Chapter 170 Drive Away All Bad Luck
She silently walked to the corner and began to clean up the broken glass on the ground, bit by bit.
"The fact that they're making such a fuss means our products are selling well."
"If the prices are fair, customers will naturally come. If we take away someone else's business, they will naturally be upset."
"The more they suppress us, the better we have to do."
"We can't let them think we're scared and back down, that's how we win. Yu Fan, go and call Miao Ling over, and find a few more reliable neighbors, anyone who can write or do math. We need to get the membership cards done as soon as possible, typesetting, printing, registration, none of it can be delayed."
"Selling goods alone won't work."
She continued speaking.
"We need to make our guests remember this place. Remember our name, remember that the food is good and the people are sincere. We want them to think about coming here whenever they have free time, just like they would miss a meal at home."
Guo Zhenyi stood by the window, his hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed on her back as she worked with her head down.
Her shoulders were thin, but her spine was ramrod straight.
He watched quietly, a warmth rising in his heart.
Zhou Shufen was never a gentle and mild-mannered person.
From childhood to adulthood, she has never bowed her head in front of anyone.
No matter how fierce the wind or how heavy the rain in Ningcheng, she could grit her teeth and stand firmly.
"I'm going to the police station."
Guo Zhenyi suddenly spoke.
"Tell them to send two people to come to the store every day, even if it's just a quick walk around. That way, no one will come to cause trouble, scare the customers, or affect the business."
Zhou Shufen looked up and, upon hearing these words, her eyes immediately lit up with a smile.
"Thank you for your help..."
Her voice was soft, but full of gratitude.
"What are you saying?"
He waved his hand and casually picked up the coat hanging on the back of the chair.
"Do we need to be so polite between us? I'll be back as soon as I'm done with my business, and I'll pick you up tonight."
"Let's go to a restaurant for roast goose to celebrate the opening. We should have a good meal and make it lively to drive away any bad luck."
He turned and strode away.
Zhou Shufen stood there, still clutching the broom handle in her hand, her knuckles slightly white.
She stared at the closed door, and her heart skipped a beat.
That feeling wasn't fear or loneliness, but a long-lost sense of security.
She knew the road ahead wouldn't be peaceful.
But now, someone stands beside her, shoulder to shoulder, shielding her from the wind and rain.
Not long after, Guo Zhenyi led two police officers into the store.
Guo Zhenyi showed his identification at the police station and, without saying much, simply explained the situation concisely.
Upon hearing that this was a newly opened supermarket in the special economic zone and a livelihood project invested by Hong Kong businessmen, the police officers immediately understood.
I immediately understood the significance of it.
This is not an ordinary small business; it is a legitimate matter that benefits the people and promotes development, and it must be protected.
From the second day onward, the two police officers appeared at the supermarket entrance on time every day, rain or shine.
That invisible deterrent force is more effective than shouting.
With the police around, no one dares to cause trouble anymore.
Guo Zhenyi was also busy.
He knew that his child's education was a serious matter and could not be delayed.
So he took the initiative to arrange schooling for Zhou Miaoling and her two children.
After visiting the education bureau and asking for favors from acquaintances, I finally got the enrollment procedures completed.
Zhou Qigang only completed primary school on the island, so his foundation is somewhat weak.
I'm only fourteen and just started junior high school, so I need to work twice as hard.
Every night, Zhou Yujie would light a kerosene lamp and read with his younger brother.
Under the dim light, the two brothers sat side by side, one teaching and the other learning.
Zhou Shufen saw this and felt both gratified and bittersweet.
Cheng Jiaqi also called.
"Auntie, I'm keeping up with my studies, and my teacher even praised me. In the last monthly exam, I ranked in the top ten of my class."
She paused, her tone tinged with amusement.
"Thanks to Sister Xiwan, she tutored me a lot during the summer vacation, explaining a problem several times until I understood it."
As Zhou Shufen listened, her eyes welled up with tears.
The children are all sensible and hardworking.
Life, in the end, is moving in a positive direction.
Zhou Shufen locked the iron roller shutter door.
She raised her hand to wipe the slight sweat from her forehead, and sighed softly; her busy day was finally over.
With a turn of his head, Guo Zhenyi's car had already come to a steady stop under the streetlight.
He stood there quietly, his hands gripping the handlebars.
On the back seat of the car, an oil paper package was tightly tied with thin hemp rope, its four corners folded shut, and it was still warm.
Inside the oil paper package was a roast goose fresh from the restaurant, with a glossy, crispy skin and a rich aroma.
Thank you so much for today.
Zhou Shufen spoke softly, stepped onto the back seat, and slumped slightly.
Her hands unconsciously clenched the worn canvas cover on the bicycle seat.
Guo Zhenyi not only went to the police station to make arrangements, but also specifically sought out the district director.
He explained to Zhou Shufen the difficulties she faced in opening the supermarket.
But Zhou Shufen knew that what he really did was shield her from the wind and rain.
He pedaled the bike, the pedals making a slight "creaking" sound.
"Why are you being so polite with me? We're practically family."
He paused, then asked again.
"But what about you? What are your thoughts on the membership card?"
"Miaoling wrote a draft."
Zhou Shufen leaned forward, her cheek almost touching his back.
"Earn points with your shopping receipts, get a free bar of soap for every 100 points, and a free bottle of laundry detergent for every 200 points."
"Keeping accounts is too time-consuming; you have to calculate everything with pen and paper. I need to find a few trustworthy people to help me."
Guo Zhenyi slowed down, and the car slowed down.
Using the dim light from the streetlamp, he secretly glanced at the back seat through the rearview mirror.
The wind gently lifted Zhou Shufen's hair, which clung to her slightly reddened earlobes.
"I'll keep an eye out for you on finding that person."
His voice was low.
"You know Mr. Li, the repairman who fixed my house before, right? His daughter just graduated from vocational school with a degree in accounting."
"She can read and do math, and she's quick and agile."
"Should we have her come over and give it a try tomorrow? If she's a good fit, she can lend a hand."
Zhou Shufen felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
These days, finding a reliable helper is harder than finding gold.
There are too many people who talk a good game but don't deliver.
Very few people can truly be entrusted with or trusted.
Knowing someone thoroughly is the key to true peace of mind.
“Master Li is an honest man, his daughter is definitely the right one.”
She blurted it out, her tone full of trust.
"Okay, go ahead and ask."
Guo Zhenyi nodded.
"If she's willing to come, we can discuss the salary."
She responded, her fingers slowly loosening the rough canvas cover.
Then, she gently placed her hand on Guo Zhenyi's waist, her palm against his thinned-out clothes.
Guo Zhenyi's back straightened instantly.
The car swayed and turned into the alley, the brick walls on both sides were mottled and old.
As soon as Zhou Shufen jumped out of the car at the gate of her house, Zhou Miaoling ran out of the house carrying a notebook.
"You're back? Come and see, this is a card I drew! I spent so long drawing it!"
She handed the notebook forward.
"The supermarket's name is printed on the front, and I deliberately left blank spaces on the back so I can record points and write down my purchases. Isn't that much better than those thin little receipts? You won't lose them, and you can save them up to redeem for things!"
There was a bright red card drawn on the paper, the color of which she had applied stroke by stroke with a red crayon.
In the very center of the card, six large characters were written in a crooked and uneven manner.
"Zhouji Convenience Supermarket".
Zhou Shufen took it.
“That’s a really good drawing. It’s creative and well-designed. I’ll make it like this. Tomorrow morning, I’ll go to the printing factory in the city and print 500 copies. I’ll also add some gold foil edging to make the cards look more presentable.”
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