“Mom! Have you lost your mind? Who is this Su Lijuan to you that you let her trick you like this? She didn’t even finish elementary school what kind of business could she possibly run?”
At that moment, the smell of food wafted in from the doorway.
Su Lijuan was standing there, holding a basket, and the aroma of the dishes was coming from it.
Lu Hongmei, completely unfazed by having just insulted someone from behind and being caught, charged forward and demanded, “Su Lijuan, what did you do with Dad’s death compensation money?”
Su Lijuan, however, gave her a knowing smile. “Little sister, don’t be in such a hurry. Aunt Yang has been running around all day and hasn’t eaten much, and you’ve been at work all day you must be hungry too. Let’s sit down, eat, and talk.”
But Lu Hongmei wouldn’t let go. “Explain it to me! What business can someone with your education possibly run?”
Su Lijuan smiled at her. “I know my education is low, not as good as yours or Xia Wan’s. But the people I know are highly educated! His name is Ji Yuanchuan he’s a university graduate. I plan to invest this money with him. I guarantee that within a year, the 750 yuan will become 7,500 yuan in his hands!”
Lu Hongmei’s eyes widened in shock. “That much? Are you treating him like an idiot?”
Yang Shufen also anxiously grabbed Su Lijuan’s hand. “Lijuan, don’t do anything illegal.”
“Don’t worry. He’s doing a radio business! He’ll buy goods cheaply in the south and sell them at a higher price elsewhere to earn the difference. What he lacks right now is the capital to buy the goods.”
Yang Shufen hesitated. “Isn’t that speculation?”
Su Lijuan smiled. “Those rules don’t matter now. Aunt Yang, just rest easy. If it doesn’t work out, consider this 750 yuan a loan to me. I’ll give you an IOU, alright?”
Lu Hongmei’s eyes flickered as she hesitated. “So… we won’t get any of the profit if it succeeds?”
Seeing Lu Hongmei tempted, Su Lijuan’s lips curved. “My dear little sister, how could I forget you in this good deal? If it makes money, we’ll share it together. If we lose, I’ll repay the 750 yuan. That’s fair, right?”
Lu Hongmei studied her. “You’d really be that kind?”
“Aunt Yang has always treated me so well how could I ever betray her? Ah, but Xia Wan… she emptied out this whole house. You don’t even have a place to sit down for a meal now. Truly heartless.”
Lu Hongmei’s face darkened. “I checked today. Before the college entrance exam, there’s a preliminary selection. It’s just a few days away. If Xia Wan can’t participate, no matter how capable the factory director is, she can’t take the exam.”
Su Lijuan looked at Lu Hongmei’s fierce gaze and smiled with satisfaction.
Even if Xia Wan is lucky enough to avoid this setback this time, she is destined to be my stepping stone!
And that useless Ji Yuanchuan even if I don’t marry him, I can use him to save up some money before Jingxing comes back.
When I marry Jingxing and become the leader’s wife, I can help him climb even higher!
Thinking about the bright future ahead, Su Lijuan could no longer suppress the smile on her lips.
The time for the college exam preliminaries came quickly.
Xia Wan ultimately decided to put money-making aside for now and focus on reviewing the key points for the exam first.
Even if she didn’t involve Ji Yuanchuan, she could find other ways to make money.
Right now, enhancing her own capabilities was the most important thing.
She took the exam materials she needed and headed straight to the nearby testing site.
The exam was at an elementary school near the textile factory just a ten-minute walk.
After breakfast, Xia Wan headed out.
As she neared the school gate, a group of thuggish-looking men approached her.
“You must be Xia Wan?”
The leader’s lecherous eyes scanned her from head to toe.
People on both sides closed in, surrounding her with malicious smiles.
Nearby pedestrians, seeing this, scattered in fear.
“Talking to you, dumbstruck?”
The gang leader spoke, his leg bouncing restlessly.
Xia Wan remained completely calm in the face of these strangers. “Who are you?”
“Who we are doesn’t matter. You’ve pissed off the wrong people, got it?”
“No.”
“Now you get it, right?”
“No.”
“You…”
Seeing Xia Wan unfazed, the leader, furious, tried to raise his hand to strike her.
But upon seeing her delicate face, he hesitated.
A follower whispered, “Boss, it’d be a shame to ruin such a pretty face.”
The leader slowly withdrew his hand and pointed at Xia Wan. “Fine, then. Don’t take the exam today. We’ll let you go. How about that?”
Xia Wan realized immediately. “Oh. You were sent by Lu Hongmei or Su Lijuan, right?”
The leader’s eyes burned with anger. “Are you even listening to me?”
Xia Wan rubbed her wrist. She hadn’t properly exercised since arriving in this world a perfect chance to test the body of her original self.
Tilting her head, she provocatively said, “Come on, all at once. Saves time. The exam’s about to start.”
The thugs stared at her in shock, then looked at their boss. They hadn’t expected this woman to be not only unafraid but ready to fight them.
“You’re asking for death!”
The boss, now enraged, raised his fist to strike Xia Wan.
“Hey! What are you doing?!”
A man’s voice came from behind.
He was in a suit, wearing glasses, looking refined and scholarly. He rushed over and shielded Xia Wan behind him.
“A group of men bullying a young girl?”
The boss arrogantly lifted his head. “What are you talking about? Which eye of yours saw us bullying her?”
“You weren’t about to hit her just now?”
The boss waved dismissively. “What, I was reaching to pick earwax?”
“You…”
Xia Wan didn’t expect such shamelessness.
Seeing fewer people on the street and the exam time approaching, she tried to move forward, but the thugs blocked her path again.
“Xia Wan, we haven’t finished our conversation yet.”
Xia Wan sighed lightly. “Don’t waste my time. I have an exam today. If you really want to fight, wait until I finish.”
The leader laughed loudly. “We’re right here you won’t be taking that exam today!”
Xia Wan’s eyes narrowed, about to deal with the group herself, when the man grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind him.
“You’re heading to the preliminary exam? I’ll escort you. Follow me.”
Xia Wan looked at him, hesitant.
It wasn’t that she judged people by appearance, but this man seemed gentle and frail could he really beat these thugs?