"Exactly, it's all a misunderstanding. Her partner is here, what are you making a fuss about?" The onlookers, who had expected to hear the biggest gossip of the year, lost interest when it turned out to be a misunderstanding and dispersed. The families of military personnel are generally more understanding.

“He found someone to cover up his lie! Should I believe him?” Sister-in-law Deng remained defiant.

"Sister-in-law, you have to be reasonable. You were all fighting when I arrived. How could Dr. Deng have time to find someone to cover for him? Dr. Deng, I'd better leave now. I'll treat you to a meal another day to apologize!" The good doctor knew he couldn't reason with her, so he sighed, took a girl who was terrified out of the house, got on his bicycle, and rode away.

Sister-in-law Deng slunk into the house to pack her things. Qin Xiaoyu, along with Deng Jianyan and Zhou Yue, took the two children to the Zhou family home.

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh." Deng Jianyan had several scratches on his face. He gave a bitter smile, the pain from the scratches distorting his face.

"Brother Deng, how have you been all these years?" Zhou Yue asked sympathetically, but Qin Xiaoyu stopped her with a look. It wasn't right to say such things in front of the children.

"It's worse than death." Deng Jianyan said, then turned to look out the car window.

Qin Xiaoyu suddenly realized that this man was suffering inside. She remembered when they first met on the train, he told her about a female classmate who died after eating wild fruit. Could there be a story behind this? Otherwise, with his good looks, why wouldn't he be looking for Sister-in-law Deng?

When Zhou Xing's mother heard Qin Xiaoyu quietly recount what had happened, she was so frightened that she stuck out her tongue.

"This Dr. Deng is a nice person, but it's really hard to describe. People usually end up with a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung, but this time it's a pile of cow dung smashed onto a beautiful flower," Zhou Yue remarked.

"Stop talking, go and call her over for dinner." Zhou Xing's mother still prioritized the bigger picture. In those days, divorce wasn't valued, so harmony was the most important thing.

Despite her initial reluctance, Sister-in-law Deng eventually gave in to Zhou Yue's persuasion and brought over the medicine.

Commander Zhou tried to speak several times during the meal, but since the child wasn't his own, he swallowed his words.

After Qin Xiaoyu finished designing the blueprints, she took Captain Chen, several brothers, and Tang Wenwen to the provincial capital.

Jiang Fusheng personally came to pick them up at the station. I don't know where he got a bus from, but he was very thoughtful.

"This is Tang Wenwen. She will be in charge of the counter from now on," Qin Xiaoyu introduced them.

"Hello." Tang Wenwen extended her hand generously.

"Hehe, hello." Jiang Fusheng's confidence suddenly wavered, and his usually slick mouth suddenly tightened.

The prime location in the No. 1 Department Store was the small cubicle directly opposite. Originally, although the department store was called a company, it wasn't a single, continuous storefront; it was comprised of individual cubicles. After liberation, it was converted from a private to a state-owned enterprise, and only then did it gradually open up. However, the entrance area was somewhat unique. Originally, the front shop had a small hut at the back, where a statue of the God of Wealth was enshrined.

After the reform, the "Four Olds" were destroyed, so the God of Wealth position was removed, and the wall was also knocked down, creating a small space that was larger than the counter next to it.

This would be perfect for converting into a private room. Qin Xiaoyu had already decided on this option; she had taken the measurements last time, and Captain Chen had gone in with a ruler, looked at the blueprints, and already had a good idea of ​​what to expect.

"This job is quick; it will be finished in three days."

Qin Xiaoyu trusted him the most. After calculating, she figured that if she brought the goods over, it would be completed in three days, just in time to open for business before May Day.

That evening, Jiang Fusheng was supposed to host a welcome dinner for them, but Captain Chen was in a rush to finish his work and refused to come. That left only Qin Xiaoyu and Tang Wenwen, who wanted to stay but were afraid of refusing Jiang Fusheng's invitation.

This time, the table was quite full of people. Jiang Fusheng brought along all the leaders and deputy leaders of the No. 1 Department Store, which also served as an introduction for Qin Xiaoyu.

During the meal, Qin Xiaoyu discovered that Jiang Fusheng had a lot of influence, unlike ordinary deputy managers who did the work but had no real power and had to take the blame.

It feels like the No. 1 Department Store belongs to his family, but the person in charge is clearly surnamed Zhu, not Chen.

"Director Qin, I have something good. I don't know if you want it," Jiang Fusheng asked in a low voice.

"What good stuff?" Qin Xiaoyu asked curiously.

"Last time I gave you a brief account of the history of the No. 1 Department Store. When that small cubicle was opened up, the God of Wealth shrine inside was in my hands. Do you dare to take it back?"

"In your hands? How old are you? What business is it of yours back then?" Qin Xiaoyu blurted out.

"Director Qin, you don't know this, but this No. 1 Department Store originally belonged to Jiang Fusheng's family." Manager Zhu couldn't help but laugh when he heard her say this.

"Yours?"

“Yes, it was originally a private business owned by my family before liberation, but later it became a joint state-private enterprise. For a period of time, the Jiang family withdrew from the business, which is why I came back after graduating from university to revive the family business.” Jiang Fusheng was not old, but he carried a lot on his shoulders, and Qin Xiaoyu was filled with respect.

"Okay, if you dare to deliver, I dare to accept."

“It’s a deal.” Jiang Fusheng raised his glass.

Qin Xiaoyu knew what he was thinking. The God of Wealth position was not as simple as it seemed on the surface; it was a legacy of the First Department Store for nearly a century.

However, from Jiang Fusheng's perspective, he couldn't intervene. Qin Xiaoyu was now in charge of the counter, so it was understandable that she invited him back.

From Qin Xiaoyu's perspective, this also indicates a long-term cooperation, which is a good omen.

With Captain Chen and Tang Wenwen overseeing the counter's operations, Qin Xiaoyu had more important things to do. She needed to find Tang Wenwen an apartment.

Tang Wenwen suggested finding a nearby guesthouse and renting it for an extended period. However, Qin Xiaoyu felt it was inconvenient and worried about safety.

Although Tang Wenwen isn't one to attract attention, people these days are much more cunning, and if she were to encounter someone with malicious intentions, she could suffer greatly. Tang Wenwen cannot afford any more blemishes on her record.

It was really hard to find a place to rent. Qin Xiaoyu was a little discouraged after running around all day. There weren't many rental properties available these days, and the few that were available weren't in good condition either, as the previous tenants had almost completely ruined them.

By the time she left the last shop, it was already past midnight. She didn't go to the No. 1 Department Store; instead, she went back to her hotel and took a shower. Who would have thought that looking at apartments would leave her covered in dust and grime?

Taking a hot shower is a treat. Qin Xiaoyu has thick hair, so her shower takes a long time. When she came out, she saw that Tang Wenwen had already returned.

"Jiang Fusheng is waiting for you outside, saying he has something to do." Tang Wenwen also came back to shower and change clothes. She stayed in the mall that night, worried that if Captain Chen needed anything at any time, she wouldn't be able to find anyone to help.

"I knocked on the door a few times. Women are such a hassle. If you don't know them, you'll think you're going to live here forever." Jiang Fusheng complained a lot, truly single by choice.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. What's up?" Qin Xiaoyu said with a smile.

"I heard you're looking for a house. I've come across a place; would you like to go check it out?"

"Great! It's great that you found it for me!" Qin Xiaoyu was so happy that she immediately went out with him.