Chapter 513: Lu Jiajie Gets Scolded
Chapter 513: Lu Jiajie Gets Scolded
Upon hearing that Lu Jiajie had returned, Lu Jiazong and Lu Shan rushed over to see him. However, instead of joy, they could only feel sorrow for him.
Lu Jiajie comforted them, "It's fortunate that I'm still alive. Give me three to five months, and I'll be back to my old self."
Lu Jiazong said, "Fifth brother, from now on, don't go to such dangerous places anymore. Even if you don't think about yourself, consider your two children. If they really fall into the hands of the Ma family, what future would they have left?"
Lu Jiaguang shot him a disdainful glance, indicating that he would never let Ma Lili and her family take his grandchildren away.
Lu Ersao scolded, "Do you know what you're saying? If you don't, then keep quiet. Are we Lus made of wood that we'd just stand by and let the Ma family take the children?"
Wang Xiaojie added, "Last time, Jiaxin came back and told us that if Jiajie doesn't make it back, we should take good care of the children, and she would cover their expenses."
Even without Jiaxin's words, they would never have let the Ma family take the children. As for money, the 50,000 yuan that Lu Jiajie left behind was more than enough to raise the two children, and they didn't need to rely on Jiaxin's money. Mentioning it now was just to let them know that Jiaxin always cared about the family.
Lu Jiajie felt both touched and regretful.
Wang Xiaojie didn't blame him but said, "Learn from your mistakes, and don't do such dangerous things again. By the way, have you called Jiaxin?"
Lu Jiajie shook his head, indicating that Lu Jiaxin was out. "The maid said she would only be back in the evening, so I plan to call later when it's dark. I really have to thank Jiaxin this time. Otherwise, I would have died there."
Lu Jiaguang said, "Jiajie, you're already thirty years old. Think about your family before you act impulsively."
Lu Jiajie nodded repeatedly.
At eight o'clock in the evening, Lu Jiajie figured that Lu Jiaxin should be home by then, so he went to the study to make a call. The phone connected, but there was no response from the other end.
"Jiaxin, Jiaxin, can you hear me?"
"Go ahead if you have something to say." Her tone indicated her anger.
Lu Jiajie said guiltily, "Jiaxin, I'm sorry. I've caused you worry."
There was still no response from the other end.
Lu Jiajie, in a very low voice, said, "Today I came back, and Big Brother told me that the Ma family came in August to take the children away, but they didn't succeed. Last week, Ma Lili went directly to the children's school. The two children didn't want to live with her, so she told them I was dead. She said that if they didn't go with her, Big Brother and Sister-in-law would occupy the house and money I left behind. Fortunately, Qiangqiang didn't trust her and came back to tell Big Brother and Sister-in-law about it. But the two children thought I was really dead and cried every night, hiding in their blankets so that Big Brother and Sister-in-law wouldn't find out."
Lu Jiaxin, with a cold face, said, "You're alive, so they're temporarily staying with Big Brother and Sister-in-law. If you were dead, they would be orphans, and living with your brother would be considered relying on others' charity."
As for Ma Lili, it would be better if she were dead! If the children had really gone with her, the next step would be to fight for the house and money! In the past, I thought she was a good person, but now I realize that she's rotten to the core.
Lu Jiajie replied with a somber "mm-hmm."
Lu Jiaxin said calmly, "Lu Jiajie, if there's a next time, you can just wait to die! I won't help you."
She wasn't trying to scare him. If he dared to take such risks again, she truly wouldn't lift a finger. This time, she had sent people to look for him because, firstly, she had agreed to the foreign trade business and felt somewhat responsible, and secondly, she didn't want the children to become orphans.
Lu Jiajie dared not utter another word and nodded, "This lifetime, I'll stay put in the country and won't go anywhere."
In the country, if he encountered scheming, he could still find help. But if he was plotted against overseas, with no one to turn to, he could only wait for death. If not for his sister's influence, he would have undoubtedly perished this time.
Though Lu Jiaxin didn't believe his words, as he often agreed only to forget them later, she felt that something needed to be done regarding the Long-haired Country's situation in the coming four years. She decided to discuss it with Nie Zhan the next time he visited, to figure out how to reap the most benefits from the impending dissolution.
Lu Jiaxin didn't want to dwell on the topic further and excused herself, saying she had matters to attend to.
After hanging up, Lu Jiajie found Qiangqiang and Xiaofeng waiting for him outside. With a smile, he asked, "Have you finished your homework?"
The two siblings nodded their heads.
"Then go to sleep quickly."
The brother-sister duo each grabbed one of his arms and said in unison, "Daddy, we want to sleep with you."
Lu Jiajie had intended to find Lu Jiaguang to discuss matters, but seeing the hopeful looks on his children's faces, his heart softened, "Alright, Daddy will sleep with you two."
With the two children by his side, he, too, fell asleep unknowingly. But he was abruptly awakened by Qiangqiang's sudden cries in the middle of the night.
Qiangqiang sat up, crying out, "Daddy, don't die, don't leave me and Feng'er! Daddy, Daddy..."
Xiaofeng also woke up, startled, and joined in the wailing.
Lu Jiajie's heart ached, and his tears fell as he hugged and comforted them. Only he, their father, could reassure them; no one else's words would do. Soon, the three of them fell asleep again.
Lu Jiaguang and Wang Xiaojie were also awakened by the children's cries. Wang Xiaojie sighed in relief, "Fortunately, Jiajie is back. Otherwise, what would become of these two children?"
While they could ensure the children were well fed, clothed, and educated, they couldn't replace the father's role in their hearts.
Thinking of Ma Lili, Wang Xiaojie expressed her confusion, "Is her heart made of stone? How could she say such things to her own flesh and blood? They came from her own body!"
Lu Jiaguang also felt great disdain for Ma Lili, "This matter cannot be left unresolved. I've already spoken to Jiajie, and he will settle the score with the Ma family."
If it were in the past, Wang Xiaojie would have definitely dissuaded him, considering Ma Lili was the children's mother. But after this incident, she felt that Ma Lili didn't deserve the title of mother.
Lu Jiaguang didn't want to discuss that unpleasant woman further and changed the subject, "Previously, Father said that the Lu family's future would depend on Jiaxin. I didn't quite believe it then, but now it seems Father's foresight was correct."
Jiajie was found and brought back from such a remote place, which spoke volumes about Jiaxin's influence. From now on, the children would have to rely on their capable cousin.
Wang Xiaojie smiled, "Everyone in my unit is envious of me for having such a wonderful niece like Jiaxin."
The best residence among their unit leaders was a small quadrangular courtyard, nothing like her spacious two-section compound, obtained through legitimate means.
Though the house was officially a gift, it was essentially a reward. If not for Jiaxin's antique shop in the ancient capital, her husband wouldn't have been able to help her find people to facilitate the matter. While he dared not accept favors when helping others, he had no such reservations when it came to Jiaxin.
Lu Jiaguang smiled, "Yes, our entire family has benefited from Jiaxin's blessings."
(End of Chapter)
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