Rebirth 1983: Building My Business Empire
Chapter 397 - Chapter 397 386 Chapter Adoption by Passing on

Chapter 397: 386 Chapter Adoption by Passing on Chapter 397: 386 Chapter Adoption by Passing on Lu Hongjun knew that after Lu Jiaxin would only be paying someone to take care of things and would not come back, so when he became old and unable to move, he could only rely on a few nephews. If they did not care for him, there would be no security in his old age. As for being removed from the family tree, he used to care a lot about his reputation. Since Ding Jing had gone to prison and his reputation was ruined, he no longer cared about that.

Seeing him fall silent, Big Uncle Lu asked, “Third Brother, speak up.”

Lu Hongjun came back to his senses and nodded, saying, “Before, I was unaware of this custom, but now that I know, the child definitely cannot be born here.”

Tang Sufen wished for Sister-in-law Lu to give birth here for convenience during the postpartum care, but Lu Hongjun felt that having a child around would be too noisy and had not agreed. However, after some days of Tang Sufen’s persuasion, his stance had softened.

Big Uncle Lu felt that he had not yet become senile and nodded, then said, “Originally, when you said you wanted to adopt a son into your family, I intended to let Lu Jiazong be adopted by you, but you and Third Aunt preferred Jiajie. Later on, when that idea did not materialize, and Third Aunt mentioned that in the new society, both boys and girls are the same, I stopped bringing it up.”

After saying this, he dropped another bombshell, “But now that Jiaxin has gone to Hong Kong, and probably won’t come back, as the eldest brother, I cannot let you have no one to tend to your grave after you pass away. Third Brother, aside from Lu Ping, whichever grandson from our branch you fancy, I promise you.”

Sister-in-law Lu was startled by such a significant decision being made without their consultation! But seeing her husband and Second Sister-in-law Lu keep silent, she held back her objection.

This took Lu Hongjun completely by surprise as well. However, seeing that Lu Jiaguang and Second Sister-in-law Lu did not make a sound, he asked, “Big Brother, are you serious about this?”

Big Uncle Lu said sternly, “Of course I’m serious, when have I ever spoken nonsensically? If you haven’t made up your mind yet, just take your time. Let me know before I leave.”

Second Sister-in-law Lu chimed in, “Father-in-law, Taozi and Lu Cheng won’t do, they have jobs in the public sector. If they were to be adopted by Third Uncle… I’m worried it would affect their future.”

Big Uncle Lu glared, “It was that woman who broke the law, your Third Uncle hasn’t done anything against the law or discipline, what kind of impact could there possibly be? Third Brother, don’t mind them, I can still call the shots in this family.”

Yet Lu Hongjun was taken aback, looking at Second Sister-in-law Lu and asking, “Jiazong’s wife, what you’re saying is, if I want to adopt Shanzi, you won’t object now?”

Second Sister-in-law Lu’s eyes nearly popped out; she hadn’t expected him to set his sights on Shanzi. However, she and her husband had discussed this and thought that it could be okay to give their eldest son up for adoption, so she did not object.

Big Uncle Lu was somewhat surprised and asked, “You’ve taken a liking to Shanzi?”

Lu Hongjun nodded, “Shanzi is honest and can endure hardship, his wife is skilled with her hands and also diligent. The question is whether Jiazong and Shanzi are willing.”

Big Uncle Lu had thought he would choose Lu An or Lu Tao, since those two boys were the sharpest among the grandchildren, but he had not expected him to choose the loyal and honest Shanzi.

“Alright, then Shanzi it is.”

Lu Hongjun looked at Second Sister-in-law Lu and asked, “Jiazong’s wife, what do you think?”

He felt that Lu Jiazong and Shanzi would not refuse, but that Second Sister-in-law Lu might. This niece-in-law was too assertive, and if she disagreed and made a fuss, he would not be able to handle it.

Second Sister-in-law Lu did not refuse, but she had one condition; that was, Lu Shan and his wife would not live under the same roof as Tang Sufen: “Third Uncle, if you become old and immobile and they don’t take care of you or they don’t do a good job, Shanzi can bring you back home to look after you.”

Tang Sufen was furious as if she was being treated as if she didn’t exist.

Sister-in-law Lu immediately retorted, “This house belongs to Jiaxin, if anyone should leave, it ought to be the Huang Family. There’s no reason to send Third Uncle away and let them live here.”

Tang Sufen’s face turned green as she argued, “I don’t agree with the adoption. Old Lu, they’re bringing up adoption now only because they covet your money and house. You mustn’t let them have their way.”

Second Sister-in-law Lu wouldn’t indulge her: “Isn’t it you who’s been taking Third Uncle’s pension? Have we seen a penny of it? As for the house, Third Uncle has already signed an agreement to pass it on to Jiaxin after he’s gone.”

Once the meat is in your mouth, you won’t spit it out. Huang Jianjun and his wife are still living in the company housing and don’t want to move. Second Sister-in-law Lu didn’t create a fuss; she was thinking of discussing it when Big Uncle Lu and the others arrived.

Big Uncle Lu adopted the patriarchal tone, his face stern as he said, “You have no say here, keep interrupting and you can get out.”

Lu Hongjun no longer sided with Tang Sufen this time, confessing, “Sufen, I don’t want to be forsaken, my grave overgrown with weeds while everyone else’s are visited by their descendants after a hundred years.”

There was no point counting on Lu Jiaxin, who probably wouldn’t come back after Xiaoxia’s grave was relocated, and his nephews might be too busy to visit the graves. However, if Shanzi were adopted into his family, he would belong to his branch, and would surely tend to his grave during Qingming and Zhong Yuan festivals.

Tang Sufen once had the thought of having her youngest son take Lu Hongjun’s surname. Yet, as soon as she broached the subject, her younger son rejected the idea, asserting he belonged to the Huang Family and threatening to return to his grandparents’ home if he was forced to change his name. While the eldest son was out of the question, the second son was willing, but Lu Hongjun did not approve of him.

Big Uncle Lu made the decision, “Let’s pick an auspicious day for Lu Shan to kowtow to you, and consider the matter settled. Once I return to our hometown, I’ll change the family records.”

Tears welled up in Lu Hongjun’s eyes, “Thank you, Big Brother.”

Lu Jiazong had considered this possibility and was quite composed upon learning of it. Only Lu Shan was confused, wondering how he suddenly became the subject of adoption by his Third Grandfather.

Lu Shan, somewhat overwhelmed, said, “Dad, Mom, I’m the eldest son of the family. If anyone is to be adopted, it should be Ah Yun or Taozi, not me, right?”

Second Sister-in-law Lu, sensing his reluctance, reassured him with a smile, “You’re overthinking it. Adoption just means moving your name from the second branch to the third; everything else remains unchanged from before.”

“How could it be unchanged?”

Second Sister-in-law Lu challenged him to explain how it differed, but Lu Shan couldn’t articulate his issues on the spot. Seeing his helpless expression, she told him, “Silly boy, your father and I are doing this for you and Gou Dan. With the adoption into the third branch, the company housing will be yours.”

Lu Shan’s expression changed, “Mom, that house belongs to my younger aunt. She has been so kind to our family; we can’t be so ungrateful.”

Frustrated, Second Sister-in-law Lu slapped his back, “Your aunt doesn’t want the house; she’s offering it to us, and your father and I refused to take advantage. But if you’re adopted, it’s legitimate for you to have it, as a child of the third branch, especially if your aunt doesn’t want it.”

Hearing that Lu Jiaxin had no intention of keeping the company housing, Lu Shan insisted, “Mom, I think we should still ask my aunt. If she agrees, I have no objections. But if she’s against it, then never mind.”

He greatly admired Lu Jiaxin, not only for earning a university degree in Hong Kong but also for her business achievements. Hence, he didn’t want to upset her.

Second Sister-in-law Lu nodded, “Of course, I’ll give your aunt a call tonight.”

She was convinced Lu Jiaxin wouldn’t refuse, as it would neither hurt nor affect her. And now, even if Tang Sufen washed her hands of the matter, Shanzi’s adoption into the third branch meant that she and her husband could step in to take care of things.

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