Lu Hongjun arrived in Hong Kong and stayed in a luxury mansion in Shallow Bay. During the New Year period, he fulfilled his promise to Lu Jiaguang, focusing only on spending time with the children and not saying a word about family matters.
Hu Zhifeng came over to pay his New Year greetings and asked him, "Uncle, why don’t you move to Hong Kong? Everything here, whether it is the economy or healthcare, is better than the Mainland."
Lu Hongjun replied with a smile, "Jiaxin has suggested several times for me to move to Hong Kong, but I’m not used to it. In the Forty-nine City, every day I hang out with a few familiar old friends, doing random things and the day goes by. Here, Ah Zhan and Jiaxin are both busy, and I don’t even have a person to talk to."
These were his true feelings. He used to think if only he could live in Hong Kong, it would be nice. But in the year when Jiaxin got married, after he stayed in the hospital for a month, he dismissed this thought. People here speak Cantonese, which he totally doesn’t understand, plus he is not accustomed to the food. Considering their relationship, staying in the Mainland is better, as long as they can reunite during New Year.
Hu Zhifeng couldn’t say much as, after all, it’s difficult for the elderly to leave their homeland.
After paying New Year’s greetings, the couple went back. As the car drove out of the Lu Family Mansion, Zong Shimeng said with a huff, "What did you mean by that? Fortunately, Jiaxin isn’t someone who overthinks, otherwise she would’ve thought you were accusing her of being unfilial."
Hu Zhifeng actually thought that before, but when Lu Hongjun spoke, his tone was sincere, making him feel he was mistaken: "I just thought he seemed a bit pitiful living alone in the Forty-nine City!"
Zong Shimeng snorted, "He has an aunt for laundry and cooking, a personal bodyguard following him everywhere, his nephews and grand-nephews live next door and visit daily, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren accompany him on weekends. Tell me, how is he pitiful?"
Hu Zhifeng shook his head and said, "It’s still not the same as having his own children."
Zong Shimeng scoffed, "Jiaxin is kind-hearted, otherwise with the things he’s done, she would have severed ties long ago; who would still invite him to spend New Year in Hong Kong."
She felt that Lu Jiaxin had done very well, but this man still thought Jiaxin was unfilial, not realizing what he had done for his own family and parents.
Hu Zhifeng found her thinking dangerous, "No matter how much Uncle Lu has done wrong..."
Zong Shimeng didn’t want to hear his nonsense and deliberately asked to shut him up, "When are you going to Australia?"
"When did I say I was going to Australia?"
Zong Shimeng murmured, "I thought you’d want to see them mother and son?"
This successful shut Hu Zhifeng up.
On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Lu Jiaxin arranged for someone to send Lu Hongjun back to the Forty-nine City. As for herself, she planned to take the children to Phuket Island for vacation. Considering the children’s health, she chose this warm place; otherwise, Lu Jiaxin would have gone skiing in Switzerland.
Nie Zhan originally planned to go together, but unexpectedly, the day before departure, Old Master Nie suddenly fainted.
Upon hearing the news that he was out of danger, Lu Jiaxin took the children to visit him in the hospital before flying to Phuket Island. Nie Zhan, not at ease, stayed back to take care of the old master and didn’t go with them.
After staying for two weeks in Phuket Island, the mother and daughter returned to Hong Kong slightly chubbier. Lu Jiaxin weighed herself and found that she had gained six pounds, so she immediately started a weight loss plan. However, Lu Zhao didn’t mind; chubby kids are cuter.
Being on vacation was blissful, yet this good mood only lasted until they returned home. Nie Zhan told Lu Jiaxin, "Mom has quit drugs, she knows grandpa is paralyzed and not lucid, and wants to see him."
Although Old Master Nie was out of danger at the time, he woke up completely paralyzed and not clear-headed. After many days, there hasn’t been any improvement.
Lu Jiaxin asked, "Your grandpa’s condition now was caused by her. Aren’t you afraid that upon seeing her, his condition might worsen, leading to his death?"
Nie Zhan laughed bitterly and said, "Grandpa isn’t even lucid now, how could he be angered?"
"What did the doctors say?"
Nie Zhan’s expression turned somber, "The doctors said the chances of recovery are slim, but even if there’s a glimmer of hope, he should be treated."
Lu Jiaxin nodded and said, "We’ll treat him. If Hong Kong doesn’t work, we’ll go to America. We must cure grandpa."
Three days later, Nie Manlin returned to the country, went straight to the hospital from the plane. Seeing Old Master Nie only able to move his eyes and unable to speak, Nie Manlin collapsed in tears.
Lu Jiaxin watched this scene from the side and found it quite ridiculous. The old master’s deteriorated health was entirely due to the irresponsibility of his children and grandchildren. If they had cared for him even a little, they wouldn’t have done such things.
However, what surprised Lu Jiaxin was when, after seeing his daughter fainting, Old Master Nie suddenly shouted, "Doctor, doctor..."
Lu Jiaxin was stunned; perhaps this was the great fatherly love.
The caretaker, seeing this, happily ran out to call the doctor in. After being awakened by the doctor, Nie Manlin was thrilled to know Old Master Nie could speak, "Dad, you can talk now."
Seeing his senses revitalized, Lu Jiaxin breathed a sigh of relief. The old master’s condition improved, so Nie Zhan no longer had to keep worrying.
Because of this unexpected situation, Nie Manlin stayed in the Forty-nine City. However, Lu Jiaxin was not reassured about her, and assigned an extra person to look after her. Though saying ’look after’, it was actually surveillance, to prevent her from touching such sordid things again.
As it turns out, Lu Jiaxin’s worries were justified. Nie Manlin used the excuse of meeting friends to buy drugs. The assistant assigned by Lu Jiaxin was trained in medicine, meticulous and cautious, quickly noticing Nie Manlin’s odd behavior.
Once confirming her relapse, Lu Jiaxin was very angry, but she held back her temper, only asking Nie Zhan to handle the matter.
This time, Nie Zhan didn’t hesitate. Upon finding the drugs hidden by Nie Manlin, he immediately sent her back to the island, determined not to let her leave except to accompany her if Old Master Nie passed away.
After dealing with this matter, Nie Zhan held Lu Jiaxin’s hand apologetically and said, "I’m sorry Jiaxin, I shouldn’t have been soft-hearted."
Lu Jiaxin withdrew her hand, and said sternly, "Other things I can turn a blind eye to, but this I have zero tolerance for. Nie Zhan, we must lead by example so that we can better educate our children."
With their wealth, even if Nie Manlin didn’t quit, they could afford to support her, but not with this issue. Not to mention this stuff ruins many families and must be eradicated; for the children’s sake, it cannot be tolerated. If a child knows their elders are addicted, they’d think it’s not a big deal and would lose caution.
Nie Zhan immediately pledged, "Rest assured, this is the last time."
"This is what you said, don’t go back on your word."
Nie Zhan felt slightly helpless. He was known for keeping promises outside, but the repeated family matters had made his wife doubt his credit. Yet sometimes there’s no choice, it’s impossible to just let go completely. Blood relation is one thing, but if grandpa passes away, he would never have peace of mind for life.