https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-724-Qian-Xiaoxiao-s-Story-Part-2/12935938/
Chapter 725: Lu Zhao's Extra Chapter 1
Chapter 725: Lu Zhao's Extra Chapter 1
Lu Zhao returned home from school and didn't see Lu Jiaxin, so she put down her school bag and asked the butler, "Where's Mommy?"
The butler went to the kitchen, brought some fruit, and placed it on the table with a smile, "Young Miss, Madam had something to attend to and will be back late. She said to have dinner first."
Lu Zhao immediately called Lu Jiaxin, but the call was answered by her secretary. Hearing that Lu Jiaxin was in a meeting, she said, "It's not urgent. We can talk when she gets home."
After having some fruit, Lu Zhao went to the backyard to swim. She was intelligent and quick to learn; swimming, tennis, fencing, horseback riding, and skiing were all skills she had mastered, not to mention her academic prowess. At twelve years old, she was already in the fourth year of middle school. According to her own plan, she would finish primary school in three years and middle school in another three. Lu Jiaxin had insisted she spend an extra year in primary school.
When Nie Xing returned home, she saw Lu Zhao with her hair still wet from swimming and asked, "Sister, did you go swimming as soon as you got home?"
Lu Zhao nodded and asked, "Why are you back so late again?"
Nie Xing handed her school bag to the servant and said happily, "I chatted with my classmates after school. One of them is having a birthday party this weekend and invited me. I need to buy new clothes after school on Friday."
Lu Zhao had a study plan, and she followed it strictly. Nie Xing didn't have one; she only needed to finish her school assignments, and the rest of her time was spent reading or exercising, depending on her mood.
Lu Jiaxin felt that in a family like theirs, there was no need to push their children too hard. She wanted to give them a happy childhood, and as long as they learned when they should, that was enough. However, Lu Zhao's high intelligence made learning easy for her, and she didn't require much effort, making her the envy of other parents.
Lu Zhao didn't enjoy shopping, so she couldn't understand why Nie Xing liked it so much: "Mommy bought so many new clothes last week, and they're all the latest styles. Why do you want to buy more?"
Nie Xing explained that those clothes weren't suitable for a classmate's birthday party: "If I look better than the birthday girl, they won't invite me to their birthdays again."
Lu Zhao nodded, "You're right. I overlooked that."
As the sisters were talking, they heard the sound of a car outside. Nie Xing immediately dashed out and saw Nie Zhan, running to hug him: "Daddy, you're finally back! I missed you so much!"
Their family was a typical one with a strict father and a kind mother. Lu Zhao was diligent and disciplined, rarely getting punished. Nie Xing was different; she was playful and mischievous, often getting scolded by Lu Jiaxin.
This time, Nie Zhan had been on a business trip to France for a week. He smiled and rubbed Nie Xing's nose, "Did you miss Daddy, or did you want a gift?"
Nie Xing didn't lie, "I missed Daddy, and I want a gift too."
Nie Zhan always brought gifts for them when he traveled, and this time was no exception. Nie Xing saw the exquisite doll and happily kissed his cheek, "Thank you, Daddy."
After giving gifts to both daughters, Nie Zhan asked, "Where's Mommy?"
Lu Zhao also liked Nie Zhan's gifts. She looked at them for a while, then put them back in the bag and asked the servant to take them to her room, "Mommy has some work to finish and will be back late. Daddy, let's eat first."
Lu Jiaxin returned home very late. By the time she arrived, both sisters were already asleep. Nie Zhan heard the noise and came downstairs, seeing that something was amiss, he asked, "What's wrong?"
Lu Jiaxin spoke in a low voice, "There's nothing wrong with the company. Half an hour ago, I received a call from Big Brother. Grandfather fainted and was sent to the hospital. He's in critical condition now."
Nie Zhan's heart skipped a beat, "We should hurry there."
Lu Jiaxin nodded, "Zhang Secretary has booked the earliest flight tomorrow. Big Brother said it's serious; the hospital has issued two critical condition notices. This time, we'll go back together."
"Okay,"
The next morning, at dawn, Lu Zhao woke up. She was used to jogging with Lu Jiaxin in the early morning. But this time, when she finished washing up, she found Nie Xing half-asleep on the sofa.
Before Lu Zhao could ask, Lu Jiaxin came out from the kitchen, "Zhao Zhao, your grandfather suddenly fainted yesterday. I just called, and he's still unconscious."
Lu Hongjun had suffered many injuries in his youth and had two strokes in recent years. He had been taking good care of himself these years. Lu Jiaguang said his condition wasn't due to illness but rather the end of his life.
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhao said, "Mommy, I need to ask for leave from my teacher."
Lu Jiaxin responded with a sound of acknowledgement, "Your teacher might not be up yet. I've already informed Zhang Secretary, and she'll call the school to request leave later."
Now, there were direct flights from Port City to the Capital City, making travel more convenient than before. The family of four arrived in Hong Kong around noon and headed straight to Peking Union Medical College Hospital.
When they arrived, Lu Hongjun was already awake. Seeing all four of them, he was delighted, but he said, "It's just my old problem. Lu Jiaguang is overreacting. He even asked you to come back."
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "It's because Zhao Zhao and Xiao Xing missed you. Nie Zhan also had some free time, so we came to see you."
After being injured by Lu Shan, Lu Hongjun's attention had turned to his two granddaughters. Their bond was strong due to their regular phone calls.
Nie Xing continued, "Yes, Grandpa, I missed you so much."
Despite having a lot of homework, Mommy promised to take us to visit you during the vacation."
Lu Zhao nodded and said, "Grandpa, once you recover, we'll bring you back to Port City. Then, you can see us every day."
Lu Hongjun's face lit up at the words of his two granddaughters. However, he looked at Lu Jiaxin, knowing that Lu Zhao's words didn't hold much weight.
Lu Jiaxin was surprisingly agreeable this time, "There's another house in Shallow Bay. We'll prepare it for you to stay in when the time comes. It's not far, and if you miss them, I'll have the driver send them to you after school."
Living with Lu Hongjun was out of the question. Firstly, their lifestyles were different, and secondly, she didn't want to see his old face every day.
Lu Hongjun was delighted, "Good, good, good."
The two children chatted happily with him, and Lu Jiaguang signaled Lu Jiaxin. Then, the two of them stepped outside.
In the corridor, Lu Jiaguang lowered his voice and said, "Jiaxin, the doctor said that Uncle Three doesn't have much time left. We should prepare ourselves."
Lu Jiaxin was startled, "Are you sure there's no mistake? He seems to be in good spirits."
Lu Jiaguang sighed, "Maybe he's in a good state because he's happy to see them. Jiaxin, we should start preparing for what's to come, so we don't end up in a panic later."
After the gallbladder surgery, Lu Hongjun had moved in with Lu Jiaguang, fulfilling his desire to enjoy his old age with his grandchildren.
Although he lived with Lu Jiaguang, he didn't need their care. Lu Jiaxin hired two nurses to take care of him in shifts, and an aunt helped with the laundry and cooking. Lu Jiaguang and his wife would lend a hand when needed, so they got along well over the years.
Lu Jiaxin paused and said, "Then let's get prepared."
As one approaches the end of life, there is a sense of premonition. Lu Hongjun knew his life was counting down. He said to Lu Jiaxin, "Jiaxin, I want to go back."
"Your body hasn't fully recovered yet. Where do you want to go?"
Lu Hongjun said, "Jiaxin, I want to die at home, not in a hospital."
Lu Jiaxin patted his blanket, "Stop having these wild thoughts. Your body is fine, and with good care, you can live to a hundred."
Lu Hongjun shook his head, "I know my own body better than anyone. Jiaxin, I have one last request of you. Let me be buried with your mother. I know I've wronged you, and I'll apologize to your mother in the afterlife."
Lu Jiaxin shook her head, "I've already discussed this with my brother. After you pass, you'll be buried in the Lu Family Ancestral Tomb. Dad, there's Elder Aunt and Second Uncle there, so you won't be lonely."
Elder Aunt had passed away five years ago, and Elder Uncle, now in his eighties, was still in good health. He had been managing the Lu Clan's scholarship for impoverished students, and there had never been any issues.
Lu Hongjun's eyes reddened, "Jiaxin, Dad knows he was wrong, and I've regretted it all these years. Jiaxin, I dare not ask for your forgiveness. I just want to apologize to your mother in the afterlife. Why can't you even fulfill my last wish? Do you hate me that much?"
Lu Jiaxin shook her head, "I don't hate you, and I want to fulfill your wish, but Mom doesn't want to be buried with you, and I can't ignore her wishes."
"How do you know Mom wants to be buried with you?"
The reason was simple; the original body had already been killed by Ding Jing. Lu Jiaxin didn't think a mother would forgive the accomplice who killed her daughter, especially if that person was the child's father.
Lu Jiaxin didn't reveal the truth, instead making up an excuse, "Mom left so many precautions before she passed away, clearly not trusting you. I don't think any woman would want to be buried with a man who doesn't share her heart."
Lu Hongjun lowered his head, and after a while, he said, "Then if I can't be buried with your mother, bury me next to her."
Lu Jiaxin was puzzled and asked, "Why are you so insistent on being buried in Port City? Isn't it better to be buried in the Lu Family Ancestral Tomb?"
Lu Hongjun spoke honestly, "Your brother is in the Capital City, and he'll be buried there too. Lu Shan listens to his wife, and if I'm buried in the ancestral tomb after I pass, I doubt it'll be long before the grave is overgrown."
In the end, it was still the fear of being forgotten after death. Lu Jiaxin was perplexed, "You've received modern education, why are you so superstitious?"
This time, Lu Hongjun didn't make any excuses, "I'm not being superstitious, I just don't want to become a wandering soul. Jiaxin, this is my last request."
Lu Jiaxin didn't want to agree, but she remembered how pitiful Lu Hongjun had seemed when his life hung by a thread. Recalling the heartache she felt when he was in trouble, Lu Jiaxin compromised, "Alright, but you can't be buried next to my mother. It must be far away."
"Okay."
Perhaps it was because his wish had been granted, but that very night, Lu Hongjun's condition worsened. Before he passed away, he called Lu Jiaguang and Lu Jiajie into the room and told them about his wish to be buried in Port City. As for Lu Shan, his adopted grandson, he didn't see him alone.
Lu Jiaxin was wealthy, and she arranged a grand funeral for Lu Hongjun. During the funeral procession, it was not Lu Shan, the grandson, who smashed the bowl, but Lu Zhao, the granddaughter. Aside from the Lu Clan and Lu Shan's family, no one in the Lu Family objected to this.
(End of Chapter)
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