Chapter 616: Xie Kaixiao's Doubts
Chapter 616: Xie Kaixiao's Doubts
Xie Kaixiao had come to see Lu Jiaxin this time to inform her of Lu Hongjun's punishment, but more importantly, to discuss the Eastern Automobile Factory with her. Others may be unaware, but he knew better than anyone that while the Eastern Automobile Factory appeared to be a collaboration between Su Heyuan and the First Automobile Factory, the true mastermind behind it was Lu Jiaxin.
Xie Kaixiao had many questions. Firstly, why would Lu Jiaxin want to open an automobile factory? As far as he knew, she had no interest or expertise in the mechanical industry. It couldn't be a mere hobby either, as five hundred million Hong Kong dollars was no small sum. Su Heyuan had been toiling in Hong Kong for many years, and his net worth was only just reaching that amount.
Seeing the confusion on his face, Lu Jiaxin realized that Su Heyuan hadn't shared her speculations with Xie Kaixiao. She hadn't instructed Su Heyuan to keep it a secret; it was just that he had proven to be very tight-lipped.
The real reason behind her actions couldn't be revealed yet, as the time wasn't right and she lacked sufficient evidence. If she spoke now, it would only add to Xie Kaixiao's worries.
"I think it's too troublesome to buy a small car in our country," Lu Jiaxin explained. "If we can produce them ourselves, anyone with the money will be able to buy one."
Xie Kaixiao asked, "Then why collaborate with AZLK? The best automobile industries are in Germany, followed by America, France, and Italy."
The reason for partnering with AZLK was, of course, to get a bargain, but that couldn't be said aloud. Lu Jiaxin smiled and replied, "SL's automobile industry ranks fifth in the world, just behind the countries you mentioned. AZLK is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the Soviet Union, and they're not far behind those joint ventures with foreign companies."
"Of course, the most important reason is that Mo Keliqi's uncle, a university classmate of Ah Zan, holds an important position at AZLK. With Mo Keliqi's help, we won't be taken advantage of."
Xie Kaixiao didn't think that was the most crucial reason, but since Lu Jiaxin wasn't willing to elaborate and Su Heyuan was as tight-lipped as an oyster, he let it go. He understood that Lu Jiaxin cared deeply about this land and wanted the best for it. Seeing her reluctance to speak further, he didn't press the matter. When the time was right, she would tell him.
Xie Kaixiao called for his secretary and handed Lu Jiaxin a box the size of a palm. Smiling, he said, "Next month is your engagement banquet, and although your Aunt Su and I won't be able to attend, we'd like to wish you happiness in advance."
He hadn't met Nie Zan, but since the Wansheng Hotel was planning to build a five-star hotel in Siyucheng, he would surely come then.
Lu Jiaxin took the box with both hands and thanked him with a smile. She then asked him a few more questions.
Xie Kaixiao was also very busy, so after answering Lu Jiaxin's questions, he took his leave. The higher one's position, the more responsibilities one shoulders.
Lu Jiaxin instructed the kitchen to prepare some food. When it was ready, she called for Xing Ziyang and said, "Take this porridge to my father."
Xing Ziyang agreed.
Lu Jiaxin also told him to arrange for the bodyguards to take turns guarding the hospital. "The healthcare worker will handle his eating, drinking, and personal care. You just need to lend a hand and supervise them. This is considered extra work, and you'll get a ten-yuan subsidy per day."
This was an opportunity for the bodyguards to earn some extra money, so Xing Ziyang happily agreed.
Before he left, Lu Jiaxin gave him one more task. "When you see Lu Shan, tell him to come home and bring Damai with him. I have something to discuss with them."
"Okay," Xing Ziyang replied.
An hour and a half later, the couple arrived. As soon as they saw Lu Jiaxin, Damai apologized, "Aunt, Gou Sheng hasn't been feeling well these past few days, and I've been busy with the shop, so I haven't been able to go to the hospital to take care of Grandpa."
The couple was extremely worried about Old Third, Gou Sheng, and his poor health.
Lu Jiaxin didn't blame them. "It's not possible for both of you to be at the hospital all the time. Someone needs to take care of the children and the shop. I called you here because the case has reached a conclusion."
The couple was taken aback, and Damai asked, "Aunt, what exactly did Grandpa do? Some say he was selling off supplies, while others claim he was dealing in national treasures."
Lu Jiaxin didn't deny the charges. "The accusation of dealing in national treasures is baseless. Someone wanted to target us but failed. However, the charge of selling off supplies is true. He profited sixty-eight thousand yuan from it, and I've already arranged for the money to be returned."
Damai worriedly asked, "Aside from returning the money, will there be a prison sentence?"
Lu Jiaxin reassured her, "No, he won't be imprisoned. Given his condition, he obviously can't serve time in jail. The higher-ups have decided that as long as the money is returned, his welfare benefits will be canceled."
"He won't receive a pension anymore, and the government will reclaim the house in the compound. However, the money he paid for the house will be refunded to you."
Lu Shan was shocked as if he had been struck by lightning. "But they've already given us the house! How can they take it back now?"
Damai, however, glared at him and said to Lu Jiaxin, "Aunt, it's fine. If they take the house back, we'll just buy it ourselves. I'm just worried about how this will affect the children."
Lu Jiaxin looked at her and said, "There won't be a public trial, and since there's no prison sentence, it will only be recorded in his file. This is the best outcome we could hope for."
She had forgotten to ask Xie Kaixiao about this earlier, but she would call him later to bring it up. She hoped that it wouldn't be recorded in the file, as it could affect Gou Dan and Qiongying's future careers.
Damai understood this as well, but she still felt downcast, thinking about her children.
"You'll have to return the house in the compound," Lu Jiaxin said. "But the house on Guangming Road is empty, so I'll give it to you. Tomorrow, go with the lawyer to transfer the ownership."
Lu Jiaxin had no plans to sell the house on Guangming Road, but since it had been unoccupied for so long, it might fall into disrepair. She didn't want to rent it out either, as she was concerned that the tenants might damage the furniture and appliances. Giving it to Lu Shan was the best option, as he was now the offspring of the third wife and, according to the clan's laws, also Lu Mu's grandson.
Lu Shan was flabbergasted. "Aunt, that house is worth several hundred thousand! I can't accept it. Aunt, we've saved up some money these past two years. We've been looking, but we just haven't found a suitable one yet."
"When you were adopted, I promised to give you a house," Lu Jiaxin said. "Since the house in the compound has to be returned, it's only right that I provide you with another one." "This house was left to me by your grandmother, and I won't sell it. She would agree with me giving it to you if she were here." "Take it, the house will fall apart if it remains unoccupied for too long."
Damai loved the house on Guangming Road and couldn't bring herself to refuse. "Aunt," she said, "can we put the house in Gou Dan's name?"
She had been looking at houses since the start of spring but still hadn't found one that satisfied her. She didn't expect it to be as grand as her aunt's mansion, but surely she could find one with a similar layout to the houses on Chaoyang or Guangming Road? Unfortunately, she hadn't been able to find one that met her standards. Whether it was the layout, location, or facilities, she was very pleased with the house on Guangming Road.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "Of course. But you should save up and buy separate houses for Gou Dan and Gou Sheng in the future, so the other children won't feel that you're favoring one over the others."
Just then, Nie Zan called, so Lu Jiaxin let the couple leave early, promising to discuss any other matters when she returned in a few days.
(End of Chapter)
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