Chapter 352: Tang Sufen
Chapter 352: Tang Sufen
Lu Jiaxin had lunch at the Xie family's residence. After the meal, the elderly Mr. Xie took a stroll in the backyard to aid digestion, while Xie Kaixiao invited Lu Jiaxin to his study.
Once inside the study, Xie Kaixiao asked, "Why do you wish to make this donation anonymously?"
While Lu Jiaxin hadn't made a big fuss about her previous two donations, those who needed to know still found out. However, this time, it was clear that she didn't want the matter to become public knowledge.
Without offering an explanation, Lu Jiaxin replied, "There's no particular reason. Uncle Xie, can you keep this a secret? If not, just pretend I never mentioned it."
There was no way Xie Kaixiao would refuse such a request. He nodded, assuring her that the matter would be kept confidential. "Jiaxin, Mr. He took away all of Ms. Gu's property. Where did you get so much money?"
Lu Jiaxin was pleased. Apparently, Su Heyuan hadn't disclosed her affairs to the Xie couple. "I earned it myself. As for how I earned it, that's my personal privacy, and I can't discuss it."
Xie Kaixiao quickly changed the subject, engaging her in a conversation about economic matters. Thanks to over half a year of professional and systematic learning, along with Nie Zhan's guidance, he could hold his own in such a discussion.
The two of them chatted for over two hours. By the time they left the study, it was already past three in the afternoon. Lu Jiaxin was feeling sleepy and expressed her intention to return to the hotel for some rest.
"Jiaxin, I'll drive you there," Su Hongying immediately offered.
"Okay," Lu Jiaxin agreed.
Once they were outside, Su Hongying looked around and, seeing no one else, asked, "I heard that Heyuan had a girlfriend but they later broke up for some unknown reason. Jiaxin, have you met that young lady?"
This was Su Heyuan's personal matter, and since they had already parted ways, it shouldn't affect him. Lu Jiaxin acknowledged that she had met Ye Xin, but she had only exchanged a few words with her and didn't know much about her. "Aunt Su, if you want to know about this, it's simple. Just call Heyuan and ask him directly."
Su Hongying shook her head, indicating that even if she asked, she wouldn't pry further. In the past, he would consult her about matters, but ever since he went to Hong Kong City, he kept everything to himself, only sharing good news and never his troubles.
Lu Jiaxin insisted that she truly didn't know the details. "Aunt Su, you said yourself that he broke up with that young lady. Since they're no longer together, there's no point in asking further. If you want him to get married soon, you can ask someone to introduce potential partners to him. Your brother is a very pragmatic person. As long as the lady can help him in his career, there's a high chance it will work out."
Su Hongying didn't like the sound of that. "Marriage is about two people who love each other coming together naturally. It's not a business transaction. Jiaxin, don't let his mindset influence you."
She had married Xie Kaixiao partly because she wanted someone to protect her and her family, but also because she genuinely cared for him.
Since she couldn't change her nephew's mindset, she hoped that Lu Jiaxin wouldn't marry for the sake of benefits either.
Lu Jiaxin was taken aback for a moment before realizing what Su Hongying meant. Smiling, she said, "Aunt Su, I'm with Nie Zhan because I like him, and he's the same. From the start, he pursued me with the intention of marrying me."
"You're still young. The future is unpredictable," Su Hongying said.
Lu Jiaxin felt even more reassured by those words. If they were to part ways in the future, she hoped they would both find happiness. As for remaining friends after a breakup, she didn't think that was possible unless they had never truly loved each other.
As soon as Lu Jiaxin got into the car, she dozed off.
Watching the taxi drive away, Su Hongying murmured to herself, "I wonder if going to Hong Kong City is really a good thing for you?"
Upon returning to the hotel, Lu Jiaxin went straight to bed. When she woke up, Qian Xiaoxiao informed her that someone wanted to see her. She had been thinking of turning that person away, but then she remembered Gu Wenfeng's words and decided not to.
"Who is it?"
"It's that woman your father married, the one surnamed Tang."
"What does she want?"
Qian Xiaoxiao indicated that she didn't know. "She's been waiting in the lobby downstairs. Miss Jiaxin, if you don't want to see her, I'll send her away right now."
"Did she come alone or with my father?"
Upon hearing that Tang Sufen had come alone, Lu Jiaxin nodded and said, "Bring her up."
After a while, Qian Xiaoxiao returned with a woman dressed in a bright red cotton jacket. She had a fair and elastic complexion, with barely any wrinkles, and appeared to be in her mid-thirties. Her features were pleasant, and her skin was well-maintained, a rare sight for a widow in her forties raising five children.
As soon as Tang Sufen entered the room, she spotted a young and beautiful girl sitting in a chair, reading a book. A warm smile spread across her face as she took a few steps forward and said, "Jiaxin, I'm your Aunt Tang..."
Leaning back in her chair, Lu Jiaxin interrupted her with an expressionless face. "Get to the point. My time is precious."
Tang Sufen earnestly said, "Jiaxin, I know there's some misunderstanding between you and your father. But blood is thicker than water. I came here to invite you home. Sit down and talk with your father to clear the air and resolve any misunderstandings."
Lu Jiaxin looked at her and let out a soft laugh before asking, "How much money did my father spend on your son's engagement and wedding? Was it your money, or did my old man pay for it?"
Although Tang Sufen had expected Lu Jiaxin to be difficult, she hadn't anticipated such tenacity. Nonetheless, she maintained her smile and replied, "Jiaxin, I know your brother and sister-in-law hold biases against me. But I can assure you that all the expenses for my son's wedding were from my own savings."
"Would you dare to swear an oath on that? If there's a single word of lie, may your five children meet with misfortune."
Finally, Tang Sufen's expression changed, but she quickly regained her composure. "Jiaxin, your father only has you as his daughter. He was momentarily bewitched by a malicious woman, but in truth, you are the one he cherishes the most."
Lu Jiaxin didn't interrupt.
Tang Sufen continued, "After I married your father, he often talked to me about you. He told me how you liked to ride on his back when you were little, how you enjoyed going to the zoo and the park, and how you loved ice skating at Shichahai... Jiaxin, your father misses you dearly. Sometimes, he misses you so much that he can't sleep."
"Jiaxin, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive your father for his momentary lapse in judgment. Give him a chance to make amends and rectify his mistake. After all, he is your father, and he's already at an advanced age with poor health. If you don't forgive him now, you may regret it later when it's too late."
If it had been the original owner of this body, she might have been moved by such sincere persuasion. Unfortunately, the original owner was no more, so forgiveness was out of the question.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "You're putting in so much effort to reconcile our father-daughter relationship because you know that my aunt has a net worth of hundreds of millions, and you've heard that I effortlessly donated several hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars, right? So, my father's meager retirement fund is no longer enough for you."
Tang Sufen's face twitched slightly. "Jiaxin, how can you think that? I married your father because I genuinely care for him."
Lu Jiaxin scoffed. "Go ahead and admit that you're after his large house and substantial retirement fund. I won't look down on you for that. After all, who doesn't love a big house and money? But for you to claim that you value his kindness? This man, devoid of loyalty and righteousness, and you speak of his kindness? This joke will keep me laughing for a year."
(End of Chapter)
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