Chapter 241: Chapter 230: Ingratiation Chapter 241: Chapter 230: Ingratiation After the talk, Lu Jiaguang was about to leave when Lu Hongjun called out to him, saying, “All four kids have grown up, especially Zhenzhen, who’s already a young lady. It’s not proper for her to continue living in the same room with Lu Zhang. Look, why don’t you buy a house like the one Jiajie has?”
Lu Jiaguang indeed wanted one, but he didn’t have the money.
Lu Hongjun indicated that he himself had a little over four thousand yuan: “Jiajie still hasn’t paid back nine hundred, and you should have your own savings. If that’s not enough, you can borrow some from friends or relatives. If you’re going to buy, you should do it sooner rather than later. The price of houses in the Forty-nine City is rising every year; buy early, live early, and save money.”
Lu Jiaguang refused, saying, “Third Uncle, if you have money, you should buy a house for yourself. Living in these apartments is just not as comfortable as living in a bungalow.”
He now also felt bungalows were better. Having been to Lu Jiajie’s place for meals a few times, he really found it quite convenient. Not like in those tube buildings, where speaking loudly can be heard by the floors above and below–too many eyes to hide anything from.
Lu Hongjun shook his head and said, “If I go out and buy a house, once the unit finds out, I’ll have to vacate the current place I’m living in.”
Lu Jiaguang said, “Third Uncle, living alone in such a big house, the staff at your unit will sooner or later have opinions. It’s better to plan ahead.”
Lu Hongjun said in a hushed tone, “Someone from above has suggested privatizing public housing. There are already rumors, showing that the authorities are considering it. Maybe in a few years, these houses will all become privately owned.”
Lu Jiaguang wasn’t as well-informed, but the privatization of public housing would be beneficial for them considering the size of his home wasn’t small either.
Lu Hongjun said, “Even if you want to buy a house outside, the property should be in Lu Ping’s and Lu An’s names. Otherwise, if it gets out, you’ll be in a passive position.”
Lu Jiaguang shook his head, indicating he didn’t have the money to buy a house: “Third Uncle, if you have money and want to buy a house, you could put it in Jiaxin’s name. That way, even if people at your unit find out, they can’t say anything. And Jiaxin, knowing you’ve thought of her, will be happy.”
Lu Hongjun shook his head, “She wouldn’t want it, nor would she care about such trifling things. Don’t be too quick to refuse. Discuss it with Xiaojie when you get back.”
When he got home, Lu Jiaguang talked to Wang Xiaojie about this, “Third Uncle should save his money for his own retirement. We can’t accept it, or people might think I’m plotting for his property.”
Wang Xiaojie had never thought about taking Lu Hongjun’s money; as long as he provided his network of connections to her man, it would be enough: “The day after tomorrow, when I take Lu Zhang and Zhenzhen to visit him, I will make things clear.”
Lu Hongjun had made a significant effort for her husband’s success. Now that he was living alone, both Lu Jiaguang and Wang Xiaojie, whenever they had time on weekends, would take the kids to visit.
After discussing this matter, Wang Xiaojie brought up the loan: “Jiajie repaid the money we lent him a long time ago. It’s probably just that Third Uncle forgot to return it.”
With Lu Jiaguang’s persuasion, Lu Jiajie didn’t partner with friends to start a shoe factory but continued to dabble in clothing, which earned him a tidy sum over the past half year.
Lu Jiaguang also thought he must have simply forgotten. Lu Jiajie wasn’t one to be stingy; every time he went to see Lu Hongjun, he brought lots of gifts, and Lao Wu had taken care of their family’s clothing needs.
Sighing deeply, Lu Jiaguang said, “Third Uncle really has gotten old.”
If this were the past, Lu Hongjun wouldn’t have even mentioned the nine hundred yuan, but today he spoke of it seriously. With Ding Jing caught and Jiaxin far away in Hong Kong, Third Uncle had not only lost his spirits, but his actions also had become more penny-pinching than before.
Wang Xiaojie felt no sympathy for Lu Hongjun; his current plight was self-inflicted. Otherwise, with an accomplished daughter like Jiaxin, he wouldn’t have to worry about his old age or try to curry favor with them. But on the other hand, while Lu Hongjun did wrong Jiaxin, he had provided tremendous help to their family. One mustn’t be heartless; they should surely look after Lu Hongjun in his old age.
With this in mind, Wang Xiaojie said, “Jiaguang, for New Year’s, let’s go to Third Uncle’s place; his space is roomy. Our place is still too small, too crowded when everyone’s there; it’s hard even to turn around.”
Lu Jiaguang, of course, had no objections. He thought about the times when everyone celebrated the New Year together, “Third Uncle’s place is big, and inviting Jiajie over would make it lively and bustling.”
“Okay, call Jiajie tomorrow and ask for his opinion.”
As soon as Lu Jiajie heard about going to Lu Hongjun’s place for the New Year, he agreed without hesitation, “I just bought some New Year’s goods intending to send them to Third Uncle. He’s definitely going to be overjoyed when he finds out about this.”
After a thoughtful hum, Lu Jiaguang asked, “Third Uncle is worried that his unit-assigned house will be taken back, so he’s thinking about secretly buying a small house, but he doesn’t have enough money.”
Lu Jiajie didn’t think it was a problem and said casually, “Why buy a house? If they take his house back, I’ll take him in. It’s not safe for him to live alone at his age, he could get hurt and no one would know, and he’s eating meals sporadically. At my place, we have a maid to do laundry and cook, plus Qiangqiang and Xiao Feng for company. How great is that?”
Lu Jiaguang asked, “Have you mentioned this to Third Uncle?”
Lu Jiajie said he had mentioned it at least three times, but Lu Hongjun didn’t agree, “Third Uncle said that if my parents found out he was living at my place, they’d definitely come to the Forty-nine City to make a fuss.”
In reality, Lu Hongjun’s concerns weren’t just about Second Uncle Lu and his wife, but also about Ma Lili. From years of interactions, he was very aware that Ma Lili wasn’t a very generous person and, furthermore, the marital relationship wasn’t good. Moving in would mean witnessing their quarrels every day, which would be distressing.
Lu Jiaguang said, “It’s indeed not suitable for Third Uncle to move to your place. His health is still okay. We’ll wait for Jiaxin to come back from Hong Kong, and then we’ll discuss together.”
“Will Jiaxin take care of Third Uncle?”
Lu Jiaguang confidently affirmed, “As long as Third Uncle divorces Ding Jing, Jiaxin will definitely take care of him. Before the divorce, it can’t be brought up.”
By evening, Lu Jiajie went back home and spoke to Ma Lili, who was chopping vegetables, “I spoke to Big Brother, we’re going to celebrate the New Year at Third Uncle’s place. It’s sad for the old man to be alone, and it’ll be more festive with us there.”
He had originally planned to go back to his hometown with Lu Jiazong and the others for the New Year, but since Lu Feng had caught a cold and still hadn’t completely recovered, they decided to stay in the Forty-nine City for the sake of the child’s health.
As soon as Ma Lili heard this, she became anxious and put down her knife, “You promised me that we’d invite my parents over for the New Year.”
Lu Hongjun had already retired, and there was no longer a need to ingratiate himself with anyone. In half a year, she had only visited once during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and even then, she wasn’t as warm as before.
Lu Jiajie’s face immediately soured, “When did I ever promise to have your parents over for the New Year? Ma Lili, you’re lying so easily now.”
“You promised me right before we went to sleep that night.”
Lu Jiajie didn’t remember any such occurrence, thinking it might have been a moment when he was drowsy and she took advantage. He didn’t mince words with Ma Lili, “It’s impossible to have them over at our place for New Year. I’m taking Qiangqiang and Xiao Feng to Third Uncle’s place for New Year, if you don’t go then go back to your parents’.”
Ma Lili was both angry and anxious, “Lu Jiajie, I have already told my parents, where am I supposed to put my face with you doing this,”
In the past year, because Lu Jiajie had softened his attitude, she had made this request. At the time, she thought the matter was settled when he agreed, but didn’t expect him to deny it later.
Lu Jiajie snorted coldly, “That’s your problem. Ma Lili, I won’t stop you from being a dutiful daughter, but don’t drag me and the two kids into it.”