Chapter 284: I'd Rather Die Than Get a Divorce (2)
Chapter 284: I'd Rather Die Than Get a Divorce (2)
Mary was adamant about not getting a divorce, despite her parents' pleas. Lu Jiajie, on the other hand, moved out that very night and went to stay with Lu Hongjun.
Lu Hongjun was also displeased with Mary. Since his retirement, she had barely visited him, and when he fell ill, she had only rushed over once. Nonetheless, he still disagreed with the idea of divorce.
Lu Jiajie said, "Uncle San, I've made up my mind. After the divorce, I'll take the kids and live with you. I've asked Mrs. Song to come and take care of the household chores—all I need is for you to help me with the school runs."
Lu Hongjun's expression changed slightly. He had recently been introduced to a woman through a mutual acquaintance. She was 41 years old, attractive, and well-proportioned, and they had hit it off instantly. If Lu Jiajie moved in with his children, she might change her mind about the relationship. However, as he still relied on Lu Jiajie to care for him when he was ill, he couldn't exactly refuse, so he gently implied that he would be moving out soon.
"Move out? Where to?"
"Jiaxin promised to buy me a flat. She's been busy lately, but she said she'll be back soon to look at properties. I don't want to stay in this compound anymore—there are too many gossipy neighbors."
"The unit is currently discussing housing reform, and we should have a decision by the end of the year."
Lu Jiajie nodded. "When Jiaxin buys her house, I'll buy one nearby too. That way, we can still look out for each other."
Lu Hongjun thought this was a great idea. With his nephew and great-nephew living close by, he wouldn't have to worry about anything happening to them. "Alright, when Jiaxin comes back, I'll ask your father to talk to her about buying a place in a good location with convenient transportation."
"No need for Dad to get involved. I'll find a place myself."
Lu Hongjun's heart stirred. "Then take your time and find a good one. When the time comes, persuade your father to buy a place nearby too. That way, if anything happens, the three families can support each other."
Lu Jiajie also preferred to live together, but considering Lu Hongguang's meager fixed income from his unit, he doubted he could afford it. He gently said, "Uncle San, the one-bedroom flats like mine cost over ten thousand. I don't think my father has that kind of money."
"They've been living in a 500-square-foot flat with six people. When the kids were small, it was manageable, but now that they're growing up and Lu Ping will be marrying soon, it won't be possible. Your brother and his wife must have saved up over the years, and I have some savings too. If it's not enough, I can lend him some. Jiajie, your brother has taken care of you over the years, and now that you're capable, it's time to return the favor."
Naturally, Lu Jiajie had no objections. "I'm fine with it, but I'm afraid my brother might not be. Uncle San, when the time comes, we'll persuade him. We can't let the kids suffer for the sake of his pride."
"Don't worry, I will."
Two days later, Mary came begging to Lu Hongjun, pleading with him to convince Lu Jiajie not to divorce her.
Lu Hongjun was a very cunning man, and he chose to employ an indirect strategy. "If you agree to a condition of mine, I can persuade Jiajie not to divorce you and to live happily with you."
"Tell me, I'll agree as long as it's something I can do," Mary replied eagerly.
Lu Hongjun's condition was for Mary to quit her job and move to Sheep City with the children. "If you can't let go of your parents, then send them a monthly allowance. Your sister and brother-in-law are there to take care of them, and now they have a grandchild too. You don't need to worry about their health."
Mary immediately refused upon hearing this.
"Why does Jiajie want a divorce? It's not just because of your boundless support for your parents, but also because he's afraid of how it might influence the children," Lu Hongjun explained.
He believed that divorce would be detrimental to the children. If Mary was willing to move to Sheep City and distance herself from the Ma family, he would consider persuading Lu Jiajie against the divorce for the children's sake.
Mary begged on Jiajiu's behalf, explaining that the child was still young and naive and that she had already explained the seriousness of the matter to him, and he wouldn't dare to do it again.
Lu Hongjun was not a patient man, and seeing her disagree, he didn't want to waste any more words. As for what Mary had done, it was only for the sake of the two children that he had come up with such a plan. If she disagreed with his suggestion, then the divorce was her own doing.
After she left, Lu Hongjun called Wang Xiaojie: "I know she will go to you and Jiaguang for help. This is their marital issue, so don't get involved."
Wang Xiaojie had no intention of meddling. Thinking back to how kind Jiaxin had been to their family, not only buying clothes and toys for the children and letting them stay at her place, but also helping Jiajie with his business and lending them money to buy a house. In the end, it was because she wouldn't lend them money to support her parents that Mary held a grudge and even blamed Jiaxin for their marital problems. With Jiaxin as a precedent, Wang Xiaojie decided to stay out of their affairs.
Two days later, Mary indeed went to find Wang Xiaojie, begging her to help persuade Lu Jiajie. She was truly against the idea of a divorce. Having undergone tubal ligation and being almost thirty years old, her options for remarriage were limited to widowers with children. She didn't want to raise someone else's children, unsure if they would be dependable, and worried that her own children would grow distant from her as they aged.
Wang Xiaojie didn't claim that she couldn't persuade him; instead, she said, "Yesterday, San Uncle came to our house and talked about your situation. He doesn't want you to get a divorce either, and he asked me to convince you to quit your job and move to Sheep City. Mary, I think San Uncle's suggestion is worth considering. Think it over carefully."
Mary shook her head without hesitation. "My parents are getting old, and my eldest sister and brother-in-law are not reliable. If I move to Sheep City, there will be no one to take care of them."
At this point, she was still thinking about her parents. While her filial piety was unquestionable, the more she prioritized her parents, the more determined Jiajie became to divorce her. This showed how tightly the Ma family controlled her, and without a divorce, there would be no peace for him.
After much pleading from Mary, Wang Xiaojie finally agreed to ask Jiajie about it. She didn't deceive Mary but genuinely went to ask him.
"Jiajie, if you and Mary get divorced, have you thought about what will happen to your two children?"
Lu Jiajie shared his plans: "Qiangqiang and Xiaofeng are older now and can take care of themselves. San Uncle has also promised to help with their transportation needs."
"Jiajie, do you really have to get a divorce? You have two children together. Isn't there any room for reconciliation?"
Lu Jiajie fell silent for a moment before replying, "Big Sister, I'm not lying to you. Before, although I was dissatisfied with her, I didn't consider divorce because of the children. But if things continue like this, she and her family will influence Xiaofeng. I can't let them ruin her."
Qiangqiang was older and understood the situation, so he rejected the Ma family. However, Xiaofeng was still young and easily manipulated, as evidenced by the previous incident.
Wang Xiaojie didn't try to persuade him further.
After proposing the divorce, Lu Jiajie also had a hard time. On the one hand, many people advised him to consider the children and not get a divorce. On the other hand, some believed he wanted to divorce because he had another woman.
A Le also advised him to think carefully, as the children would face discrimination and bullying, whether playing with friends or going to school.
Lu Jiajie explained what Mary had done: "She took the clothes, toys, and milk powder I bought for the children and gave them to Ma Jixiang. Worse still, she colluded with the Ma family to spread rumors that we often argued and that it was all Jiaxin's fault. Qiangqiang is older and doesn't believe her, but Xiaofeng is still young and easily influenced."
"A Le, you know me better than anyone. Everything I have achieved today is thanks to Jiaxin. She not only gave me opportunities but also taught me how to do business."
A Le didn't try to dissuade him further.
(End of Chapter)
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