Back To The 80s-Chapter 464 - 474: Competition_1

Yang Tianhua had Ma De deliver dozens of boxes of tea to the wholesale market.

Ou Ruoshui established a series of sales policies. New products that entered the market had a one-month promotional period, customers who bought ten bags could get one free. Long-term customers could get a 10% discount from the wholesale price.

The business of Gu Xiaobei was immediately affected. Ou Ruoshui’s prices were lower, and with promotions and discounts, it became much cheaper. Customers, always prioritizing profit, went wherever it was cheaper.

Xiao Hong, in frustration, uttered curses in the shop: "They always follow suit on what we sell. That’s not fair."

Gu Xiaobei smiled at Xiao Hong, "That’s business. Don’t worry, quality will win in the end."

Chen Zhao, too was furious, "If this continues, they will also copy our gift boxes for the New Year, won’t that be a problem?"

Gu Xiaobei grinned, "Just relax and don’t worry. Once the New Year is over, you and Wang Wei should expand our business out of the province. Let’s expand our business nationwide, we can also build factories. There’s more than enough market share for everyone."

Business was slow due to the cold weather. Gu Xiaobei decided to head home to spend time with his children. He trusted his experienced workers, and as there was daily and weekly accounting, he didn’t need to always be there.

He picked up two cans from the shop for Xiaopang and Mo Wang and headed home. The kids were getting restless from being cooped up at home due to the cold winter weather.

When he arrived home, Xiaopang and Mo Wang were napping.

As Gu Xiaobei entered the room quietly, Doudou was sleeping, and Bai Xiaolan was doing sit-ups on the bed.

"What are you doing?" Gu Xiaobei asked, seeing Bai Xiaolan’s sweaty face.

Bai Xiaolan paused her exercise, panting, "Losing weight. I’ve gained too much belly fat. I can’t button up my winter jacket from last year."

Gu Xiaobei chuckled and whispered, "It’s not just your belly stuff that’s grown, your chest area has too," teasingly glancing at Bai Xiaolan’s chest area.

Unfazed, Bai Xiaolan straightened up proudly, "This is the food warehouse for my baby. How can my baby have enough to eat if these are smaller?"

Just as the two of them were getting playful, Wen Xiuqing entered the room. She warned them, "Keep your voices down. Don’t wake the baby up."

Bai Xiaolan waved her off, "Don’t worry, mom. Doudou sleeps heavily and won’t be woken up by small noises."

Wen Xiuqing sat on the edge of the bed and asked Gu Xiaobei, "Have you been in contact with Aiguo lately? Are he and Fang Jing doing well?"

Gu Xiaobei nodded, "I called them a few days ago. They’re fine. Why do you ask?"

Wen Xiuqing frowned, "Your father called Aiguo yesterday to ask for some traditional Chinese medicines. He said Aiguo’s voice sounded strange. He’s wondering if something happened to him, either business trouble or conflict with Fang Jing?"

Gu Xiaobei thought of his last call to Lu Aiguo, when Lu Aiguo said he had a cold. Lu Songyuan also noticed something was off about Lu Aiguo. Now that Wen Xiuqing mentioned the medication, he asked concerned, "Why is he buying medicine? Can’t you get it here?"

"Your father often feels numbness in his hands and legs at night. I had him call Aiguo to purchase traditional Chinese medicine and send it here. I couldn’t find two of the ingredients here."

Gu Xiaobei quickly chimed in, "Mom, taking medication at home isn’t a solution. Why don’t we let dad get it checked out at the hospital?"

"There’s no need for that. It’s just because your father’s getting on in years. The numbness is due to poor blood circulation during the changing seasons. A couple doses of traditional medicine should do the trick."

Gu Xiaobei nodded, figured that with Wen Xiuqing’s experience as a doctor, she must know more about these matters.

Now, Wen Xiuqing was more concerned about Lu Aiguo. She said to Gu Xiaobei, "You should call Fang Jing’s factory and ask her what’s happening. The distance makes it difficult to know anything."

"Okay, I’ll call them tomorrow." Gu Xiaobei promised.

Wen Xiuqing sighed, "I’m just worried something might be going on between Aiguo and Fang Jing. They seemed to argue quite a bit during the New Year. Once they returned to Capital City, they had more freedom to fight. With Fang Jing’s temper, and Aiguo’s tendency to talk and stir up trouble, I’m quite stressed."

Gu Xiaobei reassured her, "Mom, don’t worry needlessly. A couple’s quarrels are quite normal."

Bai Xiaolan agreed, although she had never fought with Ji Xiangdong, she had seen her brother and sister-in-law fight. The next day they could laugh and joke without any afterthoughts at all.

The following day, Gu Xiaobei called Fang Jing first thing in the morning.

Gu Xiaobei heard that Fang Jing’s voice was hoarse. She kept insisting she was fine, making him question angrily, "Fang Jing, what happened? Tell me. We can sort this out together."

Fang Jing sniffed and started sobbing, "Lu Aiguo and I divorced. You don’t need to call me anymore."

Gu Xiaobei, shocked by the unexpected news, almost threw away his phone, "Divorce? When did this happen? Fang Jing, don’t scare me." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"The paperwork isn’t through yet, but it’ll be soon." Fang Jing quickly rubbed her nose and spoke with a thick nasal accent.

"Since it’s not through yet, there is still hope. What happened that was so serious that you had to divorce? If Lu Aiguo did something you can’t forgive, I’ll support your divorce. But what if it’s a misunderstanding? Have you thought about Yueyue? She’s still young and got close to both of you. Leaving either of you would be harmful." Gu Xiaobei reasoned.

"Sister-in-law, it doesn’t matter what you say, I am decided on this divorce. Life is unbearable. I don’t mind the humiliation since he doesn’t. Why should I care?"

Instantly Gu Xiaobei thought about the widow and carefully asked, "Does Aiguo have someone else?"

"I wish he did, then the divorce would be quicker." Fang Jing rebuked.

Gu Xiaobei breathed a sigh of relief that there was no infidelity involved. That meant there was still a chance to save their marriage. If there was infidelity, Gu Xiaobei wouldn’t hold a good opinion of Lu Aiguo anymore.

"If he didn’t cheat, then how serious could it be? Let’s just call Lu Aiguo and give him a good scold, he’ll apologize to you." Gu Xiaobei soothed.

"Sister-in-law, don’t bother. I have to work right now. I have to hang up."

Gu Xiaobei listened to the busy signal, took a moment, and then dialed Lu Aiguo’s number.