Xie Kaixiao came over this time to see Lu Jiaxin, informing her about the resolution regarding Lu Hongjun was secondary; the main purpose was to discuss the Oriental Automobile Factory with her. Others might not know, but he was well aware that the factory seemingly collaborated with First Automobile Factory, but the actual owner behind it was Lu Jiaxin.
Xie Kaixiao had many questions, first being why Lu Jiaxin would want to start a car factory. As far as he knew, Lu Jiaxin was not interested or skilled in the mechanical industry. It couldn’t just be for fun, as five billion Hong Kong Dollars is not a trivial sum. Su Heyuan had amassed a wealth of five billion after fighting hard in Hong Kong for many years.
Seeing his face full of confusion, Lu Jiaxin realized that Su Heyuan hadn’t shared her speculations with Xie Kaixiao. She hadn’t instructed Su Heyuan to do so, nor had she asked him to keep it secret. It proved that Su Heyuan was tight-lipped.
The real reason couldn’t be disclosed yet, as the time wasn’t ripe. Without sufficient evidence, speaking out would only add to Xie Kaixiao’s worries.
Lu Jiaxin said, "I find it too troublesome to buy a small car in the country. If we could produce them ourselves, then anyone with money could buy one."
Xie Kaixiao asked, "So why collaborate with AZLK? The best auto industries are in Germany, followed by America, France, and Japan."
The reason to partner with AZLK was obviously to save costs, but that couldn’t be said out loud. Lu Jiaxin smiled and replied, "The Soviet Union’s auto industry ranks fifth in the world, just behind the countries you mentioned. The AZLK Automobile Factory is a major Soviet car manufacturer, not much worse than those foreign joint ventures."
"Of course, the most important reason is that Ah Zhan’s college classmate, Mokrich’s uncle, holds a significant position at AZLK. With Mokrich’s help, we won’t get swindled."
Xie Kaixiao thought this wasn’t the most crucial reason, but since Lu Jiaxin wouldn’t say, and Su Heyuan kept as silent as a clam, he didn’t press further. He knew Jiaxin cared deeply about this land and wanted it to prosper, so when she wasn’t willing to say more, he didn’t push. When the time comes for him to know, she would tell him.
Xie Kaixiao called over his secretary, handed a palm-sized box to Jiaxin, and said with a smile, "Next month is your engagement banquet, your Aunt Su and I can’t make it, so we’re here to wish you a happy engagement in advance."
He hadn’t met Nie Zhan, but Wansheng Hotel was going to build a five-star hotel in the Forty-nine City, so they would surely meet by then.
Lu Jiaxin received it with both hands, smiling gratefully, and then asked some other things.
Xie Kaixiao was also very busy, and after answering Lu Jiaxin’s questions, he left. The higher the level, the more things to manage, and the greater the responsibility.
Lu Jiaxin had the kitchen prepare some food. Once everything was ready, she called Xing Ziyang over, "Send this porridge to my dad."
Xing Ziyang nodded in agreement.
Lu Jiaxin also told him to arrange for the bodyguards to take turns watching over at the hospital: "The nursing staff will handle the eating, drinking, and other needs; you guys just lend a hand and supervise them. This is additional work, with an allowance of ten yuan per day."
This was a chance to earn extra money from the boss, which Xing Ziyang happily accepted.
As he was leaving, Lu Jiaxin instructed him on another matter, "If you see Lu Shan, tell him to come home and bring Da Mai along, I have something to discuss with them."
An hour and a half later, the couple arrived, and as soon as Da Mai saw Lu Jiaxin, she apologized, "Aunt, Gou Sheng has been unwell these past days, and I’ve been busy with the shop, so I couldn’t visit Grandpa at the hospital."
The third child, Gou Sheng, was in poor health, and the couple was really worried.
Lu Jiaxin didn’t blame her and said, "It’s impossible for both of you to be at the hospital; someone has to look after the kids and the shop at home. The reason I called you here this time is that the case has a result."
The couple was shocked for a moment, and Da Mai asked, "Aunt, what trouble did Grandpa get into? Some say it’s smuggling goods, others say national treasures."
Lu Jiaxin didn’t gloss it over and said, "The idea of smuggling national treasures is baseless; someone wanted to bring us down but failed. As for smuggling goods, that is true. He profited sixty-eight thousand yuan from this, and I’ve already arranged for someone to repay it."
Da Mai was a bit worried and said, "Is returning the money enough, or will there still be a sentence?"
Lu Jiaxin reassured her, "No sentencing. In Dad’s condition, it’s not feasible for him to serve a sentence. The directive from above is to repay the money and forfeit all benefits and treatments."
"He won’t have a pension in the future, and the house in the family compound will also be taken back. However, the house payment will be refunded to you."
Lu Shan was shocked as if hit by lightning, "The house has been given to us, how can it be taken back?"
Da Mai shot him a look, then said, "Aunt, it’s okay, if the house is taken back, we’ll just buy another. I’m just worried it might affect the kids."
Lu Jiaxin looked at her and said, "There won’t be a public trial, no sentencing, just a record, which is already the best outcome."
She had forgotten to ask Xie Kaixiao about this earlier and planned to call him later to bring it up, hoping the record wouldn’t affect them. She didn’t mind, but it would influence Gou Dan and Nannan’s job prospects.
Da Mai understood this reasoning too, but thinking about the kids, she was still downhearted.
Lu Jiaxin said, "The family housing will be returned, and the house on Radiance Road is vacant now, so it will be yours. Tomorrow, go with the lawyer to handle the transfer."
The house on Radiance Road, she wouldn’t sell, but a vacant home for too long would get damaged, and she didn’t want to rent it for fear of others ruining the furniture and appliances inside. Giving it to Lu Shan was most appropriate since, after all, he was now the heir to the third house and culturally still Mrs. Lu’s grandson.
Lu Shan was taken aback, "Aunt, that house is worth tens of thousands, I can’t take it. Aunt, we’ve saved a bit over the past few years. We’ve been looking around, but haven’t found a suitable one yet."
Lu Jiaxin said, "When you were adopted, it was promised that you would get a house. Since the family compound one has to be returned, I surely have to provide you another if I can." "This house was left to me by your grandmother, and I won’t sell it. Giving it to you would make her agree from down below. Just take it; if you don’t occupy it, it might collapse in a few years."
Da Mai loved the house on Radiance Road and couldn’t bear to refuse. She said, "Aunt, let’s put this house under Gou Dan’s name!"
She had been house-hunting since spring but still hadn’t found one that satisfied her. She couldn’t compare it to the aunt’s grand house but hoped to find something with a layout similar to Chaoyang or Radiance Road. Unfortunately, she hadn’t found one yet. The house on Radiance Road met all her satisfaction, in both layout and location.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "Alright, but you should save well to buy a house for Nannan and Gou Sheng each in the future, so they won’t feel you’re being biased when they grow up."
Just a few words, and Nie Zhan called. Lu Jiaxin asked them to go back first, saying that she would come back in a few days if anything came up.