Lu Jiaxin returned to Hong Kong, took a shower, and went to sleep.
Nie Zhan was surprised to know that she was back, mainly because Lu Hongjun hadn’t regained consciousness yet, and he didn’t expect her to return so soon. When he arrived home, Jiaxin had just gotten up, and he asked, "How’s Uncle doing now?"
Lu Jiaxin yawned and said, "Still a bit muddled, but better than when he first woke up. I was tired of taking care of him, so I found an excuse to come back, and I’ll return in half a month."
The company having urgent matters to handle was just an excuse; actually, Lu Jiaxin was reluctant to go to the hospital every day to see Lu Hongjun. She was busy with work and couldn’t take care of him personally, but since everything was arranged, no one criticized her.
Nie Zhan asked, "What about Uncle’s case?"
He also had his subordinates look into the matter, but there were no leads.
Lu Jiaxin was satisfied with the outcome: "No sentencing, but his record will be noted, and all welfare benefits are canceled. Actually, it’s good to lose the pension, so he won’t end up with some dubious job again."
She had already communicated with Xie Kaixiao about the record, expressing that it shouldn’t be noted as it was too embarrassing. Xie Kaixiao didn’t promise anything, just said they would see how it goes.
Nie Zhan was astonished and asked, "Do you mean he might still find someone else?"
Lu Jiaxin found his surprise amusing and said, "What’s so strange? He doesn’t have the conditions, otherwise, five, seven, or even eight marriages wouldn’t be out of the question."
Nie Zhan felt that he and Lu Jiaxin were in the same boat, dealing with such unreliable parents. He never expected maternal love, while Jiaxin, who was cherished from childhood, found herself less favored than the children brought in by her stepmother, a disparity that could be devastating.
Lu Jiaxin, seeing his expression, smiled and said, "Everyone’s growth is painful. But once you get through it, it’s fine. I’m stronger now, and not only can he not hurt me, but he also needs to rely on me."
If not for that sudden chest pain that day, Lu Jiaxin wouldn’t have gone back even knowing he was on the brink of death; such scum would be better off dead. But now she had concerns, not only rushing back immediately but also having to support him in the future.
Nie Zhan asked, "Recuperate Hospital’s medical equipment and doctors are better than the hospitals in the Forty-nine City. Jiaxin, should we bring him here for treatment? It would be easier for us to look after him."
Lu Jiaxin looked at him, sighed after a while, and said, "You always say I’m soft-hearted, but actually you’re more so. I don’t want to see him and have no plans to bring him to Hong Kong for treatment."
When Lu Hongjun was in a coma, she did consider it, but she was worried that his death would affect her. Now that he’s awake and out of danger, let him slowly recover in the Forty-nine City!
"I’m just afraid people will talk about you."
Lu Jiaxin chuckled softly, "As long as he gets used to the people and things in the Forty-nine City and says he wouldn’t be comfortable in unfamiliar Hong Kong, no one will talk about me."
Before, Lu Hongjun wouldn’t have yielded to her threats; now it’s different. If he wants to rely on her for old age, he has to compromise. Otherwise, dreaming of a comfortable life in his later years while she lets go and ignores him? Dream on!
Nie Zhan thought her attitude was quite good and felt he should learn from her to avoid many troubles.
During dinner, Nie Zhan told her, "Xinxin Supermarket is opening the day after tomorrow. How about you come with me for the ribbon-cutting?"
After three years, He Bin finally managed to open the supermarket, choosing a location with heavy foot traffic in Sham Shui Po.
After the kidnapping incident, Lu Jiaxin started keeping a low profile and hadn’t appeared in large public venues: "Just invite a few celebrities to go."
Nie Zhan explained, "We plan to open Xinxin Supermarkets in major cities across the Mainland, but this is Xinxin Supermarket’s first store, which is different; we should make an appearance so the public knows we value this business."
Pausing for a moment, he added, "Jiaxin, being reclusive doesn’t necessarily mean safety. On the contrary, by participating in more public welfare activities and expanding your influence, if someone tries to harm you in the future, they’ll have to consider whether they can bear the consequences."
Lu Jiaxin said, "Alright, if you think we should participate, then let’s do it. But let’s leave right after the ribbon-cutting; otherwise, with so many people, it’s dangerous."
After dinner, Lu Jiaxin called Zong Shimeng: "My dad woke up the next day but hasn’t been recovering well, still not fully conscious."
Zong Shimeng was originally going to return to the Forty-nine City with her, but Lu Jiaxin didn’t agree and let Miao Na buy her a ticket back to Hong Kong.
Originally, seeing Jiaxin rush back to the Forty-nine City upon hearing her dad was at death’s door, Zong Shimeng thought she had forgiven Lu Hongjun, but now it seemed she had overthought it.
Zong Shimeng asked about the engagement: "You’re getting engaged next month; given your dad’s condition, isn’t the engagement banquet going to be postponed?"
Lu Jiaxin hadn’t even thought about it; whether Lu Hongjun could attend or not, the engagement would proceed as planned: "No postponement, it’s not auspicious. It’s okay; he’s out of danger and just needs to recover well."
If Lu Hongjun were to die, the engagement would certainly be postponed. Holding the engagement banquet just after the father’s funeral and getting married the next month would invite criticism; more importantly, it’s inauspicious. freew\ebno\vel..(c)om
Zong Shimeng laughed and said, "It’s good not to postpone. Look at Tao Yong and Shi Xinyu; postponing their engagement finally led to them going their separate ways."
It had been a long time since she heard any news about Shi Xinyu, but Lu Jiaxin wasn’t curious enough to ask if she was doing well now.
Lu Jiaxin laughed and asked, "Sister Shimeng, are you free tomorrow? My supermarket is opening the day after tomorrow, and I need to buy some suitable clothes."
With only two days left, it was too late to make them herself. She planned to first visit Green Forest tomorrow to check out the rosemary collection; with so many clothes, she could surely find something suitable.
It’s not that she couldn’t wear other luxury brands just because she created one; it’s just that wearing her own brand in public is more convincing. If you don’t wear your own brand designs, how can you expect others to trust them?
Zong Shimeng laughed and said, "Let’s invite Meitong along."
"Sister Shimeng, let’s invite Huihui too; it’ll be fun shopping in a group."
Zong Shimeng politely declined, "She’s not convenient to go out now. In a few days, when we go shopping, we’ll invite her along."
Lu Jiaxin immediately understood that she was pregnant. Pregnancy was good news, but Su Heyuan and Hu Huihui’s wedding was set for the Last Month of the Lunar Year. By then, with a bigger belly, wearing a wedding dress wouldn’t look good.
"Does that mean the wedding date has to be postponed?"
Zong Shimeng laughed and said, "The wedding date has changed to a week after your engagement banquet. With the baby being a few months along, it won’t show in the wedding dress."
Hearing her cheerful tone, Lu Jiaxin thought to herself that Hong Kong’s open atmosphere was quite pleasant; if it were in the Mainland, the family would probably try their best to keep it secret. Times are progressing, and that’s a good thing for women.