Chapter 171 Trying to Get Something for Nothing

Guo Zhenyi carried the roast goose he had just bought into the kitchen.

He placed the roast goose on the cutting board and turned around to call people to eat.

But Zhou Miaoling was still clinging tightly to Zhou Shufen, chattering away incessantly.

Zhou Shufen listened attentively, nodding from time to time.

“I did the math with my uncle. One yuan is worth one point. Once you accumulate 100 points, you can exchange them for a bar of soap, 200 for laundry detergent, and 300 for soy sauce! It’s like getting a 10% discount. Who wouldn’t love that? Especially the aunties in the factory, they love this kind of practical benefit.”

She paused, her eyes darting around, and then added.

"If someone brings a friend, they get extra points, which will help us grow our customer base!"

Guo Zhenyi leaned against the door frame, listening to the girl's eloquent analysis, and couldn't help but laugh.

"It's not enough to just get people to come; you have to make them want to come."

Zhou Shufen stroked her chin, deep in thought.

"Once we get our hands on some Hong Kong-made candies, such as butter candies, preserved plum candies, and fruit gummies, they will be available in limited quantities. Members will have priority to choose with their cards, and each person can only buy a maximum of two packs. The quantities are limited, so if you can't get any, you'll just have to look on with envy. Next time, you'll have to come earlier."

"Once they taste the benefits, they will naturally become inseparable from it. Supermarkets don't survive on one-off sales; they need to keep people coming back every day."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the door to the inner room creaked open.

Zhou Yujie came out of the house, holding a thick navy blue coat in his hand.

He immediately spotted Zhou Shufen standing in the wind wearing only a thin shirt and quickly handed her his coat.

"Little sister, it's chilly at night, put this on so you don't catch a cold."

Zhou Shufen took the coat and whispered, "Thank you, brother."

Zhou Yujie glanced at Guo Zhenyi again.

I saw him standing at the kitchen door, holding a paper package of roast goose in his hand.

"Zhenyi, come in and sit for a while. Don't just stay busy in the kitchen. I just brewed some new tea, Tieguanyin. Try it and see if you like it."

The kerosene lamp in the main room burned quietly.

Zhou Qigang was doing his homework, lying on the wooden table in the center of the main room.

When he encountered a math problem that he really couldn't solve, he would look up and search for Zhou Yujie sitting at the tea table.

Zhou Yujie put down his teacup, walked over, bent down to look at the question, and patiently explained it to him.

After listening, Zhou Qi's eyes lit up, he nodded, and buried himself in writing again.

Guo Zhenyi's heart softened as he watched this scene.

The courtyard was bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of children reading and elders offering their advice.

Compared to his room, which was so lonely that even an echo seemed to linger, it was like two completely different worlds.

"Oh, right, I just remembered something."

He picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

"Director Huang from the supply and marketing cooperative might come again tomorrow. Last time, he mentioned something about 'joint operation' before he left, saying that he was willing to provide the source of goods, operate together, and make profits together."

He sneered and put the teacup on the table.

"To put it bluntly, he just wants a piece of the pie. We work hard from dawn till dusk to keep the shop going, and he wants to get something for nothing and reap the benefits without lifting a finger."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shufen raised an eyebrow.

"He certainly knows how to pick his timing. We've just started to make a name for ourselves, and he's already eager to come along. Does he really think we're easy to bully?"

"Ignore him."

Guo Zhenyi's tone was crisp.

“I’ve already spoken to the industry and commerce bureau. We’re a properly registered sole proprietorship with all the necessary business licenses. We can do whatever we want. If the supply and marketing cooperative is really capable, they should open their own shop instead of eyeing ours.”

Zhou Yujie nodded.

“Zhengyi is right. We’ve worked so many nights, enduring cold stares and gossip, to get the ‘Zhouji Convenience Supermarket’ sign up. Why should we let others come and reap the rewards without lifting a finger?”

He paused, his gaze falling on Guo Zhenyi's face.

“You’ve helped us so much, contributing money and effort, and protecting my little sister and the children. We’ll always remember it. It’s time to think about your own future.”

“I misjudged you before. I always thought you had a powerful background and were scheming, and I was afraid that Shufen would suffer if she followed you. Now I know that you are not that kind of person.”

Guo Zhenyi's gaze involuntarily slid towards Zhou Shufen.

She was sitting at the table, patiently explaining a complex math problem to Zhou Qigang.

Guo Zhenyi sat in the rattan chair to the side, but ultimately said nothing.

He simply tilted his head back and drank the light brown tea in the cup in one gulp.

The night was deep, and the wind outside the window had become chilly.

Zhou Shufen got up and saw him to the door.

"I'll go see Master Li tomorrow morning."

Guo Zhenyi stood outside the threshold, speaking each word carefully.

"Have his daughter come to you. Don't worry about the membership cards either. I know the printing factory well, we've had a long-standing relationship. I'll personally handle the matter, and I can not only get you a discount, but also keep a close eye on the quality."

Zhou Shufen nodded slightly after hearing this, and then pulled her slightly thin coat tighter around herself.

Guo Zhenyi suddenly took half a step forward.

"Shufen, I've said it before, I'll keep everything you care about in my heart."

Her heartbeat suddenly became erratic, and her chest felt hot.

"Then... drive carefully and be safe."

Guo Zhenyi looked at her like this and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

He simply turned around slowly and waved to her.

"See you tomorrow."

She stood at the doorway, watching his figure gradually disappear into the night.

Back in the main room, the lights were dim.

Zhou Qigang was slumped in the chair next to the desk, his head resting on his arm, already fast asleep.

Zhou Yujie was wiping the wooden table by the kitchen door when he heard footsteps and looked up.

"Zhenyi is a reliable person."

Zhou Shufen did not respond immediately.

She simply walked over, bent down, and carefully pulled out the homework that Zhou Qi had been pressing down on.

She understood what Zhou Yujie wanted to say.

Some things don't need to be said explicitly; she already understands them in her heart.

Guo Zhenyi's silent dedication over the years has left an indelible mark on her heart.

Since the police increased patrols in this area, those thugs no longer dare to cause trouble.

Order gradually returned, and neighbors began to do business with peace of mind.

She made a quick decision and had Zhou Yujie carefully compile the membership system into a poster, which was then posted in the most conspicuous place at the supermarket entrance.

Passing customers would stop and take a look whenever they passed by.

The items redeemed by members are actually not worth much money, but that's precisely why they seem so trustworthy.

Every little bit helps; every penny saved counts.

With just these small, tangible benefits, many people have been firmly won over.

Seeing that everything was on track, Zhou Shufen began to plan that she should take Zhou Yufan back to Yuxin.

When children grow up, they eventually need to acknowledge their ancestors and return to their roots.

He should also meet his relatives back home and know where his roots are.

Before leaving, she went on a shopping spree in Ningcheng.

The Special Economic Zone was the first to open, and Hong Kong businessmen flocked in early on, bringing all sorts of novelties.

Tape recorder, digital watch, nylon umbrella, plastic flowers, Hong Kong style dress...

She went from shop to shop, picking out items one by one.

Not only did he prepare gifts for himself and the Zhou family, but he also brought many gifts for Yu Xin's relatives.

What's even more admirable is that she personally delivered vegetables and fruits to Zhou Yujie every day for seven consecutive days.