Wang Peng's office at Brothers Supermarket No. 1 Store.

Wang Peng lay half-reclined on the sofa, keeping Li Mengjiao company on the phone, talking about the progress of Store No. 5.

He emphasized the key points, stating frankly that the elevator and KFC were crucial in the early stages of the competition against Brilliant Store No. 5.

After thinking it over carefully, Li Mengjiao said, "I do know the president of KFC Greater China, but it's difficult to change the branch policies."

Wang Peng said, "I will try my best to persuade Tang Zewu, although it will be difficult."

There was a few seconds of silence on the phone. Li Mingzhu said softly, "I'll help you gather information about him. Wait for my news."

The two chatted for a long time before Wang Peng hung up the phone. A wave of drowsiness washed over him, so he went to sleep in the next bedroom.

In a daze, the phone rang again, and he answered it and put it to his ear.

"Brother, it's me." Wang Cheng's voice came through the phone.

"Hmm." Wang Peng rolled over and yawned. "Speak your mind, or shut up."

“I know you want to poach Tang Zewu. I advise you not to daydream,” Wang Cheng said. “Wait a moment.”

Immediately afterwards, a deep male voice came from the phone: "Hello, this is Tang Zewu. Are you Boss Wang Peng?"

"I'm Wang Peng, hello Mr. Zheng." Wang Peng sat up from the bed and casually pulled back the curtains.

"Mr. Wang, first of all, thank you for valuing me. However, I'm sorry, Mr. Wang Cheng and I have a pleasant working relationship, and I don't want to leave Brilliant," Tang Zewu said with a smile.

"I wish you continued success in your cooperation." Wang Peng smiled slightly, then continued, "You mean, we have no chance to cooperate anymore?"

“Yes,” Tang Zewu said, “I won’t go to your No. 5 store, even if you don’t charge me rent.”

Wang Peng chuckled lightly: "Boss Tang, I generally don't make absolute statements. After all, no one knows what the future holds."

There was a brief silence on the phone, then Wang Cheng's voice came through again: "Brother, I'll treat you to drinks another day."

The call ended with a beep, Wang Cheng hung up. Wang Peng gritted his teeth, a surge of anger rising within him.

It's important to know that countless merchants go to great lengths to get their products listed in other supermarkets, including begging, offering gifts, and even selling their bodies...

It's always been others asking Wang Peng for favors; today is the first time I've encountered a merchant who isn't interested in Brothers Supermarket.

"Interesting." Wang Peng opened his contacts and found Li Mingzhu's number.

"Honey, where are you?" Li Mingzhu's languid voice came from the phone.

"I'm at Yihaodian." Wang Peng smiled slightly. "Honey, there are some tricky things that require your personal attention."

"Oh? It seems this is indeed a tricky matter. Honey, tell me, who should I investigate?" Li Mingzhu said softly.

"Tang Zewu, the owner of the KFC franchise in Huihuang District. I want him to open a branch in our No. 5 store," Wang Peng said in a deep voice.

"Hmm. Watch me dig up his ancestors for eight generations." Li Mingzhu said with a smile, "Honey, let's go home for dinner."

The two chatted for a few more minutes, then Wang Peng hung up the phone and packed his things to go home.

Brothers Supermarket has two departments responsible for intelligence gathering: one is the market research department led by Hu Mingyue, and the other is Li Mingzhu's circle of friends.

This circle of friends consists of ten criminal investigation experts, three of whom are private investigators recommended by Li Mengjiao.

Wang Peng believed Li Mingzhu's words; as long as her circle of friends started working, they could dig up Tang Zewu's ancestors for eighteen generations.

Half an hour later, he drove back to the Wenxin Garden residential complex. As soon as he got out of the car, he noticed an old woman staring at him.

Wang Peng didn't recognize her at first glance, but recognized her on the second look. He noticed that her hair had turned much whiter and her face had many more wrinkles.

"You... how did you become like this?" Wang Peng walked up to her and stared straight at her face.

"It's nothing." Li Guifen waved her hand and turned to walk upstairs.

Wang Peng watched her retreating figure until she disappeared into the stairwell. He shook his head slightly: "It seems she's been suffering at Wang Cheng's hands lately."

He took out his phone and called his elderly father, Wang Song, as he went upstairs to go home.

When the call connected, he asked, "Dad, what happened to Wang Cheng's mother? I haven't seen her these past few days, and she looks so old."

"What a tragedy!" Wang Song sighed. "Her retirement money was swindled away by Wang Cheng; she deserved it!"

This life is deserved; one should pity its misfortune and be angry at its lack of resistance. Coupled with a deep sigh, Wang Song expressed this emotion perfectly.

Wang Peng had already returned home and was sitting on the sofa: "How did they lie to me? What exactly happened?"

Wang Song said in a deep voice, "I don't know what evil he believed in, but she actually took out 200,000 yuan of her retirement money and bought Huihuang's stock."

"I was tricked by Wang again when we signed the agreement. The shares were registered under Wang Cheng's name, and Wang Cheng will receive the dividends from now on."

"When Wang Cheng is in a good mood, he gives her some pocket money; when he's in a bad mood, she has nowhere to eat."

Wang Song finished speaking in one breath, then let out a long sigh on the phone.

After listening, Wang Peng frowned. Li Guifen's perception determined her suffering; when it came to scheming and plotting, she was no match for Wang Cheng.

The bedroom door opened, and Li Mingzhu carried Wang Jiye into the living room. Upon seeing his father, Wang Jiye immediately became excited and reached out to Wang Peng for a hug.

"Dad, let's talk another day." Wang Peng hung up the phone, quickly hugged his son, and felt much better.

"Jiye, play with your dad. Mom's going to cook." Li Mingzhu kissed her son first, then her husband, and turned to go into the kitchen.

Wang Peng carried his son to the study, placed him on his lap, and teased him with a rattle drum.

Wang Jiye chuckled at his joke, and the father and son enjoyed each other's company. Some time later, he heard Li Mingzhu calling him from the living room for dinner.

He carried his son back to the living room and said with a smile, "Did you know that Li Guifen's retirement money was swindled away by Wang Cheng?"

“I know,” Li Mingzhu said. “My friends on WeChat notified me when we were still in England. But I didn’t want to spoil your mood, so I didn’t tell you.”

Wang Peng nodded and gave a cold laugh: "I never expected that son of a bitch Wang Cheng would actually swindle the old lady out of her retirement money. He's a real beast."

"Honey, don't let this affect your mood," Li Mingzhu said softly. "Ever since Li Guifen divorced our father, her fate has been sealed."

Wang Peng was taken aback, and couldn't help but give a bitter smile. As he said before, Li Guifen's perception determined her current suffering.

Li Mingzhu added, "Husband, I'm not worried about Li Guifen going hungry; I'm worried she'll shamelessly come begging for your forgiveness. Please don't believe her sweet talk."

Wang Peng nodded. He knew the saying, "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change a person's nature." Li Guifen's mindset was difficult to change and could only bring misfortune to the family.

He didn't want to talk about Li Guifen anymore, so he changed the subject: "Honey, your circle of friends... could handle Tang Zewu, right?"

"Don't worry." Li Mingzhu smiled faintly, "My dear husband, just you wait and see."