âMy opinion, and strictly subjective, is that there are a lot of clothing stores in the area gearing toward bargain shoppers but there will be some students who are wealthier than others and can afford nicer clothes. In addition, there are a lot of pocket areas around City Nan University and people living in these areas will go shopping on the weekends. There are wealthy people among them. Isnât selling a few a day better than dozens a day?â Shu Yan didnât understand why it was so difficult for others to grasp this concept.
âYes, I was nervous. Perhaps I didnât have what it takes to start my own business. I get frazzled too easily. I should just keep my job. In my shop loses money, I will still have an income.â Juggling between going to work, taking care of her child, and remodeling, Lin Hui had seriously thought about quitting.
âIâm glad you think that way.â Have realistic expectations. Thatâs the way to go.
As she had free time, Shu Yan went with Lin Hui to check out her shop. It was, indeed, immediately next to the shopping mall and the location was great. The storefront was quite spacious. She trusted that business would be alright if the décor was good.
As work was being done inside, there wasnât much to look at. The two bought some snacks and headed back.
As soon as the two had left, Wu Xiuyue came over and asked the workers, âDid the boss lady come?ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âShe just left. Are you looking for her?â
âNo, Iâm just asking.â
Walking outside of the shop, Wu Xiuyue turned, looked, and gritted her teeth before she headed back toward her own shop. She regretted deeply. She shouldnât have gloated so much and now Lin Hui was going to open up a shop to compete with her. And that Lin Hui, City Nan was a sizeable city, why must she open her shop up right next to hers?
Lin Hui had no idea that Wu Xiuyue had found out about her shop and that she was upset at her over it.
Her stop was quite far from Wu Xiuyueâs, at least 2 miles between them. Shu Yan didnât feel that thereâs anything wrong with it. Had it not been Lin Hui, there would be Li Hui. One couldnât stop everyone else from opening up shops.
The very next day, when Shu Yan went into the office, Hu Ruixue wasnât there yet. She thought perhaps Hu Ruixue was tied up at home. Another hour pass and there was still no Hu Ruixue. That was odd. Hu Ruixue would for sure had told her if she wasnât going to come into the office. She immediately called Hu Ruixue on her phone. It was disconnected after four rings. What was that?
Shu Yan called Hu Ruixueâs house right away.
âHi Aunty, itâs me, Shu Yan. I just want to see if Hu Ruixue had taken off yet?â Shu Yan had a bad feeling.
âXiao Xue? She left early this morning. She hasnât arrived yet?â Mother Hu sat up and asked, worried.
âI havenât seen her yet nor did she call me. I tried to call her but it was disconnected after four rings. If she is not home and not at the office, where could she be?â Shu Yanâs bad feeling got tronger.
âYou said her phone was disconnected after four rings? Thatâs not good. Iâm afraid Xiao Xue is in trouble. Iâll just say that for now. Let me give Huiyang a call.â Mother Hu hung up quickly to call Hu Ruiyang.
Were four rings some sort of a signal? Worried, Shu Yan called up Feng Zeyu.
âSomethingâs wrong. I had an inkling when I didnât see her this morning. Can you help us look for her?â Feng Zeyu had a lot of employees and better odds in finding Hu Ruixue.
***
Inside the mansion in the countryside, Hu Ruixue put down her cellphone and smiled at Ji Fansheng. âDonât worry, I didnât pick it up.â
Ji Fansheng took her phone, took a look at it and asked, âWho was it from?â
âShu Yan. Youâve met her. She was probably calling to check on me as I didnât go into the office today.â Hu Ruixue sat there elegantly. Ignoring the ropes that were tying her down on her arms and legs, the two of them were chatting like friends.