"If you have time tomorrow, head to the clothing store. Guan Wenwen called me today and said something seems off with the new shipment of down jackets. Go check them out, and if you think they’re no good, send them back. I haven’t paid the final balance yet," He Lang instructed Xue Yue.

Seeing that he had been coming home a bit late recently, Xue Yue asked, "What have you been so busy with these days?"

He Lang leaned lazily against the headboard and said casually, "Some new types of plastic toys have hit the market this month. The toys in our supermarket are too outdated and uninspired. I’m thinking that if the factory we’re currently working with can’t produce them, I’ll terminate our contract and find a new factory to source from."

Xue Yue looked at him. "I don’t think they can do that. If they produce the exact same thing, wouldn’t that infringe on the other company’s rights? The other company could sue them."

He Lang’s brow twitched. "I know."

Xue Yue frowned. "You’re planning to use this as a way to terminate the contract?"

He Lang nodded and shrugged. "It can’t be helped. Products need to innovate. I gave them time, but if they don’t come up with anything new, we’ll have to stop working together. Besides, the other company has already approached me, and their price is right."

Xue Yue suddenly thought of something. "Is it a Hong Kong businessman?"

He Lang looked up at her. "You know?"

Over the past year, many Hong Kong businessmen had set their sights on the lucrative mainland market. Since the region was developing, with a large population and high demand, they flocked in to build factories. Of course, some found building a factory from scratch too troublesome and instead bought up large, old factory buildings, replaced the machinery, and started production. However, upon arrival, they all had to register with the Ministry of Commerce, a fact Xue Yue was vaguely aware of.

He Lang was a businessman; he needed to make a profit. As long as a product was good and the price was right, it was worth considering. Furthermore, some domestic factories truly lacked innovation. They couldn’t just keep relying on old designs to stay afloat; they needed the courage to break the mold. That was exactly what He Lang had told them. He had given them an opportunity, and whether they seized it was up to them.

Xue Yue had no objection to He Lang’s decision. ’Perhaps people and factories alike only grow when facing a crisis.’

The next day was Xue Yue’s day off, so she went to the clothing store in the morning. Just as she walked in the door, she saw a familiar face.

It was Zhao Li’s first time here as well. Ding Ruzhi had recommended the place, claiming its items were both stylish and affordable.

Zhao Li’s sister-in-law was getting married soon, and the date had already been set. The previous night, the family had discussed buying her a couple of new outfits before the wedding. The money came from the groom’s family, but it was deducted from the betrothal gift. Zhao Li wasn’t happy about this, but she had no say in her in-laws’ affairs. Her mother-in-law ran the household, and she was the one who had told Zhao Li to take her sister-in-law out shopping, giving her three hundred yuan.

Zhao Li was hoping to buy her sister-in-law a couple of things and pocket the leftover money.

She was the one who had brought her sister-in-law here. But even before they went in, the look of the storefront made her uneasy. After stepping inside and seeing the decor, her heart began to pound even harder.

’Could the clothes in a place like this possibly be cheap? Was Ding Ruzhi trying to trick me?’

But the moment her sister-in-law stepped inside, her eyes lit up. She took a look around and thought every piece of clothing was gorgeous.

The clothes in the shop were all styled into outfits and hung on display, giving them a very appealing look. It was easy to see what was fashionable at a glance.

Although Zhao Li liked the clothes too, she managed to hold back. ’As long as clothes are wearable, that’s good enough,’ she thought, mindful of the money in her pocket. ’Nothing is as solid as cash.’

Her sister-in-law’s eyes landed on a down jacket she liked. She casually asked for the price and was told it was two hundred and twenty-nine yuan.

Zhao Li exclaimed in shock, "That’s so expensive! Is this a stick-up?"

Guan Wenwen smiled and said to her, "Ma’am, all our clothes have fixed prices. You get what you pay for. This is a new style of down jacket. You can feel it; it’s very lightweight but very warm when worn. Of course, you’re welcome to try it on. There’s no obligation to buy."

Zhao Li’s sister-in-law was already eager to try it on and asked for it to be taken down. She then followed Guan Wenwen to the fitting room.

Zhao Li gritted her teeth and felt the money in her pocket. She was reluctant to part with it, but then she had an idea. ’The money is in my pocket. I’ll just say it doesn’t look good on her, and then we won’t have to buy it. We can find a cheaper store.’

This was right when Xue Yue came in. A clerk was about to approach and greet her, but Xue Yue waved her hand, signaling for her to continue helping the other customers first.

Xue Yue took a seat on one of the chairs in the store and watched them.

Zhao Li happened to glance over and see Xue Yue. She froze for a moment. Even though the two of them weren’t on good terms, she still walked over.

"You’re here to buy clothes too?"

Xue Yue glanced at her and said casually, "Something like that."

Zhao Li frowned at the answer and muttered to herself, ’Putting on airs. "Something like that." Aren’t you just here to buy clothes? You’re not even looking, just sitting there. It’s obvious you can’t afford anything.’

Out loud, however, she said, "The clothes here really are nice. You have money, why don’t you buy something?"

Xue Yue didn’t answer, which made Zhao Li certain her guess was right. She even let out a derisive scoff.

When Guan Wenwen came out of the fitting room with the young woman, Zhao Li looked at how the jacket fit. Even against her will, she couldn’t bring herself to say it looked bad.

Xue Yue thought it looked good, too. The young woman had fair skin, and the color really brought out her complexion. The length was perfect, and it even accentuated her waist.

"The mirror is over here."

She marveled at the meter-tall mirror—it was such a novelty—and the person reflected in it looked beautiful as well.

After turning to see it from different angles, the young woman nodded happily. "I’ll take this one."

As she said that, she started to look for another item, but Zhao Li quickly pulled her aside.

Just then, Guan Wenwen noticed Xue Yue. "Boss, you’re here."

Just as Zhao Li was about to persuade her sister-in-law to try another store, she was drawn by the sound of Guan Wenwen’s voice. Her head snapped over, and she saw the clerk standing in front of Xue Yue, addressing her with a deferential expression.

In an instant, Zhao Li’s face flushed crimson.

The young woman was getting impatient. "What is it, Sister-in-law? What did you want to tell me?"

The corner of Zhao Li’s mouth twitched. She lowered her voice and said, "The clothes here are too expensive. Why don’t we go look at another store?"

Her sister-in-law looked at her, confused. "Why would we go to another store? Didn’t Mom give you the money? Besides, just like the clerk said, you get what you pay for. I look good in this, and other places don’t have it."

Zhao Li started to panic. "Mom only gave us three hundred yuan total, and this one jacket is over two hundred."

"So what? There’s still seventy-something left, right? I’ll just pick out a pair of pants that costs around that much."

Hearing this made Zhao Li’s heart ache with regret.

She grabbed her sister-in-law’s hand and tried to reason with her. "Manman, we’re just an ordinary family. We can’t afford clothes like these. Listen to your sister-in-law, take it off, and let’s go to another store."

The young woman stared at her as if she were a lunatic. Completely speechless, she said, "Are you okay? Mom gave you money and told you to take me shopping. It’s not like it’s your money, so why does it pain you so much to spend it? Besides, that money came from my future in-laws anyway."