Reborn in 1991, I opened supermarkets all over the world.

Qiao Ling didn't go to the city this time, but Jiang Ce jumped out and said he must go out with Brother Feng and Brother Quan to broaden his horizons.

"Anyway, it's Sunday, no work," Jiang Ce said.

"No, I heard from my dad that your mom introduced you to someone. Aren't you going to spend the weekend with her?" Lu Zifeng asked.

When this was mentioned, Jiang Ce jumped up as if he had been injected with chicken blood.

"Don't mention that woman. She has those captivating eyes, even when she looks at a dog, she seems so affectionate. Was she after me? She's after our leadership position as the working class."

"Don't get excited, don't get excited." Gu Quan pushed Jiang Ce down onto the sofa.

Lu Zifeng gave a helpless, forced laugh.

In those days, many people considered it an honor to marry a factory worker.

Firstly, they believed the factory was stable, which was a source of pride.

Secondly, after marriage, one can transfer their household registration from the countryside to the town, thus leaping over the "rural gate" and becoming a city dweller.

Years later, when large-scale demolitions are carried out in rural areas and compensation is paid per capita, these people will regret it deeply.

Of course, this is something.

For now, bringing Jiang Ce into the city is not a big deal.

Lu Zifeng readily agreed.

I thought that once I agreed to let him go to the city, he would cheer up and talk about it, but he still looked preoccupied.

"What's wrong? Why are you acting so coy? Are you even a man?" Lu Zifeng said, frowning.

*Slap!*

Jiang Ce slapped himself across the face.

Startled, Qiao Ling, who was cutting fruit in the kitchen, ran out and asked, "What happened?"

Jiang Ce's eyes were red-rimmed as he said, "Brother Feng is right, I'm not a man!"

After calming down for a few minutes, Jiang Ce began to recount his story.

It turns out he had a girl he liked named Zhong Qin.

I'm currently a temporary worker at the cannery, responsible for helping the canteen serve meals to the workers.

Zhong Qin had long taken a liking to Jiang Ce and often ladled extra meat into his bowl.

The workers noticed something was amiss and started joking around with Jiang Ce and Zhong Qin. Over time, Jiang Ce also developed feelings for them.

However, Zhong Qin's family was poor, and her father was paralyzed and bedridden, so Jiang Ce's parents absolutely refused to allow them to date. That's why they introduced Jiang Ce to another girl.

Jiang Ce was used to obeying his parents at home and had long been in a state of forbearance, and this time was no exception.

However, he felt very uncomfortable.

When he wanted to start a business with Lu Zifeng, his family objected. Now, Gu Quan changes every day, and it's almost impossible to find any trace of the street thug he used to be, while Jiang Ce is still stuck in the same place, earning a meager salary of a hundred or so yuan a month.

That's fine.

Unexpectedly, even dating is fraught with obstacles.

Qiao Ling arranged the chopped pears on a plate, stuck a few toothpicks in them, and placed it on the coffee table. She comforted Jiang Ce, saying, "Take it slow. You're all still young. We're definitely on your side in this matter. It's just that some people's hearts are naturally hard as stone. But I believe that if we keep trying, we can warm them up. Give everyone some time, things will get better."

As she spoke, Qiao Ling glanced at Lu Zifeng.

Jiang Ce took out a cigarette and lit it himself: "There's no hope. My mother is a senior employee in the cannery office. With just one word from her, the factory terminated Zhong Qin's temporary employment contract."

Lu Zifeng frowned: "Your mother has gone too far. She knows that the family is in difficulty, and she still does such a despicable thing."

Gu Quan also complained somewhat indignantly, "It's only because it's your mother. If it were anyone else, I'd beat her to death."

Qiao Ling was silent for a moment, then asked Lu Zifeng, "Didn't you say you were going to hire sales assistants for your supermarket? How about hiring Zhong Qin?"

Lu Zifeng nodded: "Sister Ling can arrange it."

Jiang Ce rubbed his eyes: "Thank you, Brother Feng, thank you, Sister Ling. I... I sincerely wish you a long and happy marriage!"

Lu Zifeng: "..."

Qiao Ling: "..."

On the minibus to the city, Lu Zifeng said to Jiang Ce, "Do you know why you're always manipulated by your parents? It's because you lack experience and don't have a strong enough reason to persuade them. You either have to endure it, which makes you miserable, or you have to rebel, which makes everyone miserable. So, it's the right thing for you to come to the city with me today. See more of the outside world. What's so special about that little bit of land that cannery is?"

Jiang Ce stammered, "The cannery has pretty good benefits. They never delay paying wages, and they even give out refreshing drinks in the summer."

Not to mention Lu Zifeng, even Gu Quan rolled his eyes at him.

In May in Jiang City, the sun shines brightly, and it's the season for fashionable young women to wear miniskirts and show off their calves.

When Jiang Ce stepped off the dilapidated minibus, his eyes lit up: the cannery's small plot of land was nothing!

Gu Quan hailed an Alto taxi, and Lu Zifeng personally opened the door for Jiang Ce.

After the three of them were seated, Gu Quan fastened his seatbelt and said to the taxi driver, "Renmin Road, Huidong Department Store."

When Gu Quan got off the bus, he paid the fare.

Jiang Ce, sitting in the back seat, craned his neck to take a look: Damn it, I've lost a day's wages.

Is this still the same Quan Ge from last year who would buy video games for five cents on credit?

Wei Jun was already waiting at the entrance of Huidong Department Store. Upon seeing Lu Zifeng, he immediately came over and said, "Manager Shen is inside."

Lu Zifeng nodded and introduced Jiang Ce.

Jiang Ce reached out and shook hands with Wei Jun. Looking at the faintly visible pack of Hongtashan cigarettes in Wei Jun's shirt pocket, he knew that two days' wages were gone.

And that watch on Wei Jun's wrist—it probably cost him half a year's salary.

This is the impact that the times have had on him!

Lu Zifeng first followed Huacai's people to visit the home appliance area, and then strolled over to the department store area.

Nowadays, department stores are actually quite similar to supply and marketing cooperatives in terms of their display cases.

There's a counter in front and a cabinet behind; if you want to see something, you still have to go through the salesperson.

However, the sales staff at Huidong Department Store were several levels above those at the supply and marketing cooperative in terms of service attitude.

Meanwhile, Su Min followed beside her father, Su Yan, as they toured the department store.

When Su Yan heard about her failure to win the warehouse, he smiled and comforted her, saying, "When doing things, you shouldn't get angry with others, but rather consider whether it's in your own best interest."

Su Min took Su Yan's arm and softly hummed in agreement.

Then, she looked ahead and her face suddenly froze.

Su Yan asked, "What's wrong, Minmin?"

Su Min swallowed hard and said through gritted teeth, "Lu Zifeng, he's here too."

The second brother, Su Dong, who was following behind, stepped forward: "Is this Lu Zifeng, the one who tried to take the warehouse from you? Isn't he just a little kid? Big sister, you lost to a little kid? Haha."

Su Yan glared at Su Dong and said to Su Min, "Come on, go up and say hello. Let me see what he's capable of taking that warehouse from you."

The two groups finally met in the narrow passageway.

Su Min asked coldly, "What are you doing here?"

Before Lu Zifeng could reply, Gu Quan interjected, "What? You won't let us in? Do you own Huidong Department Store?"

Su Min gave a disdainful laugh.

Su Yan took out a business card and handed it to Lu Zifeng with one hand: "I am Su Yan, the general manager of Huidong Department Store. This is my daughter, Su Min."

Gu Quan was stunned: "Holy crap, it really is your family's business?"

Seeing Lu Zifeng and his group get thoroughly humiliated, Su Min felt incredibly satisfied.

Lu Zifeng smiled slightly at Su Yan and accepted Su Yan's business card with one hand.

After looking him over, Lu Zifeng handed the business card to Gu Quan: "The reporter was told that Su Min, who was caught on camera losing her temper multiple times at the auction and verbally abusing the reporter, is actually the daughter of the owner of Huidong Department Store."