Chapter 18: Commencement
“Old Chen?” Zhang Caixia looked up, her expression instantly darkening.
Chen Boyuan.
He was approaching her, face flushed with anger, eyes blazing.
That old scoundrel.
Just two days ago, he’d taken five thousand from them.
Why was he haunting them again today?
“Yes, it’s me! Hmph, Zhang Caixia, where’s Wu Wanli?” Chen Boyuan halted, towering over Zhang Caixia, his tone making it clear he had no intention of wasting words with her.
Zhang Caixia was thoroughly displeased.
“Wu Wanli isn’t here. If you have something to say, say it to me. If not, leave at once! We’re busy.”
She despised dealing with people like him, stubborn and unreasonable. What was he doing here? No doubt he’d heard the tailor shop was expanding, assumed there was profit to be made, and came sniffing around for a slice.
Wu Wanli was soft-hearted, so he sought him out? Too bad. Now, Wu Wanli didn’t make the decisions here!
“You! Well, Zhang Caixia, your family sure is something!” Chen Boyuan, stung by her dismissal, became furious. He raised his voice for all to hear.
“Everyone, look at what kind of people these are! When they were broke, they came to me, coaxed me into opening a tailor shop with them! Now that they’ve made money, they kick me out and go on alone! Tell me, is that decent behavior?”
Decent? After he returned home that day, his wife lavished him with praise—said he was shrewd, clear-headed, saw trouble coming and withdrew in time, getting his principal back without a scratch. Truly capable! She not only cooked him a feast, but rewarded him thoroughly that night.
But who could have predicted—
Today he heard a dreadful rumor…
Caixia’s Tailor Shop had just bought thirty sewing machines!
That meant expansion was underway! No one would take such a risk without confidence.
So, he regretted it!
It turned out their quick refund was all part of a plan!
How laughable—he’d offered himself up before they even asked! Otherwise, he could have negotiated some compensation before discussing a refund.
So, he had come.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, these people at the tailor shop are really heartless! Needed investors when broke, kicked them out when rich?”
“Who can deny it? Even if they make money, it’s at the cost of their conscience.”
Spectators never tire of drama. As soon as Chen Boyuan spoke, whispers rippled through the crowd. Even the newly hired workers murmured anxiously.
“Oh dear, do you think our wages will be safe?”
“Should be, right? I’ve heard this family is decent—maybe it’s just a misunderstanding?”
“Who knows. Let’s wait and see.”
Hearing these murmurs, Zhang Caixia was incensed.
“Chen Boyuan, are you here to smear me shamelessly?”
That old fox was spouting nonsense! She’d lived most of her life and had never been publicly slandered. His wife was a shrew? Well, Zhang Caixia wasn’t one to be bullied either!
Seeing her fierce stance, Chen Boyuan’s gaze wavered. He was no longer as aggressive.
A wise man avoids fighting with a woman.
Besides, he couldn’t win!
He hesitated, standing there, unsure what to do.
Just then—
“Oh, Uncle Chen, you’re here!” Wu Ya, hearing the commotion, stepped out from the tailor shop, his face bright with warmth.
“Nephew, I just came to see if you had anything to say to me!” Seeing Wu Ya, Chen Boyuan revived his spirits. If he couldn’t handle Zhang Caixia, surely he could handle her son? After all, it was from Wu Ya’s hand that he’d gotten the five thousand. Though they’d schemed, Wu Ya had been straightforward.
“Oh, Uncle Chen, to be honest, I do have something to say!”
Really?
Chen Boyuan perked up, his face breaking into a smile. Young people, after all, have a conscience. Not like his parents, who feigned ignorance—extorted twenty thousand, clearly preparing for big ambitions, yet claimed it was for Wu Ya’s tuition. Now, with their plot exposed, they still tangled with him. Unbelievable.
“Heh, Uncle Chen, I’ve been thinking about your withdrawal these past days. Frankly, it was a bit hasty! Now that I’ve bought so many sewing machines, funds are tight. I need money for fabric, you see…”
“Of course, no problem! Nephew, as long as you ask, Uncle will invest the five thousand again!” Chen Boyuan interrupted, patting his chest in assurance.
He wasn’t foolish.
The Wu family dared invest their entire fortune—twenty thousand!
That meant they were confident the shop would revive.
At such times, he had to be generous.
He had to be righteous! Only then could he naturally become a shareholder again.
But—
“Five thousand? I’m afraid that’s not enough now.” Wu Ya frowned, hesitating. “The tailor shop is under my charge now, and I’m preparing to make a big move! The first batch of fabric will need ten thousand.”
Wu Ya was running the shop? And planning a big move?
Chen Boyuan was stunned.
What kind of logic was this!
Were Wu Wanli and his wife out of their minds, entrusting the business to a child?
“So, what are you planning to manufacture? Still the Chinese tunic suit?”
Yet, he didn’t refuse immediately. He needed to be cautious. They had finally agreed to let him reinvest; before understanding the situation, he’d tolerate everything.
“Tunic suit? No, no, I’ve decided to launch student uniforms! And the previous overstock will soon be reworked!”
Student uniforms?
Pfft—
Chen Boyuan nearly choked, unable to contain his disbelief.
“Nephew, you’re something else! Young people really do have guts and vision! Your future is limitless!”
After a round of flattery…
He turned and hurried away, scurrying off in a flurry.
As if he feared Wu Ya would grab him if he lingered another second.
What a joke.
Student uniforms?
Those relics, not even museums would collect them.
And he wanted to process and sell them?
Either his head was full of water, or he’d been kicked by a donkey!
He wanted Old Chen to fork out ten thousand?
Dream on!
Not ten thousand, not a hundred, not even ten yuan.
No way!
“Heh, can’t handle it, can you? Uncle Chen, it’s not that I’m unwelcoming—it’s that I gave you your chance and you didn’t seize it!” Watching Chen Boyuan disappear, Wu Ya’s face bloomed with satisfaction.
He turned back, lifted his hand.
“Begin!”
The word burst from his lips.