Rebirth 1983: Building My Business Empire
Chapter 274 - Chapter 274 Chapter 263 Lu Hongjun Compromises

Chapter 274: Chapter 263: Lu Hongjun Compromises Chapter 274: Chapter 263: Lu Hongjun Compromises Lu Hongjun had intended to give his collection of old items to his nephews. In his mind, only the nephews could carry on the Lu Family legacy, as a daughter would ultimately marry and belong to another family. Of course, this didn’t prevent him from relying on her for his old age. Holding such views was the reason why he had let something slip in front of Lu Jiaguang.

After Lu Jiaxin finished speaking, she turned and said to Gu Wenfeng, “Brother Gu, you’d better hurry on home. Your wife and children must be waiting for you to come back!”

Gu Wenfeng nodded, but he didn’t leave right away. Instead, he turned to Lu Hongjun and said, “Everybody can see Jiaxin’s character is above reproach. If you have a clear mind, you shouldn’t refuse.”

Relying on nephews for old age care is the dumbest thing ever. Take the Lu Family for instance, Lu Jiaguang is a decent man, but his own parents are still alive, and he can’t possibly neglect his own parents to take care of an uncle who lives in another household. It’s one thing to help take care of you for a few days, but contributing money and effort full-time is definitely impossible–they just can’t shoulder that burden. Not to mention the parents of Lu Jiajie, who are even less likely to contribute, they’re the kind who take advantage without ever suffering a loss. If Lu Hongjun asked them to support him, they’d immediately come rushing to the Forty-nine City. And if he was considering remarrying in the future, the chances were he’d want a pretty one. A beautiful woman marrying an old geezer like you is only after the money. Once they’ve drained all your assets, who’d bother with such an old geezer anymore?

Lu Hongjun, aware of his own extraordinary status, asked, “But what if she breaks her promise and neglects me later on?”

Second Sister-in-law Lu couldn’t help saying, “For all these years, our family has never leeched off you. The few times you fell sick, I sent Jiazong to take care of you, and even made you chicken and fish soup to boost your health–all out of respect for Jiaxin. If you’re not leaving your possessions to Jiaxin, setting aside to marry some young and pretty widow, then let me put it this way: if you get sick or go to the hospital later on, don’t call us, we won’t be involved.”

After saying that, she glared at her husband.

Lu Jiazong quickly responded this time, immediately echoing, “Third Uncle, I’ll listen to my wife.”

Lu Hongjun nearly choked with rage.

Lu Jiaxin, feeling somewhat weary, yawned and said, “Second Brother, I smell something burning. Can you check what might be on fire?”

Lu Jiazong shouted “My fish!” and scurried into the kitchen.

“Give me an answer by tomorrow night, or consider it a refusal. Changing your mind later will be useless,” Lu Jiaxin said. She was tired and didn’t feel like arguing with Lu Hongjun any longer. After speaking, she went back to her room to sleep.

Lu Hongjun saw that Second Sister-in-law Lu ignored him, and Lu Jiazong was too busy in the kitchen to pay attention to him. After standing in the courtyard for a short while, he left.

Second Sister-in-law Lu had been observing secretly the whole time and breathed a sigh of relief once he left. If he hadn’t left and stayed for dinner, the meal would’ve been unbearable.

Lu Hongjun didn’t go home, but went to look for Lu Jiaguang instead, demanding to know why he had told Lu Jiaxin about his privately stored antiques.

Lu Jiaguang was taken aback at first but quickly realized his wife must have been the one who spoke. He didn’t think his wife did anything wrong and asked, “Third Uncle, if you’re not giving these items to Jiaxin, who do you plan to give them to?”

Lu Hongjun answered, “Big Head, I’ll give them to you and Jiajie, and also share some with Jiazong and Jiayao and the rest of the brothers. Now that Jiaxin knows, she wants them all.”

Lu Jiaguang had guessed his intentions, but he had never thought about wanting those things: “Third Uncle, Jiaxin will have to provide for you in your old age and see you off when you pass. She deserves those things.”

Lu Hongjun blurted out, “If you take care of me and see me off, I will give everything to you. Jiaguang, the items I’ve collected are all fine pieces that will only become more valuable over time. If we’re short on money, we can sell a few, and keep the rest as heirlooms for our descendants.”

He had always kept this thought in mind but had never voiced it before; now Lu Jiaxin had cornered him into speaking his true feelings aloud.

Lu Jiaguang declined without a second thought, saying, “Third Uncle, what kind of person would I be if I agreed? How could I face Jiaxin in the future?”

“She’s going to Hong Kong soon, she might not even come back for years, you don’t need to worry about her thoughts.”

Lu Jiaguang had witnessed himself how much he used to dote on Lu Jiaxin, only to have his new wife treat Jiaxin as though she were a thief to be guarded against. The more Lu Jiaguang thought about it, the more suffocated he felt: “Third Uncle, please don’t say anymore. I won’t agree, and Xiaojie wouldn’t agree either if she knew. It’s not right to do things this way.”

“If not for your own sake, at least think of Lu Ping and Lu An.”

Lu Jiaguang’s attitude was resolute: “Considering them, I have even more reason to refuse. Now that the national policy allows only one child per family, with you setting this precedent, wouldn’t those who have sons start eyeing their brothers’ assets simply because their brothers had daughters? That would turn Lu Ping and Lu An into enemies.”

Lu Hongjun was left speechless.

Lu Jiaguang went on, “Third Uncle, if you agree to give the items to Jiaxin, then Jiajie and I will go talk to her about your care in old age.”

If he didn’t give the items to his sister, he would have no face to speak to Lu Jiaxin about this matter. Moreover, he didn’t trust Lu Hongjun, who was so wary of his once-doted-on daughter, who knew if he would turn on him later? Lending a hand could be okay, but taking care of him through old age was out of the question.

Lu Hongjun asked, “You won’t regret it?”

Lu Jiaguang felt helpless at such a question: “I won’t regret it.”

Lu Hongjun said, “You go back and talk it over with Xiaojie before giving me your answer.”

Lu Jiaguang stated there was no need: “If Xiaojie wanted your things, she wouldn’t have told Jiaxin about this. Third Uncle, don’t hesitate, just give the items to Jiaxin!”

“Jiaxin is a good kid, I believe she will keep her promises,” he added confidently.

Lu Hongjun gave in, “Alright then, you call her up and tell her I agreed, but we’ll need to sit down and discuss the details.”

Lu Jiaguang didn’t refuse, but instead of making a phone call, he said, “I’ll go talk to Jiaxin in person after work.”

It was better to discuss such matters face-to-face, as things couldn’t be clearly stated over a brief phone call. Furthermore, not just he, but Jiajie too should be involved. Considering that Jiaxin would likely stay in Hong Kong and not return, if she got sick, it would be up to the three brothers to take care of her.

Lu Hongjun replied, “That’s fine, I’ll wait for you after work.”

Lu Jiaguang certainly didn’t dare let him go; if he went, it would be impossible to discuss things: “Jiajie and I will go talk to Jiaxin. That’s enough.”

Lu Hongjun fell silent. Ever since she moved out, every encounter with her had ended in an argument; they hadn’t had a proper conversation.

After sending him out of the office, Lu Jiaguang called Wang Xiaojie: “I’m going to see Jiaxin later, so I won’t be coming home for dinner tonight.”

“Is it about those old items?”

Lu Jiaguang didn’t hide anything and told her about what Lu Hongjun had done. If he didn’t tell her now, his wife would hear it from the Second Son’s Wife herself: “Third Uncle has already agreed to hand over the items to Jiaxin. I’ll go talk to her about his care in old age after work.”

Wang Xiaojie responded with a hum, “Don’t let Third Uncle make excessive demands. It’s not easy for Jiaxin in Hong Kong; as long as she can make do, it’s fine.”

“Mhm, I have a clear idea,” he assured.