Rebirth 1983: Building My Business Empire
Chapter 417 - Chapter 417 Chapter 406 Jealousy

Chapter 417: Chapter 406 Jealousy Chapter 417: Chapter 406 Jealousy Lu Jiaxin knew that Second Sister-in-law Lu wished to treat her three sons equally; however, it was exceedingly difficult to be impartial. As the sons had grown and needed to take wives, each of those daughters-in-law had their own desires, and it was impossible to satisfy all their demands. Second Sister-in-law Lu’s seemingly fair approach was actually premised on Lu Shan’s extra contributions.

In the past, Jiaxin would not have intervened, for it was a matter concerning the small household of Lu Jiazong. Besides, in the hearts of many from the older generation, it was believed that being the eldest meant bearing more responsibilities. But now that Shanzi had been adopted into the third branch of the family, and the child was honest and sincere, Jiaxin couldn’t bear to see him taken advantage of.

Second Sister-in-law Lu fell silent upon hearing Lu Jiaxin’s words, and after a long while said, “Jiaxin, from now on, I will give Shanzi one-third of the shop’s earnings.”

Lu Jiaxin felt this was a bad idea, “If you do this, Lu Yun’s Wife will definitely make a fuss and accuse you of favoritism. Second Sister-in-law, now that Shanzi has been adopted into the third branch and he lives in the family compound, his finances should be clearly separated from yours.

Lu Tao is still unmarried and won’t quibble over money, but Lu Yun and his wife will definitely be discontent. But if you clarify things now, these conflicts won’t arise.”

Second Sister-in-law Lu thought about the behavior of Lu Yun and his wife in recent days and said nothing more.

Lu Jiaxin continued speaking, “I am now giving Shanzi a shop, which is just right for him to open a new noodle restaurant. Whether they profit or lose will depend on the couple’s own abilities.”

Second Sister-in-law Lu couldn’t bring herself to refuse the shop anymore, stating, “Jiaxin, the shop you bought is too big, it can fit two noodle restaurants.”

Lu Jiaxin said with a smile, “Second Sister-in-law, once business picks up, you’ll only complain that the shop is too small. However, if you feel it’s wasteful, you can divide it into two shops, use one yourself and rent out the other.”

Second Sister-in-law Lu sighed and said, “Jiaxin, by doing this, it makes me feel like I’m scheming for the third branch’s property.”

Lu Jiaxin laughed, replying, “All of the third branch’s property is in my hands, even the house in the family compound was something I declined first. Second Sister-in-law, everyone knows what kind of person you are, so stop overthinking it.”

After finishing this statement, Miao Na knocked on the door and entered, saying Nie Zhan had arrived and was waiting downstairs. Lu Jiaxin said to Second Sister-in-law Lu, “Second Sister-in-law, I have other matters to attend to and can’t keep you any longer. Don’t overthink the shop matter; let Shanzi take it.”

Second Sister-in-law Lu said, “Jiaxin, then I’ll shamelessly let Shanzi accept it.”

Lu Jiaxin, feeling somewhat helpless, replied, “Second Sister-in-law, why do you put it that way? The shop is a gift to Shanzi, not something you or Shanzi asked for. Alright, I need to head out; we’ll talk another time.”

“Okay.”

As Second Sister-in-law Lu hung up the phone and looked up, she saw her family members watching her. Lu Jiazong was the first to lose patience and asked, “Wife, are you willing to let Shanzi accept the shop?”

A forty-eight-square-meter shop in such a good location. They had worked hard in the Forty-nine City for over two years and still couldn’t afford that shop.

Second Sister-in-law Lu, already in a foul mood, snapped at his excited expression, “What are you so happy about? It’s all because you, as a father, are useless and incompetent. If you were capable, you would buy a shop for each of our sons. Jiaxin wouldn’t need to specially buy a shop to give to Shanzi.”

Lu Jiazong, not expecting to be blamed in this way, touched his nose and said, “Jiaxin giving Shanzi a shop is a good thing; why are you still angry?”

Lu Yun’s Wife chimed in from the side, “Exactly, Mother. Big Brother was adopted into the third branch and got a big house, and now he even obtained a large shop. Such good fortune that one couldn’t find even with a lantern is all falling onto Big Brother, and you should be happy for him.”

Lu Yun looked at Shanzi with a sour expression and said, “Big brother, you’re really lucky, why don’t I have such luck!”

Xiao Qiu thought that Lu Yun and his wife had brains filled with nothing but mush. Their mother was obviously displeased, yet they still spoke such words, wasn’t it just adding fuel to the fire, asking to be scolded!

Second Sister-in-law Lu was already very angry, and hearing what this couple had to say made her even more furious. Pointing at Lu Yun’s nose, she scolded, “When your brother was working hard in the shop from dawn till dusk, what were you doing? You were at your hometown, sleeping in until the sun shone on your backside. With your laziness, had it not been for me and your father, you’d have starved to death by now. And you still think about being adopted? Who would want a lazy ghost like you.”

After finishing, she turned her wrath onto Lu Yun’s Wife, “You lazy goods, nearly five years in and still not a stir in your belly, and you still have the face to speak to me in riddles. I’m telling you, if you can’t get pregnant this year, then just get lost. I’ll find Lu Yun someone diligent and fertile.”

Lu Yun’s Wife suddenly felt breathless. Even though the check-ups said that both of them were fine, not having children was often still blamed on the woman.

Second Sister-in-law Lu grew angrier the more she thought about it and said, “Starting from tomorrow, you couple will go sell breakfast, and your father and I will handle lunch and the afternoon. If you mess it up, just get out and find your own work to do, I won’t keep feeding this pair of good-for-nothings.”

The two of them shrank like quails, not daring to utter a word.

Xiao Qiu thought they deserved it but didn’t want Second Sister-in-law Lu to keep scolding either, “Mom, the food is ready, let’s eat!”

Second Sister-in-law Lu was so full of anger, she had lost her appetite, “Shanzi, hurry home, you don’t need to go to the shop tomorrow morning. Xiao Qiu, if you’re hungry, just go eat by yourself.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Shan immediately rode off on his bicycle.

Lu Yun and Peng Xiangye also wanted to go eat, but when Second Sister-in-law Lu caught them, she scolded them again and then even denied them dinner, leaving them to starve, saying it would help clear their minds.

Da Mai saved a meal for Lu Shan, and after taking the dishes out of the pot, she asked, “Why are you back so late today?”

Lu Shan explained about the shop, “I told Auntie I didn’t want it, but she said that one must keep what an elder offers. Mom also persuaded Auntie to take back the shop, I don’t know what was said that changed Mom’s mind.”

Da Mai’s heart raced upon hearing this, “What did you say? Auntie gave us a shop? Shanzi, you’re not kidding me, are you?”

Lu Shan realized at that moment that because he was in a hurry to get home, he had left the property deed on Radiance Road, “Why would I kid you? Tomorrow, I’ll bring the property deed back. Da Mai, the shop Auntie gave us has forty-eight square meters, and it’s just a six or seven-minute walk from here, very convenient.”

He was simple, not stupid, and understood that Lu Jiaxin had deliberately purchased the shop near their home so that he could take care of the family. Xiushui Street was too far for anything urgent; a phone call was the best they could do. But now with this shop, he could run home if needed.

Da Mai was so elated she almost passed out. Once she calmed down, she said, “Shanzi, Auntie gave us such a big shop, we need to take good care of Grandpa so he doesn’t bother Auntie.”

Auntie was so rich, everyday items wouldn’t interest her, and the valuable ones they couldn’t afford. The only thing they could do was to take good care of Grandpa.

Thinking of Lu Jiaxin leaving in luxury cars and living in that beautiful villa, he said, “We can’t let Grandpa go looking for Auntie; he’d surely stay there and not come back.”

The relationship between father and daughter was so poor, Grandpa going over there would purely be bothering Auntie. Auntie had been so good to them; they definitely couldn’t let that happen.