The shop assistants that Song Dalu brought from Xifang weren't blind, and they naturally saw Song Dalu, a living, breathing man, being grabbed by the collar and slapped repeatedly by Jing Zhe, being beaten like a grandson.

They stood there, watching with great interest—no, they were completely dumbfounded, because they were truly stunned…

They only came to their senses after hearing Song Dalu's voice.

They exchanged glances, seemingly discussing what to do.

At this moment, Zhou Ziqiong spoke up: "I can't stop you from going to the Qu family's cloth shop with him. But if you want to help him beat up my brother, I, Zhou Ziqiong, will be the first to object!"

After Zhou Ziqiong finished speaking in a cold voice, the employees of Zhou Family Cloth Shop's main store immediately echoed, "You dare to try and make a move!"

"Xiao Li, I know where you live. Watch out, or I might throw stones at your house!"

"Xiao Zhang, you're not even as tall as other people's shoulders, what are you trying to show off? Get out of here!"

"Old Wang, I know everything about your shady affair with your neighbor Xiao Wang's wife. Are you asking me to tell everyone?"

"..."

Ultimately, just an hour ago, the employees at the West Shop and the head office were colleagues, and since they were all in Ruzhou City, who didn't know who?

After being told that, how could they dare to make a move?

Old Wang, in particular, was terrified. If word got out that he was cheating on someone else's wife, he'd be finished.

"Manager Song, my sow is about to give birth, so I'll be leaving now."

"Manager Song, my wife is about to give birth, so I'll be leaving now."

"Manager Song, my... mother is about to give birth, I'm leaving too!"

"..."

As they were talking, with a whoosh, half of the dozen or so people who had been there just moments before were gone. The remaining half were mostly from the countryside or other places, and they were all newcomers who had only been working in Xifang for a short time. So the employees at the head office didn't recognize them and didn't have anything to threaten them with.

They say true friendship is revealed in times of trouble, and Song Dalu was deeply moved!

"You lot... I've got your names. When I get to the Qu family's cloth shop, I'll definitely give you important positions!"

First, he promised benefits, then Manager Song said fiercely, "What are you all standing there for? Beat him up! If you all attack together, he can't possibly beat you!"

"Clap clap clap!"

As soon as Song Dalu finished speaking, he received several more slaps to the face, making him see stars and unable to speak.

Those few shop assistants who stayed might really have had this idea: to save the shopkeeper from danger in a time of crisis, and then they would be able to enjoy a life of luxury in the future.

However, when they saw Jing Zhe lifting Song Dalu off the ground by the collar, they were completely stunned.

If grabbing someone by the collar and slapping them is considered an advantage, then being able to lift the fat, big-eared Song Dalu with one hand shows that his strength is extraordinary!

After thinking it over carefully, the group decided that the deal was not worthwhile.

"Um... Manager Song, I just remembered, my mother... is about to give birth, I have to go back!"

"I'll go help!"

"I'll go help too!"

"..."

In an instant, the few remaining people also ran away.

Song Dalu was on the verge of tears, and was slapped several more times by Jing Zhe. Fortunately, Zhou Ziqiong intervened, and Jing Zhe stopped.

"Go back and tell your master that they want the Zhou family's cloth workshop? Dream on! As long as I'm here, not only will they not be able to take the Zhou family's cloth workshop, but they'll also lose everything!"

After Jing Zhe finished speaking, Song Dalu nodded as if he understood, mainly because he was already terrified of being beaten. At this point, even if Jing Zhe called him a dog, he wouldn't dare to object—no, it seems he had already called himself a dog long ago…

"What are you waiting for? Get out!"

Just as Song Dalu was in a daze, Jing Zhe kicked him again, sending him flying out the door.

Song Dalu rolled around a few times, got up, and ran away without even turning his head.

...

They came with great fanfare, but left with great sorrow.

As soon as he left, a deafening cheer erupted in the room. The Zhou family's cloth shop hadn't been this happy in a long time.

At this moment, Zhou Ziqiong stepped forward, looking at everyone with an apologetic expression, and said, "Everyone, I'm truly sorry. Although Song Dalu's words were unpleasant, it's a fact that the Zhou family's cloth shop can't pay monthly wages. Moreover, the shop's business is unlikely to improve anytime soon, so this month's payment may be delayed indefinitely..."

Zhou Ziqiong clenched her fists and bit her lip, as if she had made an important decision: "I know that there are many people here who worked hard with my father to build the Zhou family cloth shop, so I feel bad about the monthly wages I owe you. However, I promise that as soon as the cloth shop has money in its account, I will settle everyone's monthly wages immediately! I will write you an IOU in a moment!"

“I don’t want to keep you all waiting any longer, and you don’t need to feel bad. Ziqiong knows that everyone needs to earn money to support their families, so if anyone wants to leave, they don’t need to come here tomorrow. Whatever you choose, Ziqiong will thank you for your contributions to Zhou Family Cloth Shop and will not say another word!”

"..."

Ultimately, Zhou Ziqiong has lost confidence in reviving the Zhou family's cloth shop. She doesn't want to delay the shop assistants, and they have already given her enough face by not choosing to leave with Song Dalu. So she doesn't want to morally blackmail them, but lets them choose for themselves. Of course, the choice is entirely in their hands. Even if they don't want to come tomorrow, she has completely saved their face.

"Miss, you're being too polite!"

At this moment, Old Li stepped forward: "Miss, what I just told Song Dalu was the truth. Over the years, the master and young lady have treated us well, and we know the difficulties the cloth shop is facing now. If we leave now, would we still be human?"

"Yes, Miss! Although our family doesn't have much money, we're not starving or thirsty. Even if the cloth shop doesn't pay wages for a few more months, we won't be afraid!"

“We’ve been saving all that extra money the young lady used to give us each month. Plus, we still have land in the countryside, so we’re not worried about money!”

"..."

Hearing this, Zhou Ziqiong was deeply moved. Only at this moment could she see that people are emotional beings. If you are kind to others in normal times, they will not kick you when you are down.

Back then, Zhou Family Cloth Shop had always been doing very well, and the old shop assistants worked very hard, so Zhou Family Cloth Shop paid them a lot of money each month, more than twice that of other shops. The mean-spirited woman was particularly dissatisfied with this and wanted Zhou Gui to lower the monthly wages.

However, when it comes to business matters, Zhou Gui only listens to Zhou Ziqiong, so he has never lowered his standards. Now, putting themselves in each other's shoes, everyone remembers their kindness and naturally does not want to leave when the Zhou family's cloth shop is in its most difficult time.

————