Chapter 17
Lu Mingzhu took a few items out of her portable spatial pocket to create a little room, then tucked these jewels inside to ensure their safety; she certainly wouldn’t feel at ease leaving them out in the open.
Every single one was an absolute treasure among treasures!
The “Can’t Afford It” series.
Before transmigrating, she had never owned a single item from it.
As a die-hard jadeite enthusiast, I found affordable low-grade pieces utterly unappealing, while the high-grade ones I admired were far beyond my means; eventually, I could only opt for small yet exquisite specimens.
It has color, is small in size, and falls within an affordable price range.
Now, without spending a dime, simply by saving one person, I’ve acquired a large quantity of top-grade jadeite; even the smallest cabochon among them could fetch a seven-figure price seventy or eighty years from now.
Delighted and overjoyed.
After gathering a pile of gifts, Lu Mingzhu hurried downstairs, clutching the box filled with money.
Under everyone’s puzzled gazes, she placed the box before Wang Bohui and, panting heavily, asked him, “Big Brother, I want to donate this sum to the nation. How should I proceed?”
It’s far too much.
So much that it made her tremble with fear.
An unbearable burden.
As for the jewelry, she liked it very much and decided to keep it, planning to donate only the money.
Upon hearing Lu Mingzhu’s words, Uncle Wang Hui was instantly stunned. “Donate? You’re going to donate?”
Even Mrs. Wang and Liao Wanru, who had been reading the newspaper, couldn’t help but turn their gaze toward Lu Mingzhu, their expressions filled with astonishment.
“Mm!” A smile danced in Lu Mingzhu’s almond-shaped eyes. As long as her own quality of life remained uncompromised, she was more than willing to do good deeds. “Eldest Brother, the money I have is sufficient to cover all expenses for Ping’an and myself. Moreover, we won’t simply sit idle and deplete our resources; additional funds hold little significance for us. It would be far better to put them to proper use. I understand that after our country was blockaded internationally, the war in Northeast China has led to a domestic shortage of various essential supplies. However, I lack the courage to take risks and do not know how to proceed.”
Sooner or later, she would return to her homeland to reside in the Lu Family Garden; why not sow the seeds of goodwill now?
Once she made the donation, she would become an overseas Chinese patriot.
With this status, even in such a special era, traveling back and forth between the two places proceeds smoothly, bringing numerous benefits.
“You’re a young girl, so naturally you don’t need to take such risks.” Wang Bohui looked at Lu Mingzhu with evident admiration. “I never expected you to understand our country’s current dire situation. With these 200,000 British pounds, you could purchase vast quantities of medicines, gauze, cotton, rubber, tires, gasoline, black iron sheets, and other essential supplies. A single fighter aircraft costs only 1.5 billion RMB.”
Lu Mingzhu did some quick calculations.
1.5 billion in the first series of RMB equaled 150,000 in the second series.
Based on the current exchange rate, where 100 Hong Kong dollars equaled 427,000 RMB, one fighter aircraft would cost just over 350,000 Hong Kong dollars. Therefore, with 3.2 million Hong Kong dollars, she could buy nine fighter aircraft and still have money left over!
She recalled the information she had looked up: it seemed that during this period, the donations received by the country could purchase three to four thousand aircraft.
Over those three years, people from all walks of life enthusiastically contributed funds.
From wealthy merchants and celebrities down to workers and farmers, everyone did their utmost.
Thinking of this, Lu Mingzhu waved her small hand. “Big Brother, it seems you’re quite experienced, so I’ll leave it to you! Use half the money to buy aircraft, and the other half to procure those important supplies you mentioned.”
Wang Bohui accepted it calmly, then wrote her a receipt specifying that he had received 200,000 pounds sterling donated to the nation by Lu Mingzhu on a certain date and at a certain location, along with details of how the funds would be used. Finally, he signed his name, pressed his fingerprint, and affixed his personal seal. “Mingzhu, once the supplies are procured, smuggle them over and donate everything in your name.”
Lu Mingzhu gave a slight nod. “As you wish.”
Logically speaking, it would have been more appropriate to use He Yun’s name, since he was the one who provided the money. However, considering the British tendency to act underhandedly, they might secretly impose sanctions on He Yun’s business operations in Hong Kong later on. It was better for her to take responsibility for this matter herself.
After all, she was not engaged in commerce.
Upon receiving confirmation from Lu Mingzhu, Wang Bohui could not even wait to have lunch at home. Taking Lu Ping’an with him, he immediately went out to contact suppliers he had previously worked with, unable to delay even a moment.
All transactions were conducted in secret.
Because Hong Kong’s import and export trade had nearly come to a standstill.
As the once-largest consumer market, the United States has, since last year, banned imports of goods from Hong Kong and imposed a blockade on cargo shipments to mainland China. Coupled with the exodus of numerous foreign officials and merchants from Hong Kong, these factors have led to an economic downturn in the city, turning the massive influx of population in recent years into a source of cheap labor.
The slump in the real estate market also stems from these same reasons.
Many remain apprehensive that, following the conclusion of the war in Northeast China, liberation forces will move to take over Hong Kong.
Consequently, many Hong Kong suppliers are eager to cooperate with Wang Bohui, paying no heed to where he ultimately ships the goods after purchasing them; their sole concern is making a profit.
Previously, Wang Bohui lacked funds and could only pace helplessly at home; now, with this sum of money, he can proceed freely with many matters.
After he and Lu Ping’an departed, Lu Mingzhu turned to Mrs. Wang and Liao Wanru, saying, “Godmother, Sister-in-law, Miss He sent many imported goods; let me bring some down for you to choose from.”
Liao Wanru waved her hand. “Your godmother and I lack nothing of the sort; keep them for your own use.”
Mrs. Wang agreed, “Your sister-in-law is quite right. Mr. He and Mrs. Ming likely offered these gifts in consideration of the long journey you and Ping’an undertook, arriving with nothing but those few pieces of luggage.”
“They sent so much; I could never use it all by myself.” Lu Mingzhu was still stunned by the generosity of Mr. He and his daughter.
Mrs. Wang and Liao Wanru insisted she keep everything, especially Mrs. Wang, who stated outright, “If you can’t use it all at once, rotate them later. As a proper young lady from a distinguished family, you certainly cannot wear the same dress, carry the same handbag, or wear the same watch every time you go out. Your attire today is excellent—dignified and befitting your status. From now on, maintain this standard.”
Hearing this, Lu Mingzhu laughed, “I wouldn’t dare go out alone!”
As if inviting someone to rob me?
Rather than that, it’s better to keep the treasures at home for one’s own appreciation.
The three of them were chatting and laughing when suddenly Lu Mingzhu asked, “What’s the story with Miss He? She actually looks older than Mr. He.”
She was extremely curious about this.
The wealthiest man in Nanyang truly knows how to take care of himself; it’s as if he consumes preservatives.
Mrs. Wang smiled and said, “Wanru, you tell her that one must learn a little about those with whom we’ll frequently associate in the future, so as not to inadvertently offend their sensitivities.”
“Yes, yes, yes; in a few days we must attend the evening party at Miss He’s residence.” Lu Mingzhu needed some information.
Liao Wanru pondered for a moment before telling her, “Ming Tai-tai’s husband, Ming Hui, is the shipping magnate of Hong Kong. The cruise ship you arrived on was operated by a shipping company jointly established by our family, the Ming family, and a British trading firm, in which Mr. He also holds shares. Currently, Ming Hui has one wife and four concubines; only one daughter, born to Ming Tai-tai, exists, and she is eighteen years old, studying in England. Initially, Ming Hui took a second wife on the grounds that Ming Tai-tai had borne no son and he required an heir; later, once there was a second, a third followed, and then a fourth. Ming Tai-tai’s marriage has been unhappy, so it is only human nature that her words and actions may sometimes seem harsh; in truth, she is not a bad person at heart. Fearing the methods of Mr. He, the wealthiest man in Nanyang, Ming Hui dares not even mention divorce, no matter how much trouble Ming Tai-tai causes, and must continue to support her generously.”
Mrs. Wang added, “There is another very important reason: Ming Tai-tai owns the majority shares in all of the Ming family’s companies. Although many less-educated wealthy ladies mock her behind her back for her sharp features and lack of favor, none dare show such disrespect to her face. Therefore, we women must never be weak in character; we must firmly grasp the economic lifeline of the family.”
“This reminds me of my mother. No matter how many concubines the old man had, none dared to challenge her; they all had to address her respectfully as ‘Madam.'” Lu Mingzhu greatly admired a woman with such skill, though she herself would not emulate her.
If a man is unfaithful, just kick him to the curb.
When you have money, why not find a tall, handsome young man with long legs and a sweet tongue? Isn’t that delightful?
Hmm, before accepting Xie Junyao’s pursuit, I must confirm whether he holds traditional views on having multiple wives and concubines, and also verify that he is currently single.
Before the 1970s, Hong Kong still followed the Great Qing Legal Code, legally permitting a man to have one wife and multiple concubines.
Lu Mingzhu had no desire to be labeled as the first, second, or third wife.
Truly, beauty can be deceiving; before meeting Xie Junyao, she had forgotten to clarify the matter.
Fortunately, it was not too late to rectify things now.
No matter how outstanding Xie Junyao might be, he could never make her cross the line of moral integrity.
“Godmother, Sister-in-law, Xie Junyao wishes to learn from me the method to save Mr. He. I agreed to teach him another day, but I don’t know whether he has a wife or a girlfriend. If he does, I must avoid any appearance of impropriety,” Lu Mingzhu asked directly.
Liao Wanru hadn’t expected such an abrupt shift in topic and couldn’t help but laugh, “Isn’t it a bit late to ask that now?”
“Not at all; nothing has been made explicit between us yet,” Lu Mingzhu replied confidently. “At present, he is merely a friend introduced by my elder brother, someone with whom we cooperate in running a company.”
A hint of approval flickered in Liao Wanru’s eyes.
She admired Lu Mingzhu’s decisiveness and her clear-headedness.
“Xie Junyao is twenty-six this year, a graduate of Cambridge University. He has never married, never been in a relationship, and has never set foot in any brothel; in this regard, he is as pure as a blank sheet of paper. There were even those who whispered behind his back, wondering if something was wrong with him—that at his age, he remained untouched by women.” Otherwise, the old matriarch would not have been so pleased about their date the day before yesterday.
In fact, Xie Junyao was considered by many to be an ideal match, and countless people had their sights set on him.
“That’s good.” Lu Mingzhu felt relieved.
She had truly worried about being cast aside as a mere mistress or even a fourth concubine, bringing shame upon herself.
For now, being single was best; long live their mutual singleness.
That evening, Xie Junyao called.
Mrs. Wang was the first to pick up the receiver.
Sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper, with the telephone right beside her left hand, she casually lifted the receiver. Recognizing Xie Junyao’s voice and learning that he was looking for Lu Mingzhu, she immediately handed it over to her. “Mingzhu, your call. Junyao is looking for you.”
Lu Mingzhu took the phone, her voice exceptionally sweet: “Mr. Xie calling me—have we settled on a time for me to become your apprentice?”
Xie Junyao’s tone was equally light and cheerful: “No suitable time has been set yet, but there is something I would like to ask Miss Mingzhu for help with at the moment.”
Lu Mingzhu asked, “What kind of help do you need?”
“I received an invitation to a dinner party from Mrs. Ming, requesting that I bring a companion. However, as I am currently single, I am deeply concerned about being mocked for attending without a female escort. I earnestly request Miss Lu’s gracious assistance.” Xie Junyao never concealed his feelings for Lu Mingzhu; he had always expressed them clearly and openly.
“I also have an invitation,” Lu Mingzhu remarked deliberately.
Xie Junyao responded with remarkable quickness: “Might I be so fortunate as to become Miss Mingzhu’s escort?”