Rebirth 1983: Building My Business Empire-Chapter 618 - 601 Minor Issues

Lu Jiaguang had been in meetings all day, and when he got home, he went directly to his room to rest. Wang Xiaojie had planned to talk to him about Lu Hongjun, but seeing him like this, she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

The next morning, after the children had breakfast and left for school, Lu Jiaguang was getting ready to go to work. Wang Xiaojie stopped him, saying she had something to discuss.

Seeing her serious expression, Lu Jiaguang was puzzled. Once in the study, he asked, "What’s the matter? Why didn’t you tell me last night?"

Knowing his tendency to worry, Wang Xiaojie said, "If I tell you, you’ll worry all night and won’t sleep. I kept it from you so you could have a good night’s sleep."

For something to keep him awake all night, it must be serious. Lu Jiaguang asked gravely, "What’s happened?"

Wang Xiaojie recounted word for word what was said about Lu Jiaguang: "Third Uncle retired five years ago, and it wasn’t an honorable retirement. His old colleague was arrested, and no matter what, he shouldn’t have appealed to Third Uncle. But he did, and after the call last night, his expression was very distressed, and even his gait seemed heavy."

After finishing, she frowned and said, "That old colleague of Third Uncle must be a leader; otherwise, even if he wanted to, he couldn’t have gathered enough money to buy a big house."

If it weren’t for Jiaxin’s antique store requiring their assistance, their family wouldn’t be living in a big house. Frankly speaking, even if he did embezzle money, they’d only dare to hide it rather than spend it; otherwise, if the house is bought, next thing you know, the head of the house is jailed.

Lu Jiaguang felt a jolt in his heart. The origin of the old items Lu Hongjun bought was murky, and now with an old colleague caught and seeking help, a sense of unease welled up inside him.

Seeing him ready to leave with a grave expression, Wang Xiaojie quickly stopped him: "Jiaguang, that woman and Third Uncle are not aligned. Whatever happens, it should be discussed at home. Otherwise, if she hears, trouble will emerge from nothing."

Lu Jiaguang agreed with her, and said, "Then go and call Third Uncle, I’ll wait here for him."

Lu Hongjun had gone out in the morning to practice Tai Chi; at this moment, he was home having breakfast. When he heard Wang Xiaojie say there was a call from the old home for him to pick up, he immediately put down his chopsticks and went over.

Tang Sufen wasn’t foolish; she knew the call from the old home was an excuse. However, she didn’t follow, knowing she wouldn’t be able to hear what they’d say; Lu Jiaguang and his wife were sly indeed!

Seeing his normal expression reassured Lu Jiaguang; if there was any hindrance, he’d be more worried himself.

Once in the study, Lu Jiaguang straightforwardly asked: "Third Uncle, what did your old colleague do before?"

Lu Hongjun paused: "He was the head of the finance department at a department store."

Lu Jiaguang froze for a moment; a finance manager—such a role is sensitive now: "Third Uncle, you haven’t left any leverage for him to seize on you, have you?"

Lu Hongjun trusted him: "There’s no big issue, but minor issues surely exist. Gifts for leaders are not openly presented; they are reimbursed under other pretexts. Oh, and there were some defective items at the department store; some were distributed and others sold with the proceeds shared among everybody."

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Lu Hongjun glared: "Of course, just these! Do you think I could embezzle funds? If I were to embezzle, would it be just a trivial amount?"

Lu Jiaguang wasn’t easily fooled, and asked: "Then tell me, where did you get the money to buy those old items?"

Lu Hongjun didn’t explain, but he emphasized one thing: "Rest assured, it didn’t come from embezzlement or bribes. You know how bustling the department store was back then? Many were eyeing my position as general manager. If I’d embezzled or taken bribes, would I have retired safely?"

Lu Jiaguang agreed upon reflection. Even if the money’s origin was dubious, embezzling from the department store was unlikely; such stupidity wouldn’t be committed by Third Uncle.

"Third Uncle, are you sure that the money issue won’t be discovered?"

Seeing his expression, Lu Hongjun assured: "Don’t worry, the two people involved have both passed away—one from illness and one in a car accident."

He hadn’t directly involved himself, and with those two deceased, there was no evidence left. Therefore, he wasn’t worried; sometimes he felt as though heaven was protecting him.

Only then did Lu Jiaguang feel reassured, but he still added a few words: "Third Uncle, if there’s an issue, you can’t hide it—you must tell me. Even if I can’t help resolve it, there’s still Jiaxin. She hasn’t let go of the past, but she definitely won’t watch you have an accident."

Moreover, having a father in prison would sully her reputation. As long as the crime isn’t heinous, with Jiaxin’s contributions, some leeway should be possible.

Lu Hongjun gave a brief acknowledgment: "No need for you to mention it; I would definitely tell you both if something arose."

Two days later, Lu Hongjun was summoned for assistance in an investigation. He didn’t know what Kang Jinzhou had said, but once inside the place, he didn’t plan on concealing anything; his old bones couldn’t withstand any twisting around. So, once he sat down, he confessed all his own infractions like spilling beans.

The officers interrogating him hadn’t seen such cooperation. After recording all he said, they asked: "Anything else beside these?"

Lu Hongjun shook his head to indicate no more: "That’s all. Comrades, frankly, I didn’t intend for this to happen, but in those circumstances, without doing this, I wouldn’t have received support."

"I realize it was wrong; whatever penalty comes, I’ll accept it without objection."

Such an attitude was proper, but the investigators didn’t fully trust him. When questioning Kang Jinzhou, everything matched what Lu Hongjun had stated, with no additional revelations.

The Supervisory Committee checked Lu Hongjun’s financial status. Beyond the family residential property, there were no other assets. Even the place he currently resided in Chaoyang was a home bought by his daughter, remaining under her name.

The leader listened to the report and nodded, instructing that no further investigations were necessary.

The newcomer was puzzled: "Leader, why stop the investigation? Although it was purchased by the daughter, she’s merely in her twenties; where did the money come from to buy a house worth thousands? The money surely belongs to him, only using his daughter to purchase."

The leader commended his diligence, then said, "Xiao Luo, there’s always someone greater somewhere. Lu Hongjun’s daughter is a renowned entrepreneur in Hong Kong. She’s donated significant amounts to the country, supported disadvantaged students, buying her father a house worth a few thousand is nothing."

Disbelieving, the newcomer asked: "Donated a lot of money? Where did her money originate?"

The leader replied, "Lu Hongjun’s daughter, Lu Jiaxin, is recognized at higher levels. Lu Hongjun’s actions were wrong, but as he’s already retired, they won’t be pursued."

The newcomer frowned and asked: "Leader, how did she end up in Hong Kong, where did she obtain the capital for business—shouldn’t these be clarified?"

Slightly frustrated, the leader said, "No need for further investigation; this is the higher-ups’ directive."

The newcomer felt disgruntled, but he couldn’t oppose the leader’s instructions.

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