Chapter 524: Chapter 524: Plummeting to Rock Bottom

Due to Gu Ruinian’s involvement, Wuji Shop’s business has plummeted.

It plummeted to rock bottom, to the point where it might never recover.

For several days in a row, no one stepped through the door.

No matter if it was a price cut or a bundle deal of a pot with a free strainer, not a single transaction was made.

Wu Ren’s face was so grim that it seemed like it could wring out water.

Gu Youtian hated Gu Ruinian so much that he wished he could also cripple Gu Ruinian’s left leg.

With Wu Ji’s business faring so poorly, Mr. Gu and the others were idle in the shop, and Wu Ji couldn’t afford to keep so many idle people.

In all his words, Wu Ren hinted at wanting to send people away, so Mr. Gu decided that once the splint on Ruinian’s leg was removed, he and Mrs. Gu would take Ruinian back home, along with Mrs. Jia and the couple Gu Fengnian, while Gu Youtian would stay behind, trying to save Wu Ji.

After all, Wu Ji was his only chance at the moment, and he was unwilling for Wu Ji to close down. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Meanwhile, the business at Jufu Supermarket across from Wu Ji continued to boom.

Gu Honglian still ran to Tong Huaqiong every morning to disclose information about the old Gu Family residence and the second branch.

This day, after Gu Honglian left, Mrs. Wei came over.

Mrs. Wei’s visit was arranged by Mr. Gu, who said it was to express gratitude from the old residence for Gu Dashi and Gu Baishuang’s help in gathering news on Gu Ruinian.

However, Gu Baishuang and Gu Dashi did not take this matter to heart.

Tong Huaqiong sneered; Mr. Gu was trying to have Mrs. Wei smooth things over between the two sides, as he knew Tong Huaqiong never held a grudge against Mrs. Wei and always showed her some respect.

Mrs. Wei, seeing Tong Huaqiong, looked somewhat embarrassed.

Since she had tried to get Tong Huaqiong to invite her to work at Taohua Dessert only to be ruthlessly exposed, she hadn’t come by Tong Huaqiong’s place again.

Mrs. Wei, unlike the people from the second branch, had a sense of shame; she was too embarrassed to face Tong Huaqiong.

Today, she didn’t come entirely because Mr. Gu sent her, but because she wanted to come herself.

"Aunt, in a few days, Fengnian and I will be heading back home. Fengnian doesn’t have the business acumen, and he can’t find a good job in Pingchuan County, so we might as well return to Qinghe Bay for an honest living. Come autumn, I plan to separate from the family and manage a few acres of land myself. I am skilled and can sell my embroidery, and manage to lead a good life," Mrs. Wei spoke to Tong Huaqiong about her plans to return to Qinghe Bay.

Tong Huaqiong had nothing much to say about this.

If Mrs. Wei and Gu Fengnian can live a good life without causing trouble, that would be desirable.

Mrs. Wei, at least, wasn’t foolish.

Since she was skilled in embroidery, when Tong Huaqiong’s embroidery workshop opens after autumn, perhaps she could work there.

However, Tong Huaqiong didn’t plan to tell her this for the time being, since Mrs. Wei hasn’t separated from the second branch yet.

Without separation, they’re still "enemies."

A few days later, Village Chief Liu Tieshan and Mr. Gu’s younger brother, Gu’s second uncle, came to Pingchuan County.

They said Xu Family had learned that Xu Zaohua and Gu Ruinian had been thrown into the Zheng Family’s ancestral hall and she was facing a life of solitude and they crashed into the old Gu Family residence in anger.

Not only that, Xu Jin brought the Xu Family’s young disciples to the Gu Family’s clan leader’s house, demanding an explanation and threatening to hand over Gu Ruinian to the Xu Family for punishment.

Village Chief Liu Tieshan stepped in and managed to temporarily quell the matter, then came to Pingchuan with Gu’s second uncle to whisper a word to Mr. Gu and others, and to discuss how to handle the situation.

Liu Tieshan worried that if Gu Ruinian returns to the village, the Xu Family might riot and kill him, which would fall on him as the village chief.

County Magistrate Liu has already stated no executions are allowed in the village.

Liu Tieshan and Gu’s second uncle first went to Jufu Supermarket to find Tong Huaqiong, aiming to confirm whether Xu Zaohua and Gu Ruinian’s affair was true and also to ask Tong Huaqiong for advice on how to calm Xu Family’s anger.

Upon arriving at Jufu Supermarket, before seeing Tong Huaqiong, they overheard the customers’ discussions.

As Pingchuan’s hottest shopping spot, Jufu Supermarket was abuzz with local gossip; the affair between Gu Ruinian and Xu Zaohua had been trending in the news, and as soon as Gu’s second uncle heard people discussing Gu Ruinian and Xu Zaohua’s affair, he nearly fainted from rage.

Ungrateful grandnephew, worthless scoundrel, bringing shame to the Gu Family.

Tong Huaqiong was sending off County Magistrate Liu’s old mother when she saw Liu Tieshan and Gu’s second uncle loitering at the door.

"Village Chief, second uncle, what brings you here?"

Tong Huaqiong, with visible surprise, invited them inside.

Liu Tieshan explained the reason for their visit to Tong Huaqiong, while Gu’s second uncle, with an iron-grey face, said nothing.

"What a mess this is, Ruinian is so confused. Aunt Dashi, what do you think should be done? Xu Family is after Ruinian’s life now," Liu Tieshan wiped the sweat from his face, drank a pot of sour plum soup, and relayed the news of Xu Family’s rampage at the old residence and their threat to Gu Ruinian’s life to Tong Huaqiong.

Ruinian, being a Qinghe Bay village member caused such a scandal, as village chief, he felt ashamed.

"I can’t really comment on this matter; you should ask the old man for advice," Tong Huaqiong replied.

After all, Ruinian isn’t her son, so this was none of her business.

The village chief was confused, seeking her advice, really?

Xu Jin has always been tricky to deal with, constantly trying to get a piece of someone; now with a daughter estranged and a useful marriage alliance with Zheng Family broken, how could they possibly let Ruinian off the hook?

Tong Huaqiong took Liu Tieshan and Gu’s second uncle to Wu Ji.

Upon seeing Tong Huaqiong arrive, Wu Ren let out a grunt; Tong Huaqiong returned his disparaging look, thinking, unable to compete for business, won’t you die from frustration?

Upon entering the room, Gu Youtian wasn’t there, only Mr. Gu and others.

Upon seeing Ruinian, leg fixed on the bed, Gu’s second uncle was so angry he wanted to punch him.

Seeing Tong Huaqiong arrive, Ruinian’s eyes instantly shot with hatred.

His plan was foiled due to Tong Huaqiong’s role.

"Ruinian has been lucky to come out all in one piece," Tong Huaqiong laughed.

Ge Ruinian was like the grasshopper after autumn, posing no threat to her, allowing her to ridicule as she pleased.

Under Tong Huaqiong’s stern gaze, Ruinian finally admitted defeat and turned away his head.

After Liu Tieshan and Gu’s second uncle sat down and narrated the happenings in the village, Mr. Gu was enraged.

While they weren’t around, Xu Jin had ransacked their house.

Mrs. Gu, blinded by tears and furious, cried and cursed: "Village Chief, second uncle, this isn’t Ruinian’s fault; it’s all that lowly wench Xu Zaohua seducing him. How old is Ruinian? He grew up without having held a woman’s hand, encountering a widow like Xu Zaohua, always looking for a man; how could he resist?"

Liu Tieshan felt awkward, while Gu’s second uncle’s face was dark.

Mrs. Jia joined her mother-in-law in cursing: "The Xu Family raised a good-for-nothing daughter ruined my son; I haven’t sought out Xu Jin for revenge, what nerve do they have to come here looking for us."

Mrs. Jia wanted to return to Qinghe Bay, grabbing a knife to fight Xu Jin and his entire family.

With Ruinian’s leg ruined, losing his qualification to become an official, she lost her hope and now wanted to die.

Gu’s second uncle couldn’t hold back, saying: "Yes, yes, all Xu Zaohua seduced Ruinian, but if Ruinian had self-control, how could he be led away by Xu Zaohua? Did Xu Zaohua strip him or force him on the bed? Don’t put all the blame on Xu Zaohua. I think this is largely due to your indulgence of Ruinian causing this calamity; Ruinian, back to Qinghe Bay, looks down his nose at people. I know his thoughts well, he hates the poverty of the village, the lack of support from the Gu Family, desperately trying to climb higher; if he didn’t intend on taking advantage of Zao Hua, how could he have fallen into her trap?"

"Ultimately, the disaster was caused by Ruinian’s misconduct."

Gu’s second uncle’s words made Mr. Gu’s face turn awkward.

Liu Tieshan, remained calm; he had wanted to say this for a long time but refrained as Mr. Gu was an elder; thankfully Gu’s second uncle spoke first, saving him the trouble of crafting the words.