Wang Er-biao didn't beat around the bush. "I've inquired about your family's situation. She was your university classmate, yet she showed no mercy. I imagine you must harbor some resentment towards that couple?"
Jiang Yu-wei's hand, gripping the cup, paused. The misty heat obscured her downcast eyes, making it impossible for Wang Er-biao to discern her thoughts.
"That Chen person isn't simple these days. Her husband's construction company is getting bigger and bigger. How did your brother get involved? If he hadn't used Jiang Cheng-yi as a stepping stone, could he have developed so smoothly? And the demolition office incident – if he hadn't escalated things, wouldn't your father have been implicated? As for Chen Li-shu, she not only has two shops but has also built a factory. You all graduated in the same batch; your capabilities should be the strongest, right?"
Jiang Yu-wei's knuckles turned white from the force of her grip, but she quickly concealed even this subtle change.
Looking up as if nothing had happened, she said calmly, "You didn't seek me out just to discuss these things, did you?"
"Sun Ling is the woman I love most in this life. I would do anything for her."
Wang Er-biao's eyes were firm. "Whoever caused her to be in this situation, I will make them repay tenfold, a hundredfold."
"Sun Ling said you would definitely help."
After hearing his words, Jiang Yu-wei remained silent for a moment before saying, "I can help you, but with one condition."
Seeing her agreement, Wang Er-biao was overjoyed. "As long as you're willing to help, let alone one condition, ten is fine."
Jiang Yu-wei: "No matter how things turn out, this matter has nothing to do with me. You didn't find me, and we haven't met."
She knew Wang Er-biao's character all too well. If the plan succeeded, that would be best; if it failed, she would suffer no loss.
Wang Er-biao blinked in surprise. He didn't understand why she would help him yet want to distance herself, but with his own abilities, it was impossible to avenge Sun Ling. He had the determination but lacked the intellect.
"I will contact you when there's something to report. Otherwise, don't come looking for me again."
Jiang Yu-wei left after uttering these words.
...
As December arrived, the weather grew progressively colder. With the bitter cold outside, very few people came to the bank to conduct business.
"An'an, we get paid tomorrow. What are you planning to do?" a girl around twenty years old, standing next to a counter, asked another girl of similar age.
"This is my first month's salary. I need to set aside some money for my older brother and my mother's medical expenses. Now that it's cold, my eldest sister doesn't even have a decent pair of shoes. I plan to buy her a pair. And I'll get my younger brother a fountain pen."
The girl speaking was slender, but she had two cute canine teeth that showed when she smiled.
"Haven't you thought about buying anything for yourself?"
The girl replied, "I have everything I need; I don't need anything."
"Tomorrow afternoon we have time off. I'll tell you, the department store's goods are all expensive. I know a place that just opened a large wholesale market; things there are very cheap, though it's a bit far..."
Jiang Yu-wei listened to the two girls' conversation, her thoughts stirring.
After returning, Wang Er-biao began waiting for news from Jiang Yu-wei. But he waited and waited without any sign from her. Just as he thought Jiang Yu-wei might have just spoken casually to dismiss him, she finally had news...
"The two styles of 'Wang Wang' brand children's wear produced by our factory have received excellent market feedback. Not only are they cheap, but the quality is also good. Recently, the new wholesale market opened in the west of the city, and many clients are rushing to stock up."
Zhao Xing-wang reported this good news to Chen Li-shu and Nan Hai-tao.
"The market feedback from both Shanghai and Kyoto has been good, especially in Shanghai. Manager Tan said our designed 'Guo Feng' (Chinese style) clothing is popular among foreigners. The year-end review results should not be too bad," Li Qiang also reported on his business trip.
With the end of the year approaching, Shanghai and Kyoto were crucial locations, so Nan Hai-tao had specifically sent him there.
"It's already December. We can pause the production of winter clothing. Spring new arrivals can be put on the agenda."
Nan Hai-tao asked, "It's only December, and there's still some time before the New Year. Isn't it too early?"
Chen Li-shu replied, "It's not too early. Our factory is still in a phase of business expansion. It's better to produce a little less and try not to accumulate inventory, especially for summer and winter clothing. Once they are accumulated, it's like tying up money. If we sell them at a discount, it will also have a negative impact on our factory's brand."
The factory currently supplied mostly to franchised merchants, so there wasn't much pressure on production. However, the order volume was small. If production increased, it could lead to an inability to digest it in time, resulting in large inventory accumulation.
Once too much capital is tied up, leading to a shortage of funds, the ability to develop new products is hindered.
...
In the afternoon, Xu An'an carefully put the shoes she had bought for her elder sister, Xu Ning, under the bed. Then, carrying the purchased vegetables, she entered the kitchen.
"An'an, why did you buy so many vegetables today? And meat too?" When Xu's father and mother returned, they curiously asked upon seeing the vegetables and meat in the kitchen.
Xu's father had retired early and handed his job over to their younger son. Now that Xu's mother's spirits had improved a bit, the couple went to the neighborhood office to paste paper boxes daily, which could also supplement their household income.
With their eldest son in his current state, they hoped to save some money to find him a wife, so he would have someone to look after him.
While sorting vegetables, Xu An'an said, "Dad, Mom, I got paid today. I've already informed my eldest sister to come home for dinner."
"Our An'an is so capable; she's already earning a salary," Xu's father said with a gratified smile. He tied on an apron and helped his daughter.
At school, Xu Ning, after cleaning the medical equipment for her supervisor, met He Zi-yu as she walked out.
"Professor He."
He Zi-yu frowned. "How many times have I told you? You are classmates and good friends with Li-shu. I am her brother now, so you can call me Third Brother, just like she does."
Xu Ning said somewhat awkwardly, "After all, we are at school."
As her teacher, though he didn't lecture often, He Zi-yu knew her personality reasonably well, so he didn't insist.
"I heard from your teacher that your professional course grades have always been excellent. He wanted you to continue with postgraduate studies, but you refused."
Xu Ning nodded. "I'm already very content to be able to attend this university, and in a major I like. My family's financial situation isn't very good; I want to start working as soon as possible to ease the burden on my family."
He Zi-yu continued, "Your aptitude is excellent. If you continue your advanced studies, your future achievements will be significant. If you start working now, at best, you'll only be a clinical doctor. Financially, I can write you a recommendation letter; the university will waive tuition fees."
Xu Ning pursed her lips and slowly, but firmly, shook her head. "Thank you for your kind offer, Professor He. I am already very content to be able to work and earn a stable salary."