Chapter 318: Taking What They Need
Chapter 318: Taking What They Need
After meeting with his prospective partner, Tang Sufeng, Lu Hongjun was keen on pursuing a relationship. He was attracted to her gentle and considerate nature, while she admired his generosity and boldness.
One day, Lu Hongjun approached Lu Jiajie and shared his intention to marry Tang Sufeng. "Your Aunt Tang is kind and understanding, and she's an excellent cook. I want to marry her, and there's no need to hire a nanny. She can help take care of Qiangqiang and Xiaofeng," he said.
Without hesitation, Lu Jiajie rejected the idea. "Uncle San, that woman is not a good person. She used to have a relationship with someone called Old Hu. He paid for her child's education and found a job for her daughter. But as soon as he was transferred, she turned her back on him," he argued.
Lu Hongjun dismissed these accusations as slander. "Aunt Tang is not like that," he insisted.
The uncle and nephew argued over this matter, with Lu Jiajie storming out in anger. Instead of turning to his friends, he went directly to Lu JiaGuang to vent his frustration, mindful of keeping family matters private.
Lu Jiajie complained, "Big brother, after Aunt Tang heard that Uncle San intended to leave his property to Jiaxin, she said she only wanted him for himself and didn't care about the house. Their family of six lives in a tiny two-room space. How could we possibly live there? Where would we even sleep?"
He continued with disdain, "And Uncle San, can't he see what kind of women he's getting involved with? It's obvious that they're after his house and his generous pension. Why can't he understand that?"
Lu JiaGuang, ever the insightful one, replied, "It's not that he doesn't understand. He wants someone beautiful and good at flattering him. A younger woman who is both attractive and skilled at pleasing him—why would she want him?"
As the former general manager of the department store, Uncle San had to navigate complex relationships to maintain his position for over two decades. His capabilities and judgment were unquestionable. Both parties were aware of their mutual desires, and their relationship was simply a matter of taking what they needed from each other.
Lu Jiajie, frustrated, exclaimed, "First Ding Jing, now Tang Sufeng. When will it end?" He had initially believed that he could drive a wedge between them, but their relationship had heated up quickly, and the more he thought about it, the more upset he became. Even at their age, they still craved drama and intrigue.
Lu JiaGuang, however, remained philosophical. "If he wants to find someone, we can't stop him. Let him be. In the end, Jiaxin took most of his private collection, so she'll be the one to handle any issues that come up."
Hearing this, Lu Jiajie sensed something amiss. "What do you mean 'most of it'? I thought Uncle San said he gave it all to Jiaxin."
"Do you really think Uncle San would give away all his private collection to Jiaxin, considering their strained relationship? " Lu JiaGuang asked.
Lu Jiajie paused to consider this. Indeed, with the father-daughter relationship so tense, Uncle San would surely keep something for himself. "Big brother, do you know if Uncle San has any other valuables?" he asked.
Lu JiaGuang couldn't possibly know; he wasn't clairvoyant. "Those things are his retirement plan. He won't give them up easily, so don't bother asking," he replied.
"I'm just worried he'll give them to that woman," Lu Jiajie said.
Lu JiaGuang had considered this possibility before, but he didn't think it likely. "Jiajie, if Uncle San doesn't trust his own daughter, why would he trust a woman he just married? Those items are his last resort. He won't part with them unless his life depends on it."
Lu Jiajie said, "Who knows if that woman will swindle him out of his possessions and money, just like Ding Jing did?"
Lu Jiaguang shook his head and replied, "Ding Jing didn't know about San Yu's private collection. Otherwise, she wouldn't have only asked for a house in the divorce settlement."
Given Ding Jing's greedy nature, had she known about San Yu's vast collection, she would have made exorbitant demands. The fact that she didn't indicated that she was unaware of his hidden treasures.
Lu Jiajie pondered his brother's words and found them reasonable. However, the thought of Lu Hongjun remarrying so soon after his previous marriage left a bitter taste in his mouth. Having witnessed Lu Hongjun's cold and callous treatment of Jia Xin, he had believed that his love for Ding Jing was genuine. But now, not long after Ding Jing's departure, Lu Hongjun was ready to marry again.
The more Lu Jiajie thought about it, the more unsettled he felt. His tone turned sharp as he asked, "Big brother, what do you think of San Yu's new wife and children?"
San Yu had shared a loving relationship with his previous wife for many years, only to set her aside and forget about her and their daughter after remarrying.
Lu Jiaguang felt that Lu Jiajie was making a mountain out of a molehill. "San Yu's later years are none of our concern. We have Jia Xin to support him, and we can lend a hand if needed."
In fact, Lu Hongjun's remarriage could be beneficial for them. If he fell ill, his new wife would be the one caring for him.
Two days later, Lu Hongjun invited Lu Jiaguang to his home and shared his plans to register his marriage with Tang Sufeng. "Your Aunt Tang doesn't want to make a fuss at her age, so we'll skip the grand wedding banquet and avoid becoming a laughingstock. After we obtain the marriage certificate, our families can have a meal together."
Without hesitation, Lu Jiaguang declined, citing an upcoming business trip with an uncertain return date, even though it was only for a week. He had no desire to dine with Tang Sufeng's family or have any association with them. Initially, he had considered buying a house close to Lu Hongjun's, but seeing his uncle's haste to remarry, he felt it would be better to maintain a distance between the two families.
Upon hearing about the marriage registration, Lu Jiajie objected as well. "Uncle San, you can host a few tables for you and Aunt Tang, so everyone can get to know her. But registering the marriage is out of the question."
"How can that be?" Lu Hongjun asked. "Without a marriage certificate, we won't be legally recognized as husband and wife."
Lu Jiajie bluntly replied, "So what if you're legally married? Does that mean she'll be buried with you after her death? Do you think her children will agree to that?"
He continued, "As the old saying goes, 'Like begets like.' Given Tang Sufeng's scheming nature, her children must have picked up similar habits. When you're old and frail, do you think you can rely on them? By then, they might be enjoying your retirement pension while you lie in bed, hungry and cold."
Lu Hongjun's expression changed slightly. He feared being alone and helpless in his old age, which was why he had given in to Jia Xin's demands for his collection.
Lu Jiajie added fuel to the fire, saying, "Uncle San, Zhao Siying is a perfect example. When you're old and immobile, the only people you can depend on are Jia Xin and us, your nephews."
After a moment of silence, Lu Hongjun said, "I'll discuss this with your Aunt Tang."
Lu Jiajie wasn't satisfied with that response. "Uncle San, it's not just me. Big brother feels the same way. You can host a few tables with Aunt Tang so that everyone knows you're a couple and will be living together. But registering the marriage is absolutely not acceptable."
In reality, even without a marriage certificate, hosting a wedding banquet would be enough for society to recognize them as a married couple. However, Lu Jiajie, with his extensive knowledge and experience, understood the significant difference between having a marriage certificate and not having one.
(End of Chapter)
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