"The wool has to be transported from XJ. Only my family has a dedicated fleet of vehicles that goes to collect wool every year. Other clothing stores simply don't have this channel."

That's why I said her shop was fake, that she sold counterfeit goods.

Chu Dong spoke with a firm tone and a confident attitude.

At this moment, Jin Yin suddenly asked a question.

"What should I do if I buy counterfeit goods?"

"Report it to the Industry and Commerce Bureau. These days, small private shops are strictly regulated. If the report is true, they will usually revoke the business license and impose a fine."

A while ago, a store selling fake wool products was shut down, and the owner lost 5,000 yuan, almost going bankrupt.

At that time, the market economy was just starting out and was already struggling. Most businesses operated with integrity, but they had neither the intention nor the ability to do so.

The store was discovered because it used synthetic fibers to impersonate wool. Since few people use genuine wool products nowadays, it's easy to be fooled, but experienced people can spot the deception at a glance.

Jin Yin's eyes lit up, and she asked with some excitement.

"Is it really possible to impose such a large fine?"

“My dad said so, how could it be false? There aren’t many counterfeit goods on the market now, and if there are, they will definitely be punished.”

Moreover, the amount of the fine depends entirely on the person's mood.

Jin Yin looked at the bustling shops in front of her and pulled on Chu Dong's arm.

"Then let's buy one."

What to buy?

"Wool clothing, these unscrupulous shops are selling fake products under false pretenses. If we don't do anything about it, won't more and more people be cheated?"

Earning money isn't easy for anyone, and besides, wouldn't this also benefit the Chu family?

Chu Dong disagreed.

"This kind of small shop won't last long. Don't compare it to the Chu family. The Chu family has branches all over the country. This kind of shop won't have any impact on us."

However, lying is definitely wrong, so I'll buy one and see.

Jin Yin finally managed to patiently wait in line.

She stood at the back of the line, watching the girls emerge transformed, a faint disdain in her eyes.

Finally, it was her turn, and Xiao Wang warmly welcomed her.

"I thought you weren't coming. Which one do you like? It's okay to look at a few more, take your time trying them on."

Do you have wool sweaters at home?

"Yes, we're the only store selling wool sweaters on this street. We have both fitted and loose styles. Which one do you want?"

"Let me see them all."

Xiao Wang took down two white wool sweaters and placed them in front of Jin Yin, letting her try them on.

The clothes are very soft and comfortable, with lines that perfectly fit the body, making the young body look exquisite and graceful.

Jin Yin looked at herself in the mirror, and her heart skipped a beat.

"How is it? Is it comfortable to wear? Our boss wears it too, want to take one?"

"Your boss is amazing! Where did he get all that wool?"

"I don't know about that. I just sell clothes. If you want to know, you can ask her yourself when she comes."

Jin Yin smiled, tugged at the sleeves, which were very elastic, and then tugged at the hem, which was much looser and more elastic than ordinary wool products.

"How much?"

"Wool products are very expensive; this one is thirty-eight."

Thirty-eight... more expensive than what the Chu family sells for?

“I’ve also looked at the clothes from the Chu family. They don’t use as much wool as we do, and the styles aren’t as nice. All our clothes are clearly priced. If you think they’re too expensive, you can exchange them for wool vests.”

Jin Yin remained calm and spoke in a composed tone.

"It's alright, it wasn't too expensive, I bought it."

Liao Lingang gave her the money for textbooks for the next semester, and Jin Yin took out all of it, along with her own savings.

She had just gotten a piece of clothing from Chu's shop, but this time Chu Dong refused to pay for it again.

But it's okay if I pay for it myself, since I'll have to refund her the full amount later anyway.

"How much money can you make selling things for the boss? You were doing so well as an accountant before, why did you come here to do this kind of work?"

As Jin Yin paid, she chatted casually, her gaze intentionally or unintentionally glancing at the cabinet in front of Xiao Wang, which was crammed full of banknotes.

Xiao Wang was very busy, and although he could hear the sense of superiority in Jin Yin's tone, he didn't have time to argue with her.

"It's only a simple two hundred a month. I don't know how much you city people earn, but this amount of money is enough for me. A month's salary is equivalent to a year's salary before."

"One or two hundred? Ha... You still love to joke around."

Xiao Wang still had a big smile on his face.

She made money, became more easygoing and tolerant, and could forgive all scoundrels and fools, let alone someone like Jin Yin who looked down on people.

After buying the clothes, Jin Yin casually asked a question.

How did you get to know your boss?

"From the same village."

"From the same village?"

Jin Yin glanced at her again, her tone tinged with surprise.

Xiao Wang smiled meaningfully, nodded, and raised his voice.

"Yes, we're from the same village, and you even know each other."

"From the same village? I know them? Who?"

Xiao Wang, however, immediately turned his face away to greet the next customer.

Jin Yin was hanging there, feeling a lump in her throat, unable to breathe properly. She felt that the once simple and honest Xiao Wang had become somewhat repulsive.

He's become more like a businessman—commercial and cunning, reeking of money, and prone to lying.

Could such a large shop be owned by someone from the village? Almost everyone who can open a shop on this street is a local. How could someone from out of town afford to buy such a large shop and do business here?

Jin Yin was convinced that Xiao Wang was deliberately lying to her, and was worried that she knew the owner of the store.

However, it's not impossible. This street isn't far from her home, and there aren't many native locals there. Maybe she really does know the shop owner.

Even if she didn't know them, her parents had been teaching for so many years that they knew even the city's leaders, let alone an ordinary vendor.

Thinking of this, Jin Yin's mood calmed down a lot. She looked at Xiao Wang with a cold smile, turned around and left.

Before leaving, she saw a familiar figure.

She knew this person too well; Jin Yin could recognize him at a glance, even from just his back.

Jin Shu, what is she doing here?

Oh right, isn't that dress she's wearing from this store? Maybe that's how she met Xiao Wang.

Both of them came from small towns, so it's normal for them to stick together for warmth in such a big city.

Seeing Xiao Wang chatting and laughing with her, Jin Yin sneered.

They're all from small towns, and they're used to sticking together and excluding others. Xiao Wang probably learned this from Jin Shu.

It's quite pathetic; this is probably the only way out for these people—to put on a smiling face and grovel to earn a pitiful amount of money.

Such people won't be able to laugh for long. Since ancient times, all other professions have been considered inferior except for studying. Without education and culture, one can only do these undignified jobs for the rest of one's life.

——

"Jin Yin came specifically to buy a wool sweater, but the way she kept asking so many questions made me feel like she didn't have good intentions." (End of Chapter)