Chapter 140: Sole Proprietor

Chapter 140: Chapter 140: Sole Proprietor

Eldest Sister-in-law Su could tell that Aunt Zhang was very tempted by the idea of doing business. If her own family hadn’t gone into business, she naturally wouldn’t have to concern herself with it. But some things are bound to come to light after spending a long time together. If she lied now, Aunt Zhang would eventually find out, and it would surely create a rift between them.

"Wanwan has said that you can definitely make money in business right now, but most people still prefer the security of an ’iron rice bowl’ and look down on private business owners."

"That’s true." Aunt Zhang was too embarrassed to admit that she used to look down on private business owners herself.

’An ’iron rice bowl’ job in the city is so much better. It’s stable, includes social insurance, and I hear you get money every month after retirement. Life is so comfortable.’

But the experiences of Su Wan and Zheng Zhizhi made her waver.

"But Wanwan also said that the laws concerning private businesses aren’t fully developed yet. For example, speculation and profiteering is illegal and will land you in jail."

"But just doing business locally shouldn’t count as speculation, right?" Aunt Zhang gasped.

In fact, another reason people disliked private business owners was that speculation and profiteering could get you thrown in jail.

Most people couldn’t tell the difference between the two.

All they knew was that business was risky, and one wrong move could lead to prison.

"That’s right. That’s why I suggest you don’t completely trust what Zheng Zhizhi says. Who knows what she’s really up to? You have to be alive to spend the money you earn, after all."

Aunt Zhang nodded emphatically. She wasn’t a brave person by nature.

"Hong Yuan, what you’re saying makes a lot of sense."

"I’ll definitely keep a close eye on Xiao Yun and stop her from seeing Zheng Zhizhi, so she doesn’t get tricked again."

More than she loved money, Aunt Zhang feared the disgrace of a family member going to prison. She would lose all face.

Besides, she truly doted on her daughter and didn’t want something so irreversible to happen to her.

Seeing Aunt Zhang’s reaction, Eldest Sister-in-law Su nodded. ’It’s good that she’s thinking clearly. I was worried she might not be. In that case, I would have just offered a bit of advice and not meddled any further.’

Still, she had to tell Mom, Dad, and Wanwan about this.

After all, the Zhang family was Lu Zhengchuan’s family on his mother’s side.

Lu Zhengchuan had been an orphan since he was a child, and the Zhang family had been instrumental in his survival. He owed them a debt of gratitude.

Even after Zhang Yun had helped Zheng Zhizhi swap those letters, Lu Zhengchuan, despite being clear-headed and handling the matter impartially, hadn’t actually cut ties with the Zhang family.

It just went to show that blood is thicker than water. As long as the Zhang family didn’t go too far, Lu Zhengchuan would surely continue to acknowledge them as relatives.

Eldest Sister-in-law Su had some money, but she wasn’t so extravagant as to make daily phone calls. She decided to wait until Zheng Zhizhi left the village before calling Su Wan and Mother Su in the Capital.

「Meanwhile.」

Aunt Zhang finished her work and headed home, shouldering her hoe.

Just as she arrived, she saw Zheng Zhizhi walking out of her house once again.

Her face instantly fell, and she said in a sarcastic tone, "Well, if it isn’t Zheng Zhizhi. You’re such a big shot now, what are you doing in our humble little home?"

Zheng Zhizhi was wearing a beautiful, long floral dress and leather shoes, her hair styled in big waves. She looked incredibly fashionable.

She tucked a strand of long hair behind her ear. "Aunt Zhang, I just came by to chat with Xiao Yun for a bit. My mom made braised pork belly and stewed ribs for lunch today, so I’d better be getting back."

Aunt Zhang watched her leave and couldn’t help but snort in anger. "Showing off that she gets to eat meat. Go on, eat. Let’s see you eat yourself to death."

With a grim expression, she walked into the house and shouted, "Zhang Yun, get out here!"

Hearing her mother’s voice, Zhang Yun quickly ran out of the kitchen.

She was still holding a spatula, in the middle of stir-frying.

"Mom, what is it? The food’s still in the wok. Can you wait until I’m done cooking?"

As Zhang Yun spoke, she turned to run back into the kitchen, looking absolutely delighted.

Aunt Zhang was her mother; how could she not notice that her daughter’s cheerful mood was unusual?

She immediately put down her hoe, strode inside, and stared grimly at the broadly smiling Zhang Yun.

"Why was Zheng Zhizhi here?"

"Mom, you saw Zhi Zhi?" Zhang Yun looked up guiltily. Seeing her mother’s furious expression, she forgot all about her cooking and quickly tried to explain, "Mom, please listen to me. Zhi Zhi has really changed for the better this time she’s back."

"Changed for the better? With that brain of yours, you don’t know a damn thing!" Aunt Zhang immediately laid into her.

"Mom!" Zhang Yun stomped her foot, unable to stop herself from defending Zheng Zhizhi. "I’m serious! This time, Zhi Zhi really came back to make it up to me."

"She tricked me before because I was stupid, but I’ve learned my lesson. How could I possibly fall for it a second time?"

"Zhi Zhi said she’s working with someone to sell pottery. She knows I learned how to fire pottery from my sister-in-law, and she’s too busy to handle it all herself, so she asked if I wanted to work with her. She said she’d split the money with me."

"She’s not going after my sister-in-law this time. And what would be the point of just tricking me? I don’t have anything valuable."

Zhang Yun didn’t think she herself was worth anything.

Besides, Zheng Zhizhi was from the same village. It’s not like she could trick her and sell her off. If she dared to do something like that, the scorn of the entire village would be enough to drown her.

"Hah! Her, be so kind-hearted?" Aunt Zhang didn’t believe a single word of it.

"You are forbidden to go."

"Mom! I want to make money too!" Having seen the life Su Wan led, Zhang Yun had long been filled with envy. She’d been back for so long and hadn’t eaten a single proper meal with meat. She was dying from the craving.

She did have a little money, but her parents wouldn’t let her spend it, telling her to save it as a dowry for when she got married.

But with her current reputation, she couldn’t find a potential husband in any of the surrounding villages.

"If you want to make money, go sell pottery in town or at the county seat yourself. In any case, I will not agree to you going with Zheng Zhizhi."

"Mom..."

Zhang Yun was furious, but she was powerless against her mother. She really didn’t have the guts to run off with Zheng Zhizhi on her own.

Though Zhang Yun wasn’t very bright, her one saving grace was that she always asked her elders for their opinion before doing anything important.

Because Aunt Zhang refused to agree.

Even when Zheng Zhizhi came to their door to try and persuade her, Aunt Zhang still unceremoniously shooed her away.

Zheng Zhizhi wasn’t a good-tempered person to begin with. Her plan had been to trick Zhang Yun out of her pottery-firing techniques, but she never expected things to go so poorly.

Unwilling to give up on her business, she had no choice but to frustratedly and hastily take her parents, the two elders of the Zheng Family, back to the Southwest by train.

Only after Zheng Zhizhi had left did Eldest Sister-in-law Su call Mother Su.

"Mom... so that’s what happened." Eldest Sister-in-law Su recounted the recent events in the village to Mother Su.

She made a particular point, saying, "Aunt Zhang seems quite keen on becoming a private business owner and making money. And while I know your business in the Capital was Wanwan and Third Brother’s idea, it has certainly benefited from my brother-in-law’s influence."

"I wonder what my brother-in-law plans to do for Aunt Zhang and her family."

"I understand. Just keep interacting with them as you always have. If the Zhang family tries to get involved with Zheng Zhizhi, be sure to contact me immediately."

"As for finding work for the Zhang family, I’ll tell Zheng Chuan and let him handle it. The Su family has done nothing wrong, so we have no reason to feel guilty or insecure."