Chapter 673: Turmoil Caused by a Motorcycle
Chapter 673: Turmoil Caused by a Motorcycle
After dinner, Lu Jiaxin headed to the back garden, deep in thought about SL and oblivious to Lu Hongjun's presence beside her.
Frowning, Lu Jiaxin asked, "When did you get here?"
Lu Hongjun replied that he had been there for a while, "What are you thinking about so intently?"
"I'm thinking about making money," Lu Jiaxin answered.
Lu Hongjun felt she had already made enough money. He said, "Jiaxin..."
Lu Jiaxin, not in the mood for a lecture, cut him off, "I know what I'm doing. I don't need your advice. You just enjoy your retirement, visit your grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and live a carefree life."
How dare he try to act like a father and boss her around now that their relationship had improved, she thought.
Lu Hongjun's heart twinged at her words, but he continued, "You know about An'an's wedding on May 1st, right? It's not long until then. Why don't you stay and attend his wedding before leaving?"
There was no way Lu Jiaxin would consider staying in Siyujiu City for eleven days just for Lu An's wedding. "Dad, do you know how much money I'll lose in those ten days? Can you compensate me for that?"
Lu Hongjun's expression changed slightly as he said, "Jiaxin, there's always more money to be made. You should take a break sometimes."
Hearing this, Lu Jiaxin scoffed inwardly before asking, "How much is left of the 20,000 green dollars that Ah Zan gave you?"
Lu Hongjun paused, then answered, "I spent 10,000 getting someone to take Huang Xiaoyu to Yangcheng City. I gave Lu Ping 5,000, and the rest went on miscellaneous expenses. I have 1,500 left."
"What are you planning to give Lu An this time?" Lu Jiaxin inquired.
Lu Hongjun had intended to brush her off with a casual reply, but under Lu Jiaxin's piercing gaze, he felt he couldn't lie without facing her wrath later on. "I asked someone to buy a motorcycle for him. It'll be more convenient for his work."
Cars were difficult to purchase and beyond his means, but he could afford to buy a motorcycle through an intermediary, even if it was a bit expensive.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "You're indeed a good uncle and great-uncle."
Lu Hongjun felt a bit guilty and didn't dare respond.
Lu Jiaxin wasn't angry, though. After returning to her study, she asked Tong Yu to buy her a plane ticket for the next day. She had originally planned to invite Lu Jiaguang's family to dinner the following day, but now she felt too dispirited to bother. It was better to just leave early and out of sight, out of mind.
Qian Xiaoxiao said, "Boss, don't be angry. It's not worth ruining your health over. If you hate him that much, don't inform him of your visits in the future."
On one hand, they were telling her that money wasn't everything and that she should rest more, and on the other, they were spending 5,000 green dollars and buying motorcycles for their grandson. What hypocrisy!
Lu Jiaxin shook her head to indicate that she wasn't angry, just disappointed. "Some people don't deserve our kindness. Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile."
If it weren't for Lu Hongjun's insistence on teaching Huang Xiaoyu a lesson, she wouldn't have given him the 20,000 green dollars. As for giving Lu Ping 5,000 and buying Lu An a motorcycle, those were minor issues. It was his business how he spent the money once it was in his hands. What truly disgusted her was his pretentious concern about her health and his implication that she was too obsessed with money.
That evening, Lu Jiaxin didn't join Lu Hongjun for dinner. She ate alone in the courtyard and took the earliest flight out the next day.
After Lu Jiaxin boarded the plane, Xie Kaixiao called Shicha Hai, and Li Qing answered. "Let me speak to Jiaxin. I have something to tell her."
"The boss is back in Hong Kong," Li Qing said.
"Why did she leave so soon?"
Li Qing didn't hide the truth. "Lu Hongjun wanted the boss to stay and attend his grandnephew's wedding on May 1st. He also mentioned that he bought him a motorcycle. Oh, and he gave Lu Ping 5,000 green dollars for his overseas studies. All that money came from our boss. Our boss isn't stingy, and she doesn't hold grudges. But it's annoying when Lu Hongjun acts so sanctimonious, telling our boss that money isn't everything and that she shouldn't be so fixated on making money."
Lu Jiaxin's uncle, Xie Kaixiao, was left speechless. Lu Hongjun was being hypocritical, lecturing her about how money wasn't everything while spending it like it was endless. "Come to my place at 6 o'clock," he said, exasperated.
The previous day, Xie Kaixiao had found Lu Jiaxin's deductions about her family startling, but after spending the afternoon and evening reviewing the materials she provided, he found her arguments compelling. He had wanted to discuss this further with her today, but now she had left. Lu Hongjun was always interfering and causing trouble when he should be minding his own business.
Lu JiaGuang, Lu Jiaxin's father, only found out about her return at noon and had intended to invite her to lunch, but upon hearing she had already left, he asked, "Why did she leave so soon?"
Xing Ziyang replied, "You'll have to ask Comrade Lu Hongjun about that. Oh, and by the way, Comrade Lu is staying in Chaoyang today."
A wave of worry washed over Lu JiaGuang, certain that his brother had done something to upset his daughter again. As soon as he finished work that afternoon, he rushed home to find out what had transpired between them.
Lu Hongjun felt wronged. "I merely advised her not to overwork herself and to prioritize her health. What's wrong with that?"
While his words seemed reasonable, Lu JiaGuang sensed there was more to the story. "I know Jiaxin's temperament very well. There must be something else you said or did to upset her."
Lu Hongjun, feeling dejected, replied, "She asked me how much of the money she gave me was left, and I told her I only had 1,500 green dollars left. That's when she became unhappy."
Lu JiaGuang didn't believe him. "Jiaxin donates money for road repairs, orphanages, school construction, and to support underprivileged students from our hometown. She spends millions on charitable causes every year. How could she be unhappy about you spending a small amount? Uncle San, what's the real reason? Don't hide it from me."
Lu Hongjun was reluctant to speak, but he knew Lu JiaGuang could easily call and find out the truth. "I asked her to stay and attend Lu An's wedding on May 1st. I also mentioned that I bought him a motorcycle with her money. And I gave Lu Ping 5,000 green dollars for his overseas studies."
"Is there anything else?" Lu JiaGuang probed.
"No, that's it," Lu Hongjun insisted.
Seeing that he wouldn't get any more information out of his uncle, Lu JiaGuang returned home and called Xing Ziyang at Shicha Hai to inquire about the incident.
"Didn't Comrade Lu tell you?" Xing Ziyang asked.
While Lu Hongjun's words seemed innocent, Lu JiaGuang felt there was more to the story. Upon his persistent questioning, Xing Ziyang briefly recounted the events.
Lu JiaGuang was furious. While the facts were mostly as Lu Hongjun had stated, the order in which he presented them completely changed the context and, therefore, the interpretation.
"Comrade Xing, thank you for informing me about this," Lu JiaGuang said.
Xing Ziyang shared Lu JiaGuang's disapproval of Lu Hongjun's behavior and spoke bluntly. "Our boss is wealthy and willing to support Comrade Lu. But it's unacceptable for him to take her money for granted and then act sanctimonious by feigning concern and care for her."
Lu JiaGuang, struggling to contain his anger, replied, "I will have a serious talk with him."
After hanging up, he remained in his study for a long while, unable to bring himself to face his wife, who was waiting anxiously for an explanation.
Wang Xiaojie urged, "Tell me, what happened?"
Lu JiaGuang knew her well and understood that not knowing would only make her more anxious. "Uncle San asked Jiaxin to stay and attend Lu An's wedding. He told her that money isn't everything and that she should take this opportunity to rest at home."
Wang Xiaojie's face turned pale. "The wedding is still ten days away, and Lu An, Luo Chen, and we are all still working. How could Jiaxin possibly wait that long in Siyujiu City?"
If the wedding were just a day or two away, they wouldn't need Lu Hongjun to ask; they would have invited Lu Jiaxin to stay for the celebration. But with ten days to go, asking her to wait was sure to cause inconvenience.
(End of Chapter)
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