"I knew it, this so-called market economy, capitalists are all bloodsuckers, only sucking the blood of us working people."
"Exactly, you get paid for each day you work, who came up with this rotten idea? Isn't this just handing our fate over to those unscrupulous bosses?"
"These black-hearted bosses should be overthrown."
Unpleasant remarks began to appear around the shop.
This year's wave of layoffs had affected most factories and citizens in Jiangbei City.
Because of this, many people became increasingly dissatisfied with entrepreneurship.
They felt it was a return to the old ways, with capitalists gradually beginning to exploit them.
If their iron rice bowls were gone, shouldn't they be allowed to vent their frustrations?
Undeniably, many people, due to the later wave of layoffs, became homeless and unable to guarantee even a single meal.
But, were these truly others' fault?
In Yu Zhou's eyes, those who starved to death were simply lazy people, too lazy to even move their fingers once they lost their jobs.
Why should factories or welfare departments support such people?
"Why? Why should agreements made beforehand be broken without consequence?"
"Capitalists, you're so good at labeling. We're doing honest business, and when we fight back because we're almost driven to death, is that wrong?"
"If it wasn't for your husband trying to force us out of the business we've worked so hard to build, how could we have possibly wronged our fellow workers whom we've known for years?"
"Yang Xiaoyun, can you say with a clear conscience that when your husband came to me with no money, I ever refused him?"
Jiang Jie also started to get angry. She couldn't stand people who wronged others and then acted righteously.
If it hadn't been for the intervention of Tailong Light Industry, their family would likely be in an even worse situation now.
That scoundrel Liu Dalong was capable of anything.
The scene gradually grew quiet.
Although these people were still indignant and felt the shrewish woman seemed pitiful.
Upon hearing Jiang Jie's impassioned accusations, they didn't know who to side with.
They were all ordinary people with the same burdens, and if you really thought about it, no one was more noble than another.
In the factories, weren't there many people who harmed others like this?
"Oh! Zhang Weiguo, you damned bastard, why aren't you here yet? Your wife is about to be bullied to death by this couple."
"If you don't come back soon, I'll hang myself. This is too much! You two, this couple, you're going too far!"
Unable to reason with Jiang Jie, Yang Xiaoyun resorted to her usual tactics of throwing a tantrum.
In her opinion, regardless of whether she was picking a fight or not, her family was in the weaker position.
Under these circumstances, even the department store staff wouldn't stand idly by and ignore her plight.
It would be best to get those few dollars, but if not, she had to ruin the reputation of Yu Zhou and his wife, preferably to the point where they couldn't live in the factory's residential compound.
With a clatter, whether Zhang Weiguo was nearby or had been there all along, he finally appeared late, hearing his wife's wails calling for him.
His face was grim, as if he had suffered a great injustice.
In fact, this tactic was taught to him by Liu Dalong's confidant after he returned to the factory.
If they could ruin Yu Zhou's reputation, perhaps Tailong Light Industry would reconsider.
Regardless, the two parties had reached a point of no return. Even if there was a sliver of hope, Zhang Weiguo had to take down Yu Zhou.
"Yu Zhou... I admit defeat, what more do you want? I just want my wages back. Bullying me like this, aren't you going too far?"
Helping Yang Xiaoyun up, Zhang Weiguo raised his head and immediately positioned himself as the victim.
He was smart enough not to mention that Yu Zhou had made thirty thousand yuan today, as this sum was an astronomical amount for a working-class family.
Once that was revealed, most people who didn't know the truth would likely not want to get involved.
After all, one rich person might not be scary, but a very rich person was someone most ordinary people would not, and dared not, provoke.
"So that's why I ran into you guys when visiting the department store. It all makes sense now."
Seeing Zhang Weiguo appear at such a opportune moment, Yu Zhou immediately understood the whole situation.
It was likely that this couple had come to the department store specifically for him.
Liu Dalong might not be good at anything else, but he was certainly adept at underhanded tactics.
"You... What are you talking about? I don't understand what you're saying."
Upon seeing Yu Zhou's expression, Zhang Weiguo immediately felt a pang of guilt.
Among the crowd, there were certainly intelligent people who finally began to understand the true nature of this farce.
However, Yu Zhou's next words made Zhang Weiguo's face change, and he lost all his previous arrogance.
"Zhang Weiguo, I didn't intend to be so harsh, considering we once ate from the same pot. Since you're being so relentless, don't blame me."
"If I remember correctly, aren't there some things buried under the utility pole on the street in front of my house?"
"What do you think I'll find if I go dig now?"
Yu Zhou sneered, and Zhang Weiguo's face paled.
"How... How does he know?"
Indeed, Zhang Weiguo's hands were not clean.
Moreover, every time he took some sweater chains and bracelets while working, although not many, they were always the latest models.
Originally, Yu Zhou hadn't paid much attention to such matters.
After all, even if he didn't sell them, others would buy them and then copy them.
But knowing about it was one thing, and speaking about it was another.
He had already handed over the entire design and authorization to Tailong Light Industry.
Once Tailong Light Industry found out about this and took it seriously, Zhang Weiguo would be facing more than just petty theft.
It would be industrial espionage, punishable by imprisonment for many years.
"Do you think that's not a big deal? Indeed, since I and Tailong Light Industry haven't pursued it, it's not a major issue."
"But if we were to pursue it, do you think you would go to jail, and never get out?"
Yu Zhou continued to sneer, and his words were not an exaggeration.
In an instant, Zhang Weiguo was struck as if by lightning.
He suddenly straightened up and, in front of everyone, slapped his wife Yang Xiaoyun across the face.
"Slap..."
Everyone present was stunned. No one could understand why Zhang Weiguo would do this.
"Bitch, who told you to make a scene here? Apologize to Da Zhou quickly!"
For a moment, the department store was silent.