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Chapter 551: Lu Jiaxin Holds a Grudge
Chapter 551: Lu Jiaxin Holds a Grudge
Seventh Granduncle intended to gather the entire village to discuss the matter and didn't continue the conversation with Lu Jiaxin. He got up, preparing to leave.
According to age-old customs, a daughter's family had no claim to her ancestral property once she was married. Attempting to break this tradition would be challenging, but it was a trial worth undertaking. Before his demise, he wanted to rebuild the ancestral hall, replacing the current dilapidated structure with a new one. Then, after his passing, he could be carried up the mountain from the new hall.
Lu Jiaxin said, "Granduncle, I'll be returning the day after tomorrow. I hope you can expedite this matter."
After seeing Seventh Granduncle out, the Eldest Grandaunt said, "Child, why are your ambitions so grand? Even if you have ideas, you should discuss them with us first."
Having come this far, Lu Jiaxin was no longer inclined to heed their lectures. "If you want my money, you'll have to comply with my requests. Otherwise, don't bother asking."
Eldest Grandaunt was initially taken aback but soon realized her mistake. She always considered Jiaxin a child at twenty years old, but in reality, her niece had already forged a successful career for herself. There was little that Jiaxin couldn't handle on her own, and she didn't need their instruction.
Understanding this, Eldest Grandaunt quickly changed the subject. "What would you like to eat? I'll make it for you."
"I feel like having lamb dumplings."
If it had been her own grandchildren, Eldest Grandaunt would have said that she would buy the ingredients tomorrow. But with Lu Jiaxin, it was a different matter. "Alright, I'll ask your Third Grandaunt to buy some lamb right now. But it'll take some time to slaughter the lamb and make the dumplings, so I'll cook some noodles for you first to fill your stomach."
Third Grandaunt asked, "Mother, where can we buy lamb at this hour?"
Eldest Grandaunt felt that she was being obtuse. "Go to Old Gen's place and buy a lamb. Ask him to slaughter it and send it over, and tell him to hurry."
Upon hearing this, Third Grandaunt hurried off. There would be plenty of meat and bones from a whole lamb—enough to make dumplings and have some left over for a stew. Yes, they would have a feast tonight.
After the long journey from the provincial city, Lu Jiaxin was feeling sore and achy. She wanted to lie down and rest. "Grandaunt, I'm feeling tired. I'd like to take a nap."
"Wait here, and I'll prepare the bed for you."
Currently, only Lu Jiayao and his wife were at home, as the younger generation had all left. The couple had previously gone to Si Jiu City, hoping to find work there, but the language barrier and hard labor had proven too much, and they had eventually returned home. Coincidentally, Eldest Granduncle and Grandaunt had found city life uncomfortable and wanted to come back, so they had stayed to take care of the elders.
Lu Jiaxin followed them into the house and saw that it was neat and tidy. "Grandaunt, just tell me where the things are, and I'll set up the bed myself."
Eldest Grandaunt understood her temperament and handed her the rolled-up bamboo mattress. She then took out a thin quilt from the cabinet. "Jiaxin, go and rest in my room first. It's been two months since anyone stayed in this room, and there might be mosquitoes or insects. I'll fumigate it with mugwort first."
It was mainly because Lu Jiaxin hadn't informed them of her visit beforehand; otherwise, they would have prepared everything. Fortunately, she valued cleanliness and made sure to clean the rooms once a week.
Lu Jiaxin didn't want to sleep in Eldest Granduncle's room. "Just hang a mosquito net, and it'll be fine."
"Alright, if that's what you prefer."
As they hung the mosquito net, Lu Jiaxin said, "Grandaunt, don't invite Second Granduncle and Second Grandaunt for dinner. I don't want to see them."
Eldest Grandaunt had intended to invite Second Granduncle's family but tried to persuade Jiaxin upon hearing this. "Jiaxin, it's been so long. Don't hold a grudge anymore."
Lu Jiaxin said, "If they had just said a few unpleasant things, I wouldn't mind. But they wanted to occupy my house back then. Now that they know I have money, they must be plotting to get their hands on it."
"Also, if they come, they'll definitely ask me to take care of their sons and sons-in-law. Fourth Cousin is fine—he's diligent and family-oriented. But those two cousins-in-law of mine are good-for-nothings. One gambles, and the other womanizes. I don't want to have anything to do with such scoundrels."
"Grandaunt, I rarely get a chance to come back. I just want to spend time with you, offer incense to our ancestors, and have a pleasant trip. I don't want to return home with a bellyful of anger. If that happens, I won't come back again."
If Eldest Grandaunt didn't take her words seriously, there was no point in staying. Lu Jiaxin had reached her current position through her own hard work, and she wouldn't let anyone stand in her way.
Eldest Grandaunt could only drop the subject.
Lu Jiaxin was truly exhausted, and after the mosquito net was hung, she lay down and fell asleep quickly. Miao Na, knowing that she disliked the heat, brought over an electric fan from Eldest Granduncle's room.
When Second Granduncle and Second Grandaunt heard that Lu Jiaxin had returned, they rushed over immediately. "Big Sister-in-law, is Jiaxin back? Where is she?"
Seeing their excited expressions, Eldest Grandaunt sighed. "Jiaxin is sleeping. Go back, Second Brother."
Second Grandaunt's expression changed. "Big Sister-in-law, you've given so much to your family, and I've never complained. But now you won't even let me see Jiaxin? How can you be like this?"
They had to rely on Eldest Granduncle and Grandaunt, or they would have started shouting by now.
Eldest Grandaunt didn't hide the truth and relayed Lu Jiaxin's words verbatim. She had been married into the family for many years and knew this couple's nature all too well. If she didn't tell them exactly what Jiaxin had said, they wouldn't leave.
After hearing this, Second Grandaunt's heart sank, but she still tried to justify herself. "Big Sister-in-law, I only suggested staying at her place for a couple of days because I thought it was a waste of money to stay at an inn. To say that I wanted to take over her house is a grave injustice!"
Seeing that they still hadn't left, Eldest Grandaunt frowned. "Little Sister, if you can't even convince me and your eldest brother-in-law, how do you expect Jiaxin to believe you? If you leave now, I'll ask Jiayao to send a lamb shank to your place later. You can cook it for dinner. But if you insist on staying and anger Jiaxin, you won't get the lamb shank, and we won't interfere in your matters anymore."
Second Granduncle was pragmatic and pushed his wife. "Alright, Big Sister-in-law. We're leaving."
After the couple left, Second Grandaunt grumbled, "It's been so many years. This girl holds a grudge."
If they had known she would amount to so much, they would have treated her better back then. But because of the house incident, she had disliked them, and now they couldn't get any benefits from her success.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but curse Ma Lilli. If that wench hadn't told Jiaxin about their plans, how would she have known that they intended to break into her house?
Second Granduncle said, "Stop grumbling. Aren't you the one who loves stir-fried lamb with scallions the most? Go and pull some scallions from the field, and I'll clean the pot when I get home."
Previously, Lu Jiajie had given them thirty yuan every month (the amount had increased by ten yuan due to inflation), but since his disappearance last year, the money had stopped coming, and he hadn't resumed the allowance after returning. As a result, they couldn't even afford meat now, and they had to rely on Eldest Granduncle's family for a treat. It was rare to get a lamb shank, and they could finally indulge themselves.
(End of Chapter)
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