiaxin intended to stay for a week. "I mainly came back to share some good news with my mother, and I don't have any other important matters to attend to. But since I'm already here, I also want to take the time to walk around and see the places I used to know. I might not have this much free time the next time I return."
The next time she came back would be to relocate her grandfather's grave. Once that was done, she wouldn't have any attachments left here, and she wouldn't return unless it was absolutely necessary.
Su Hongying nodded and then brought up the main topic. "I heard from Heyuan that you want to withdraw your shares, and he's currently raising funds for that. Jiaxin, Qi Rui is such a profitable business. Why would you want to withdraw your shares?"
Most of Qi Rui's clothing was produced by inland OEM factories, which also helped them earn a lot of foreign exchange. It was unusual to want to withdraw from such a lucrative business without a good reason.
Lu Jiaxin explained, "The company is indeed very profitable, but Su Dage and I have different ideas about its management. It's better to part ways now and at least remain friends."
In fact, her reputation was only one of the reasons; the main reason was that she wanted to take a gamble on the Plaza Accord. If she won this bet, she could buy a luxury house and open a retail store, and maybe even start her own brand next year or the year after. But if she lost, she would have to start all over again. However, she wasn't afraid; she was still young, and starting over would only mean spending more time.
Su Hongying felt that there was more to it than that, but since Lu Jiaxin didn't elaborate, she didn't pry further. "Jiaxin, your mother loved jade ornaments. She secretly collected quite a few jadeites and jade pieces over the years. Because you were still young, she was afraid that you might accidentally reveal this secret, so she entrusted me with this matter."
Lu Jiaxin nodded. "I know. Last year, you also asked Su Heming to tell me about it."
Su Hongying nodded. "Your mother wanted you to have these jewels when you turned twenty and became more mature and capable of handling matters. Although you're not yet twenty, you've already experienced a lot, and you're capable now, so it's time for me to hand these over to you."
Lu Jiaxin was a little excited. One of the reasons for her return was to take this batch of jadeite and jade back to Port City, and she would have brought it up even if Su Hongying hadn't mentioned it.
Su Hongying said with a smile, "These items are hidden in the cellar of your house."
Lu Jiaxin was perplexed. "In the cellar?"
Su Hongying affirmed with a hum. "Your mother said that this house is something she's leaving for you, and no matter how well or poorly you do in life, you will never sell it. So, keeping these items in the house on Guangming Road is the safest option."
"Top-quality jade is valuable in any era. As the daughter-in-law of the Xie family, she couldn't take on the responsibility of safekeeping. Back then, the policies weren't as relaxed as they are now, and if the news leaked out, it would implicate her husband and the Xie family. Lu's mother made a wise arrangement to prevent that."
Lu Jiaxin thought about it and understood, "A cellar within a cellar?"
Seeing her nod, Lu Jiaxin realized, "No wonder my family's cellar is exceptionally dry and not damp at all."
Jade is susceptible to damage if stored in a damp place over time. Lu's mother must have considered this and spent a fortune to create the perfect storage condition.
Su Hongying nodded, "Yes, a cellar within a cellar. The hidden cellar is behind that row of wooden boards. Just pry them open and remove the layer of soil behind them."
"Thank you, Aunt Su."
Su Hongying felt ashamed at these words. "To be honest, your uncle and I wronged you. If we had taken better care of you, others wouldn't have taken advantage, and your mother wouldn't have fallen ill trying to save Yi Chen. She wouldn't have passed away so early, and you wouldn't have suffered so much in recent years, ending up dependent on others."
Lu Jiaxin's heart sank, and she lowered her head.
Su Hongying held her hand and said, "If anyone bullies you in Port City, tell He Yuan. If he can't help, call me."
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "I will."
The two women chatted for a while longer, and then Lu Jiaxin checked the time and expressed that she should leave.
Su Hongying wouldn't let her go, pulling her hand and saying, "Stay for lunch today. Don't worry, your grandfather has something to attend to this afternoon and won't be back, and your uncle will be back in the evening after work."
Lu Jiaxin wasn't actually afraid of her grandfather or uncle, but she preferred not to have a meal with them. Although she hadn't met them, she assumed they were stern people.
As they went downstairs, Su Hongying said with some regret, "Yi Chen is at school today, otherwise, you could have seen him."
Lu Jiaxin's son hadn't been home the last time she visited, and they still hadn't seen each other yet. Of course, they had met several times when they were younger, but it had been so long that they no longer remembered each other.
Just as lunch was about to be served, someone returned to the Xie residence. Lu Jiaxin thought it was her grandfather, but it turned out to be the second son's wife.
The second son's wife brought in a beautiful young lady. When they saw Lu Jiaxin, their eyes held a mix of scrutiny and wariness. "Big sister-in-law, who is this young lady?"
Lu Jiaxin was displeased by their unfamiliarity and the way they looked at her; she felt that these two women were strange.
Su Hongying smiled and introduced her, "Younger sister-in-law, this is Jiaxin. She came back from Port City specially after the college entrance examination to share the good news with her mother."
Su Hongying simplified the situation by referring to the college entrance examination as high school, avoiding the need for further explanation.
The second son's wife was surprised, "Big sister-in-law, the exam dates in Port City are different from those in the mainland?"
Hearing Su Hongying affirm the difference, the second son's wife turned to Lu Jiaxin and asked, "How did you do?"
"Not bad."
"Which university did you apply for?"
Lu Jiaxin was getting impatient with her prying questions. However, for Su Hongying's sake, she maintained a smile and replied, "The University of Hong Kong. Aunt Su, I have something to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."
She didn't want to have lunch with these two women; she feared it would be hard to digest. Previously, she had no choice, but now she had her own strength and didn't need to tolerate their attitudes.
Su Hongying understood that her niece-in-law's behavior had upset Lu Jiaxin. She sighed, unsure if Lu Jiaxin's strong personality was a good or bad thing, "Then go and take care of your business. Come back when you have time."
"Okay."
(End of Chapter)
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