Rebirth 1983: Building My Business Empire
Chapter 297 - Chapter 297 Chapter 286 Climbing the Mountain

Chapter 297: Chapter 286 Climbing the Mountain Chapter 297: Chapter 286 Climbing the Mountain After the climbing equipment arrived, Lu Jiaxin took Xiaoxiao and Gu Wenfeng to climb Huashan Mountain.

The mountain path was narrow and steep, with high granite rocks everywhere. The crevices of the rocks were filled with weeds and trees. The road was difficult, so the pace was slow.

After walking on the mountain for over three hours, Qian Xiaoxiao saw Lu Jiaxin sweating profusely and suggested, “Miss, it’s enough to climb up to here, let’s go down!”

Lu Jiaxin shook her head and said, “Huashan has five main peaks, each with its own scenery, and I want to see them all.”

“After visiting Mount Wuyue, one does not look at any other mountains,” implying that after touring Mount Tai in Eastern Yue, Mount Hua in Western Yue, Mount Heng in Southern Yue, Mount Heng in Beiyue, and Mount Song in Central Yue, one would no longer consider other mountains of significance. In her past life, she had only visited Mount Tai and even then had taken a cable car. She felt particularly regretful before dying, believing she should have climbed it herself, no matter the extra time and hardship required. Because climbing by oneself is the only way to truly feel the amazing craftsmanship of nature.

Qian Xiaoxiao exclaimed, “Sister Xin, you’re not joking, are you? You want to visit all five peaks? Going up and down like this will exhaust you.”

Lu Jiaxin said with a smile, “Then we’ll rest halfway up the mountain before climbing again. I don’t have anything else to do right now; let’s treat mountain climbing as a form of exercise.”

The things she wanted to do in her last life but didn’t, she aimed to accomplish in this life. With more than two months of vacation this time, she had enough time to climb. This visit to Huashan, and climbing Mount Tai next summer vacation, would resolve the regrets of her previous life.

They set off just after dawn at five o’clock, and it wasn’t until after two in the afternoon the next day that they reached the summit of the North Peak. The mountaintop was formed by several huge rocks pieced together, appearing completely natural.

The scenery at the mountain peak was very beautiful, but Lu Jiaxin was too exhausted to appreciate it. As soon as the tent was set up, she crawled inside to rest. It was only after resting and having lunch that she felt up to sitting at the mountaintop to enjoy the view.

North Peak, West Peak, South Peak, East Peak, and Middle Peak – Lu Jiaxin successively climbed all five main peaks of Huashan and spent a night on top of each.

On the West Peak, she witnessed what was meant by vertical cliffs a thousand feet high, as if they were carved by knives and saws; on the South Peak, she felt what was known as the sky just within reach, where one could almost pick the stars; standing on the East Peak at dawn, she saw a mass of orange-red, like a flame, as the sun rose from the horizon, bursting forth with a myriad of light;

Half a month later, Lu Jiaxin returned to the hotel. After a shower, she collapsed into bed and slept long and hard. When she woke up later and brushed her hair, she first stared at the reflection in the mirror, then broke into laughter. Half a month of mountain climbing had darkened her skin by more than three shades.

If it had been in her past life, she might have worried because being darker was not considered attractive. But now she felt that this tanned complexion signified health, which was good.

After resting well, Lu Jiaxin called Old Man Sun, “Has anyone been looking for me during this time?”

Old Man Sun said with a laugh, “Yes, Mr. Da Su and Mr. Xiao Su have both called in succession, and Mr. Xiao Su is envious to know you’re having fun.”

“Did Big Brother Su say anything?”

“He mentioned something work-related, but it wasn’t urgent and told you to enjoy yourself.”

Apart from Su Heyuan, Lu Jiaguang had also called her, leaving a message asking her to call back as soon as possible. She knew from this that there was some issue.

Lu Jiaxin immediately called Lu Jiaguang, “Big Brother, what’s happened?”

Lu Jiaguang didn’t hide it from her, saying, “Jiajie is getting divorced, but Ma Lili disagrees, and now there’s a standoff! Also, there’s the issue with Third Uncle…”

Ma Lili’s refusal to divorce was within her expectations; if she divorced, she’d only be able to remarry a widower. How could she agree to that unless she was truly foolish?

Lu Jiaxin sighed, “When a husband and wife turn against each other, it’s the children who suffer in the end.”

Lu Jiaguang said the children had been taken to Yangcheng City, but according to Ma Lili, they were left in their hometown, “Jiajie says he will make Mary agree to the divorce before school starts and has asked me not to interfere.”

Lu Jiaxin felt that Lu Jiajie was finally taking responsibility. The matters between husband and wife should not be meddled with by the family, “Big Brother, those kids will be ruined if they keep staying with Ma Lili.”

There’s a saying that it’s better to demolish a temple than to destroy a marriage. It’s inappropriate for outsiders to intervene in a couple’s disputes, but now the problem was that the signs of Feng’er’s bad upbringing were already showing. Even for the kids’ sake, this marriage had to end, of course, she wouldn’t voice this thought.

Lu Jiaguang hummed in agreement, “I’ve discussed it with your sister-in-law. Once we buy our house, we will have Jiajie buy one nearby as well. That way, the children can spend time at our home.”

Lu Jiaxin said, “Big Brother, you must have done countless good deeds in your last life to have married sister-in-law.”

Wang Xiaojie was virtuous and generous; in the past years when their parents were sick, it was their couple who took care of all the expenses without complaint; Second Sister-in-law Lu was sensible and did more work at home without quibbling; thus, even though Third Aunt Lu always played petty tricks, the entire family still lived harmoniously.

At these words, the corners of Lu Jiaguang’s mouth lifted; having a wife who was virtuous, obedient, and generous was indeed his good fortune.

After a few more words, Lu Jiaxin indicated she had things to do and hung up the call.

Lu Jiaguang hesitated before saying, “Jiaxin, someone introduced a woman to Third Uncle a while ago, and he seems very pleased with her, I think it’s likely they’ll get together.”

Lu Jiaxin casually asked, “Does that woman have a job?”

Lu Jiaguang shook his head to indicate no: “I asked around, and this comrade is forty-three years old. Her husband died six years ago. She has five children at home. The eldest is twenty-two this year, and the youngest is eleven.”

Lu Jiaxin had known that Lu Hongjun would remarry, as he was not someone to settle for less: “The eldest isn’t married, and the younger ones are still in school, right?”

“Yes, the eldest quit junior high and took over his dad’s job, now he works in a coal mine; the second child finished junior high but is unemployed and only gets occasional jobs through introductions; the third went to work in a textile factory after finishing junior high, but his reputation isn’t very good, and the two youngest are still in school.”

Lu Jiaxin asked, “When did this woman’s husband pass away?”

“He died six years ago, suddenly from an illness.”

Lu Jiaxin exclaimed in surprise, “Given their situation, this woman managed to get all her children at least through junior high, with the third even working in a textile factory. Their family’s situation seems quite good!”

The widow didn’t have a job, and her son’s wage was not high. It was impressive they were getting by at all, let alone think about the future. Now wasn’t like later times with compulsory education, all the fees for school, books, papers, erasers, and other miscellaneous items added up to a significant amount.

Lu Jiaguang was silent for a moment before speaking: “They were helped by a distant relative, but that relative was transferred away three months ago.”

Lu Jiaxin said indifferently, “I won’t interfere with his desire to find a companion, and having someone to take care of him when he’s sick will also give you guys a break. However, we must make our family situation clear to her to prevent her from targeting the house and property, and ending up making a scene out of frustration and embarrassment when she finds out there’s nothing to gain.”

What distant relative? It’s likely this woman’s lover; otherwise, what relative would provide such support? Yet it’s natural for a widow to find a significant other after her husband’s death. If Lu Hongjun doesn’t mind being taken advantage of, Lu Jiaxin cares even less. She will keep her promises, but they shouldn’t expect any more.

Seeing that she didn’t object, Lu Jiaguang also breathed a sigh of relief. If Lu Hongjun were to remarry, caring for him when he’s sick would be his wife’s responsibility, and his brothers would simply need to lend a hand then.

Lu Jiaxin said, “Big Brother, knowing him, he won’t hand over all the antiques he received to me; he’ll definitely keep some. You and Fifth Brother figure out a way to secure them. Later, leave them for Lu Ping and Qiangqiang. We shouldn’t let outsiders benefit.”

Lu Jiaguang flatly refused, “If he really has any, we’ll find a way to get him to hand them over to you.”

“No need to give them to me; you guys can keep them. If you don’t want them, just donate them.”

Those antiques were becoming more valuable, and Lu Jiaguang wasn’t willing to donate them. However, he knew Lu Jiaxin was resolute and pushing them on her would only annoy her. After hanging up the phone, he thought it over and decided to call Lu Jiajie to discuss the matter.

In Lu Jiaguang’s view, the widow was up to no good in her relationship with Lu Hongjun: “According to what I’ve heard, that woman is very capable. The property that the distant relative helped out with has almost been drained. If Third Uncle marries her, anything of value he has will surely be lost.”

Lu Jiajie asked, “What do you mean, Big Brother? You want to disrupt this?”

Lu Jiaguang didn’t speak so directly, as he was a leader: “Third Uncle remarrying is not opposed by Sister Xin, and I have no objections either. However, he must marry a kind and sincere woman who truly wants a companion, not another malicious person who will only cause trouble for both of our families later.”

Jiaxin has gone to Hong Kong, and her stance is clear; she’ll provide money but not effort.

The moment Lu Jiajie heard this, he understood, “Don’t worry, Big Brother. I won’t let Third Uncle marry that woman.”

“Just make sure Third Uncle doesn’t catch wind of it, or he’ll feel alienated from us.”

Lu Jiajie replied with a chuckle, “You can count on me, Big Brother, I know what to do.”

He was still counting on Lu Hongjun to help take care of the kids. If he brought that widow home, his attention would be fully on her. It would be fine if she were good, but clearly, she wasn’t an easy person. Ding Jing had harmed Jiaxin before, and he hadn’t done a thing about it, let alone for his grandnephews and grandnieces. So, for the sake of the children, he wouldn’t let that woman enter the household.

Lu Jiaguang then asked about his own affairs, “When do you plan to drag it out till?”

“I’ll give her some time to think it over; if by August there is still no agreement, then I’ll take some drastic measures. Don’t worry, Big Brother, it’s just scaring them a bit; I won’t do anything illegal or criminal.”

Although he said this, Lu Jiaguang still reminded him, “You have two kids to think about before doing anything. What will they do if something happens to you?”

Lu Jiajie hummed in acknowledgment and said, “Big Brother, I’m planning to open an electronics store in the Forty-nine City in the second half of the year. That way, I can also take care of the two kids.”

Given Lu Hongjun’s character, even if he managed to interfere this time, he would surely look again, and the next time it must be someone with a good heart. Once the three families moved in together, he wouldn’t worry about going out; for now, it’s best to stay in the Forty-nine City for half the year!

“Alright.”

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