Tong Huaqiong’s celebration banquet ended amid laughter and even higher spirits.

Everyone was preparing to return to their accommodations to get ready for the next day’s business.

The local clerks of Pingchuan County went home on their own, while those from surrounding towns stayed at the residence provided by Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong bought a three-entry house in Pingchuan County, with the backyard for her family when they stayed in Pingchuan, and the front yard for the Jufu Supermarket clerks.

If she gets richer, she will buy more houses, as houses and land always serve as personal sanctuaries on this land.

Naturally, the more the better. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

The house in Pingchuan County is near Jufu Supermarket, just a few steps away.

"Boss, we are heading back first."

"Alright, remember not to be late tomorrow, there’s a penalty for tardiness."

"Don’t worry, boss."

Once out of the restaurant, the local clerks of Pingchuan County bid farewell to Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong instructed the staff not to be late the next day, then turned around to stand with Gu Baishuang and Gu Taohua, waiting for Su Chengmin’s carriage. Just then, she saw Mr. Gu, Gu Youtian, and others coming out of the restaurant.

The two groups formed a stark contrast.

The people with Tong Huaqiong were full of vigor due to the grand opening.

The people with Gu Youtian seemed very dispirited due to the bleak business.

Having encountered them, she couldn’t pretend not to know them.

Joyous events often boost one’s spirit, giving Tong Huaqiong the metaphorical high ground. She didn’t mind taking the initiative to speak.

Thus, Tong Huaqiong smiled and said to Mr. and Mrs. Gu, "What a coincidence, meeting you two here."

Mrs. Gu snorted.

This wicked woman couldn’t have chosen any other day to open, but picked today on purpose. She must be very smug right now, certainly laughing at the second son’s predicament.

If Tong Huaqiong knew Mrs. Gu’s thoughts, she would shout injustice, because honestly, she hadn’t cared about when Gu Youtian’s shop was opening; if anyone was riding on someone’s coattails, it would be Gu Youtian riding on hers.

Tong Huaqiong guessed correctly; Gu Youtian had found out about Jufu Supermarket’s opening today and chose to open on the same day to compete with Tong Huaqiong.

Before the battleground was even set, he had already taken a fall.

Mr. Gu also had grievances against Tong Huaqiong. Jufu Supermarket’s booming business widened Mr. Gu’s perspective. During the day, he watched as Tong Huaqiong exchanged pleasantries with County Magistrate Liu’s wife at Jufu, and couldn’t help thinking how great it would be if Tong Huaqiong set aside her grudge against the old house and took Gu Youtian along in business.

If that were the case, Gu Youtian wouldn’t have to suffer in Wu Ji’s shop.

Nonetheless, Mr. Gu was still conscious of the bigger picture. In front of the Wu Family, he didn’t want outsiders seeing the Gu Family as a joke and maintained a harmonious facade as he said to Tong Huaqiong, "Your second brother’s shop opened today, and we’re here to celebrate."

This statement was somewhat like trying to cover one’s ears.

Who doesn’t know about Tong Huaqiong and the second house’s grievance?

The Wu Family pursed their lips.

Tong Huaqiong said, "May the second brother’s business prosper."

These words were meant to disgust.

When these words fell into Gu Youtian’s ears, he interpreted them as cold sarcasm toward him. After all, Jufu Supermarket stole the limelight today, while Wu Ji failed to even get a taste of the broth amidst the influence of Jufu.

Even if he had been careless, things would change after tomorrow. Wu Ji wouldn’t be so passive.

We shall see who prevails in the end.

Tong Huaqiong couldn’t be bothered with Gu Youtian’s thoughts, and simply waited for the carriage, without asking Mr. and Mrs. Gu where they would rest, knowing full well they wouldn’t be sleeping on the big street.

Mr. Gu knew Tong Huaqiong had a house in Pingchuan County and thought she might courteously invite them to the new house to rest, given the circumstances with the Wu Family present. Yet, this eldest daughter-in-law showed no face at all.

Gu Ruinian’s gaze landed on Gu Taohua.

Up until now, Gu Ruinian still firmly believed in Gu Taohua’s identity as a modern person who had traveled through time.

The supermarket was indeed brought to life by Gu Taohua.

If only this little girl were his own younger sister.

Looking up, he noticed Gu Youtian’s dark gaze directed at him, making Gu Ruinian shiver.

With a smirk at the corner of his mouth, memories surfaced in Gu Youtian’s mind of his second son wanting to abandon him and be adopted by the eldest sibling, making his gaze toward Gu Ruinian increasingly loathsome.

Gu Ruinian still wants to join that family, huh? Dream on. Even if he dies, he remains Gu Youtian’s son.

Gu Family members each had their own thoughts, and the Wu Family was also not idle.

Especially Wu Musheng, who immediately spotted Tong Pandi standing beside Tong Huaqiong.

This was the first time he met Tong Pandi since their separation.

Tong Pandi was already quite beautiful, feeling joyful after their separation, living with her aunt, raising pigs, and making money, becoming increasingly composed and dignified. Coming to help at the supermarket in Pingchuan County, she deliberately dressed up a bit, wearing a skirt made of Water Wave Silk gifted by Lu Zhaozhao, with a twisted lotus hairpin on her head. Under the lights, she exuded an inexplicable elegance and sophistication.

Wu Musheng’s heart skipped a beat.

Since their separation, the threshold of Wu Family had nearly been broken.

Yet none of the prospects seemed better suited.

Comparing inwardly, he still found no one as beautiful as Tong Pandi.

In fact, he himself didn’t realize he was assessing potential matches in comparison to Tong Pandi.

Tong Pandi noticed Wu Musheng looking at her and glanced over. Her big watery eyes made Wu Musheng mistakenly think Tong Pandi still had feelings for him, so he smiled at Tong Pandi, only to receive a big eye roll.

Wu Musheng froze, and then a surge of desire to win Tong Pandi back ignited within him.

Mrs. Qiao glanced at Tong Pandi, unable to resist a curse in her heart, "Bitch, dressing like that is probably just to seduce men."

She now hated Tong Pandi the most, blaming her facial attractiveness for affecting her son’s choice in remarriage.

"Who are you dressing like that for?"

Wu Musheng’s sister, Tong Pandi’s former sister-in-law, Wu Na, mumbled.

During the time Tong Pandi stayed with the Wu Family, Wu Na didn’t like her, often teaming up with Mrs. Qiao to bully Tong Pandi.

She resented Tong Pandi’s family for being so poor, yet her beauty remained.

While living with the Wu Family, the torment made Tong Pandi appear haggard, and even though her personality changed later, she still resembled a rough country woman.

Now Tong Pandi was completely transformed, far from the timid or shrewish woman she once was.

Wu Na’s jealousy surged, prompting her to utter a bitter remark.

Tong Pandi sneered; the former sister-in-law’s mouth was still so vile.

"Who am I dressing for? That’s none of your business," Tong Pandi pointed at Wu Na, "You should mind yourself. Don’t constantly associate people’s appearances with seduction. It’s true, you’re sixteen now, at the age when you start thinking about men, so you think every woman is contemplating men. Even if I were thinking about men, it’s none of your business, as long as I’m not thinking about your man."

Not only Wu Na, but even Mrs. Qiao was dumbfounded, mother and daughter both surprised that Tong Pandi would publicly mention thinking about men.

Absolutely shameless.

Glancing sideways, she saw her widowed aunt Tong Huaqiong standing calmly, unbothered by Tong Pandi’s brazen words.

Tong Pandi grew increasingly bold living with the widow.

Tong Huaqiong’s lips twitched; anyone hanging around her long enough inevitably caught the contagious sarcasm and savageness, not shying away from verbal jabs.

Wu Na came to her senses, her face flushed red, stomping her foot in anger, yet fearing Tong Pandi might say even more inappropriate things. Tong Pandi, having previously divorced, had nothing to lose, but she was different, still waiting for marriage.

Luckily, Su Chengmin arrived with the carriage, and Tong Pandi followed Tong Huaqiong into it, finally bringing an end to the embarrassment for the Wu Family.