Chapter 662: The Great Barrier Reef
Chapter 662: The Great Barrier Reef
A few years ago, Old Master Nie had asked Nie Zhan to bring Lu Jiaxin back to the Nie family's ancestral home for Chinese New Year, but once again, he was rejected.
"Jiaxin won't be spending the holiday in Hong Kong. She's going on a trip," Nie Zhan replied.
As the destination had not been decided yet, he didn't know where they would be going. One thing was certain, though: they would leave after Yu Meotong's engagement.
Old Master Nie felt a bit dejected. "Why do they have to go on a trip during the New Year? Even if they don't want to spend it in Hong Kong, they should at least come back to Si Jiucheng. Her father is already at an advanced age."
Nie Zhan didn't mention the strained relationship between father and daughter; there was no need to, as Old Master Nie was already aware of it. "Jiaxin enjoys traveling, but she hasn't been able to go anywhere since she returned in August because she's been busy managing the company. Now that she finally has a break, she wants to relax and unwind."
Old Master Nie fell silent. His granddaughter-in-law was a formidable woman, and he didn't dare say more, lest she decide not to visit the ancestral home at all.
"When are you two getting married?" he asked.
This was a question Nie Zhan least wanted to hear, but he had no choice but to answer. "We just want to enjoy our time as a couple for now. We're not planning to get married anytime soon."
"Getting married won't stop you from enjoying your time together," Old Master Nie countered.
Nie Zhan didn't believe a word of it. "As soon as we get married, you'll start asking about grandchildren. We were born to fulfill our own potential, not just to get married and have kids. If you're so eager for grandchildren, then hurry up and get Nie Jingting to settle down and have a few."
The last time they had asked Nie Jingting to come home a couple of months ago, he had been in the middle of filming a drama and had promised to return by the end of the year. This time, he had agreed to return to Hong Kong and not leave again.
"You're not the same as him," Old Master Nie said.
Nie Zhan didn't like this comparison. "I may have more money than him, but what other differences are there? Grandpa, just take care of your health and stop worrying about me."
He understood what Old Master Nie was implying. With his billions and Jiaxin's hundreds of billions, they needed an heir. However, these things should be left to nature and not be treated as a task to be completed.
Once again, the conversation between grandfather and grandson ended on a sour note. When Nie Jingwen found out, he spoke up for Nie Zhan, reasoning that since Lu Jiaxin was so wealthy, forcing her to marry when she didn't want to could backfire and cause her to break up with Nie Zhan, which would be a huge loss. As family, they should just show their support and refrain from meddling too much.
Nie Zhan had already discussed the matter with Nie Jingwen when handling the Small Days industry. Having suffered a huge loss three years ago, Nie Jingwen now fully trusted Nie Zhan's words, thus avoiding another potential disaster.
Old Master Nie's mood improved after being consoled by Nie Jingwen.
On the 27th of the twelfth lunar month, Yu Meotong and Tao Yong held their engagement banquet in Star City. Nie Zhan and Lu Jiaxin, along with their entourage, traveled to Star City to attend the event.
The names of Nie Zhan and Lu Jiaxin were well-known not only to the Tao family but also to many businessmen in Star City. At the engagement banquet, the couple was the center of attention, though it was not the kind of attention Lu Jiaxin enjoyed.
After lunch, Lu Jiaxin and Nie Zhan left Star City and headed to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, their chosen destination for this vacation.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, comprising thousands of individual reefs separated by open water. Many of these reefs are exposed or barely submerged at low tide, forming sand cays, encircling islands, or fringing the coast. These coral reefs have been built up over millions of years by the calcium carbonate skeletons of coral polyps and other marine organisms, along with the deposits of coral algae and the remains of other creatures.
It is said that there are over 350 species of vibrant and diverse corals growing in the warm waters of this shallow continental shelf.
Lu Jiaxin had visited the Great Barrier Reef before and had gone diving to see the corals, which were stunning. This time, since Nie Zhan was accompanying her, they had chosen this location again, planning to dive and admire the corals once more.
Standing on the boat and gazing at the beautiful coral reef before her, Lu Jiaxin couldn't help but sigh inwardly. With the constant development of industrialization and human activities, the Earth's climate was also warming up. In over two decades, a portion of the coral reef here would be killed by overheated seawater, and this was just the beginning. As the Earth's climate changed, many wonders would disappear.
"What are you thinking about?"
Lu Jiaxin didn't admit it and smiled as she said, "I'm just thinking that these corals are so beautiful. Nature is truly a wonderful creator."
Now that the companies were stable and didn't require her constant presence, she decided to take more vacations next year. Hmm, at least four times.
Nie Zhan hugged her and whispered in her ear, "If you like it, we'll come back again next time."
Lu Jiaxin pushed him away in disgust and said, "Don't talk about next time. It would be good enough if we can make it back safely this time. Let me tell you this in advance: if there's another issue with your family, I won't go back."
Nie Zhan felt helpless. Even he couldn't guarantee that there wouldn't be any more problems.
Far away in Si Jiucheng, Lu Hongjun eagerly awaited Lu Jiaxin's return so they could spend the New Year together. When he saw Lu Jiaguang coming over, he hurriedly asked, "What did Jiaxin say?"
Seeing his expectant expression, Lu Jiaguang paused before replying, "I called, and the housekeeper said that Jiaxin and Nie Zhan went on a vacation. She didn't know where they went either."
Lu Hongjun fell into a gloomy mood. "Why would she go on a vacation during the New Year?"
Lu Jiaguang remained silent. He felt that perhaps Jiaxin wanted to go on a vacation because it was the New Year. Staying alone in Hong Kong City or returning to Si Jiucheng were both unlikely options given her temperament. By now, he had come to understand that Jiaxin would fulfill her promise to take care of her uncle in his old age and would be there if he fell ill, but that was the extent of it.
"Uncle, why don't you come and spend the New Year with us?"
Lu Hongjun now enjoyed having the whole family together, creating a lively atmosphere. "Then you can invite Jia Zong, Shanzi, and the others as well. Let's have the whole family together for the New Year."
Lu Jiaguang smiled and agreed. When he returned home, he shared the news with Wang Xiaojie.
Wang Xiaojie had a good relationship with Lu Er's wife, so she naturally didn't object. "It's a pity that Jiaxin isn't coming back. Otherwise, it would have been even more festive."
Lu Jiaguang shattered her fantasy and said, "Jiaxin's business is her priority. She won't come back unless it's something urgent."
He felt that only if Uncle or Ms. Gu fell ill would Jiaxin come back, but he didn't voice this thought as it wasn't auspicious.
Wang Xiaojie felt that they would meet less and less in the future, but this wasn't something they could decide. "I'll give Erdimie a call."
Lu Er's wife didn't want to trouble Lu Jiaguang, but since it was Lu Hongjun's suggestion, she didn't refuse. However, she felt that they shouldn't make such arrangements. "Big sister-in-law, how about this? We'll go to Uncle San's place this year, yours next year, and ours the year after that."
They could take turns. Although Lu Hongjun was older and shouldn't be burdened, Lu Shan and Da Mai could help out, so it wouldn't be too troublesome.
Wang Xiaojie thought this arrangement was good too. By taking turns, they could spend every New Year together as a family. Currently, they all lived in spacious houses that could accommodate so many people.
(End of Chapter)
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