Meng Shuyun glared angrily, took two steps forward, and slapped Su Xiangyang hard across the face twice.

"You're right, I do regret it. I regret not finding you an old maid before kicking you out, so you could become a live-in son-in-law."

"If I marry far away, the dowry money will still be my own, and it'll also keep you out of my sight."

Su Xiangyang's face turned red and his neck thickened, his eyes blazing with anger, his fists clenched, and he tried his best to endure it.

Just as his emotions were about to explode, Xiang Shanshan grabbed his arm in time, her eyes full of heartache, and retorted to Meng Shuyun with disapproval: "Auntie, how can you say such things about Xiangyang? He's the son of the family. You don't care about him, and you're even thinking about marrying him off for a dowry. You've gone too far."

"I'm being unreasonable?" Meng Shuyun looked at Xiang Shanshan with amusement, pointing her finger at her nose and saying, "If you feel sorry for her, take her home. If you want to give her a bride price, I'd be happy to accept it."

Xiang Shanshan was shy, and her face turned red instantly. She was speechless, tears welling up in her red eyes, and she ran out of the supply and marketing cooperative, sobbing softly.

"Mother, you've gone too far. How could you say such things about Shanshan? What did she do to offend you?" Su Xiangyang questioned.

Meng Shuyun shrugged and said bluntly, "No! She's the one who wanted to jump in front of me to get scolded. Did I say anything wrong? If he really likes you that much, why doesn't he just say yes?"

Su Xiangyang showed a hurt and disappointed expression: "I will never call you mother again. I don't have such a heartless mother. You have disappointed me too much."

Watching Su Xiangyang's retreating figure as he chased after her, Meng Shuyun secretly hoped that he would be utterly disappointed and never come looking for her again.

Su Xiangyang pulled Xiang Shanshan, who was crying with her face covered, and patiently comforted her, "Don't cry, it's all my fault. You can hit me if you want, just stop crying, okay?"

Xiang Shanshan wiped away her tears, biting her full, red lips, tears sliding down her cheeks: "Su Xiangyang, go be your big boss. I'm afraid I won't be able to wait for you. Once I start working, I will definitely pay you back."

Su Xiangyang was heartbroken and kept wiping away her tears, taking money out of his pocket and stuffing it into her hand.

“What are you saying? What’s mine is yours. You can focus on your studies now. I heard that the salaries are high in the south and room and board are included. I’ll go there and send you living expenses every month.”

There are many job opportunities in the South, and I'm sure I'll make a name for myself. You don't need to wait for me; I'll wait for you.

Hearing Su Xiangyang say that, Xiang Shanshan cried even harder, nodding through her teary eyes, "I will study hard and I will definitely get into university."

After speaking to Shanshan, she blushed and gently kissed Su Xiangyang before turning and running away quickly.

Su Xiangyang stood there dumbfounded, his lips curving upwards involuntarily, grinning like a complete idiot.

**

The tobacco factory office.

Li Dashun stood in front of the desk, looking slightly reserved.

Sitting in a leather executive chair was Zhang Zhenhui, a middle-aged man, puffing out a cigarette. He was the manager of the cigarette factory.

Li Dashun recounted his experiences in Dali County in detail, as well as Meng Shuyun's request for his services.

Zhang Zhenhui's face grew darker as he listened. He couldn't imagine what the consequences would be if he brought that batch of goods back and sold it through his own hands.

This is a crucial period for my rise. Even if I manage to pull it back, I might lose my position before I even have a chance to make a move.

"She's going to borrow all our vehicles to haul grain?" The man flicked his cigarette ash and frowned at Li Dashun.

Li Dashun placed the two hundred yuan from his pocket on the desk: "This is the deposit."

Zhang Zhenhui looked at the two hundred yuan on the table; it wasn't a large sum.

“How did that old lady figure out that thing was contraband? Did she tell you? Is she free? Call her over; I have some questions for her.”

Just then, the office door was violently flung open, and a girl in a stylish little dress ran in, grabbing Zhang Zhenhui's arm and pleading, "Dad, I want to drive your new motorcycle! Dad, give me the keys!"

Without waiting for a reply, he opened the drawer and rummaged through it.

When Zhang Zhenhui saw his daughter, his aura softened, and he took out a bunch of keys from his waistband: "Take these and play with them. Come home early."

Zhang Miaomiao smiled sweetly as she received the keys: "Thank you, Dad."

The office quieted down. Zhang Zhenhui waved his hand, signaling Li Dashun to leave: "Take the money and distribute it among the brothers. Bring the car back in perfect condition the day after tomorrow. If there's anything wrong, you still have to pay for it. Don't forget to call the people over."

Li Dashun breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the deal was done. He took two hundred yuan and went down to share the money with his brothers. A dozen men surrounded Li Dashun to divide the money and finalize the time and vehicle arrangements.

"Li Dashun, come here for a second," Zhang Miaomiao shouted from not far away.

Everyone looked over and saw Zhang Miaomiao waving at Li Dashun; next to her was a brand-new motorcycle.

These days, motorcycles are a rare commodity; even if you have money, you might not be able to buy one.

Faced with the crowd's jeers, Li Dashun blushed but still jogged over: "Miss, what's the matter?"

Zhang Miaomiao stomped her foot and pointed at the motorcycle next to her: "Go get me a can of engine oil. My dad is really something, he doesn't even know to put some oil in the car."

*

Inside Zhang Youjin's office.

Zhang Youwang was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth: "Brother, what should we do?"

None of the truck drivers I contacted were willing to haul grain for us; they all said their trucks were full.

These bastards refuse to give up their trucks no matter what. What will we do if there are no trucks to haul grain tomorrow?

"So much grain, we simply couldn't haul it back without trucks."

Zhang Youjin frowned, burning the cigarette between his fingers before he came to his senses: "Have you contacted all your brothers?"

"Aren't there even any empty taxis?"

"We've contacted them all, but they just can't find it."

"Let me think of something." Zhang Youjin picked up the landline and dialed a number.

I made a few calls, and they all said the car was unavailable tomorrow, so I asked them the day after tomorrow if they wanted it.

He was so angry that his face turned a deep shade of liver. How could such a coincidence happen? If he didn't have a car, he would definitely not make it tomorrow.

Looking at the phone that had been hung up, Zhang Youwang's hopeful expression turned into one of irritability and anger.

"Brother, did Ye Jianguo's side try to trip us up?"

Zhang Youwang rubbed his hair, gesturing for his brother to call Ye Jianguo.

Thinking of the unpleasantness from some time ago, Zhang Youjin made a phone call with a skeptical attitude, only to be told that Ye Jianguo was hospitalized.

The table was piled high with cigarette butts, but still no car was found.

Zhang Youjin remembered that his uncle was acquainted with the officials at the cigarette factory, and that his uncle controlled the largest fleet of vehicles in the county. He thought he might be able to borrow a car from him...

The two brothers arrived at the luxurious villa with gifts in high spirits. Facing Zhang Zhenhui, who sat in the living room with a powerful aura, the two brothers smiled and explained the purpose of their visit.

Zhang Zhenhui stubbed out his cigarette and said calmly, "Borrow a car? I don't have any available cars."