Chapter 511: Like Hell (1)
Chapter 511: Like Hell (1)
Lao Geng had intended to drop Lu Jiajie off at the Lu family's door in Si Jiu City and then leave, considering the task complete once he delivered him home.
Lu Jiajie, noticing his intention to depart, grabbed his arm and said, "Brother, I got to know a few people while in the mines, including two from Si Jiu City. If their families can afford the ransom, could you help get them out too?"
Lao Geng looked at him, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, and asked, "Your ransom is 10,000 green coins, and my fee is another 10,000. Moreover, if we try to ransom more people, the other party might increase the price. Are you sure your two friends' families can afford that much? Or, would they be willing to pay that much?"
The mine owner was a local tyrant with connections, but they were primarily motivated by money. If someone was willing to pay a hefty sum to ransom the captives, they would undoubtedly release them.
Lu Jiajie was stunned. "Your fee is 10,000 green coins?"
Seeing his reaction, Lao Geng gave a derisive laugh. "Without a substantial reward, who would go to such lengths to search for someone across great distances? My fee of 10,000 is already on the low end. The two brothers you saw earlier had a fee of 50,000 each. If not for your boss's deep pockets, you wouldn't have survived this year."
This kid was lucky to have such a wealthy and devoted sister. Over 200,000 green coins! His life was indeed valuable, but it was a shame he didn't appreciate his blessings.
Lu Jiajie pondered for a moment before speaking. "When I first arrived, I relied on their help to get by. Otherwise, I wouldn't have made it until you came. Give me two days, and I'll ask their families."
If these two families were willing to pay, it would mean an additional income of 20,000 green coins, and he could finally get some rest. "Alright, I'll come find you in two days."
"My place is spacious and can accommodate guests."
Lao Geng glanced at him and turned to leave. Stay at his place? He wasn't joking, was he? What if the two families couldn't come up with the money and came after him later? People in his line of work preferred clients like Lu Jiajie's boss, who had the means and was willing to spend lavishly to get things done. What they dreaded most were clients who wanted their services but were unwilling or unable to pay. Their work was dangerous, and a single misstep could cost them their lives. If clients haggled over prices or failed to pay, they would simply move on to the next job.
Lu Jiajie let out a bitter laugh. He knew this request wasn't going to be easy, but without the help of those two individuals, he wouldn't have survived those initial days in the mines. Even now, just thinking about his time there filled him with dread, and he often woke up from nightmares in a cold sweat.
When they reached the door, Lu Jiajie realized he didn't have his keys. Fortunately, his eldest brother's house was nearby. However, just as he was about to reach Lu Jiaguang's house, an older woman blocked his path.
The woman asked, "Who are you, and what are you doing in our alley?"
Lu Jiajie offered a bitter smile. "Auntie Li, it's me, Jiajie, son of Lu Hongjun, the third brother. My eldest brother, Lu Jiaguang, also lives here. Oh, and my nephew Jiangqiang and niece Xiaofeng are staying with my eldest brother too."
Auntie Li's eyes widened in shock, and her jaw dropped. "You're Lu Jiajie? How is that possible? It's only been half a year since I last saw you, and you look like this now?"
The man before her was emaciated, with sunken eyes and a sallow complexion, resembling a refugee from the natural disasters of two decades ago, if not worse.
Lu Jiajie had caught glimpses of himself in the mirror and knew that he currently looked like a skeleton. "Auntie Li, I'm sorry, but I need to find my eldest brother and sister-in-law."
It didn't matter if his brother and sister-in-law were at work; his aunt would be home!
Auntie Li, having snapped out of her shock, urged him to go back immediately. She couldn't imagine what he had endured to end up in such a state, but at least he had returned alive, and that was a blessing.
Auntie Li had been on her way to buy soy sauce and took the opportunity to drop by Lu Hongjun's house as she passed by.
Hearing Lu Hongjun in the courtyard, Aunt Li raised her voice and called out, "Comrade Hongjun, your nephew is back."
Lu Hongjun was getting on in years, and his mind wasn't as sharp as it used to be. "Who's back?" he asked.
"Your nephew, Lu Jiajie, is back. Oh dear, he's skin and bones, poor thing. Who knows what he's been through."
Upon hearing this, Lu Hongjun forgot all about his tea and immediately asked his caregiver to take him to Lu Jiaguang's house. When he saw Lu Jiajie, his eyes reddened with heartache.
"Where on earth have you been? We've been searching for you everywhere, but we couldn't find any news of you."
Lu Jiajie helped him to sit down and briefly recounted his experiences over the past year. "Fortunately, Jiaxin has been sending people to look for me all this time. Otherwise, I would have surely died in that mine."
Lu Jiaguang had already informed him about this, so Lu Hongjun didn't bring it up in front of Lu Jiaxin, lest she feel resentful and decide to wash her hands of the matter.
Lu Hongjun didn't scold him either. If he hadn't learned his lesson after going through so much, then he would truly be beyond help. "Have you called your older brother?"
"I just did. Big brother said he'll be back soon. Jiaxin isn't home; the maid answered the phone. Second brother said he'll come later with his wife."
Lu Hongjun said, "I'll take you to see Dr. Zhao this afternoon. He's an expert in orthopedics; he'll be able to give you a thorough check-up."
Lu Jiajie saw that his uncle needed assistance even when walking and felt that he shouldn't trouble him further. "Uncle, just give me the address, and I'll go by myself."
Lu Hongjun waved his hand. "It's fine. I'll give them a call, and they can come pick me up this afternoon."
Lu Jiajie was puzzled. It was only when he asked that he learned that Ms. Gu had returned to Hongcheng, leaving her car for his uncle to use. Of course, it was only to be used for medical appointments or matters concerning the lives of the Lu family members.
"Ms. Gu went back?"
Lu Hongjun sighed. "Ms. Gu has dementia and doesn't recognize people anymore. Jiaxin was afraid that someone might take advantage of her, and with Hongcheng being so far away, she decided to bring her back."
After a pause, he asked, "Have you seen Jiaxin's mansion? It's a grand five-courtyard mansion, spacious and beautiful. In the old days, only royalty and nobles lived in such places."
Lu Jiajie noticed the admiration in his eyes. "Jiaxin rarely returns home, and the mansion has been empty for a long time. If you left that woman, Jiaxin might agree to let you live there."
If he hadn't left that woman with the surname Tang, then forget it. That woman was full of tricks and schemes. Forget about letting her live there; she shouldn't even be allowed to touch the door, or who knows what might go missing from the mansion.
Although Lu Hongjun often threatened to leave Tang Sufin, it was all talk, and he had no intention of actually doing so. At his age, it would be difficult to find someone as compatible as Tang Sufin. "The scenery in that mansion is indeed beautiful. It's fine to go there for a walk, but I won't live there. It's too big and lonely for one person."
Lu Jiajie could only offer suggestions; it was up to his uncle to decide.
Lu Hongjun then told him about the Ma family's actions. "Not long after you went missing, there were rumors outside that you had been harmed and killed. Ma Lilli's parents wanted to take Qiangqiang and Xiaofeng away, but your older brother refused. Unexpectedly, last week, Ma Lilli went to the school and told the children that you were gone and that she wanted to take them back to live with her and their mother."
Lu Jiajie's expression darkened. Ma Lilli had never visited the children since she remarried and became pregnant. Her heart only had room for the child she had with her new husband. Taking the children to live with her was just an excuse; her true purpose was the house and the money he had left behind.
(End of Chapter)
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