Chapter 645: Gifts
Chapter 645: Gifts
The day after the engagement party, Lu Jiaxin took Lu Dashao, Lu Ping, and Lu Shan out shopping, while Lu Hongjun stayed in the hospital.
Lu Dashao admired the goods in Harbour City and Central, but she dared not buy anything. Even when Lu Jiaxin offered, she sincerely refused: "Jiaxin, these things are too expensive. It would be a waste for us. Many people are envious of what we have, and we already live comfortably. It's best to remain low-key."
At Lu Dashao's request, Lu Jiaxin only bought two suits for the brothers to wear on important occasions. As for Lu Dashao herself, Lu Jiaxin gifted her a gold necklace.
Though they didn't buy much, the mother and sons had their eyes opened to the extravagant world of luxury brands. The clothes were priced in the thousands or even tens of thousands, while watches cost hundreds of thousands. The jewelry and bags were also ridiculously priced. Although Si Jiucheng now had more goods than before, the prices were not nearly as exorbitant.
On their way back, Lu Dashao asked, "Jiaxin, I want to go to the wholesale market that Shanzhi mentioned tomorrow. I heard the goods there are quite good."
The quality of the goods in Harbour City and Central was undoubtedly superior, but the prices were out of reach for most people. On the other hand, the wholesale market offered better value for money.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "Tomorrow, let Lu Ping accompany Dad. Shanzhi can take you to the wholesale market."
Lu Ping was more than happy to oblige, as shopping was exhausting. He preferred to stay in the hospital, where he could rest or read while Shifu went through his rehabilitation exercises. Shopping, on the other hand, involved endless walking and was both boring and tiring.
The next morning, Lu Jiaxin gave Lu Dashao three thousand Hong Kong dollars. When she was refused, Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "Sis, take this money first. If you don't use it while shopping, you can give it back to me later."
Lu Shan also chimed in, "Aunt, just take it."
Once they arrived at the wholesale market, Lu Dashao understood why Lu Shan had advised her to keep the money. There were too many good things, and once she started buying, she couldn't stop. She not only spent the six thousand Hong Kong dollars she had brought with her but also went through the three thousand she had borrowed from Lu Jiaxin.
That evening, Lu Dashao said apologetically, "Jiaxin, I'm sorry. I got carried away with shopping. When I get back, I'll sell some things and transfer the money to you."
Lu Jiaxin didn't refuse but said, "Don't bother with the transfer; there will be fees. Just give the money to Secretary Tong to cover Dad's daily expenses."
"Okay," Lu Dashao agreed.
Coincidentally, Su Heyuan and Su Heming were returning to Si Jiucheng that day, so Lu Jiaxin arranged for Lu Hongjun and Lu Dashao to travel with them. With more people, they could each carry a large suitcase or bag, ensuring they could bring back all their purchases without issue at customs.
Meeting at the port, Su Heyuan was surprised to see Lu Hongjun, "I thought he was supposed to stay here for further rehabilitation. Why is he going back?"
Lu Jiaxin explained, "The doctor said it would be best for him to continue rehabilitation for another two months, but he doesn't want to stay. He says there's no one to talk to here, and he feels bored and lonely. The doctor agrees that his mood is more important than the rehabilitation."
She had assumed Lu Hongjun would be afraid to die and would stay for the treatment, but he didn't want to be left behind when Lu Ping and Lu Shan returned. He complained about having no one to talk to and preferred to seek treatment from a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner back home.
Lu Jiaxin respected his decision. While rehabilitation could speed up his recovery, he could also heal slowly without it.
Su Heyuan nodded, "Don't worry, I'll make sure he gets home safely."
"Aren't you going to Pengcheng? Why are you heading back to the mainland?" Lu Jiaxin asked.
Su Heyuan explained, "There's a bit of a conflict that needs my attention. I'll be back in three days at most."
With only a week left until the wedding, there were still many things to be done.
Su Heyuan watched as Lu Shan supported Lu Hongjun, feeling that Lu Hongjun had finally made a wise decision. Although Lu Shan lacked ability, he was loyal, honest, and filial.
By five in the afternoon, their plane touched down, and by six, they were back in Si Jiucheng. Lu Hongjun stayed at the Chaoyang residence once more. Previously, Lu Jiaxin had not allowed him to stay in the larger Shichahai house, and although he had wanted to live there, after a month, he found it boring. In Chaoyang, he could spend his days in the park or chatting with people, and Lu Jiaxin, Wang Xiaojie, and the children visited him daily. Even Lu Jiagong and his wife came to see him every few days. At Shichahai, his nephew and niece-in-law only visited once a week.
Lu Shan unpacked their things and planned to head home the next day when the aunt and caregiver arrived. Before leaving, he instructed the aunt to cook a nourishing tonic for Lu Hongjun to drink every morning and night.
Dama knew that Lu Hongjun had returned home the previous night, but the aunt and caregiver had not yet arrived. Seeing them, she curiously asked, "Was the engagement banquet grand, Uncle Lu?"
Lu Shan nodded, "It was very grand. Many influential guests attended, including the second and third richest men in Hong Kong, the Governor's wife, and the Chairman of the Securities Association... But I didn't know any of them, so I just sat quietly in my seat."
Like the others, he had been too afraid to speak lest he embarrass himself and invite ridicule.
Dama agreed with his approach, "You did the right thing. You couldn't lose face for Aunt Lu, but you also couldn't hold her back."
Lu Shan took out an exquisite jewelry box containing a delicate gold necklace. "Your mother-in-law has one too, and she's already wearing it. Let me put this on you."
"Do they all have one?" Dama asked.
Lu Shan shook his head, "No, only your mother-in-law and you. My mother and Third Aunt don't. Just know about this, but don't mention it to Mother."
Hearing this, Dama sighed, "Aunt Lu didn't invite Father and Mother or Xiaqiu to the engagement banquet. It's clear she doesn't intend to maintain ties with our family."
If they weren't invited to the engagement banquet, they certainly wouldn't be invited to the wedding. In the countryside, it was an unspoken rule that if a family wasn't invited to wedding or funeral events, it meant the two families would no longer associate with each other.
Thinking about this made Lu Shan's anger flare up again, "Father thinks he's being subtle, but he doesn't realize that Aunt Lu saw through his intentions right away. Yet he still believes he's in the right and is doing this for me and the children. I have a house and a business here. We don't need his help."
Dama also resented Lu Jiazhong, as he caused nothing but trouble. Previously, he had caused a stir by arranging for Second Brother to marry Peng Xiangye, and now he had created another mess that upset Grandfather and Aunt Lu. "I just feel sorry for Mother. She takes care of everything at home, and Father doesn't help at all. He only adds to her burdens."
Lu Shan also sympathized with Lu Ersao but felt helpless about the situation, "We can only try to slowly persuade Mother. Thankfully, Taozi will be transferred back to Si Jiucheng soon, so Mother will have one less thing to worry about."
"Taozi is being transferred back here? Who told you that?" Dama asked.
Lu Shan smiled, "Your mother-in-law told me on the way here. The transfer procedure is already underway, and he'll be back by December at the latest."
Dama was delighted to hear this. Lu Ersao had always treated her well, and she wanted her to be happy.
(End of Chapter)
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