Chapter 177 Boss Zhou is so generous!

Zhou Shufen's tone suddenly softened.

"She married into the wrong family, that's true. But the mistake wasn't hers, it was that family that treated her like dirt. All the grievances she suffered were the burden she took for others: the harshness of her in-laws, the indifference of her husband, the instigation of her sister-in-law—all weighed heavily on her shoulders. She didn't resist because she was kind, because she still wanted to maintain that family. But what did she get in return? Only repeated heartbreak and disappointment."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd.

“I dare say this in front of everyone today: in the future, her husband’s family will definitely kowtow and beg her to come home. Not because she is so rich, but because one day they will realize that they have lost a treasure, and this treasure can never be found again. I’m saying this today, so you all remember it. In a few years, we will see the truth.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Yunmu burst into tears.

In the crowd, a woman holding a baby timidly took two steps forward.

"Sister Zhou... I misunderstood you... We just jumped to conclusions without asking any questions, saying you were materialistic and didn't care about your wife... Actually... we didn't know the details... You've been helping her all along, we were just making things up..."

Zhou Shufen put down her teacup.

“I, Zhou Shufen, am not afraid of my shadow being crooked when I walk. I earn my living with my own hands. Those of you who are jealous and envious, you should go home and look in the mirror. Look at your own envious and twisted faces, so you won’t keep babbling here all day and making a fool of yourselves!”

A short, plump woman stood at the edge of the crowd, pouting, stiffening her neck, and stubbornly shouting something.

"Hmph! I'll never buy anything from your store again! Let's see how your business goes!"

Zhou Shufen raised an eyebrow, a smile appearing on her face instead.

"Oh, alright. Then I'll have to write down your name. From today onwards, no matter what you buy when you come to my shop, I'll refuse you entry. I won't even let you in the door. Do you dare to give your name? Stand up and call out your name in front of everyone so I can remember it clearly, lest I mistake you for someone else and let you in, breaking my rules."

The woman's face immediately turned as red as a pig's liver, her lips trembled, but she dared not say another word.

Clutching her child, she hurriedly tried to disappear into the crowd, wishing she could vanish immediately.

Those who had been shouting the loudest earlier all lowered their heads now.

Suddenly, a young man wearing glasses peeked out from behind the crowd.

"Aunt Zhou, the face cream my mom bought from you a couple of days ago is amazing! After using it for three days, her hands aren't chapped anymore, and her face isn't rough anymore. It's even more moisturizing than the one sold in Haicheng, and it's not oily at all!"

Zhou Shufen's eyes lit up instantly.

"Of course! My formula isn't like those perfumed and watered-down things you find on the market. It was personally prepared by an old craftsman, using pure herbs and meticulous processes, involving three steamings and nine dryings, taking a full half-month to make. If your mother comes again, I'll give her a box of pearl powder. Apply it before bed, and her skin will be as tender as tofu, smooth and moisturized, making her look ten years younger—no exaggeration!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the air relaxed instantly.

The tense atmosphere seemed to be gently punctured by a fine needle.

Someone leaned against the wall, head down, neck hunched, muttering to themselves.

“That Zhou Haiwei kid just coasts along at the factory, working one day and resting three, and being late and leaving early has become a habit. How much of what he says can you believe?”

Upon hearing this, the person next to him unconsciously pursed his lips and nodded slightly.

Yang Yunmu wiped away the last tear from the corner of her eye, her fingers trembling slightly.

"Sister Zhou is a very honest person; she never plays tricks. Every single item in her ledger is crystal clear, without the slightest error. She keeps a close eye on everything, from the purchase price to the selling price, without any ambiguity. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone as honest and reliable as her."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over several familiar yet unfamiliar faces around her.

"Buying things from her store is transparent and fair, and you can buy with complete peace of mind. You will definitely not be disappointed."

Several elderly neighbors standing at the front froze, their expressions gradually changing.

They suddenly realized that the woman in front of them, with her head bowed and eyes downcast, exuded an unfamiliar confidence.

No one expected that she would become so close to Zhou Shufen so quietly.

Even more surprising was that she dared to speak so confidently in front of so many people.

Zhou Shufen's family was well-off, and her shops stretched from one end of the street to the other. Business was booming, and she had excellent interpersonal relationships.

Now that she's helping Yang Yunmu, it's clear she values ​​her down-to-earth nature.

The neighbors all know the truth.

Sooner or later, Yang Yunmu's in-laws will have to bow down and beg her to change her mind.

Zhou Shufen smiled faintly upon hearing Yang Yunmu's words and said nothing more.

She turned to face the crowd and stood ramrod straight.

"My two shops sell all kinds of daily necessities, such as oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, towels, soap, pots and pans. Basically, everything that ordinary people need for daily life can be found here."

She paused, her gaze open and honest.

"We will officially open to the public in a few days. Everyone is welcome to come and visit, and we also welcome you to keep an eye on us."

A slight smile played on her lips, and a hint of arrogance lingered in her eyes.

"Look at me, Zhou Shufen. Am I not as the rumors say, a heartless money-grubber who cheats and swindles people?"

After saying that, she looked up at the several old workers who were painting the wall and said with a smile, "Workers, you've worked hard! It's my treat for lunch today at that little restaurant at the corner store. There's plenty of meat and eggs! Eat as much as you want, don't be shy!"

Upon hearing this, the craftsmen beamed with joy and swung their brushes even more enthusiastically.

Someone wiped his brow and cheerfully replied, "Boss Zhou is so generous! We'll take care of this job, and we guarantee it'll be done by tomorrow!"

Another person chimed in, "That's right, such an honest and straightforward boss makes the work very enjoyable!"

The crowd slowly dispersed, walking away in twos and threes.

But when passing by those two brand-new shops, I couldn't help but slow down.

Some people looked up at the newly painted signboard, then looked down at the red paper pasted on the door frame.

A middle-aged woman walked by with her child and whispered, "I heard this shop is owned by Sister Yu's relative, so the food should be pretty good."

The child looked up and asked, "Mom, will we come here to buy things in the future?"

The woman didn't answer, but turned around and glanced at him a couple more times, the disdain in her eyes quietly turning into contemplation.

Yang Yunmu hung the washed rag on the drying line, the damp corners of the rag swaying gently.

Her eyes were still red.

But the corners of his mouth gradually turned up.

"Sister Zhou, thank you so much."

"No need to thank me."

Zhou Shufen walked over and gently squeezed her hand.

"If we act uprightly and sit honestly, our shadows will not be crooked. As a person, we should not be afraid of what others say, but we should be afraid of having a guilty conscience."

"Once the store opens, you'll work for me. Learn well and do your job diligently. In the future, those who look down on you will have to line up to curry favor with you, they won't be able to reach you."

The shop was busy for a full half month.

Painting walls, building cabinets, sourcing goods, arranging merchandise—he did everything himself.

Finally, the red ribbon was hung up and the firecrackers were ready.

A large red sign reading "Opening Day" was pasted on the door.

—The store is about to open.

No one expected that Guo Yanlong would come in person.