Rebirth 1983: Building My Business Empire-Chapter 585 - 568: Passing the Buck to Each Other

Wang Xiaojie got off work and learned that Second Uncle Lu was coming to the Forty-nine City for medical treatment. It was right for gastric cancer to be treated in the Forty-nine City; the doctors here were definitely good, but the problem was who would pay for it and who would take care of him.

Lu Jiaguang said, "I’ve already called Jiacai, and he has taken time off to catch tonight’s train. We don’t know where Jiajie is right now; we can only wait for him to call back."

Wang Xiaojie said, "Taking care of him by oneself is enough before the surgery; but after the surgery, one person surely won’t be able to manage."

"When the time comes, I’ll go and lend a hand with Second Brother."

Wang Xiaojie didn’t refuse. It was only right for her husband to take care of his nephew for a few days as an uncle, but there was no money. It wasn’t that she was stingy, but the expenses for Lu Ping to apply to a foreign university would certainly be huge. Although Jiaxing had promised to cover tuition and living expenses, as parents, they should contribute somewhat; the third child in high school, the fourth in junior high, social obligations, and so on—there were expenses everywhere. Not to mention, the eldest and second eldest were of marrying age, and a wedding was another big expense. Thankfully, there were plenty of rooms in the house, so they would not have to find another place for the daughters-in-law to live, which would have been another worry.

Second Uncle Lu was brought to the Forty-nine City by Lu Jiayao, and Second Aunt Lu came with him. Upon arrival, they stayed at Lu Jiajie’s place first, waiting for Lu Jiachai to arrive before going to Harmonize Hospital.

After a series of examinations, the result was early-stage gastric cancer, which meant that there was a chance of cure. The doctor advised urgent surgery, and Second Uncle Lu, terrified of death, urged Lu Jiachai to go and pay.

Lu Jiachai felt uneasy, "Doctor, how much will the surgery cost approximately?"

The doctor told them to prepare three thousand first, of course, as various situations might arise during the surgery, the more money they had at their disposal, the better.

Lu Jiachai called back home asking his wife for money, only to find out she said there was none: "I bought a house in the county town, and next year I’m taking the kids to study there. Our third and fourth are doing well in school; we can’t let that go to waste."

She had bought the house after returning from the provincial city because she was afraid her husband would take the money to pay for Second Uncle Lu’s medical treatment. She utterly despised Second Uncle Lu and Second Aunt, as they always cursed at her, and even offended the "God of Wealth" in the family, preventing her family from benefiting. The money they had saved was earned by her husband’s sweat and blood, and she was not willing to spend it on an old man who refused to die.

Caught off guard, Lu Jiachai asked, "You bought a house in the county town? What about Dad then?"

His wife replied, "Jiajie is a big boss; he can easily take out a few thousand or even more. We are poor in comparison; we can only contribute by taking care of him."

All the money had been spent; saying anything now was too late.

Jiacai’s wife continued, "Think about it, how have they treated you from childhood till now? They always gave the best to the second and third, never your share. Oh, now they are sick, and it’s supposed to be our turn to pay and take care? That’s not how it works. If they harass you again, just go back to work."

After a pause, she added, "Jiaxing knows about Father-in-law’s illness, but she doesn’t care at all. Lu Ping is going to study abroad, and Jiaxing has said she would cover all the expenses, which I hear is a large sum! If it weren’t for Father-in-law and the others trying to seize Jiaxing’s house back then, she would have definitely taken care of him given her nature."

So, ending up in these straits was all their own doing.

Lu Jiachai hung up the phone, feeling dejected.

Second Aunt had a bad premonition seeing his drooping head and asked, "Has the money been transferred over?"

Lu Jiachai, with his head hanging down, replied, "Da Bao’s Mother bought a house in the county town; all the money is gone." freёnovelkiss-com

Before Second Aunt could speak, Second Uncle Lu burst into a raging temper, throwing the pillow in his hand at Lu Jiachai, "I need money for treatment now, and you have money but don’t contribute; how come lightning hasn’t struck you dead yet."

Lu Jiachai had been holding back, but as the cursing got worse, he angrily retorted, "If I’m worthless, go find the second and third brothers; let them come and take care of you."

After he finished, he turned and walked away.

Second Aunt Lu came back to her senses only to find that he had already disappeared. She thought Lu Jiachai was like her daughter-in-law, gone for good, and cursed in the hospital room however she pleased, venting all her anger.

Lu Jiachai, who had gone out to buy food, returned and heard her cursing. In a fit of rage, he threw the food on the ground: "Since you say I’m worse than pigs and dogs, then I’ll be worse than pigs and dogs."

Seeing her fierce manner, the old couple was startled.

Lu Jiachai left the hospital, found a kiosk, and called Lu Jiaguang, repeating the insults hurled at him, "Big brother, Dad and Mom only care for the second and third. Since they don’t appreciate my care, I’ll return to Yangcheng City tomorrow."

After all, he had taken leave from work to take care of them, and taking leave meant no wages. They had no consideration for his difficulties and cursed him to death as soon as he mentioned having no money.

Lu Jiaguang was also furious, annoyed at the turmoil even during illness, regretting that he had agreed to the old man’s request to have his treatment in the Forty-nine City.

Although angry, he couldn’t just neglect them. After calming Lu Jiachai down, Lu Jiaguang went to the hospital after work. He didn’t expect that as soon as they saw him, the two burst into tears, accusing Lu Jiachai of being heartless and even saying they would’ve strangled him at birth if they knew he would be so unfilial.

Wang Xiaojie, seeing that he hadn’t come back by dinner time, called his office, and when no one picked up, she called the security desk. Knowing her husband had left work normally, she guessed he must have gone to the hospital.

The next morning during breakfast, Lu Jiaguang came back. Seeing his wrinkled clothes, she couldn’t help asking, "Why did you run off to spend the night at the hospital?"

Staying the night is only needed after surgery, not when they’re hopping around without any need.

Lu Jiaguang replied, "Second Uncle and Second Aunt said they were scared alone in the hospital and clung to me, not letting me leave. I had no choice but to stay with them."

Even after Lu Jiachai had been pacified by her husband, Wang Xiaojie was still angry, saying, "If Jiachai really goes back to work, who will take care of them?"

What can be done, but to find someone else to take care of them.

Wang Xiaojie was uncomfortable inside, but said nothing. After all, she was in control of the family finances, and her husband was not the kind to borrow money to pay for their medical treatment—he was not one to pretend to be richer than he was.

Two days later, Lu Jiajie called home. He would call every few days to report that he was alright and also to talk to his children.

Upon hearing about Second Uncle Lu’s illness, Lu Jiajie said, "Big brother, I can’t leave right now. Tell our brother that I will cover Dad’s medical costs, but the care can only fall to him, Big Sister, and Second Sister. Also, I will pay for their travel expenses to the Forty-nine City."

The goods he had were already across the border, but he had to escort another shipment back, and then taking this batch to the Forty-nine City or to Magic Capital would earn him a big sum.

"Okay."

Lu Jiaguang thought that with Lu Jiajie paying the money, Lu Jiachai, along with Peng Jiagen (the second son who was adopted out), and the Lu sisters should have no objections. But when he called back home to ask them to come over, Peng Jiagen and the Lu sisters all found excuses not to come.

Big Uncle Lu went to see them when he heard about it. Peng Jiagen stated that since he had been adopted out, Second Uncle Lu’s sickness and whatever followed were none of his business. Similarly, Lu Xuehua, now married away, did not want to travel to the Forty-nine City, rationalizing that a married daughter is like spilled water. Lu Xuehua, however, wanted to go, but her husband objected, saying his own mother had broken her leg, and it was their turn to take care of her, so he couldn’t leave.

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