Chapter 670: Li Qing Returns
Chapter 670: Li Qing Returns
In mid-April, Li Qing returned from SL to Pengcheng and called Lu Jiaxin, bringing back the information he had gathered over the years. He asked if she wanted to take it to Hong Kong City.
Some of this information involved confidential matters and was not suitable for bringing through customs. If they wanted to take it to Hong Kong, they would have to smuggle it in. However, Lu Qing knew that he had collected this information for the mainland and didn't think it was necessary to bring it over. Nonetheless, this was his opinion, and the final decision lay with the boss.
Lu Jiaxin glanced at her watch. It was already past three in the afternoon. She said, "I have a place in Pengcheng, and the keys are with Su Heming. It's too late today. I'll go there tomorrow morning."
"Alright," Li Qing replied.
Lu Jiaxin originally had a meeting scheduled for tomorrow at Xin Xin Property, but she asked her secretary to inform Chen Ming to cancel it. As for the reason, no one would dare to question the boss's decisions.
Upon learning of Li Qing's return, Nie Zhan's first reaction was concern for their safety. He suggested that Lu Jiaxin should lie low and not expose herself: "Perhaps the other party has discovered his identity and deliberately let him return to lure you out."
Lu Jiaxin agreed with his assessment. Although she wanted to contribute to the mainland, her personal safety took precedence: "Then let Yan Yijun meet with him first and bring the information back to Si Jiucheng."
"Do you want me to accompany you back?" Nie Zhan offered.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "If I go back to Si Jiucheng with you, who will manage the company? Don't worry, I'll be fine abroad. You don't need to concern yourself with the security situation in Si Jiucheng."
Within the Imperial City, under the watchful eyes of the Emperor, and with so many bodyguards by her side, she wouldn't recklessly put herself in harm's way. The chances of anything happening were slim to none.
The next day, as Lu Jiaxin prepared to leave, Nie Zhan reminded her once again to be careful. In his heart, he wished they could simply focus on their business and make more money. They could always donate more to charity if they wanted to do good. He saw no need to involve themselves in political struggles. In Hong Kong City, whoever was the governor had no bearing on them. However, Lu Jiaxin had been deeply influenced by the successful patriotic education on the mainland, and he couldn't convince her otherwise. So, he could only choose to protect her.
Upon returning to Si Jiucheng, Lu Jiaxin discovered something—Gu Xiuxiu had sprained her ankle and had been hospitalized for three weeks. She was now back home resting.
As Lu Jiaxin entered, Gu Xiuxiu was asleep. Looking at her peaceful face, Lu Jiaxin furrowed her brows and asked, "How did Auntie fall?"
Mei Gu sighed helplessly and explained, "The other day, Old Madam picked some flowers from the courtyard. Hong Gu shouted that the flowers had thorns and shouldn't be touched. She got startled and ran, but ended up twisting her ankle."
If it were a younger person, a sprained ankle would be easily treated with some medicinal wine. But at Gu Xiuxiu's age, it would take much longer to heal.
"It's not good for her to keep getting injured like this," Lu Jiaxin remarked.
Mei Gu could only nod in agreement. The main issue was that Gu Xiuxiu had become very active since her dementia. They couldn't confine her to the courtyard, as she would shout, hit people, or bite them if they tried. Mei Gu was grateful that Gu Xiuxiu was now under Lu Jiaxin's care and had bodyguards and caregivers looking after her. If she had been sent to a nursing home, she would have surely been mistreated and might not have survived given her condition.
"If it's too much for you and Hong Gu, we can hire a couple more helpers. That way, you won't have to work so hard," Lu Jiaxin suggested.
Mei Gu nodded in agreement. If it came to that, they would have to hire two more caregivers and implement a shift system. She and Hong Gu were getting on in years, and they would only be able to assist the caregivers at that point.
"Young Miss, are you back for Master An's wedding?" Mei Gu asked.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and replied, "No, I have some business matters to attend to. I'm a bit tired and need to rest. You go ahead, Hong Gu."
"Alright," Hong Gu said and left.
Lu Jiaxin didn't go to sleep immediately. Instead, she called for Xing Ziyang and pointed to a stack of nutritional supplements on the table. "Go to Chaoyang and deliver these to my father. I'll be busy the next few days and will visit him later."
"Yes," Xing Ziyang acknowledged.
Upon learning that Lu Jiaxin had returned, Lu Hongjun hurriedly asked, "How long will you stay this time?"
Xing Ziyang didn't know either. "The boss didn't say."
Lu Hongjun decided to take matters into his own hands. "Then I'll come with you."
It had been half a year since he had last seen his daughter, and now that she was finally back, he knew that she might not stay long, given her busy nature. "Alright, then. I'll come with you," he said, not wanting to miss this opportunity.
Xing Ziyang didn't object but cautioned, "The boss went to rest before I came out. If you go now, you'll have to wait a while before you can see her."
Lu Hongjun waved his hand, unconcerned. It had been a while since he'd last visited, and he could spend the time enjoying the flowers and plants in the backyard. Besides, he didn't know anyone in Shichahai, or he would have preferred to stay there—it was much more comfortable.
After packing two sets of clothes, Lu Hongjun instructed his wife, "Later, go to Jia Guang's place and ask Xiao Ma to inform them that I'll be staying in Shichahai for a few days."
His wife smiled and agreed. Old Lu was indeed fortunate to have such a successful daughter who took care of him so well. It was because of seeing how comfortably Lu Hongjun lived that she had strongly opposed her husband when he didn't want their younger daughter to continue her education past middle school. Their daughter was bright and had the potential to go to university. If she succeeded, she would get a good job, and they could expect a comfortable life in return for her filial piety. On the other hand, their son only thought about taking money from his wife and wouldn't likely be of much help to them in their old age.
When Lu Hongjun arrived at Shichahai, he knew that Lu Jiaxin was still asleep, so he asked Xing Ziyang, "Tell the kitchen that I'd like to have braised pork, lion's head meatballs, and oil-drizzled vegetable hearts for lunch. For tomorrow, prepare jade-like bok choy, eight-treasure duck, and tomato-braised beef."
Xing Ziyang smiled and asked, "Would you like a cup of mulberry wine, sir? It's brewed by Chef Duan, and it's excellent."
While he didn't drink alcohol during work hours, this was a fruit wine with a very low alcohol content, so a small cup wouldn't be an issue. Watered-down liquor or strong spirits were, of course, off-limits during work. He only suggested this because he knew Lu Hongjun enjoyed a tipple now and then.
"Then bring a pot later. Jiaxin will probably like it too," Lu Hongjun said.
After giving the instructions, Lu Hongjun made his way to the backyard garden. It was mid-April, and the peach and pear blossoms were in full bloom, while the other plants were just beginning to sprout.
Upon waking, Lu Jiaxin learned that her father had come, bringing clothes and intending to stay for a few days. Despite knowing that she didn't like it, he still eagerly came to stay with her. No wonder he had become a general manager—he could really humble himself when necessary. Others might not have been able to swallow their pride like that.
Soon enough, Lu Hongjun arrived and asked, "Why didn't you inform us before coming back this time?"
Previously, she would always call Jia Guang ahead of her visits, but now, she preferred to surprise them.
Noting his rosy complexion and energetic voice, Lu Jiaxin observed that he seemed to have recovered to his pre-surgery state. "You have high cholesterol. Can you eat something as greasy as braised pork?" she asked, concerned.
Lu Hongjun beamed at her concern. "It's fine as long as I don't overeat. Four or five pieces won't hurt."
Lu Jiaxin asked out of concern, and with that, she signaled for the food to be served. She hadn't eaten much on the way, and now she was hungry.
(End of Chapter)
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