Chapter 698: Chapter 711: Beyond Redemption
Old Master Nie saw that he wasn’t listening to him now and was furious, but he also knew that Nie Zhan was now too powerful to handle with force, “Ah Zhan, your mom, your mom has this kind of personality. If no one protects her, she’ll be manipulated until there’s nothing left of her.”
Nie Zhan wasn’t fooled, and said, “If that’s what she wants, there’s nothing I can do.”
Nie Manlin fell for someone, and when she liked someone, she was willing to give everything for them. If someone took advantage of this to get money, he would have concerns and definitely lose money. Yes, he could make money and had a fortune of billions, but he wasn’t willing to pay for Nie Manlin’s actions.
As the saying goes, it’s pointless to continue a conversation that has reached a dead end. Nie Zhan didn’t want to stay any longer: “Grandpa, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back.”
Old Master Nie wanted to scold him, but he swallowed it back: “When Jiaxin has time, bring her back for a meal.”
Nie Zhan was no longer trying to smooth things over: “I was planning to bring her over to discuss the wedding date with you. But when I heard Mom came back, I decided not to let her come.”
Old Master Nie thought about how the two were about to get married, but Lu Jiaxin hadn’t formally met the daughter. He knew this had nothing to do with Lu Jiaxin; Nie Zhan was the one holding it back. However, Lu Jiaxin had a big temper too, so he didn’t dare demand anything from her.
“When you get married, your mama has to attend, right?”
This time, Nie Zhan didn’t object. Who knows when she’ll be interested in another man and leave the old father and child behind. Of course, if she stayed in Hong Kong and wanted to attend the wedding, it could be arranged, as long as someone kept an eye on her.
The conversation wasn’t pleasant, and after it ended, Nie Zhan went downstairs.
As he left the courtyard, he happened to see Nie Manlin returning from shopping. Her assistant and driver following behind her were carrying shopping bags, estimated to be more than twenty.
The logos on these more than twenty bags, Nie Zhan recognized them all as big brands, but none of them produced baby products. This meant that none of the items were bought for the child.
Nie Manlin had a big issue with the stingy Nie Zhan. Seeing him glance at her purchases, her expression immediately darkened: “What are you doing here?”
For all his billions, he was unwilling to give her just a few million, a miser to the core.
Nie Zhan didn’t want to bother with her, but upon seeing her exquisite makeup and attire, he couldn’t help but say, “Nina was crying just now, crying very loudly.”
Nie Manlin thought he was making a fuss: “It’s normal for children to cry.”
Nie Zhan sneered, “After more than thirty years, you’re still the same.”
With that, he got in the car and left. Originally planning to go home, he suddenly received a call from Third Master Guo, so he changed his route.
Nie Zhan called Lu Jiaxin to tell her about this: “I’ll be back later.”
Lu Jiaxin guessed he was in a bad mood after leaving the old house, so she didn’t eat but planned to wait for him to return to eat together. Now that Third Master Guo was looking for him, it was probably business-related, and she didn’t want to hold him back but reminded him: “Drink less.”
“Mmm, I won’t drink.”
After Lu Jiaxin finished eating, she called Lu Jiaguang: “Yes, the wedding date is set, the tenth day of the eleventh lunar month. We have half a year, no rush.”
It was still early, so Lu Jiaguang hung up and went to find Lu Jiaguang to share the good news. When he arrived, Lu Jiajie was playing chess with Lu Hongjun.
Both brothers knew how to play chess and were quite good. Lu Jiajie had come back bringing something to visit him and was then pulled by Lu Jiaguang to practice with him.
Lu Hongjun couldn’t resist complaining: “At the engagement, the two set the date themselves, and that was fine. But now they’re getting married, and they didn’t consult me.”
Lu Jiajie responded: “When you married Ding Jing, you didn’t ask Jiaxin either!”
“How is that the same?”
Unlike Lu Jiaguang, even when dissatisfied, Lu Jiajie spoke gently: “They say nine out of ten stepmothers are bad. In such a situation, any parent who loves their children would consult them before remarrying. But you? You directly got a marriage certificate with Ding Jing and then moved Zhao Siyi into the house. Jiaxin didn’t even have time to prepare.”
“You disregarded her feelings back then, so why should she consult you now? Third Uncle, everything Jiaxin has is her own achievement, without taking any advantage from you.”
Lu Hongjun was somewhat guilty: “I was just saying.”
Lu Jiajie replied unceremoniously: “Just saying? You want to act like the authoritarian father-in-law.”
Lu Hongjun was at a loss for words.
Lu Jiajie sighed and said: “Third Uncle, a friend of mine, when he was young, his stepmother would constantly abuse them, and his father turned a blind eye to it. Now that his father is bedridden, his stepmother did nothing but curse and beat him; my friend and his sister also turned a blind eye. Third Uncle, given what you did in the past, it’s already good that Jiaxin still lets you enjoy your old age. You should just eat, drink, and have fun, rather than think about things that aren’t necessary. If Jiaxin turns her back on you, it will be too late for regrets.”
Lu Hongjun thought he was making up stories to scare him.
Lu Jiajie laughed and said: “Why would I scare you? My friend got married and had children years ago, and his father-in-law’s family helped him a lot. Now that he’s successful, he supports his brother- and sister-in-law, and the wife’s family all live well. In contrast, those who didn’t stand up for him and his sister when they were abused by their stepmother get nothing from him now that he’s wealthy.”
Lu Jiaguang also took the opportunity to persuade him not to worry about Jiaxin.
Lu Jiajie thought that he might not listen even if he said it so politely: “Third Uncle, again, just enjoy yourself. Jiaxin has grievances with you. If you quietly stay out of her affairs, it’s better; if you meddle, it will only make her resent you more.”
Lu Jiaguang looked disapprovingly at him.
If he won’t listen at this point, there’s really no hope. Lu Jiajie changed the subject: “Third Uncle, Big Brother, with Jiaxin getting married, what should we give her as a gift?”
When Jiaxin got engaged, Lu Jiaguang and his wife gave a love lock made of pure gold. They knew Jiaxin didn’t lack jewelry, but it was a token of their affection.
Lu Jiaguang said: “Do you have any good ideas?”
Lu Jiajie did have an idea: “Big Brother, doesn’t Jiaxin like antiques and calligraphy? I know someone who has an ancient painting, an authentic work of a famous Tang Dynasty artist. That person lost a lot in business and wants to sell the painting to cover his losses.”
Lu Jiaguang found it unreliable: “How much is that person asking for the painting?”
Lu Jiajie smiled and said: “That person is asking for 48,000, but I asked around and was told it’s the market rate. We can take it for 46,000. Big Brother, the two of us can give this ancient painting to Jiaxin as a gift.”
Lu Jiaguang declined: “Jiajie, I know you mean well. It’s just that the key to a gift is the sentiment, not the monetary value. My wife and I will prepare an appropriate gift.”