Chapter 472: Lu Hongjun's Injury
Chapter 472: Lu Hongjun's Injury
Just as Da Mai had predicted, the Peng family was well aware that they wouldn't be able to get their hands on the house or the shop. Their demands were simply a tactic to extract more compensation.
Lu Shan confirmed this, "Mom said it's impossible for them to get the house or the shop. If they refuse to leave, then they'll just have to stay put. In the end, Aunt Peng demanded two thousand yuan in compensation."
Da Mai exclaimed in shock, "Two thousand yuan? Why don't they just go rob someone?"
Her family's noodle shop was doing well, but after deducting the cost of ingredients and labor, their monthly profit was only around two to two thousand five hundred yuan. This calculation didn't even include her and Shanzi's wages or the rent they paid to Lu Hongjun's family. If those were taken into account, their monthly profit would be closer to a thousand seven to eight hundred yuan. Two thousand yuan was equivalent to a year's worth of hard work for them. Lu Hongjun's parents' noodle shop was smaller, and with the recent impact on their business from the increasing number of eateries around them, they couldn't make two thousand yuan in a year.
Lu Shan continued, "Mom said we don't have that kind of money. She offered three thousand at most, but Aunt Peng refused to back down. She kept crying and making a scene, so Dad finally agreed to give them one thousand yuan in compensation."
Da Mai thought that even three thousand yuan was already a substantial amount. Offering one thousand yuan was extremely generous, and she couldn't help but wonder, "Are they just taking advantage of the fact that Dad owed them a debt of gratitude for saving his life all those years ago? Shanzi, isn't Mom just letting them walk all over her like this?"
Lu Shan sighed, "Mom agreed to give them one thousand yuan, but she set a condition. The Peng family has to write down all the benefits they've received from us over the years, and all three of them have to sign and seal the document. From then on, the two families will have no further ties."
With everything clearly recorded in black and white, the Peng family wouldn't be able to use their so-called gratitude to demand more favors in the future. Lu Ersao had endured a lot over the years, and it seemed that even after moving to Si Jiu City, she still couldn't escape this troublesome relationship.
Da Mai thought that if they could use one thousand yuan to sever the so-called ties of gratitude, it would be worth it. She asked, "Will the Peng family agree to this?"
Lu Shan shook his head, "They refused. Mom said that this marriage was orchestrated by the Peng family in the first place, and if they don't agree to sign the document, she won't get involved in Ah Yun and Peng Xiangye's affairs anymore. If Peng Xiangye wants to file a lawsuit against Lu Yun for hooliganism, then so be it. Mom won't interfere."
Da Mai recalled how Lu Yun and Peng Xiangye's divorce had been dragging on, and Lu Ersao hadn't said a word about it. Now she understood that her mother-in-law had been waiting for this opportunity. Fortunately, her mother-in-law had a plan, otherwise, with the way her father-in-law was handling the situation, all the money the family had earned through their hard work would have gone to the Peng family.
"So, did they agree?" Da Mai asked.
Lu Shan nodded, "They agreed, but Dad and Mom don't have that much money on hand right now. They want to borrow five thousand yuan from us, and I told them I needed to discuss it with you first."
Da Mai was reluctant to lend them the money. While she had been happy to live in the apartment building at first, over time, she had come to prefer living in a single-story house. For one, the houses were more spacious. Secondly, she didn't have to worry about the neighbors complaining about the kids crying or jumping around. She wanted to buy the kind of house that Lu Hongjun lived in, a small courtyard house, but those were expensive and could cost several thousand yuan. She was currently saving up for it, and lending out five thousand yuan would delay her plans for another year.
Housing prices were always increasing, and with every delay, the price would go up even more. However, she knew that it would be impossible for her to refuse her in-laws' request outright.
The next day, Lu Hongjun picked up Dog Egg from the Youth Palace and brought him home. Seeing Da Mai at home instead of at the shop, and noticing her sour expression, he asked, "What's wrong? Did you fight with Shanzi?"
Da Mai shook her head, "It has nothing to do with Shanzi. The Peng family has agreed to the divorce, but they're demanding one thousand yuan in compensation. Your parents have agreed to it, but they don't have enough money, so they want to borrow five thousand from us."
"Grandpa, I'm not a stingy person," Da Mai said. "If Second Uncle needed the money for something legitimate, I wouldn't hesitate to lend it to him. But the thought of lending him money for a divorce just doesn't sit right with me."
Lu Hongjun tried to persuade her, "Your parents are a little tight on money right now, but once their situation improves, they'll pay you back."
Da Mai understood the logic behind it, but she still felt uncomfortable with the idea, "Previously, Peng Xiangye was crying and kneeling, begging us to let her adopt Dog Sheng, just so she could avoid the divorce.
Da Mai disagreed with Shanzi, and she cursed at us. Now she wants compensation from me and even wants me to help gather the money. Where's the logic in that?"
If it weren't for the previous incidents, she would have lent them the money, and her in-laws would have repaid her. But after the adoption and the curses, she didn't want anything to do with them.
"Adoption? What adoption?"
It was then that Da Mai realized she hadn't told Lu Hongjun about the adoption. It wasn't that she was deliberately hiding it, but Shanzi felt it was better to let sleeping dogs lie, as they knew her in-laws wouldn't agree.
Upon learning the whole story, Lu Hongjun stormed out. He went to Xiu Shui Street and found Lu Jia Zong, giving him a thorough dressing-down. "There's no reason Lu Yun can't have children of his own. What kind of adoption are they talking about? The Peng family did save your life, but we've given them enough over the years. If they still feel it's not enough, then they can take your life as compensation. No one in the family will stop them."
After berating Lu Jia Zong, he turned his wrath on Lu Ersao. "You act so mighty at home, but outside, you're worth less than a worm. And now you want to compensate them with one hundred thousand yuan? Their entire family isn't worth even one thousand. Tell the Peng family that we'll give them fifty thousand yuan. If they agree to the divorce, fine; if not, then let them drag it out. If they dare to cause a scene at our shop or home, I'll have the police arrest them."
That evening, Lu Jiaxin received a phone call informing her that Lu Hongjun had injured his back and was in the hospital.
"Who did he get into an accident with?" Lu Jiaxin asked.
The caller was Lu Ersao, and she shamefully explained what had happened. "Peng Xiangye came to ask us for money, and just as she arrived, she overheard San Shu saying that we would only give them fifty thousand yuan. In a fit of anger, she pushed San Shu, and his back collided with the corner of the table. We rushed him to the hospital because the pain was unbearable."
"What did the doctor say?" Lu Jiaxin inquired.
Lu Ersao replied, "The doctor said he hit his lumbar spine and needs bed rest for a while. Don't worry, I'll make sure someone takes care of San Shu, and your second brother and I will visit him every day."
Lu Jiaxin disagreed. "Doesn't he have a wife? A hired caregiver can't compare to a spouse's care."
Hesitating, Lu Ersao eventually agreed.
Lu Jiaxin instructed, "After Lu Yun's divorce is finalized, send him back to our hometown. With Great Uncle watching over him, he won't dare to act recklessly. If he insists on staying in Si Jiu City, don't expect to have any peace."
In Lu Ersao's eyes, Lu Hongjun's injury was a result of his anger toward Lu Yun. However, sending him back to their hometown would be a good solution. Out of sight, out of mind. Besides, they were already exhausted from work, and they didn't need the added stress of dealing with his messes. Recently, her mood had been affected, and she felt a subtle discomfort in her chest.
Lu Ersao said, "It's good that he's going back to finalize the divorce with Xiangye. He can stay in our hometown and take care of Grandpa and Grandma."
Lu Jiaxin acknowledged with an "en." "As for Dad's medical expenses, nursing fees, and nutritional expenses, the Peng family will have to cover them. If they don't have the money, deduct it from the compensation you're giving to Peng Xiangye. If they disagree or dare to cause trouble, call the police and have them locked up for ten days or half a month. That will teach them a lesson."
"Okay," Lu Ersao replied.
Since it was an international call, Lu Ersao asked Lu Jiaxin about her well-being and hung up after learning that she was doing fine.
Subsequently, Lu Ersao called their hometown again.
After making the call, Lu Ersao turned to Lu Jia Zong and said, "I just called your parents and told them about Lu Yun and Xiangye. They agree that a divorce is the best course of action, and they plan to find a clever, virtuous, and capable wife for Ah Yun after the divorce is finalized."
Lu Jia Zong remained silent, his mood somber.
(End of Chapter)
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