Chapter 97

After finishing the opening drink, Uncle Da asked about his doubts.

"Eh, Daoping, did you and your wife take Haohao's mother to the south a while ago?"

Father Li nodded: "Yes, Big Brother, we went to attend a training session."

Uncle Da's brows furrowed into a withered chrysanthemum: "Traveling so far just to attend a training session, isn't that just overindulgence? What kind of training? You didn't go to a pyramid scheme, did you?"

Without waiting for Father Li to respond, Uncle Da continued, somewhat angrily: "Also, you took Haohao's mother away. Have you thought about what our parents will do? Even the second brother can't take care of them alone, and there's also Haohao to worry about."

Li Mu had some grievances about Uncle Da's domineering attitude. He had always been like this, and to be honest, Li Mu had been annoyed for a long time. However, at this moment, Li Mu didn't interrupt. He was eager to see how his father would handle Uncle Da's sour face.

Li Daoping had always felt suppressed in front of Xiao Yunjian. Because of some old grudges, he had often mocked and belittled him over the years, always acting as if he was the wisest, criticizing and ordering around various matters in his family. In the past, Li Daoping indeed had no ability to refute him and could only endure it. But times had changed. Although he himself had no ability, his son did. His son had funded the opening of a store and sent him and his wife, along with his sister-in-law, to attend training. This was to earn more money, and what did it have to do with Uncle Da? Did it cost him a cent?

Thinking about the plan to announce the opening of the store at the dinner table, Li Daoping pretended to be casual and said, "Big Brother, Yunfang and I have always talked about opening a clothing store, so we spent money to attend a half-month management training session in Wencheng. And since running the store will be too busy for just the two of us, we thought of bringing Haohao's mother along to help us."

Li Mu, hearing this, mentally gave his father countless thumbs up.

He wasn't sure if his father had become more astute or if he had always been shrewd and just hadn't shown it.

Li Mu himself couldn't figure it out because in his previous life, he had never seen his father use such tactics. This was clearly a trap for Uncle Da and Aunt Xiao!

Uncle Da's questions had a clear accusatory tone, implying that his parents were not focusing on their work and had even dragged his sister-in-law into it, neglecting the care of Li Mu's grandparents.

However, Father Li didn't immediately explain clearly. He deliberately brought up the old plan of opening a clothing store, which had been mocked and attacked at the dinner table, but didn't mention the scale, franchise, or brand. He vaguely said they went to the south for training, essentially releasing a smokescreen to make Uncle Da more convinced that his parents were just fooling around.

Sure enough, Father Li's explanation sounded unreasonable to Xiao Yunjian. He immediately put on the air of the head of the family and frowned, saying, "Even if you really open a clothing store, one person could manage it, or at most, the two of you together. Why do you need to hire someone? Fine, let's not talk about hiring someone. You three traveled so far to Wencheng and spent money on a half-month training session. What a waste of time and money! How much would it cost for three people to eat, stay, and travel for half a month? What kind of training does a small clothing store need? I think your brains have been squeezed by a door."

Uncle Da then pointed at the sister-in-law and said to Father Li, "You know the situation of the second brother's family. His unit's performance is average, and Haohao's mother's job is unstable. The family is under a lot of pressure. You took her so far, how much will she have to spend?"

The sister-in-law, hearing this, couldn't stand it and immediately said, "Big Brother, Second Sister and Second Brother-in-Law took me to the training session, and I didn't spend a penny for all those days. And when their store opens, I will work for them, and they will pay me 2,000 yuan a month."

"What? How much? 2,000 yuan a month?"

Not only Uncle Da, but everyone else at the table who didn't know the truth was shocked. 2,000 yuan a month was an absurdly high salary in Haizhou, especially for working in a clothing store, which was unimaginable!

Uncle Da looked at Father Li in disbelief, and Aunt Xiao, sitting nearby, was also stunned, her eyes almost popping out.

"Daoping, you're paying Haohao's mother 2,000 yuan a month? Can your clothing store even make 2,000 yuan a month?" Uncle Da looked at Father Li as if he were a fool.

Aunt Xiao also sneered, "Second Brother-in-Law, what kind of clothing store are you planning to open? Paying 2,000 yuan a month to work for you? I might as well sell my store and work for you."

Father Li said seriously, "I don't have the final say. Haohao's mother is the store manager, and hiring is her decision. And the store is already fully staffed."

Aunt Xiao frowned, thinking, "You're just blowing hot air. You could blow a thick piece of leather to pieces! Store manager, hiring, fully staffed? Who are you trying to fool?"

"Second Brother-in-Law, you're not afraid of talking nonsense. I'm curious, when is your clothing store opening? I'll send you a flower basket then." Aunt Xiao's expression was clearly one of disgust.

Father Li didn't mind, scratching his head and smiling, "It opens tomorrow, right at the West Gate."

"Wow!"

What was the West Gate? Although Haizhou didn't yet have a modern and fashionable pedestrian street, the West Gate was already taking shape. It was home to the limited number of specialty stores in Haizhou, making it the most upscale area for clothing in the city.

Li Mu felt that his father was quietly baring his fangs.

Aunt Da asked in surprise, "Opening a store at the West Gate, it must cost at least 200,000 yuan, right?"

Father Li nodded, not giving a specific number.

This made Uncle Da and Aunt Xiao's hearts churn with shock.

200,000 yuan? Clothing store? West Gate? Li Daoping?

The first three keywords made sense together, but any combination with Li Daoping seemed unbelievable. If all four could be combined, it would be like a fairy tale.

Aunt Xiao thought in surprise, "If it's so specific, it would be easy to expose if it were a lie. Could it be true? But how could Li Daoping have 200,000 yuan to open a clothing store? It doesn't make sense!"

Uncle Da had the same thought. He had always been skeptical when he heard that Li Daoping had made some money from trading coal, because everyone knew the situation at Xiling Mine. How could Li Daoping have the ability to get coal from there? If he had such ability, he wouldn't have been stuck in his position for so many years, and he wouldn't have voluntarily applied for early retirement.

Heaven, it was incomprehensible. His brain cells were dying, but he still couldn't figure it out.

Aunt Xiao, feeling不服 (unconvinced), asked, "Second Brother-in-Law, the West Gate is only a seven or eight-minute walk from here. Why don't you take us to your store after dinner?"

"Sure," Li Daoping agreed without hesitation. "If you want to see it after dinner, I'll take you. You've been in the clothing business for so long, you can give me some advice."

Aunt Xiao nodded absentmindedly, her mind filled with conflicting thoughts.

The dinner was enjoyable for everyone except Uncle Da, Aunt Xiao, and Aunt Da.

Li Mu was almost impatient for the rest of the meal. He had to admit that his father's acting skills were truly exceptional, far surpassing his own!

If he had to act, he would probably just let Uncle Da and Aunt Xiao gloat, then calmly tell them he had opened a Metersbonwe store, leaving them flustered at the dinner table while he ate. But compared to his father's version, it was much more powerful. First, he set a trap, then showed weakness, inviting them to boast, and then slowly building up their expectations. When they had boasted enough, he would deliver the final blow.

Old ginger is indeed spicier. Li Mu was eager to see the expressions on Uncle Da and Aunt Xiao's faces when they saw the nearly 170-square-meter Metersbonwe store.

After the meal, Father Li pretended to be confused and, as the last drink was being poured, he said with a smile, "Why don't we go to a KTV and sing some songs like the young people?"

Before anyone could respond, Uncle Da waved his hand and said, "Eh, what songs? Daoping, didn't you say you would take us to your store? You're not backing out, are you?"

Aunt Xiao thought, "Humph, he wants to back out! He probably just boasted a bit after drinking and now wants to change the subject. He boasted, and now he wants to back out. Dream on!"

So, Aunt Xiao said loudly, "Second Brother-in-Law, the Xiaos can't sing, so let's just go to your store."

Father Li's expression showed some hesitation and uncertainty, which Uncle Da and Aunt Xiao noticed, feeling secretly pleased. Indeed, after all the boasting, he didn't know how to end it.

They didn't understand Father Li, but Mother Li did.

Seeing her husband's series of traps aimed at her brother and sister, she initially didn't stop him. After all, they had been unfair to her husband for so many years, and she felt uncomfortable too. So, it was fair for her husband to make them feel embarrassed. However, she now felt that her husband had gone too far. They were still family, and the embarrassment was too much. Mother Li felt guilty.

So, when no one was paying attention, she lightly pinched Father Li's waist. Father Li, who was in the midst of his act, immediately realized his wife might have an objection and quickly stopped. He then said straightforwardly, "Alright, if that's the case, let's go and take a look."