Old Mrs. Song is reborn; get out of here, you scumbag husband and illegitimate child!

Sister-in-law Zhang's eyes lit up as she looked at the row of rice cooker boxes.

Women who do housework wish there were a way to simplify cooking. Heaven knows how tiring it is for them to clean, do laundry, and cook after get off work.

Ironically, the man, after getting off work, leisurely doesn't even offer a helping hand.

When asked, the answer is always the same: that's a job women do.

Director Zhang and his elder brother and sister-in-law lined up in a row.

The three people stood ramrod straight, grinning and revealing a set of big white teeth.

Song Xianglan stood in the courtyard, her brows furrowed into a deep frown.

Buying a home appliance is like hosting a high-ranking official on an inspection tour.

In Qingyang, there aren't so many ridiculous rules. All you need to do is say who introduced you, and everything else is just cash on delivery.

A 28-inch bicycle was parked at the entrance of the alley.

A man in a Zhongshan suit got off the car and pushed it closer.

When Director Zhang saw this, his smile widened, and he bent over at a 30-degree angle.

"Oh, Director Wang." Director Zhang greeted him.

The man stopped and his gaze swept over the Zhang family members lined up in a row. He frowned.

"What are you guys up to? Making such a big fuss. I'm here to buy home appliances, not to inspect work in the countryside. You're making me feel awkward about whether to go in or not."

Director Zhang's elder brother and sister-in-law quickly retreated into the yard.

Director Zhang gave a dry, forced smile.

Director Wang kicked down the car ladder and waved his hand, "Get out of the way."

He walked to the spot where Director Zhang had just been standing and peered into the courtyard.

A short while later, a black sedan stopped at the entrance of the alley.

The car door opened, and an elderly couple got out.

The man was wearing a sharp suit, was tall, and had a straight back, which showed that he exercised regularly.

The woman was in her fifties, wearing a dark red embroidered cheongsam, her hair neatly styled.

The woman walked to the jujube tree and covered her nose with her finger.

He looked around with disdain:

"Old Xia, is this a legitimate business? It's a complete mess."

Sister-in-law Zhang... the houses here are so expensive! How dare you complain about the smog? What kind of lady has such a big mouth?

Song Xianglan... I should throw you into a tenement to experience what it means to be in a chaotic and filthy place.

Director Wang quickly stepped forward and explained in a low voice:

"Ms. Zhu, don't let the remote location fool you. Everything here is in stock and 100% imported, no receipts required. The owner's shop is still under renovation, so the goods were shipped here first."

Song Xianglan hadn't spoken yet.

Chen Zui staggered out of the house.

Chen Zui originally had the appearance of a noble young master, but after spending more than half a month in the scorching sun with Song Yang, he turned as dark as a piece of charcoal.

Today, she happened to be wearing a brightly patterned suit, which, combined with her naturally curly hair, made her look like a crow with peacock feathers stuck on her head—it was so ridiculous it was painful to look at.

Ms. Zhu looked Chen Zui up and down.

"Where did this rooster come from?"

Chen Zui was stunned for a moment, then deliberately spoke in a broken overseas accent and gave the name of a small Southeast Asian country.

Ms. Zhu curled her lip:

"A poor place."

Chen Zui raised his chin and patted the collar of his floral suit:

"It's better to be the richest person in a poor place than to be poor in a rich place. When I buy a building in the port city, I do it floor by floor."

When buying houses in Beijing, I buy them one by one. When buying furniture, I only buy pieces made of Phoebe zhennan, huanghuali, and zitan wood. I'm so poor in this world that all I have left is money; I'm rich wherever I go.

He's so arrogant it makes you want to punch him.

When Song Xianglan saw him lift his eyelids in a smug way, she knew she would definitely beat Chen Zui up.

The other few people looked on with envy.

Ms. Zhu wasn't angry. Her gaze fell on the gleaming Rolex on Chen Zui's wrist, and then she looked around the small courtyard.

"You bought this house?"

Chen Zui snorted:

"Not just this one. I also bought the building diagonally across the street. I came back to China to spend money."

Director Zhang, hiding behind, listened intently, grinding his teeth in disbelief.

This kid is too arrogant. If I had a son like that, I'd break three belts a day.

Even if you have money, you shouldn't squander it like this.

Chen Zui stroked his curly hair. "My old man at home gave me a sum of US dollars and told me to do whatever I want. If I succeed, it's a career; if I lose it all, consider it tuition."

Ms. Zhu laughed instead.

Turning to look at Lao Xia, he said, "I quite admire this young man; he's energetic and courageous."

Old Xia nodded, "Only with money to back you up can you have the courage."

He didn't utter a single word of rebuttal and followed Ms. Zhu into the house.

The room was filled with cardboard boxes.

Song Xianglan lifted the canvas, and Ms. Zhu touched the English labels on the cardboard box.

He then asked Song Xianglan for the instruction manual and began to read it carefully.

"Are all three of your sons and three daughters coming this time?" Ms. Zhu asked Old Xia as she looked around.

Old Xia sighed:

"They should all come. She divorced me right after the incident, saying it was to protect the children. If they dare not come to see you this time, I won't leave them a single one of these things."

"Are you willing to part with it?" Ms. Zhu smiled faintly.

"Of course I'd be willing. You're the one who's concerned about them; I don't want to get involved."

The two are in a romantic relationship.

We agreed not to get involved in each other's money.

The old gentleman was learned and elegant. Ms. Zhu was beautiful and wealthy.

The couple came to Beijing to meet the old man's children, and Ms. Zhu didn't mind spending a little money to make him happy.

Song Xianglan stood aside, silently observing Ms. Zhu.

The woman had fair skin and exuded an indescribable charm in every gesture.

Song Xianglan looked down at her dusty trouser legs and mocked herself inwardly:

Standing next to Ms. Zhu, I felt like a maid doing rough work outside the gate, not even close enough to serve her.

Women are like flowers in a garden; they need nourishment.

She lived her life like a foxtail grass, swaying in the storm.

Ms. Zhu pointed to the refrigerator and asked a few questions about its cooling and power consumption.

Song Xianglan answered fluently.

"These are all original imports, and they're presentable gifts," Ms. Zhu decided. "Six large color TVs, six refrigerators, and six rice cookers. Also, give me six pressure cookers to use for stewing meat at home."

Director Zhang, who was outside the door, gasped in shock and his eyes widened like saucers.

Ms. Zhu took several bundles of "Taiwanese coins" from her bag and placed them on the table.

"Big sister, I bought so much, can you give me a 10% discount?"

Director Zhang's heart was in his throat.

He was really afraid that Song Xianglan might lose her temper and kick people out, which would offend Director Wang.

Director Wang glanced at Song Xianglan without making a sound.

Song Xianglan pulled over the abacus and her fingers clicked rapidly. She picked up a pen, wrote down a total on a piece of paper, and pushed it in front of Ms. Zhu.

"Ms. Zhu, I'm an open business owner, and I believe in clearly marked prices."

Song Xianglan smiled and spoke gently, "You may think the unit price is high, but this batch of goods traveled all the way from overseas by sea. The freight, customs fees, trucking fees, and inspection and bribery fees all add up to money."

We have many partners in this business, and after the profits are split at the end of the month, I'm left with just a meager sum.

"If I were to give you a discount privately, and the accounts didn't match up later, the shareholders would accuse me, Song Xianglan, of being dishonest and embezzling. If that got out, the rules would be broken."

Ms. Zhu's face darkened slightly; she was not happy.

She took so many goods at once.

They're definitely a big client.

Song Xianglan turned around and took out a small, square box from the cabinet behind her, handing it over with both hands.

This is a gift box that Song Tingting specially packaged before going to school.

They said they were preparing small gifts specifically for major clients.

"However, you are so beautiful, with such a refined demeanor and profound knowledge, and Mr. Xia is such a handsome and talented man. I deeply respect you both for your kindness towards the younger generation." Song Xianglan opened the box. "This is a small token of my appreciation for you."

A silk handkerchief lay inside the box.

The flowers are brightly colored and warm to the touch.

"Goods from the port city."

Song Xianglan raised her voice, "You can't buy this silk scarf here, no matter how much money you have. My daughter only brought back ten from the port city, and she specifically asked me to save them for a distinguished guest like you."

Ms. Zhu's eyes lit up.

She reached out and touched the fabric of the silk scarf, unable to hide the smile on her lips.

"Sister, you really know how to talk and how to get things done." Ms. Zhu asked the price without hesitation.

"Twenty-two thousand three hundred and eighty."

Ms. Zhu took out money from the large bag she was carrying.

"Let's order some."

Song Xianglan grabbed the money, rubbed it with her thumb, and the banknotes rustled in her hand.

She counted the money, and Chen issued a receipt and recorded it.

In no time, the numbers were perfectly matched.

Chen Zui tore off a receipt, quickly wrote something, stamped it, and handed it over.

Outside.

The truck that Lao Xia called has already arrived at the entrance of the alley.

Several workers hurriedly loaded the electrical appliances onto the truck.

Later, Director Wang also spent 2,200 yuan to buy a large color TV.

The truck just drove away.

Zhao Shuanghua led two people into the courtyard in a flurry of activity.

Director Zhang's face fell, and he stood in front of the doorway.

Before the people behind him had finished selecting their goods, a few unfamiliar faces suddenly appeared and started snatching food.

Song Xianglan quickly stepped forward and pulled Director Zhang aside: "Director Zhang, please don't take offense. This is my neighbor who lives in the alley. He guessed that I hadn't gone home, so he brought people here to look for me."

Director Zhang took a half-step back, still somewhat doubtful.

Among the people Zhao Shuanghua brought was a young technician.

He went straight to the box containing the game console as he entered the room, and stared at Chen Zui, asking him a few questions about the motherboard and graphics.

Chen knows game consoles best. "Genuine Atari 2600. Comes with two classic games. You can play as many games as you want with the joystick. If you break it, I'll buy you a new one."

Without hesitation, the young technician said, "Take one. Also, get me a dual-cassette recorder and eight cassette tapes."

Do you have a TV at home?

"Of course there is. What would I do with a game console if I didn't have a TV?" Skilled workers earn high wages, and despite his young age, his skills are better than many veteran craftsmen.