Chapter 3: The Young Master Strikes Back

The procurement channels for this are not much different; however, Suji has always specialized in high-end fabrics, such as silk, brocade, satin, and similar materials, and rarely deals with low-end fabrics, which consequently limits sales

Chen Gui remained silent, his expression clearly one of disbelief, while the other colleagues also displayed looks of indignation on their faces

A servant brought fragrant tea and presented it at the table, while Zhang Deli sat sideways across from him, and the other servants stood to the side with their heads tilted and drooping.

I believe that although the profit margin on low-grade fabrics is thin, they are advantageous due to their low prices, which are essential for the common people. With our Su family's decades-old reputation, we will surely be able to compete with others. Zhang Deli seemed to be full of confidence, but Su Jin could clearly see that he was just speaking casually and making empty promises.

Zhang Deli did not expect the situation to take a sudden turn. He originally thought that this bookish young master, who only focused on studying and practicing calligraphy, would be easy to deceive, and that he could brush him off with just a few casual words. However, he did not anticipate that this young man was inherently shrewd and ruthless, easily discarding him with just a few words.

I see you are confused. The Su family's business is my Su Jin's business. If I have no rights, then who does?" Su Jin said with a smile as she looked at him

"Rheumatism has persisted, and I have been unable to afford treatment, leading to this prolonged suffering. If I do not seek treatment soon, I fear my life may be in jeopardy." Chen Gui was tearful, his heart filled with sorrow

Su Jin stood up abruptly and said: "Manager Zhang, you are not suited to hold the position of manager at my Su's Fabric Shop. From now on, you may resign and return home. I will pay you three months' wages as severance pay. You can hand over the accounts immediately and then leave."

Everyone fell silent as if frozen in fear, even the little girl stuck out her pink tongue. After serving the young master for so many years, she had never seen him display such imposing presence.

Pah, ultimately you are still afraid of suffering a loss. You speak of safeguarding the interests of the Su family, but you are tarnishing our reputation. If this matter gets out, others will say that the Su family is solely profit-driven and lacks compassion.

Zhang Deli, with a smiling face, nodded and bowed. However, as soon as he turned his face, his expression turned grim, and he shouted at the staff: "Why aren't you all going to the door to take care of the books?" The staff hurriedly got to work, closing the shop door halfway and hanging up a small sign to announce a half-day closure for inventory.

Zhang Deli shouted angrily: "You still have the nerve to argue, settle my wages immediately and get lost."

Xiao Sui'er fully displayed her bold nature, placing her hands on her hips and bouncing in front of the crowd, scolding in a delicate voice: "What’s the matter? Do you all no longer want to eat this bowl of rice? Have your eyes been smeared with the muck from the moat? Don’t you even look at who is standing in front of you? Whose rice bowl are you holding?"

The young man with a rude attitude stood there with a face ashen, having already sent someone to the back office of the shop to summon the manager. The manager, who was enjoying tea and a brief rest, was startled to hear that the young master had arrived. He quickly inquired about the situation, inwardly lamenting, and hurriedly made his way to the front.

Two individuals stepped into the shop, and a clerk approached with cupped hands, saying: "Esteemed young sir, welcome to our humble establishment. Are you looking to purchase some fabrics?"

"Young Master, do not be too ruthless in your actions. My Zhang family has supported your Su family's business for three generations. What you are doing is akin to burning bridges after crossing them, or killing the donkey after it has carried the load. You have no right to drive me away; I am the steward appointed by the old lady at the incense table, and you cannot simply expel me with a single word. I will go to the lady to seek justice," Zhang De shouted in exasperation, his body shaking rhythmically with each stomp, resembling ripples on the water, undulating in layers across his form.

This ... ... individual did not say that Manager Zhang was in the wrong; he merely spoke the truth when the owner inquired. In fact, several brothers understand my character, Chen Gui. I am grateful for the life-saving money provided at the counter, and how could I possibly commit such an ungrateful act

"It is you." Su Jin slammed the teacup heavily on the table and said: "At times, the choice of what to keep or discard is not my concern; how can one endure the world's indifference? In such coldness, how can you have the face to speak so confidently?"

The young fellow quit and shouted, "Are you trying to be unreasonable? My boss has so many matters to attend to, and you think you can just demand to see him?"

The fellow immediately changed color and said: "This is a cloth shop, not a teahouse. If the young master and the scholar are looking for a place to rest, they may as well go to a teahouse or tavern. We are here to conduct business."

Zhang Deli turned to Chen Guidao and said, "Look, the boss is scolding you for being a scoundrel, why aren't you leaving quickly?"

Su Jinwei smiled slightly and said, "Alright, I have one last thing to ask you. Just now, when I entered the shop, I encountered a strange situation; someone actually wanted to expel me from the store because I did not buy fabric today. What is the reasoning behind this?"

Xiao Sui'er, her small face flushed, pointed at Zhang Deli's nose and crisply scolded: "Young master, I am cursing you, this scoundrel. You still dare to speak of others, you scoundrel who sees someone in danger and does not help."

"Knowing a person by their face does not mean knowing their heart. How can I know what you are thinking? I am considering the interests of the owner; this is my responsibility as the manager," Zhang Deli stated with righteous indignation.

Zhang Deli feigned surprise and said: "How could this happen? Who is so rude as to tarnish the reputation of Su Ji?"

"Why are the prices of the Su family's fabrics relatively high? Is it possible that your procurement channels are different from others?" Su Jin asked curiously

The little person had mentioned it to Manager Zhang, but... but... Chen Gui hesitated somewhat

This... business is quite difficult to manage now. There are no fewer than twenty or thirty fabric shops in Luzhou City, and the competition is exceedingly fierce. Our fabric shop has been struggling recently due to high fabric prices, resulting in extremely thin profits. Zhang Deli wore a worried expression, his features on his round face scrunched together, making him look rather comical

Upon hearing this, Su Jin could no longer contain himself. He had already discerned Zhang Deli's character very clearly. This person appeared to be loyal on the surface, yet was extremely mean, selfish, and cunning. He took advantage of the fact that Su Jin was young and inexperienced, using empty platitudes to dismiss him, and showed no concern for the lives and deaths of the shop's employees and their families. How could such a person be entrusted with important responsibilities

This young man, upon opening the door, is engaged in business and should greet the guests from Sanjiang with a smile. How can he speak in a manner that conflicts with the guests? This is likely not the proper way to receive guests

This ... ... is temporarily unavailable. The business strategy was originally formulated by the owner's wife, and we are merely executing it. Hetushu.com. Zhang Deli is extremely cunning, completely shifting the responsibility as if the current poor business has nothing to do with him at all

As Xiao Sui was about to speak, Su Jin tugged at her sleeve and smiled at the attendant, saying: "I do not wish to purchase any fabric at the moment; I merely came in to rest my feet after a tiring stroll."

"You blind fools, this is our young master Su from the Su family, Su Gongzi. As for this young lady, you need not concern yourselves with her." Xiao Sui'er raised her head proudly, her demeanor haughty and imposing, but just at that moment, a loud burp escaped her, undeniably ruining her image

I did not expect the young master to arrive, and I am deeply sorry for the lack of courtesy. Zhang Deli has had the honor of meeting the young master

Su Jinchao, adept at reading expressions and understanding intentions, called out to the young man, saying: "This brother, please stay a moment"

"What a joke, the money in this cabinet belongs to the owner, how can it be used at will for your mother's medical treatment? You are asking to withdraw five guan, while your monthly salary is only one guan and three. What if you run away? Should we all take the blame for you?" Zhang Deli said with a cold laugh

The young man appeared as if he were dead, lowering his head and walking away.

I had the pleasure of meeting the young master at his birthday banquet two years ago, and after several years of absence, he has grown into an even more outstanding gentleman.

In addition to this, do you have any other good suggestions, Manager Zhang

Su Jin suddenly slammed the table and shouted, "Even if your shopkeeper is currently in the bridal chamber, he must be called out for this young master."

Do you know me? Su Jin asked淡淡.

Su Jin observed that the shopkeeper was rotund and lazy, clearly a person disinclined to think. Just looking at him made her feel irritated

Su Jin slammed the table for the second time and shouted, "You scoundrel, utterly inhumane"

Su Jinxin remarked: It turns out that our family operates in the high-end market, but considering the scale of Luzhou Prefecture and the prosperity of its streets, it should not be this desolate; there must be deeper reasons behind it

"Zhang, how has business been for our fabric and bookstore lately?" Su Jin casually inquired while blowing on the tea in her cup.

Su Jin felt somewhat impressed by this person's broad-mindedness and waved his hand, saying: "What has happened at home that has caused you to be so distracted while working?"

Su Jin frowned and said, "I understand now; it seems that Manager Zhang has done his best"

This young gentleman, are you here to cause trouble? On such a hot day, I suggest you find a cooler place to stay. You are not buying any cloth yet you come here to make a fuss. How to conduct business is a matter for Su's establishment; who do you think you are?

Let's wait and see! Zhang Deli knew that continuing to speak was futile. He quickly stripped off the blue coat that symbolized his status as the shopkeeper and threw it onto the counter before storming out.

Several attendants behind the counter in the store noticed the two arguing and came over to mediate. The two composed and mature shop assistants observed that although Su Jin was dressed in a simple blue robe, her demeanor resembled that of a noblewoman from a wealthy family. Thus, they stepped forward to pull the disrespectful young attendant back.

Zhang Deli smiled and said, "That is only natural. My family, the Zhangs, has served your residence for three generations. Diligence and loyalty are our family principles, so there is no need to elaborate."

Is there even a need to say more? If we continue like this, we might as well turn our fabric shop into a tea house. Please hurry and leave, do not delay my family's business

According to Manager Zhang's suggestion, should we sell lower-grade fabrics to increase profits

"No money for treatment? Why not borrow some money or goods from the cabinet? Are you really going to just watch someone die without treatment?" Su Jin found it strange. A disease like arthritis can be alleviated significantly as long as it hasn't reached a particularly severe stage. It would be extremely simple to withdraw a few coins from the cabinet. In this era, filial piety comes first, and he believed that Madam Wang would certainly not refuse.

Then the young man said: "It is indeed a petty person. The petty person, due to trivial matters at home, becomes irritable and offends the young master. As for how to punish him, I shall leave it entirely to your discretion"

Chen Gui bowed his head and said: "To be honest, my mother has been ill for several months. In recent days, we have been short of food and water. I feel ashamed as a son, which has caused me to be troubled in my heart, leading to my careless words that may have offended the master."

According to this young man, if one does not purchase fabric from hetushu.com, one cannot enter this fabric store? Su Jin smiled and said

Zhang Deli pointed to his own nose and said: "Me?"

Su Jin now somewhat understands the reason why the fabric store is so deserted. Given this way of doing business, it is already a miracle that the store can manage to stay open.

Go and hang a small board on the shop door indicating that it will be closed for half a day today. I, this young master, want to investigate how you are managing the Su family's fabric shop. Su Jin had no interest in listening to his flattery; he had already regarded these assets as his own. Watching these people conduct business in this manner, he feared that he would eventually end up on the streets as a beggar. This matter could not be ignored.

The young man halted, turned, and bowed to Su Jin, saying: "Young Master, it was I, Chen Gui, who was disrespectful just now, disrupting the decorum of Su's establishment. I apologize to you."

Upon hearing this, the group of men sensed something was amiss. A man in his forties, quick to seize the opportunity, stepped forward and clasped his hands, saying: "May I ask who this young master and young lady are?"

Su Jin was laughing so hard that her stomach hurt, but she struggled to hold back her laughter. The eight or nine companions had no time to care about this burp; upon hearing that this young master was the son of the owner, they nearly fainted. The situation of a woman caught with another man in the presence of her own husband was now something to behold

Young Master, I am doing this to protect the interests of our Su family. If everyone behaves this way, how can we conduct business? If he were to withdraw the funds and disappear, wouldn't that spell disaster for everyone?

The sight of the young master in a fit of anger is simply enchanting. Little Sui'er thought to herself, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

"Call your shopkeeper here." Su Jin boldly lifted her skirt and sat down on a wooden chair in the corner of the shop, turning her face to look at the bustling crowd outside the door

"What illness is it, and why is it not being treated?" Su Jin asked with concern

Upon hearing Su Jin's words, the group was completely provoked. At this critical moment, they naturally united and collectively pointed fingers at Su Jin, scolding and accusing him of being audacious

The fellow found this young gentleman somewhat perplexing; after tiring from shopping, he unexpectedly went into a fabric store to rest, and spoke with great conviction. Xiao Sui could no longer contain herself and, puffing out her small chest, was about to step forward to argue. Su Jin shot her a glare, signaling her to remain silent