Facing Du Zhongshu’s questioning, Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but sneer, "So this is the way you people in the Du family think, allowing yourselves to scheme against others, to tarnish others’ reputation, but won’t allow others to strike back. Anyone who does so is deemed ’unprincipled.’ I really don’t know where you learned this kind of theory."
Du Zhongshu was stung by the mockery in Bai Ruozhu’s eyes. Once upon a time they were friends, they laughed and talked freely. But now, they gaze at each other like enemies. Why has it come to this?
He quickly pulled his mind back, looking at Bai Ruozhu and said, "I understand that you blame the Du family for acting unscrupulously, but that was the decision of the elders. What does it have to do with Fuling? You slandered her publicly today, how will she face marriage connections in the future?"
Bai Ruozhu laughed out of anger, tears almost welling in her eyes as she looked at her former friend and business partner. She said, "Du Zhongshu, get it straight. Who let this matter come to the ears of your elders? Who embellished it? Isn’t it Du Fuling who’s been spreading it around? Or did you say it? Now that she seems innocent, should I be blamed for trying to save her and having my reputation tarnished in return?"
"I’ve been polite enough already. Otherwise, given what happened today, I could reveal all of Du Fuling’s ugly deeds. I’m no gentleman—if anyone tries to harm me, I’ll fight back relentlessly. If you can’t accept that, then bring your so-called superiority and compete with me and we’ll see who has the last laugh!"
After Bai Ruozhu finished speaking, Bai Zepei stepped forward to support her shoulder, saying, "Let’s get in the carriage, no more words are needed with this kind of person."
Bai Ruozhu nodded to her elder brother, prepared to get into the carriage. But then she stopped, turned back and said, "Oh right, tell your old man to clear the dental repair fees as soon as possible. And also calculate every month’s dividends clearly. If you can’t, I’ll resort to the Commerce Association to arbitrate, and then we can all disband sooner."
Du Zhongshu’s face turned extremely ugly as if he could not believe how vulgar Bai Ruozhu had become. Seeing his thoughts, Bai Ruozhu could not help but sneer again. To repay debts is a natural obligation. Isn’t she just asking for her own money?
"Even if the partnership is terminated, the Du family can still continue to sell toothpaste, and you won’t get any dividends. Do you think this situation is beneficial to you?" Du Zhongshu’s voice was icy cold, resentment in his eyes.
"I don’t care. I’d rather shatter than compromise. It’s one thing if I don’t want the money, but it’s another thing if someone cheats me out of it." Bai Ruozhu got straight into the carriage after saying this. Fang Guizhi followed her, deliberately bumped into Du Zhongshu, and said rudely, "Make way!"
Bai Zepei gave Du Zhongshu a chilling glance, not wanting to say another word, followed into the carriage after.
As Wa San drove away, Fang Guizhi couldn’t help swearing, "What the hell! The Du family, old and young, all attempt to scheme against Ruozhu and would not let her fight back. They talk about justice and morality, but their actions are far from it. I never realized that Du Zhongshu wasn’t a good person either."
"He was raised in a prominent family. Even if he’s carefree, he will always prioritize the interests of the family. Even if he knows that what the family is doing is wrong, and I have caused their family to suffer losses, he will harbor some resentment, such as saying that I’m acting dishonorably or that I’m being inconsiderate. People like him can only ever see the faults of others." Bai Ruozhu said, shaking her head, "My cooperation with the Du family will end soon."
Bai Zepei’s gaze was somewhat deep. The Du family dared to intimidate his little sister because they have gained influence in Beiyu City, and because they are the in-laws of Lady Meng, whereas the Bai family has yet to rise, they thought they could exploit this advantage.
When the three of them returned home, they briefly mentioned that something happened to Yu Hongxiu at Meng Residence. Lin Ping’er was so anxious that she paced around, saying, "No way, I will go with you to Meng Residence to see Hongxiu tomorrow morning."
Bai Ruozhu nodded, it would be better if her mother went with her.
She washed her hands, held Dengdeng to play in the room. Soon, Xiaosi entered the room timidly, saying, "Sister, I want to go see the Second Young Master."
Bai Ruozhu was taken aback, Xu Huilin was indeed still in Beiyu City. However, she felt worried thinking about Wu Wanqing’s spite towards her, and concerned that Xiaosi going to Wu Residence might turn into a trap.
Seeing that she didn’t respond immediately, Xiaosi’s hopeful eyes dimmed a little. But he was obedient and quickly said, "If it’s inconvenient, I won’t go."
Bai Ruozhu stroked his small head, saying softly, "Sister is not preventing you from seeing the Second Young Master, but because Wu Residence is of special background, we outsiders should not frequently visit it. So, I was thinking it might be better to send a letter inviting the Second Young Master out. We can invite him to dinner to show our gratitude for saving you, and at the same time, you can learn martial arts from him."
Xiaosi immediately cheered up, even his face lit up with a smile, showing he is becoming happier.
"Good, let’s do as sister suggests."
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but smile too. This little fellow is becoming obsessed with martial arts.
She immediately wrote a note to Xu Huilin, showing it to Xiaosi, who can now recognize quite a few characters and can read the note almost accurately. Bai Ruozhu was very pleased. She let the ink dry, and gave the note to Xiaosi, asking him to hand it to Wa San and have it delivered to the Wu Residence.
In the note, she invited Xu Huilin to a banquet at the Welcome Cafe the day after tomorrow. That day... should be the day Jiang Yichun is cured of the poisonous insect poison, right? She became a bit nervous thinking about the forgetfulness poison, not knowing the condition of Jiang Yichun made her feel anxious, yet at the same time, she felt somewhat relieved. At least she didn’t have to face him right after he had been cured of the poison.
For some reason, she felt a bit scared...
In the afternoon, she began to work on the screen that Old Lady Meng had ordered. Because it was a new weaving method, she had to try it herself first, then teach the others.
Also, now that she had some work to do, it kept her from being distracted by idle thoughts.
A new year had begun, and she needed to start focusing on expanding her business. At least she couldn’t let families like the Du family dare to provoke her publicly.
With this thought in mind, she put down her work and ran to the backyard to chat with her father. Her father was always either in the house or in the field, if not, he was on his way between the two places.
As expected, her father was experimenting in the field. They had already built a straw hut in their field, almost as if a common peasant family had constructed temporary shelter.
Seeing his daughter, Bai Yihong grinned and said, "Ruozhu, even though we can’t see the results yet, we’ll definitely make big money this winter."
Bai Ruozhu laughed and nodded, "Surely it will, we will eat and drink well with our father in the future."
Bai Yihong laughed sheepishly, knowing he didn’t contribute much. But his daughter’s compliment warmed his heart.
"Dad, have you bought the land yet?" Bai Ruozhu asked.
"I was just about to mention this. I have already negotiated with the other party, but I’m unfamiliar with the people here. So, I was thinking of asking either you or Er Lang to accompany me to the transaction." Bai Yihong laughed somewhat embarrassingly.