Chapter 110: The Ruthless Actor (18)
"Oh, right, there's one more important thing to do. It doesn't matter if the store is closed, as long as the goods in the warehouse can be shipped out..."
Tokiho took out a round seal from the pocket of the suit jacket draped over her arm.
That was the company seal she stole from Mr. Zhan's room!
Zhan Mingzhe was shocked: "Didn't Deyun say the seal was lost? So it's with you?"
Shi Sui tossed the seal up and down, then said to Zhan Mingzhe with a smile, "You're a teacher in Hangzhou and rarely come into contact with business matters. You should start learning from now on."
Shisui called the guards over and gave them instructions one by one.
"Fifty bags of rice, and the rest of the necessities like oil, sugar, salt, vinegar, etc., based on the usual sales volume, will fill a truck and be shipped to Xingji Grocery Store in the west of the city."
The guards looked at each other.
Although they knew that the Fourth Concubine was now in charge of the household, the power of the business was still in the hands of the Second Young Master, so...
"Fourth Madam, it's not that we don't want to help you, but without the order from the master or the second young master, we dare not touch the things in the warehouse. After all, a truckload of goods must be accounted for."
"You guys are quite well-behaved. Do you recognize this thing? Bring the account book over here and I'll keep the accounts." Shi Sui showed the company's seal.
She actually admired the employees who looked after the warehouse. They were conscientious and responsible and would not blindly obey orders just because of her special status.
When the warehouse manager saw the seal, he thought it was authorized by the second young master, and immediately asked people to load the goods.
The supervisor counted all the goods loaded on the truck, recorded them in the account book, and gave them to Shi Sui for review.
Shi Sui turned around and handed the account book to Zhan Mingzhe: "Master, do you want to learn some skills?"
"Okay! Thank you, Fourth Mother, for giving me this opportunity."
Zhan Mingzhe took the account book and without any airs of a young master, he climbed onto the truck and carefully checked each item himself.
Shi Sui was sitting with her legs crossed, drinking tea and enjoying her leisure time.
The Xingji Trading Company, to which this batch of goods was to be delivered, was actually a small shop that Shisui had bought earlier. It was still empty and didn't even have an owner.
She was kept for Zhan Mingzhe to practice and gain experience.
Shi Sui was just a concubine who showed her face only once in front of the British. How could they know... that she was the one stirring up trouble behind the scenes in the Zhan family and dominating the changes in the British Concession!
"Fourth Mother, I've checked and there's nothing wrong."
After Zhan Mingzhe checked the accounts, he respectfully placed the account book in front of Shi Sui.
Shisui nodded and signed the consignee column.
Fully loaded trucks drove out of the warehouse.
Shi Sui and Zhan Mingzhe were also preparing to return to the Zhan residence.
"Fourth Aunt, let me drive. You can just sit in the back."
Zhan Mingzhe was in awe of Shi Sui and felt that driving was something that should naturally be done by the younger generation.
But Shisui got there before him and sat directly in the driver's seat.
"Goodbye. On the way back, I still have something to ask you. Just focus on answering and don't be distracted."
"……yes."
It's already past 12 o'clock in the evening.
It was the time when two days turned into one, and the bustling nightlife of Shanghai was about to come to a close. Even the neon lights in the dance halls were almost out.
The roar of car engines filled the streets late at night.
At this moment, Shi Sui no longer needs to pretend.
She was wearing a luxurious cheongsam, had fashionable permed hair, and her hands were tightly gripping the steering wheel, making her the most beautiful scenery on the street.
The drunken men and women on the roadside, as well as the rickshaw drivers who had worked hard all day, all thought they were dazzled.
"Look! Is that person driving the car really a woman?!"
The atmosphere in the car was a bit serious.
"Since you call me Fourth Mother, I have to teach you some things," Shi Sui asked as she drove. "I'll hand over the management of Xingji Grocery Store to you. Tell me, how should we sell our goods?"
Zhan Mingzhe thought for a moment and said, "Zhan's Trading Company has been closed for so many days, and many people are starving. I don't plan to sell the first batch of supplies. Instead, I plan to open the store and distribute them directly to those in need."
"That would be a big mistake!"
Just as they came to a bend, Shihui swerved the steering wheel and whizzed past, leaving a large circle of tire marks on the road.
"Since ancient times, we've only helped the poor in times of emergency. Those who still have the energy to come to the store to get relief have not reached their end; they're just poor. Those who are truly starving to death are trapped in the narrow streets and alleys, unable to move, dying!"
Zhan Mingzhe's heart sank.
He lived a comfortable life and never thought it was so profound.
Shisui continued, "There's one more thing you must remember... When you sell something in a store, no matter how much, you must charge a certain amount. If the mentality of getting something for nothing spreads among the people, it won't save them, but harm them, and ultimately harm this country. Do you understand?"
"...I know what to do." Zhan Mingzhe nodded. "Tomorrow, I'll hire some laborers to go deep into the alleys of the British Concession and deliver rice and oil to the orphans and children. I'll also open a grocery store and use coupons to limit the amount each person can buy, so that as many people in need can buy as much as possible."
"Okay, for subsequent restocking, just go to the warehouse and pick it up. I've already told the supervisor."
As soon as Shi Sui finished speaking, their car returned safely to the Zhan residence.
…
Seven days left.
There is exactly one week left until Mr. Zhan’s birthday.
The construction of a stage in the back garden of the Zhan residence is in full swing.
The servants were talking among themselves while cleaning the garden.
"Mr. Zhan hasn't even been discharged from the hospital yet. Who is this stage for?"
"I heard that the fourth wife wants to invite foreigners to come and see it."
"Foreigners? Do foreigners even listen to opera? Doesn't the Fourth Madam want to perform on stage herself? Is she trying to relive her days as an actress? She finally became the head of the family, and I don't know what she's thinking..."
...Tokiho happened to be standing by the window of a room on the second floor and heard all the gossip.
Shi Sui glanced at her personal maid Xiao Cui, and Xiao Cui understood what she meant.
"Fourth Madam, I'm going to fire this gossiper right now!"
All of the confidants that the second wife had cultivated for many years have been dismissed by Shi Sui. Now, apart from the chief steward, Xiao Cui is the most popular person in the Zhan family.
After being oppressed by other servants for so many years, she can finally hold her head high!
Such a situation can easily make people feel proud.
But under Shisui's training, Xiao Cui remained calm and did not act arrogantly. She also did things in a safe and steady manner.
Shisui felt relieved to leave the trivial household chores to her.
"Xiao Cui, don't go yet." Shi Sui stopped her, "Tell me about the Second Madam first. I heard that she wanted to commit suicide last night?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
