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Back to the 80s: A Marriage of Convenience
Uncle Tao was actually very grateful to Tao Tao for introducing Qi Zheng to him, as this led to many collaborations later on.
That's right, gratitude. In Uncle Tao's view, it was perhaps indeed because of the timber and sales channels he provided that improved Qi Zheng's life. But at the same time, wasn't Qi Zheng also saving him and the entire Lumber Mill?
When it came to orders, even a fool could see that Qi Zheng was the savior of their Lumber Mill compared to previous years.
Therefore, Uncle Tao was particularly grateful to Qi Zheng and paid special attention to him. As long as it was related to Qi Zheng, no matter how big or small, he would help without any selfish motives.
On the other hand, Qi Zheng had always respected Uncle Tao greatly. He never casually discussed commissions with Uncle Tao just because his furniture sold well. Nor did he ignore Uncle Tao's factory orders simply because he opened a Furniture Store in the City.
These two had met at their lowest points and then collaborated, helping each other through the toughest times. Now that life had improved, they had not grown distant due to interests; instead, they had become even closer.
Such a friendship could be considered a blessing for both.
With the solid foundation laid by Qi Zheng and Uncle Tao in other provinces, Golden Accessories no longer worried about sales.
However, at the same time, Zhao Jin's speed in making clothes could not keep up with the frequency of sales, which had become an urgent problem.
After serious consideration and discussions with the Qijia Family, Zhao Jin began preparing for the establishment of her first workshop.
It must be said that Zhao Jin herself did not have much ambition. In her heart, she had no thoughts of opening a factory; rather, she only had ideas for a workshop.
Of course, compared to a clothing factory, a workshop would have lower costs and be much simpler.
After confirming with the village chief, Zhao Jin and Qi Zheng bought a piece of land not far from the Qi Family. They then started looking for people to build a house.
Building a house was not a big deal. Qi Zheng was busy and inevitably could not pay attention. Qi Dayong and Qi Ze were also skilled in making furniture and couldn't spare any time.
Thus, Zhao Guoqiang was invited by Zhao Jin to help out.
Zhao Jin felt completely at ease with her biological father from her Maternal Family. After entrusting the house construction to Zhao Guoqiang entirely, she and Qi Zheng only needed to provide the funds.
In addition, since there is a desire to establish a workshop, selecting the right personnel is also an essential task.
Zhao Jin is not afraid of others learning her skills. However, when there are benefits and interests at stake, her first consideration is still her relatives and family.
Thus, Sun Qiuer, Sun Chun'er, Qian Minmin, as well as two Aunts from Zhao Jin's uncle's family, her cousins and female cousins... were quickly summoned.
It is quite obvious that, apart from Sun Qiuer, who is an in-law sister-in-law, the others are all relatives from Zhao Jin's maternal family.
This point did not meet with much opposition from Grandma Qi and Zhou Ju.
If the Qi Family had suitable candidates, they would naturally not let any opportunity slip by. Currently, most of the resources are being directed towards inviting people from the maternal family, which clearly indicates that the Qi Family does not have many options to offer.
Grandma Qi and Zhou Ju still felt a bit ashamed about this.
Relying on Zhao Jinniang's family for everything is hardly a glorious situation. The Qi Family truly feels indebted to Jin and has not treated her well.
Zhao Jin, however, did not have too many thoughts about it. Being able to appropriately repay her maternal family's kindness at this time made Zhao Jin quite satisfied.
As for the lack of help from the Qi Family, it cannot be denied that Zhao Jin was also pleased not to hand over wages to those less agreeable relatives of the Qi Family.
Moreover, this was just the establishment of her first workshop; at the beginning, she naturally did not want to create trouble or discomfort for herself.
If she were to hire those relatives from the Qi Family, she feared that she might end up regretting it right away.
No matter what she does, Zhao Jin insists that a good mood is essential for everything to go smoothly.
When making clothes, having a good mood results in particularly neat stitches, doesn't it?
Not to mention that those relatives from Zhao Jinniang's family genuinely care for Zhao Jin and are truly concerned about her well-being as "real" family members.
For instance, after agreeing to work for Zhao Jin, her two Aunts immediately brought out their own sewing machines for communal use.
Zhao Jin originally thought about going to the county to buy a few more sewing machines. After all, they are essential items; buying them early means starting to use them sooner.
Unexpectedly, before she could make any moves, the Xu Family sent her a message. Their sewing machine had been sitting idle at home, and now that there was an opportunity, it was just right to take it out and put it to use.
Listen, the difference between family and outsiders was immediately evident in times like this.
Zhao Jin did not have the habit of comparing her relatives with those unpleasant ones, but in this selection process, she truly felt that her choice was not wrong.
Of course, if there was a bargain to be had, that would not be the Qi Ershu family's style.
Cheng Fangfang directly approached Zhou Ju: "Sister-in-law, what are you all doing? I'm not saying that Jin can't ask her maternal family for help. But our Qi Family has manpower too; why does everything have to rely on the Zhao Family?"
With a mix of resentment and anger, Cheng Fangfang continued, "As for Jin and Qi Zheng building another house, that's a different matter. After all, that's Jin's biological father and Qi Zheng's father-in-law. I can't say much about that. But..."
Since there was a "but," there must be a twist and further explanation. Zhou Ju understood this clearly and did not rush to interrupt Cheng Fangfang's words; she continued with her own tasks while letting Cheng Fangfang go on. "But how can we overlook our own people when Jin needs help making clothes? I don't care about others; my Tingting and Juanjuan are two wonderful girls—young and beautiful—can't they help Jin out? Does she really need to go through the trouble of running back to her maternal family to find those cousins?"
Mentioning this made Cheng Fangfang furious.
It was too much! She had heard about this from others, and it made her lose face.
"Sister-in-law, I don't care; you must give me an explanation today. Jin too—how can she always disregard our family? This is so humiliating; it's infuriating." Cheng Fangfang still remembered that she had come to Zhao Jin for something.
So while speaking, Cheng Fangfang paid attention to her words and didn't resort to cursing.
This was quite rare for Cheng Fangfang.
After listening to Cheng Fangfang's long string of complaints, Zhou Ju sighed lightly and shook her head: "I can't make decisions about this matter. Things have already been settled on Jin's side; it's not good to change things now. We'll see if there's an opportunity later."
"What later opportunity? Isn't now the opportunity? Sister-in-law, aren't you embarrassed as a mother-in-law? You can't even take charge of your own daughter-in-law's matters; do you still want to go out and face people? I'm blushing for you." Seeing that Zhou Ju was not willing to help, Cheng Fangfang was quite angry and shouted.
It was always like this. Whenever it came to Zhao Jin's matters, Qi Zheng's whole family hurriedly pushed responsibilities around.
What was so great about it? Wasn't it just Zhao Jin? Did the Qi Zheng Family really intend to keep supporting Zhao Jin forever?
Even if Zhao Jin brought a considerable dowry at first, wasn't the current Qi Zheng Family already in a different situation? Why were they still stuck in old ways? Didn't they feel too petty about themselves! "Then you just keep blushing for me! In the past when we were poor as hell, I borrowed money everywhere but couldn't get any; how many cold shoulders and disdainful looks did I receive? No matter how embarrassing it got, I managed to pull through. And now that life is so comfortable, what do I have to be ashamed of?" In these repeated confrontations, not only Grandma Qi changed, but Zhou Ju also transformed.
In the past, when faced with Cheng Fangfang shouting like this, Zhou Ju would hold back her dissatisfaction for the sake of maintaining peace between them.
But now, Zhou Ju had changed.
She spoke her mind and expressed her discontent. This was something Zhou Ju had learned from her daughter-in-law Zhao Jin. After trying it a few times, Zhou Ju found it quite effective. "My son is filial, and my daughter is sensible. Which of my two daughters-in-law isn't easy to get along with? Jin can earn money, and Qiu'er is diligent. I lack nothing now; I just need to stay at home and take care of my two chubby grandsons..." At this point, Zhou Ju deliberately paused before looking up and steadily gazing at the displeased Cheng Fangfang. "Do you think I'm embarrassing myself?"
How could Cheng Fangfang respond to such a question from Zhou Ju?
Moreover, Zhou Ju wasn't genuinely seeking an answer from Cheng Fangfang. The next moment, she answered herself: "I certainly don't think so."
"Sister-in-law, you..." Upon hearing Zhou Ju mention the time she had coldly turned her back on her when borrowing money, Cheng Fangfang couldn't help but feel guilty. At this point, she felt increasingly unsteady and lacked any confidence.
Others might not know, but Cheng Fangfang was well aware that she had given Zhou Ju the cold shoulder and disdain more than anyone else. Besides the cold shoulder and disdain, she had also said many unpleasant things. Even now, thinking back on it made her blush.
Of course, blushing didn't mean that Cheng Fangfang was willing to let things go and never confront Zhou Ju again.
Being able to make money and take advantage of situations meant that Cheng Fangfang would not back down easily. Thus, after a brief moment of awkwardness, she put on a smile again: "Sister-in-law, look at what you're saying. The past is long gone; why are you still holding onto it? Anyway, everyone’s lives have improved now, so let’s forget those unpleasant moments! It’s better not to dwell on unhappy thoughts; isn’t that a bit petty?"
Cheng Fangfang really didn’t know how to communicate properly. If she wanted to smooth over the past, why did she have to add an unmasked accusation at the end?
Did she really think that by doing this, Zhou Ju would be magnanimous enough not to hold her accountable for those past matters? Probably not!
Given Cheng Fangfang's behavior, it was likely that even if Zhou Ju initially didn’t want to bring up the past, she would be provoked into doing so.
"Cheng Fangfang." When Zhou Ju called out her name, her tone remained calm.
However, Cheng Fangfang instinctively sensed danger. She immediately became defensive and stared warily at Zhou Ju.
She felt that Zhou Ju had ulterior motives. The sudden call surely held deeper meaning. Her instincts were correct; Zhou Ju indeed had something serious to discuss with Cheng Fangfang. It was a very solemn topic: "Don’t you think it’s shameful how you’ve been bullying our honest family? Although we share the same surname Qiu and are indeed brothers, one must have at least a basic moral standard. What right do you have to stand here and talk to me when you’re someone who wouldn’t even support your own mother or help your own brother?"
It is rare to see Zhou Ju in such a formidable manner. However, when Zhou Ju acted this way, the aura was particularly intimidating.
As soon as Zhou Ju spoke, Cheng Fangfang immediately changed her expression. She wanted to refute right away but heard Zhou Ju continue, "Aren't you just here because you see an opportunity for profit? I'm telling you straight out, give up on that idea! There’s no way you will have a part in finding the gold." By the end, Zhou Ju's face had completely turned cold, leaving no room for Cheng Fangfang.
"Why should I?" With a hint of embarrassment and disbelief, Cheng Fangfang exclaimed.
How could Zhou Ju bully her like this? It was outrageous! Was there no law anymore?
"Because none of your family members are reliable!" Grandma Qi's furious voice suddenly came from behind, interrupting the unfinished conversation between Cheng Fangfang and Zhou Ju.
At the same time, it revealed all of Grandma Qi's anger and dissatisfaction towards Cheng Fangfang.
Grandma Qi truly did not expect that with Cheng Fangfang's behavior, she would still lack self-awareness and dare to stand here questioning Zhou Ju, "Why?"
Why? Of course, it was because Cheng Fangfang was not a trustworthy person at all; every member of the Qi Erzhu family was unworthy of trust.
Don't even try to tell her that Qi Erzhu is her biological son, and Qi Tingting and Qi Juanjuan are her granddaughters. Such excuses sound grandiose and seem reasonable. But does the family of Qi Erzhu really have any conscience?
They should reflect on their years of disloyalty and unfilial behavior; what face do they have to stand here and accuse others of not being good enough?
It's a typical case of turning the tables without shame! "Cheng Fangfang, how can you be so ungrateful? Since we didn't come looking for you, it's obviously because we think you're unsuitable. Why are you causing a scene now? Even if you were polite to us, this matter would never fall on your family's shoulders."
Now, Grandma Qi was no longer afraid to confront Cheng Fangfang and her group.
After all, even if they didn't confront each other directly, there was no good will between them. It would be better to cut ties cleanly once and for all. This way, they could avoid having Cheng Fangfang come around to cause trouble for Jin, which would only put him in a bad mood.
Ultimately, Grandma Qi's motivation at this moment was purely for the sake of Zhao Jin. She wholeheartedly wanted to alleviate his troubles and prevent unnecessary issues.
The Qi Family had already owed Jin too much; they absolutely could not let even minor matters disturb him. It was too distressing and frustrating.
Little did Cheng Fangfang know that the real issue lay with Zhao Jin.
Cheng Fangfang took a deep breath several times to suppress her irritation and anger, preparing to reason with Grandma Qi.
However, before Cheng Fangfang could speak, Grandma Qi rudely began to chase her away. "Why do you always interrupt before I finish speaking? Mom, don't go too far! Are you really trying to use your age to bully us? Do you think we are afraid of you or something?" Jumping aside to avoid the broom that Grandma Qi swung at her, Cheng Fangfang no longer suppressed her anger and frustration and shouted at Grandma Qi.
If Cheng Fangfang didn't shout, she would be chased away anyway. With this shout, there was naturally no further discussion, and she was even more driven away. Grandma Qi didn't bother with any verbal sparring with Cheng Fangfang; she just maintained a stern face and continued to chase her away, leaving Cheng Fangfang no room or opportunity to express herself.
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