Chapter 173 A Decisive Strike
Wu Dekang and Xu Yunli also arrived.
They were riding bicycles, with canvas gloves and notebooks stuffed in the baskets.
When they were raising funds to open the store, they each contributed a sum of money.
Although it wasn't a large sum, it still represented a real risk.
Now that their business is thriving, they feel at ease and believe they have a share in this family business.
This shipment includes quite a few new items.
Xu Yunli held it in her hands and looked at it over and over.
"You can tell this stuff is expensive just by the smell; city people are particular about this."
The moisturizing cream smells wonderful.
Yang Qingshan clicked his tongue.
"If this were displayed on the counter, female customers would go crazy for it."
Clam oil was something my family used when I was a child.
Wu Dekang picked one up, looked at it, and smiled.
“My mother used to apply this to my hands in winter, and it would heal my cracked hands instantly. Now it’s become a rare treat.”
Zhou Shufen also bought many calculators that had just been released in Ningcheng.
Wu Dekang tried a few additions and subtractions and couldn't help but sigh.
"If this thing were in a school, math teachers would be laughing in their sleep."
"Auntie, the shop is too small. I see that all these goods are piled up and are almost overflowing."
Yang Qingshan looked at the room full of things, feeling both happy and worried.
He squatted down and counted.
"At this rate, it won't be sold out in half a month."
Zhou Shufen pondered for a while.
"Then let's rent the one next door too."
The empty room next door has been vacant for a long time; the walls are thin and the door is broken, so no one wants to rent it.
But in her eyes, it was a ready-made warehouse and exhibition area.
"But……"
Yang Qingshan stammered.
He had already asked, but the two landlords were envious of the money the shop was making and refused to rent it to him.
One family, surnamed Huang, and the other Liu, lived in the same alley and were originally hoping that someone would come to rent their house and collect rent.
But after seeing Zhou Shufen's shop with long queues every day and making a fortune, his attitude immediately changed.
They reasoned: instead of renting it out to others, they should do it themselves!
Old Huang even went to the store to buy a pack of cigarettes, and said with a smile.
"Honey, I heard you're expanding your shop? Oh, what a coincidence! I was just thinking of opening a small shop with my son!"
The implication was clear: no way.
"They won't rent it?"
Zhou Shufen saw right through his predicament.
She stared into Yang Qingshan's eyes, her tone calm.
She understood the intricacies of the situation immediately upon hearing it.
"Hmm, I really won't rent it."
Yang Qingshan sighed.
“Then let’s try a different approach. Instead of opening this branch, let’s open a branch right at the factory gate.”
Zhou Shufen had planned this all along.
She's not just someone who can only watch over a stall.
What's that place at the factory gate?
During rush hour every day, the walls are filled with workers waiting for breakfast.
"There are a lot of people there, and you have to queue up to buy things every day."
She continued.
She went to scout out the location a couple of days ago and observed it for a whole morning.
There are long queues of up to 20 meters in front of the steamed bun stalls run by older women, not to mention the young people who lack daily necessities.
Once the sign is up and the prices are transparent, it's sure to be an instant hit.
The current store has a three-year contract.
On the first of every month, Zhou Shufen would deliver cash to the landlord without fail.
Although it's expensive, she's after stability.
She hopes every day that the policy will be relaxed so that she can buy a piece of land and build her own house, so that she won't have to be at the mercy of others.
As soon as the goods arrived, Zhou Shufen immediately started promoting them.
She forbids people from using loudspeakers because she finds it too noisy, and she also refuses to hire people to perform lion dances or play drums and gongs.
She believes in doing business based on reputation, not on hype or extravagance; those things won't work with her.
She printed flyers that clearly stated the prices were fair and honest.
The day after Zhou Shufen returned to Yuxin, Yang Yunmu came to her door.
It had just rained that day, and the streets were wet.
Yang Yunmu, wearing an old cotton-padded jacket, stood at the door, hesitant to go in.
"Big sister! It's been so long!"
Yang Yunmu pushed open the door.
The moment I saw Zhou Shufen, I felt completely relaxed.
Aunt Yu manages everything at the clothing store.
Zhou Shufen only provides design drawings and sample garments; she doesn't get involved in anything else.
She knew that some relationships needed to be maintained by others.
That shop, which originally belonged to Xie Liya, has slowly become Aunt Yu's private property.
Xie Liya gave her this gift out of gratitude to Zhou Shufen for saving her brother.
But over time, Aunt Yu ran the business well and gained a good reputation.
When outsiders talk about it, they all say, "That's Old Mrs. Yu's shop."
Although the name remains the same, the substance has already shifted.
Zhou Shufen is that kind of person.
If someone helps her with a drop of water, she can repay them with an entire ocean.
She was looking down at the accounts when she looked up and was startled.
Is this person really Yang Yunmu?
In my memory, Yang Yunmu was clean and efficient, spoke with a smile, and walked with a brisk pace.
The woman before me had lost weight, her eyes were sunken, and her face was deathly pale.
"Yun Mu, what... what happened to you?"
When Zhou Shufen saw this, her heart clenched.
She hurriedly got up, rushed over in three steps, and pulled Yang Yunmu's arm to make her sit down.
"Hurry up and drink something hot to warm yourself up."
The temperature dropped in Yuxindu, and the cold wind sneaked in through the window cracks, making people shiver.
But she was still wearing a faded short-sleeved shirt.
"Sister Zhou..."
Yang Yunmu's voice choked as soon as she opened her mouth.
Her tears flowed like a burst dam.
Zhou Shufen didn't rush to ask any more questions. Instead, she silently took out a handkerchief from her pocket and gently placed it into Yang Yunmu's trembling hand.
Then he rummaged through the drawer and pulled out a perfectly packaged preserved plum candy.
"Keep it in your mouth."
She said softly.
"Sweetness can calm the mind."
Yang Yunmu clutched the candy, her knuckles turning white, her breathing gradually becoming more even.
After she calmed down, she wiped her face with sobs and then spoke haltingly.
"Big sister... I really have nowhere to go right now. My relatives are avoiding me, my friends have cut off contact, my landlord kicked me out yesterday, and my luggage was thrown out on the street... Can you take me in? Even just for one night... I can do anything, sweeping, laundry, cooking, working at the counter, moving goods, minding the shop... I can do it all, I'm not picky about the work, and I'm not afraid of getting tired."
"Yun Mu, didn't you used to have a stable, secure job?"
Zhou Shufen almost cried out, her brows furrowing tightly.
She remembered clearly that Yang Yunmu was a full-time female worker at the textile factory.
My monthly salary arrives on time, and the factory also provides labor protection benefits and an annual bonus.
They go to get off work and leave work on time every day, living a stable and decent life. During holidays, they can even bring some leftover materials from the factory to make new clothes for their families.
"My job...is gone."
Yang Yunmu uttered these words in a low voice.
"Can a secure job just disappear like that? What exactly happened?"
Zhou Shufen couldn't believe it.
No matter how difficult things are for the factory, they won't easily lay off a long-term employee.
Moreover, Yang Yunmu has always been diligent and honest, and never causes trouble.
Yang Yunmu bit her lower lip hard.
"My man... has had an accident."
Zhou Shufen's heart sank.
Huda?
That tall, sturdy man with a loud voice?
He was the head of the factory's transportation team, overseeing five or six vehicles.
When they met last time, he patted his chest and said he would buy Yunmu a watch so she wouldn't be late for work anymore.
How could someone get into trouble so quickly?
"He...he was falsely accused of embezzling public funds from the factory and was arrested!"
Yang Yunmu's voice was very low.
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