Chapter 30: Zhang Juhua Reaps What She Sows

Yan Ziyue didn't react at first. "Huh?"

Miao Lanlan slapped her thigh, her face full of gossip. "I saw it with my own eyes just now—two men from another village dragged Zhang Juhua into the house."

"After a while, those two men walked out of the house, pulling up their trousers."

Only then did Yan Ziyue understand.

Her eyes widened in shock, a mix of excitement and bewilderment. "How could those men from the other village do such a thing to Zhang Juhua?"

"Didn't Yan Zhuangshi protect his Zhang Juhua?"

Miao Lanlan scoffed. "How could he?"

"But you know how it is—those men from the other village are strong, and an old fossil like Yan Zhuangshi couldn't possibly stop them."

She spoke with such fervor that spit flew from her mouth. "Actually, it’s because Yan Zhuangshi and Zhang Juhua are brainless; they stubbornly refused to pay back those few hundred yuan, which is why those men treated the mother and daughter that way."

"Now, Zhang Juhua and Zhang Qingqing are just playthings for those men from the other village."

"The kind you don't even have to pay for."

Yan Ziyue smiled with great satisfaction and pleasure; even the hatred in her heart faded slightly.

In her previous life, with Yan Zhuangshi protecting her and having Yan Ziyue provide money, effort, and good things, Zhang Juhua had lived a very comfortable life and was the envy of many in the village.

In this life, Zhang Juhua and her precious daughter had become common property.

"What is Yan Zhuangshi's attitude?"

Miao Lanlan curled her lip. "Yan Zhuangshi is starting to feel disgusted with Zhang Juhua."

"That man, Yan Zhuangshi, is truly trash—tasteless and selfish."

"When Zhang Juhua was being dragged into the house by those two men, she begged Yan Zhuangshi to pay them back, but he refused, insisting that the money was his."

"Yet, after the fact, he’s the one acting disgusted with her."

Yan Ziyue was not surprised at all; Yan Zhuangshi was nothing more than a selfish, chauvinistic piece of filth.

"By the way, Sister Miao, how is that investigation into Zhang Juhua going?"

At the mention of this, Miao Lanlan became even more animated. "I asked around the people in Dalin Village. There have been rumors that Zhang Juhua had been with different men, but no one has seen it with their own eyes."

"At most, it’s said that while she was in Dalin Village, she was close with several men."

She patted her chest. "Wife of the Xiao family, give me a little more time, and I guarantee I’ll find proof."

"Once I have the evidence, let's see how Zhang Juhua tries to defend herself, and let's see if Yan Zhuangshi can keep a straight face!"

After hearing this, an idea occurred to Yan Ziyue. "Sister Miao, I suspect that one of Zhang Juhua's men wants a child."

"Zhang Qingqing may be a girl, but she's still a child, isn't she?"

"Besides, Zhang Juhua is living quite well now."

Miao Lanlan’s eyes lit up as if she had suddenly seen the light. She gave a thumbs-up. "You’ve got a sharp mind!"

She patted Yan Ziyue. "Wife of the Xiao family, you must keep this up and run the Yan Zhuangshi family into the ground."

Yan Ziyue smiled and agreed.

After chatting a while longer, Miao Lanlan headed home with a light step.

Yan Ziyue pondered how to deal with the Yan Zhuangshi family and Xu Lecheng next.

Even in their current state, the four of them would still be scheming against her, trying to find a way to make her take the fall for everything.

How would they plot against her?

She thought for a long time, considered a possibility, and narrowed her sharp eyes.

From now on, she would have to be even more cautious.

Having settled that thought, Yan Ziyue sat in the main room with Xiao Heshuo, sorting eggs.

The next day, just past four in the morning.

Yan Ziyue and Xiao Heshuo had already finished breakfast and set out with a basket of eggs on their backs.

They were catching the first bus into town.

Upon arriving in town, Xiao Heshuo, carrying the basket, held Yan Ziyue’s hand and led her to the gate of a factory.

It was a state-run factory, primarily focused on furniture.

In the shade by the factory gate, an elderly man in his fifties sat on a stool, waving a cattail fan and keeping an eye on the surroundings.

Seeing that Yan Ziyue and Xiao Heshuo weren't blocking the way and were just setting up a small stall, he didn't interfere.

The people walking by were mostly nearby workers and their families.

Yan Ziyue and Xiao Heshuo spread some straw on the ground and laid out their chicken, duck, and goose eggs.

Yan Ziyue stood up, beaming as she called out, "Fresh farm chicken eggs, duck eggs, and goose eggs here!"

"Buy more and get a discount, buy more and get freebies!"

The words "discount" and "freebies" had always been able to strike a chord with people.

So, as soon as those words were uttered, a large crowd quickly gathered around Yan Ziyue’s stall.

Most of them were middle-aged women and young wives.

"Young lady, how are you selling these eggs?"

"These eggs look really good. I happen to be out of eggs at home, let me buy some... oh, these duck and goose eggs look great too. Goose eggs are a rare treat."

"I want to buy some duck and goose eggs for my pregnant daughter-in-law. I’ve been looking for goose eggs for a long time without luck, and finally, I've found them."

Yan Ziyue smiled calmly. "Chicken eggs are seven cents each; buy fifteen, and they're six cents each."

"If you buy thirty at once, I’ll give you two for free—chicken, duck, or goose eggs, take your pick."

"Duck eggs are nine cents each, with the same bulk discount. Goose eggs are one yuan and twenty cents each, with the same deal."

When the crowd heard that buying thirty would get them two free, many eyes lit up.

"Six cents each? That’s about what I usually pay, but this girl is giving two away for free."

"Aren't eggs usually seven or eight cents each? I bought some for nine cents just a few days ago."

"The stalls over there are cheaper, but you often get short-changed or end up with rotten eggs; I've had that happen a few times."

Yan Ziyue called out, "Anyone interested in buying?"

"I only have this many chicken, duck, and goose eggs today. Once they’re gone, I probably won’t be back for a few days."

A middle-aged woman wearing a Mao suit stepped forward generously. "Young lady, give me sixty chicken eggs, thirty duck eggs, and thirty goose eggs."

"My family loves eggs, and this amount won't even last us half a month."

Those around her who knew her teased, "You’re a big spender again! With six people in your family, and two young ones growing up, you’ve got to have eggs every day, don't you?"

"That’s not even a big expense for her. Her husband, son, and daughter-in-law are all senior workers; their monthly wages are incredible."

Yan Ziyue hadn't expected the first order to be such a big deal, and she smiled brightly. "Ma'am, I’ll give you an extra five eggs on the house. Which kind would you like?"

The woman wasn't short on money, but having received such a good deal, she looked at Yan Ziyue with a smile.

"You’re a clever little businesswoman."

She called out to the people around her, "What are you waiting for? Why aren't you buying?"

"I just checked her eggs; they’re all fresh and high quality, none of that junk."