Rebirth 1983: Building My Business Empire
Chapter 482 - Chapter 482 Chapter 470 Lu Hongjun is Injured

Chapter 482: Chapter 470: Lu Hongjun is Injured Chapter 482: Chapter 470: Lu Hongjun is Injured Just as Da Mai said, the Peng Family was well aware they couldn’t get the house and shop, their demand was merely a ploy for more compensation.

Lu Shan said, “Mom says the house and shop are out of the question, if they don’t wish to divorce then just drag it out. In the end, Aunt Peng demanded twenty thousand yuan in compensation.”

Da Mai cried out in shock, “Twenty thousand yuan? Why don’t they just go rob someone?”

Her noodle shop was doing well, but after deducting costs and labor, the profits were about two thousand five to six hundred every month. This didn’t include her and Shanzi’s wages or the rent. If these were accounted for, the monthly profit would be roughly one thousand seven to eight hundred. Twenty thousand yuan, they would have to work hard for a whole year to earn that amount. Her parents’ noodle shop was not as big as theirs, and with so many eating places now, business had declined, not making twenty thousand in a year.

Lu Shan said, “Mom said we don’t have that much money, at most we can give three thousand, but Aunt Peng stubbornly cried there, until Dad finally decided to offer a compensation of ten thousand yuan.”

Da Mai felt that even three thousand was a lot, yet to give ten thousand, it was as if they had money to burn, “They are taking advantage of the fact that they saved Dad back then, and have been reaping benefits from us all these years. Shanzi, is Mom really putting up with this?”

Lu Shan sighed and said, “Mom agreed to give ten thousand yuan but with one condition, that is to list all the advantages the Peng Family has received from us over the years. Each member of their family must sign their name and seal on it, ensuring there will be no further ties between our families in the future.”

Having it in black and white meant the Peng Family couldn’t demand any more favors based on past kindness. Second Sister-in-law Lu has borne it hard over these years, not expecting to still have to endure it upon coming to the Forty-nine City.

Da Mai felt that if ten thousand yuan could sever the so-called favors, it would be worth it. She asked, “Would the Peng Family agree to it?”

Lu Shan shook his head, “They didn’t agree. Mom then said that this marriage was orchestrated by the Pengs in the first place. If they don’t agree to sign, she won’t interfere with Ah Yun and Peng Xiangye’s situation anymore. If Peng Xiangye wants to accuse Lu Yun of hooliganism, then so be it, she won’t care anymore.”

Da Mai remembered that throughout the divorce debacle between Lu Yun and Peng Xiangye, Second Sister-in-law Lu had remained silent. She had found it odd, but it turned out she was waiting for this moment. Fortunately, the mother-in-law had her plans, otherwise, if the father-in-law continued like this, the little money the family worked so hard to earn would entirely benefit the Peng family.

“Did they agree?”

Lu Shan nodded, “They did, but Dad and Mom don’t have that much money on hand, so they wanted to borrow five thousand from us. I said I needed to come back and discuss it with you.”

Da Mai didn’t want to lend the money. Having just moved into the staff dormitory, she was happy at first, but after staying there a while, she still preferred a courtyard house. Her reasons were that a courtyard house was roomier and neighbors wouldn’t complain about children’s crying or jumping. She wanted to buy a courtyard house like the one Lu Hongjun lived in, but those were expensive, costing tens of thousands, and she was saving up for it! Lending out five thousand yuan would mean postponing buying a house till next year.

With house prices rising every year, a half-year delay would mean paying a lot more. However, it was impossible not to lend anything when the parents-in-law asked for it.

The next day, Lu Hongjun picked up Gou Dan from the Children’s Palace and brought him home. He noticed Da Mai didn’t go to the shop and looked upset, so he asked, “What’s wrong, did you and Shanzi have a fight?”

Da Mai shook her head and said, “It’s not about Shanzi. The Peng Family agreed to the divorce, but they demanded ten thousand yuan in compensation. Dad and Mom agreed, but they’re short, so they want to borrow five thousand from us.”

“Grandpa, I’m not a petty person. If it were for something serious my second brother needed to borrow money for, I would definitely not hesitate. But borrowing money for a divorce, it really makes me uncomfortable,” she said.

Lu Hongjun tried to console her, “Your parents are tight on money right now, once they’re in a better position, they’ll pay you back.”

Da Mai understood this reasoning, but it still didn’t sit well with her, “Before, Peng Xiangye was crying and kneeling to prevent the divorce, asking us to let Gou Sheng be adopted by them. Shanzi and I didn’t agree, and she cursed us. Now, I have to help gather the money for their compensation, where’s the sense in that?”

If it weren’t for the previous issues with the adoption and curses, she really wouldn’t mind lending the money, as the parents-in-law would repay it. But after those incidents, she didn’t want to have anything to do with them.

“Adoption, what adoption?”

Da Mai then realized that he hadn’t spoken to Lu Hongjun about the adoption. It wasn’t a deliberate concealment–Shanzi said that saying less was better than saying more, especially since his wife and he would never agree.

After learning the full story, Lu Hongjun stormed out. Arriving at Xiushui Street, he found Lu Jiazong and cursed at him, “Lu Yun isn’t infertile, so why the hell would he need to adopt? The Peng Family did save you back then, but over the years you’ve given back more than enough. If you think you still owe them, then pay with your life–nobody in the family would stop you.”

After berating Lu Jiazong, he turned his wrath onto Second Sister-in-law Lu, “You strut around at home like you’re so important, but you’re less than a worm outside. Compensate ten thousand yuan? Their entire family together isn’t worth a thousand yuan. Tell the Peng Family people, just five thousand yuan–if they agree, go ahead with the divorce, if not, just drag it out. If they dare to make trouble at the store or our home, I’ll have the Public Security Bureau lock them up.”

That evening, Lu Jiaxin received a phone call informing her that Lu Hongjun had been injured on his lower back and was now lying in the hospital.

Lu Jiaxin asked, “Who hit him?”

The call was from Second Sister-in-law Lu, who shamefully recounted the series of events, “Xiangye came to collect the money, and happened to hear Third Uncle say they were only willing to give five thousand. Overcome with rage, he pushed Third Uncle, who happened to hit his back on the corner of a table and was in so much pain we immediately took him to the hospital.”

Lu Jiaxin inquired, “What did the doctor say?”

Second Sister-in-law Lu replied, “The doctor said he hurt his lumbar spine and needs to rest in bed for a while. Don’t worry, I’ll hire someone to take care of Third Uncle, and your second brother and I will visit him every day.”

Lu Jiaxin didn’t agree, “Doesn’t he have a wife? No hired help can provide the care that a wife can.”

Hesitantly, Second Sister-in-law Lu still agreed to it.

Lu Jiaxin commanded, “Once Lu Yun gets divorced, have him return to his hometown. With his eldest uncle watching, he wouldn’t dare to mess around. If you want to keep staying in the Forty-nine City, don’t even think about living peacefully.”

In Second Sister-in-law Lu’s eyes, it seemed Lu Hongjun’s back injury was causing him to take his anger out on Lu Yun. However, having him return to their hometown was a good thing–out of sight, out of mind. Otherwise, managing his mess after a tiring day’s work was unbearable. Her mood had been foul lately, and she felt a faint discomfort in her chest.

Second Sister-in-law Lu then said, “It so happens he has to return and deal with the divorce paperwork with Xiangye, so we’ll just have him stay in his hometown. It’s also perfect for him to take care of Grandpa and Grandma.”

Lu Jiaxin simply answered with a grunt, “Peng Family must cover my father’s medical bills, nursing fees, and nutrition costs. If they don’t have the money, deduct it from the compensation you’re giving Peng Xiangye. If they don’t agree and dare to kick up a fuss, call the Public Security Bureau to arrest them–lock them up for ten days to half a month, and they’ll learn to behave.”

“Okay.”

Since it was an international long-distance call, Second Sister-in-law Lu asked Lu Jiaxin about her recent situation, found out she was doing well, and then hung up.

Afterward, she called back to their hometown.

Having finished the call and stepping out, Second Sister-in-law Lu said to Lu Jiazong, “I just called Mom and Dad to talk about Lu Yun and Xiangye’s situation. They both support the divorce and said after finalizing the divorce procedures, they want Ah Yun to start looking again. This time, they insist on finding a smart, generous girl who knows how to manage a household.”

Lu Jiazong remained silent and gloomy.