Jia Shuqing had originally planned to send someone to apologize on her behalf, but the two families adamantly refused.
In order to seize the last opportunity mentioned by Wu Guozheng, Jia Shuqing decided to apologize in person. This was because the official documents had already been issued, and if the impact of this matter could not be minimized, her good days would be over.
Therefore, she would deal with this hurdle first.
Once this hurdle was overcome, dealing with them on Huaihua Village's territory would be as easy as crushing ants!
With this thought, Jia Shuqing finally overcame her inner reluctance.
She picked up the phone and called her younger brother, Jia Kuodong. The first family they would visit was Wu Daoning.
Soon, a woman dressed in flashy clothes appeared at the small supermarket at the entrance of Huaihua Street.
To counter Jia Shuqing's interference, Wu Daoning and his wife had been living in the supermarket these days. This became even more so after Jia Zhengqing brought him the news that an investigation was to be launched from above.
As long as the supermarket was there, it served as irrefutable evidence. With the support of the country, Wu Daoning felt confident.
"Oh, elder brother! I'm truly sorry. You see, I've been so busy that I haven't had time to manage this business. That's why they did something that wronged you, elder brother," Jia Shuqing said with a smile.
Wu Daoning's face turned ashen, and he said nothing.
After such a long time, would she not know? If they hadn't been acting under her banner, who would have dared to run rampant on Huaihua Street? It was only because an investigation was coming from above that they knew fear now…
Wu Daoning felt disgusted by people who said one thing and did another.
Seeing Wu Daoning's silence, Jia Shuqing continued to talk to herself, creating a rather awkward atmosphere.
When there was a brief lull, Jia Kuodong could not help but shout, "Wu, don't be ungrateful. My sister has personally come to apologize, hasn't she? What more do you want?"
"She, she's apologizing? We haven't heard a single word!"
Wu Daoning's wife said softly, looking at Wu Daoning before quickly lowering her head.
"I'm sorry, elder brother, truly sorry! Please forgive us. I will have people removed as soon as possible and then compensate you for some of your losses. What do you think?"
Jia Shuqing was indeed capable, and eloquent. Her words would sound reasonable to anyone. Not only would things be restored to their original state, but compensation would also be offered. This way, everyone would feel comfortable, and it would appear to be a gesture of great sincerity.
But Wu Daoning remained silent. He didn't know what to say.
As Jia Shuqing had brought a large entourage, many onlookers stood outside the door.
"Looks like something big is happening again!"
"Yeah! The tigress is here, can anything good come of it?"
"Hehe, don't speak carelessly. That woman is here to apologize this time!"
"Really? Does Wu Daoning have connections? I can't tell."
"Shh, what connections? I heard they're going to investigate strictly from above. They probably won't be able to cause trouble for much longer!"
…
The crowd chatted amongst themselves, treating it as mere gossip.
"Well, say something!"
Jia Kuodong said impatiently.
"Dongzi! Shut up! If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!" Jia Shuqing hurriedly admonished him.
At this crucial juncture, no mistakes could be made.
Wu Daoning still said nothing. Instead, he stood up and began to pace.
The atmosphere inside was suffocating, making it difficult to breathe. Although Jia Shuqing hadn't lost her temper this time, the presence of her large group outside created an unspoken pressure.
"How much can you compensate?"
Wu Daoning's wife suddenly said softly. After all, it would be best if her losses could be compensated.
"How much do you want?"
Jia Shuqing asked directly. After all, given her social experience, it was not appropriate for her to name a price.
"Let me calculate! The goods inside are about fifty thousand, the goods on the east side are about ten thousand, and on the west side there's also…"
Hearing the woman's voice, Jia Kuodong's head buzzed with anger. In such a small place, ten thousand, twenty thousand, thirty thousand, fifty thousand, damn it, why didn't they just rob him!
In Huaihua Village, when had they ever suffered such humiliation? If this got out, how could they continue to make a living in this area in the future!
"What? So much for those few things, worth tens of thousands?"
Jia Kuodong, ignoring Jia Shuqing's instructions, still raised his voice and tried to intimidate them.
Jia Shuqing had wanted to stop him, but she suddenly felt that this might be for the best, saving them from being ungrateful and overcharging.
After all, while she was here to apologize and offer compensation, the amount should not be excessive, and ideally, no compensation should be paid.
Jia Kuodong's words startled Wu Daoning's wife so much that she forgot the sum she had calculated earlier. Wu Daoning, however, knew exactly how much inventory he had and how much compensation was needed for the goods that had spoiled due to the inability to conduct business during these days.
"Then how much do you propose as compensation?"
Wu Daoning still asked, testing their sincerity.
"A small supermarket, how much money can it have? Giving you eighty or ninety thousand would be generous!"
Jia Shuqing was about to name a figure, but Jia Kuodong, for some unknown reason, interjected.
This was truly a case of "a kind word in winter warms three months, but a harsh word in summer freezes six months!"
With a single sentence, the reconciliation process that both sides were ready to undertake was disrupted.
As for Wu Daoning, he had considered his options. If his losses could be compensated, and he could continue to do business here in the future, that would be ideal. After all, Huaihua Street was, in the end, Jia Shuqing's territory.
If they could completely bring her down this time, that would be fine; but if they couldn't eliminate her completely, their future days might be even worse than they were now.
Although Jia Zhengqing was very confident, facts that had not yet materialized were unreliable.
Therefore, Wu Daoning was prepared to settle for a monetary outcome.
However, Jia Kuodong's words had thwarted his plan.
Although this supermarket was not large, all the goods, when calculated, would cost at least two to three hundred thousand. With his single sentence, he had cut the amount by half. How could Wu Daoning not feel disheartened?
Furthermore, he had already rented the other shops nearby and paid the rent, and had bought the renovation materials, which had cost no less than a hundred thousand yuan.
How could these be described as eighty or ninety thousand?
However, these matters were complicated and could not be explained in a few words.
Since Jia Shuqing could tolerate her brother's unruly behavior, it was likely that her sincerity in compensation was questionable.
"One hundred and fifty thousand? How about that! As long as this matter can be resolved amicably, you can continue to do business here in the future."
Jia Shuqing spoke, needing to stabilize Wu Daoning first before discussing the future.
"Hmph! Since you have no sincerity, then there is nothing more to discuss. You can leave," Wu Daoning said coldly.
This offer was too low; how could he possibly agree?
"You motherf…"