At noon, Lu Jiaxin called Lu Jiaguang and told him about Nie Zhan coming over: "The day Dad fell unconscious, he wanted to come, but there was a project worth over ten billion to sign, so I didn’t let him come."
Lu Jiaguang also felt that work was more important, and since Nie Zhan wasn’t a doctor, he couldn’t do much either: "With such a big contract, the contract definitely comes first."
Lu Jiaxin knew he wouldn’t mind: "Dad was discharged today and he’s at my place now. Big brother, you’re not working overtime today, right? I’m coming to your place with Ah Zhan for dinner tonight."
Lu Jiaguang couldn’t hide his smile; this was bringing Nie Zhan over to meet him: "Not working overtime, my wife and I will be waiting for you at home."
Not only was he not working overtime, but he also took a half-day off. This was the first time the future brother-in-law was coming over, and he had to prepare; it wouldn’t do to be too shabby.
It just so happened that it wasn’t too busy today, and the boss knew it was the first time the future brother-in-law was coming over, so he easily granted the leave: "Jiaguang, when your sister gets married, I’ll also come for a drink at the wedding party."
Lu Jiaguang wanted to invite the boss, but unfortunately, it wasn’t possible. He said regretfully: "Jiaxin’s wedding will be held in Hong Kong; it won’t be held in the Forty-nine City."
After buying groceries and getting home, Lu Jiaguang called Wang Xiaojie: "Yes, I bought chicken, duck, and fish. I just asked Auntie, and she bought a piece of beef in the morning, which luckily hasn’t been cooked yet."
As soon as Wang Xiaojie heard this, she immediately said: "Then I’ll come back right now."
When she got home, Lu Jiaguang was plucking the duck’s feathers, and the chicken was already cleaned and stewing. Wang Xiaojie put down her bag, put on an apron, and started preparing the fish.
While working, the two of them chatted, and Wang Xiaojie said: "The engagement is next month, and this is Mr. Nie’s first time coming over. I wonder if Third Uncle has given him a frosty reception."
Lu Jiaguang shook his head and said: "It’s not that Little Nie didn’t want to come; it’s Jiaxin who didn’t let him. You can’t blame Little Nie for this. In this family, who can change the things Jiaxin decides?"
He had heard from Shanzi that during the days staying at the Lu Residence, he found that Nie Zhan listened to everything Jiaxin said. Initially, he didn’t believe it, but seeing Jiaxin becoming more assertive, he couldn’t help but believe it.
Wang Xiaojie paused for a moment, then said: "With Jiaxin’s personality... when Little Nie comes later, have a private chat with him and tell him to advise Jiaxin more."
Lu Jiaguang advised: "Don’t worry so much. Huang Jianshe stole people’s antiques, causing their elderly mother to die, and getting his leg broken was getting off lightly; Huang Jianye meddling with someone’s wife and being retaliated against was well deserved."
Both were somewhat lucky. Huang Jianshe’s leg had surgery, and the doctor said it would recover well, with no aftereffects. Huang Jianye’s arm was reattached, and once healed, he could live normally, just that he couldn’t lift heavy things anymore.
How could Wang Xiaojie not worry: "Although it wasn’t her who acted, this borrowing a knife to kill... I’m worried if it happens too many times, she’ll go astray in the future."
Lu Jiaguang knew she meant well for Jiaxin, but he truly felt Jiaxin didn’t need such kindness: "For her to get to where she is today, she surely has her methods. Besides, I think she handled this matter well, retaliating without getting her hands dirty."
Seeing Wang Xiaojie about to speak again, Lu Jiaguang gestured to stop her: "Xiaojie, teaching Zhenzhen this way isn’t wrong, but Jiaxin is different. With her current status and position, she needs to employ thunderous methods when necessary to suppress subordinates and deter those with ill intentions."
Wang Xiaojie was taken aback.
Lu Jiaguang said: "There are many capable people around Jiaxin. When faced with problems, these people will give her suggestions and ideas. We don’t need to worry."
He dared not easily offer Jiaxin advice, let alone his wife. One must recognize their position, so the relationship remains pleasant. Always speaking in a lecturing tone will only make the relationship more distant. At Jiaxin’s current status, she can’t be criticized on her ways.
After a long pause, Wang Xiaojie finally said: "I’ll try to improve."
At five in the afternoon, Lu Jiaxin and Nie Zhan arrived promptly at Lu Jiaguang’s house. Lu Jiaguang and Wang Xiaojie had seen photos of Nie Zhan, but seeing him in person still warranted a compliment—he was quite spirited.
The couple invited them inside, and after they sat down, Wang Xiaojie asked: "Mr. Nie, what would you like to drink? Tea or coffee?"
Nie Zhan quickly said: "Sister-in-law, you can call me Little Nie or Ah Zhan."
Calling him Mr. Nie was too formal, and it felt awkward in this setting.
"Alright, alright, Little Nie. I heard Hong Kong people like coffee; let me make you a cup."
Lu Jiaxin laughed and asked: "Big brother, does the house still have coffee?"
Wang Xiaojie smiled and explained: "The coffee wasn’t bought by me; it was a gift from a friend of your big brother’s last month, but no one at home got used to drinking it."
Nie Zhan said: "Sister-in-law, I don’t drink coffee, just a cup of water will do."
Even though he studied abroad for many years, he had no particular liking for coffee; he drank it if available but didn’t crave it otherwise. After starting to date Lu Jiaxin and knowing she did not like coffee, he switched to drinking plain water at home. He had tried tea, and it genuinely didn’t suit his taste.
After serving water to the two of them, Wang Xiaojie went back to busying herself in the kitchen.
Lu Jiaguang didn’t quite know what to chat about with Nie Zhan, so after thinking for a moment, he asked: "Little Nie, I’ve heard your business touches many fields, which ones are they?"
Nie Zhan smiled and said: "The group’s main business is real estate; besides that, we have businesses in hotels, clothing, container shipping, and others."
Lu Jiaxin summarized simply: "Big brother, put simply, whichever industry is profitable, we invest in it. The domestic retail sector has a great outlook, and we will venture into it in the future."
Retail in Hong Kong was well developed, with the market basically dominated by several major retailers, leaving little space. Lu Jiaxin’s expectations for Xinxin Supermarket were not high; she aimed to survive in the cracks and accumulate experience first. Once venturing into the Mainland in two or three years, that would be the time to make money.
While the three were talking, they suddenly heard Zhenzhen’s voice outside: "Mom, Mom, I heard from Auntie Li at the alley entrance that my aunt is here. Mom, where is my aunt?"
Lu Jiaxin walked out, and as soon as Zhenzhen saw her, she rushed over to hug her: "Auntie, I’ve missed you so much, I thought Auntie Li was lying to me again!"
"Oh? Did this Auntie Li trick you before?"
Zhenzhen snorted coldly and said: "She tricked me once before, and when I found out I was deceived and went to confront her, she said it was just a joke. How is that a joke; it’s clearly lying, and she refused to apologize, even went to complain to my mom."
Fortunately, her parents stood by her side, believing Auntie Li was wrong and insisting she apologize.
Lu Jiaxin didn’t like people with no sense of boundaries: "If she tricks you again next time, retaliate directly."
Lu Zhenzhen agreed heartily, then looked at Nie Zhan and asked: "Auntie, who is this? Is this my uncle?"
Lu Jiaxin smiled and nodded.
Lu Zhenzhen looked at Nie Zhan with stars in her eyes, not holding back in her praise: "Uncle, you’re so handsome, much more handsome than Brother Wen Qiang."
Lu Jiaguang was on guard, asking: "Who is Brother Wen Qiang?"
Upon hearing it was a character from a TV show, he was relieved.