The person who arrived was indeed Wu Xiaohong. The moment Chen Lishu saw her appear in the shop, she realized something big might be happening.
No wonder the girl who promoted the shop that day looked somewhat familiar. Her face bore a six to seven-tenths resemblance to Wu Xiaohong, and with their shared surname, it was highly probable they were related.
With this thought, Chen Lishu asked, "Is this shop under your name?"
It was less of a question and more of a statement.
Wu Xiaohong did not deny it. She sat down on a chair, casually crossed her legs, and then pulled a document from her embrace, tossing it in front of Chen Lishu. "Since you already know, I won't hide anything.
Your bookstore is doing quite well. Yesterday, I saw from afar that the queues extended from your shop to the one opposite. It's not unreasonable for me to raise the rent, right? Three hundred a month should be enough for my food and drinks!"
The shop had just been rented, and the rent was being increased the very next day, and by such a significant amount. What was this if not asking for an exorbitant price?
Chen Lishu certainly wouldn't indulge her. She took out the previously signed agreement and slapped it onto the table, stating coldly, "Auntie Wu, have you been confused lately? We signed a contract in black and white from the start, and there was no mention of temporary rent increases.
Don't think I'm easily bullied just because I'm a woman. People always pick on the weak. If this escalates, we can just follow the procedures! Or does Auntie Wu also want to go in and keep your son company?"
Mentioning Lu Gen instantly broke Wu Xiaohong's composure. Her face contorted in a vicious expression as she spat fiercely at Chen Lishu, clenching her teeth and saying, "Bitch, you caused my only son to be imprisoned! I remember this hatred! I heard you businessmen care most about face. Today, I will make you lose all face and go to prison to kneel and apologize to my son!"
With that, Wu Xiaohong angrily stood up from her chair and swiftly walked towards the door.
Watching her retreating back, Chen Lishu's right eyelid twitched. Without delay, she hurried to follow.
Outside, Wu Xiaohong stomped her feet in anger, and then, like a hooligan, sat on the ground and began to cause a scene: "What a sin! Our old Lu family has committed a sin! This woman seduced my son and refuses to admit it, then sent my son to prison. Now she's conning my high school daughter into renting a place to her!
Good people of the world, please judge this for me! My husband passed away early, and my only man is in prison. This woman, a big boss of a company, is exploiting me for profit! How can this old woman live?"
It was the time when everyone was heading to school. With Wu Xiaohong's wailing, it was no exaggeration to say that all the teachers and students gathered to watch the commotion.
Many, seeing Wu Xiaohong's age and apparent plight, stepped forward to defend her:
"Shameful! How can such unethical practices be allowed in this sacred place of learning?"
"I know this woman. She's the owner of the recently popular clothing company. How can someone so rich bully an elderly person? Shameless! Buying clothes from such a profit-driven, unscrupulous merchant is aiding and abetting evil!"
"Exactly! I'm going to write about this and submit it to the magazine so everyone knows about this woman's wicked deeds!"
"..."
A group of people started pointing fingers at Chen Lishu. Su Nian, seeing Wu Xiaohong twisting the truth, was so hot-tempered that she almost rushed forward to teach the woman a lesson, but as she took a step, Chen Lishu stopped her with a glance.
"Madam!" Su Nian's face flushed red, distressed that Chen Lishu remained unmoved even when being falsely accused.
Chen Lishu, however, shook her head at her. Wu Xiaohong's tactics were not particularly clever. The matter of seducing Lu Gen had already been settled. They could easily find those young colleagues to help prove her innocence. As for using her high school daughter to obtain the shop lease, that was even more nonsensical.
The price they offered was well above market value. They were in the right in most aspects. However, if Su Nian were to take action, even being in the right would turn into being in the wrong!
Chen Lishu had no intention of arguing with Wu Xiaohong. She directly presented the rental evidence and said, "Auntie Wu, what you're doing is truly too unethical. I cannot continue to cooperate with you, so the contract ends today."
"End?" Wu Xiaohong got up from the ground, approached Chen Lishu step by step, and loudly accused, "Don't forget that we signed a contract for a year's lease. Otherwise, compensation will be ten times the rent. Also, I've found evidence of you seducing my son! Are you in a hurry to run because you're guilty?"
As her voice fell, Wu Xiaohong had already reached Chen Lishu.
Their eyes met. Chen Lishu heard Wu Xiaohong lower her voice and whisper in her ear, "Do you think I'm really stupid, creating this scene for others to laugh at? Chen Lishu, Chen Lishu, you've underestimated me. I intentionally let these people see the conflict between us, and then..."
At this point, Wu Xiaohong paused. A mysterious arc curved upwards at the corner of her mouth, and then, with lightning speed, she reached out to touch Chen Lishu.
Chen Lishu was still pondering the meaning of Wu Xiaohong's words. Facing this sudden development, her mind momentarily failed to process it. She instinctively tried to pull her hand away, while Wu Xiaohong stumbled and fell straight backward.
Those standing at a distance saw this and instinctively assumed Chen Lishu had pushed her. Only the parties involved knew that Chen Lishu hadn't even touched Wu Xiaohong. At this moment, Chen Lishu understood Wu Xiaohong's true intention: she intended to use her life to retaliate.
Seeing the situation turn grim, Chen Lishu instinctively looked at Su Nian beside her and shouted, "Stop her quickly!"
Upon hearing this command, Su Nian vanished like a gust of wind. Before anyone could react to what was happening, Su Nian was already in front of Chen Lishu, her hand gripping Wu Xiaohong's collar.
Wu Xiaohong, who had failed in her attempt to die, looked bewildered. She stared blankly at Chen Lishu, who approached her with a darkened expression. In a voice only audible to the two of them, she threatened, "Do you think that if you die, I will definitely go to prison? How naive. Have you forgotten that I have connections with the police?
With my wealth and status, even if I killed you, I could be released from prison in the shortest possible time. Similarly, if I can get out through connections, I can also use those connections to torment Lu Gen in prison to get revenge. Do you want to try?"
Although Chen Lishu spoke these words without much emotion, Wu Xiaohong felt a cold wind blow down her spine, and cold sweat soaked through her clothes. The thought of Chen Lishu potentially tormenting Lu Gen in prison to retaliate filled Wu Xiaohong with regret for her impulsive actions that day.