Zhou Wenxuan clenched his fists, wanting to rush forward and beat him up.
Shen Nanzhi quickly stopped him. “Don’t act rashly!”
She wasn’t afraid of Director Huang. She was just considering that setting up street stalls would easily attract jealousy and trouble.
Once targeted, they could be reported every few days, constantly harassed, and there was always the risk of having their goods confiscated by urban management.
It was both risky and exhausting.
Whereas the supply and marketing cooperative was safe and stable.
Just as she was about to compromise, a firm voice came from behind.
“What are you all doing gathered here? Causing trouble in public?”
“Causing trouble in public” was illegal and could lead to arrest.
The crowd immediately scattered, clearing a wide path.
A middle-aged man walked over, his belly slightly swaying.
Shen Nanzhi recognized him at a glance—it was the factory director from the food factory who had distributed wedding sweets and pastries yesterday.
Director Huang also saw him and quickly went up to greet him with a flattering smile.
“Director Wu, it’s after work hours. Why are you here?”
He was full of confusion.
Normally, Director Wu would only come during working hours, when there were fewer people and he could often get things for free.
Director Wu glared at him.
“Director Huang, what’s going on? Why are so many people gathered here? Aren’t you afraid something will happen?”
Director Huang replied respectfully, “It’s not trouble. A returned overseas Chinese wants to rent space here to sell electrical appliances, but the prices are too low, so it attracted a crowd.”
When Director Wu heard “electrical appliances,” his eyes lit up.
His gaze swept over the counter toward Shen Nanzhi and the others, as if he were seeing free appliances.
A cough sounded from behind him, reminding him of the purpose of his visit.
“Director Huang, let me introduce you. This is our factory director, Director Lu.”
Director Wu stepped aside.
When Director Huang saw Lu Xiangyang, his face immediately broke into a flattering smile.
He hurried forward and shook Lu Xiangyang’s hand tightly, as if trying to absorb some of his luck.
“Director Lu, welcome, welcome! I’m sorry I didn’t receive you properly!”
Lu Xiangyang didn’t even look at him. His gaze stayed fixed on Shen Nanzhi behind the counter.
Shen Nanzhi was still flushed with anger, her eyes seemingly burning with fire.
When she met his gaze, she unconsciously sniffled, looking slightly wronged.
Lu Xiangyang’s heart tightened.
His expression instantly turned cold, and a chilling aura spread from him, freezing the surrounding air.
Director Huang shivered and glared at Zhou Wenxuan, warning them not to cause trouble.
Zhou Wenxuan, raised in wealth, had no real skills, but he had never been treated so rudely before.
He had endured Director Huang’s scolding earlier for Shen Nanzhi’s sake.
But now, seeing him fawning over Lu Xiangyang, he couldn’t hold it in anymore.
However, he also understood one thing—strong dragons cannot suppress local snakes.
He forced down his anger and smiled at Lu Xiangyang.
“Director Lu, Nanzhi is being bullied. Aren’t you going to help her?”
Director Huang exploded in anger.
He had finally managed to meet Lu Xiangyang—he couldn’t let anyone ruin it.
“Boss Zhou, what nonsense are you talking about! I warn you, if you keep this up, I won’t rent you the space anymore!”
With every word he spoke, the atmosphere grew quieter.
No one dared to breathe loudly. It felt like only his voice remained.
Director Huang’s smile grew wider, and even when Director Wu tugged at his sleeve to warn him, he ignored it.
He continued, “If you don’t leave now, there will be no room for negotiation.”
Just then, Lu Xiangyang spoke.
“Nanzhi, let’s go. Go home.”
His voice was low and gentle, with a hint of indulgence.
Completely different from his cold demeanor earlier.
Shen Nanzhi shook her head, a stubborn smile on her lips.
“I can’t leave yet. Director Huang agreed this morning to rent us the space for 200 yuan. We even signed the contract, but this afternoon he suddenly wants to add commission. Since you’re here, help us talk to his superiors.”
She was not going to shoulder everything like in her past life.
She even shot Director Huang a proud glance.
Director Huang immediately stiffened, realizing what was happening.
His whole body trembled.
He looked at Lu Xiangyang and stammered, “Mis… misunderstanding… it’s all a misunderstanding…”
Lu Xiangyang glanced at him coldly, as if looking at an ant.
“Director Huang, is it really a misunderstanding?”
Director Huang’s legs went weak. He almost knelt down, bowing repeatedly.
“Yes… yes… it’s a misunderstanding… we will follow the contract from this morning… we will fully cooperate…”
He then turned to Zhou Wenxuan and forced a smile.
“Boss Zhou, it’s all a misunderstanding… we will definitely follow the contract…”
Zhou Wenxuan said nothing and only looked at Shen Nanzhi.
With the tone of a boss, he said, “Nanzhi, it’s off work. Go back first.”
“Okay.”
Shen Nanzhi took a key from her keychain and handed it to him.
“You ride the tricycle back. Take good care of it—it’s borrowed, and I paid a 100 yuan deposit.”
Then she turned to Lu Xiangyang, her eyes filled with curiosity and surprise.
“Why are you here?”
From Director Huang’s reaction, she could tell Lu Xiangyang had never been here before.
Lu Xiangyang looked at her with deep affection and tenderness.
“To pick you up and take you home.”
His voice was low and gentle, as if it could melt her heart.
Something she had never felt from Jiang Feng.
Love and indifference were already obvious.
Shen Nanzhi smiled.
“Okay, let’s go home. I’ll push you.”
She reached out to push the wheelchair.
At that moment, Zhou Wenxuan suddenly spoke.
“Nanzhi, wait.”
She looked at him. “Boss Zhou, anything else?”
The word “boss” made Zhou Wenxuan swallow his words before finally speaking.
“It’s about tomorrow’s goods.”
Shen Nanzhi suddenly slapped her forehead.
Damn it.
She had forgotten that the goods meant for tomorrow had already been sold out, and she still hadn’t prepared new stock.
It seemed she would have to go to the warehouse first.
She looked at the man in the wheelchair and said apologetically, “Xiangyang, the boss needs me for something. Go back first.”
Lu Xiangyang’s lips tightened slightly, a sharp crease forming at the corner of his eyes, but he still smiled.
“It’s fine. I’ll wait for you.”
Warmth filled Shen Nanzhi’s heart.
It had been a long time since she heard those words—“I’ll wait for you.”
But she didn’t want to go home with him right now.
She smiled sweetly.
“Xiangyang, don’t wait. I don’t know when I’ll be done. You should go back first.”
No matter what she said, Lu Xiangyang insisted on waiting.
His stubbornness made her smile almost break.
She grew anxious.
What should she do?
With him watching, how could she go to the warehouse and restock?
Seeing her dilemma, Zhou Wenxuan stepped in.
“Nanzhi, the goods will arrive tomorrow noon. Come back in the afternoon.”
Shen Nanzhi finally relaxed.
If she came tomorrow afternoon, she would have time to restock at the warehouse.
She smiled and thanked him, then pushed the wheelchair away with light steps.
After getting into Lu Xiangyang’s jeep, Shen Nanzhi let out a long breath.
At the same time, a wave of cold air wrapped around her, making her shiver involuntarily.