Chapter 716: Lu Jiajie's Side Story 2
Chapter 716: Lu Jiajie's Side Story 2
Not long after marrying Yao Hongmei, Lu Jiajie set off with the purchased goods to the border. This time, he wasn't using a van but had rented a train car. The advantage was the increased safety, but the downside was a reduced profit margin.
The cross-border trade team had grown, and the journey had become more dangerous. In the past, he had to pay off debts and wanted to earn more, so he chose the large van. Now that his debts were paid, he was unwilling to risk his life anymore.
Yao Hongmei was somewhat reassured that he was traveling by train, but before he left, she still reminded him to take care of himself.
Lu Jiajie, carrying a heavy large suitcase, smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll definitely come back safely."
Once on the train, one of the younger brothers joked, "Brother Jie, you never used to bring anything before, but this time you've brought such a big suitcase. What treasures are inside?"
Lu Jiajie smiled and said, "These things were packed by my wife. I don't know what's inside. If you want to know, open it and take a look."
He didn't realize that his words had a hint of pride.
The younger brother opened the suitcase and found toiletries, change of clothes, and mostly food—biscuits, beef jerky, dried fruits, and candies, all items that could be stored for a long time.
He distributed most of the food to the younger brothers, keeping some for himself. When he put the things back, he felt a warm feeling in his heart.
Upon arriving at the border, he learned that Lao Chang (Lao He's partner) had been injured by someone who coveted their business. Lao Chang was injured because someone had leaked their whereabouts, and they still hadn't caught the person responsible. At this point, Lao Chang didn't trust anyone under him, but he trusted Lu Jiajie, his business partner, completely.
Lu Jiajie was a bit hesitant, "I promised my sister that I wouldn't go abroad to do business anymore."
Lao Chang, with a pale face, said, "If there were any other way, I wouldn't ask you. Jiajie, you just need to deliver this batch of goods to Lao He. You don't need to worry about anything else."
Lu Jiajie agreed. This time, he brought along the younger brothers who had been with him for years. Still, he wasn't fully at ease and spent a lot of money to hire two brothers from the underworld to accompany them. These two brothers frequently moved between the two countries, not only skilled in combat but also well-informed and well-connected.
It turned out that Lu Jiajie's expenditure was worth it. Without these two brothers, they would have been in trouble in a foreign country.
After experiencing life and death once again, Lu Jiajie didn't want to live in constant fear anymore. When he safely returned to the border, he told Lao Chang that he wanted to quit.
He had a ready excuse, "Big Brother Chang, I married another wife before coming this time. I need to be responsible for her; I can't let her become a widow right after getting married."
Lao Chang tried to persuade him, "Brother Jie, I was careless this time. Don't worry, I promise it won't happen again. You just need to deliver the goods here in the future."
Lu Jiajie refused, saying that his wife and children were waiting at home, and he didn't want to live in constant danger anymore.
These were all excuses. He had long noticed that the people around Lao Chang were dissatisfied with him, and the danger he faced this time was also due to Lao Chang. If he didn't quit now, he feared he would be implicated.
Lao Chang didn't want Lu Jiajie to quit, but no amount of persuasion worked. Desperate, Lao Chang resorted to stalling, "This is a big decision. Just my agreement isn't enough; we need to discuss it with Lao He."
Since it was Lao He who had invited him to partner up, Lu Jiajie nodded in agreement.
After he left, Lao Chang's eldest son said, "Boss, the things you do with Black Boss are very dangerous. He only handles the procurement and sales, but gets the same share as you."
Now that Lu Jiajie wants to withdraw, he won't recover from his injuries for at least half a year, so the business is temporarily on hold. During this time, it's a good opportunity for his eldest son to learn a lesson.
Chang Dailang quickly found a new supplier, and the price was only slightly higher than what Lu Jiajie had offered. After settling the deal, he indignantly claimed that Lu Jiajie's quote was too high.
Lao Chang didn't lose his temper; instead, he sent his trusted aide to accompany Chang Dailang to make the final payment. The deposit had already been paid, and the final payment was to be made upon delivery.
When Lao Chang's trusted aide inspected the goods, he found that only the outer layer was of times, and the rest was inferior quality disguised as superior.
Lao Chang didn't scold him; instead, he said, "The goods we bring back from the old man are sold by Lu Jiajie in the capital city at a price five to six times higher than if we sold them directly here."
In reality, he was understating the situation; some rare items were sold at two to three times the price here, which was why he never objected to their division of labor. He knew he couldn't do it himself without such connections and resources.
Chang Dailang no longer had his previous domineering attitude and said, "Dad, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Lao Chang replied, "If I had told you earlier, you would have complained so much that the whole world would have known."
Among his two sons and a daughter, his daughter would eventually marry into another family, so he didn't mention her. His youngest son's health wasn't suitable for this line of work. The eldest son was physically strong but lacked sufficient intelligence. Alas, with Lu Jiajie wanting to quit, they would earn significantly less.
Lu Jiajie was unaware of the father and son's dispute. When the goods arrived in the capital city, he didn't return home; he simply called Yao Hongmei to inform her that he and the two children were coming back. After selling all the goods in his possession, he returned home feeling relieved.
As he approached the door, Lu Jiajie heard Xiao Feng'er reading in the courtyard.
The two children had different personalities; Qiangqiang was disciplined and consistently ranked at the top academically, while Xiao Feng'er, with her playful nature and aversion to hardship, didn't perform as well. Lu Jiajie's only expectation for her was to pass.
Upon seeing Lu Jiajie, Xiao Feng'er was both surprised and delighted. "Dad, you're back!"
She rushed over to hug him but stepped back in disgust after getting close enough to smell him. "Dad, you still have that smell. How many days has it been since you last bathed?"
Lu Jiajie lifted his hand to smell it and said, "I took a bath at the guesthouse yesterday."
Yao Hongmei approached with a smile and said, "Guesthouses don't provide clean baths. Go to the bathroom and wash thoroughly, from head to toe, and change your clothes."
"Okay."
Seeing that he agreed, Yao Hongmei turned to Xiao Feng'er and said, "Don't be lazy; continue memorizing your book."
"Ah..."
After a cry of dismay, Xiao Feng'er obediently continued memorizing her book, which Lu Jiajie found quite amusing.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
