CHAPTER 72: CHAPTER 72: LYING?

Ma Jian Country is Zhou Jiren’s assistant. They came here, saying it was a routine inspection, but it was actually about the Chongren Pharmacy.

I heard that Chongren Pharmacy plans to completely squeeze Jishi Pharmacy’s large branches out of Jingjinji. Jishi Pharmacy had just managed to establish itself and hadn’t even stabilized before hearing such news. The top management quickly dispatched the head of North China, Zhou Jiren, to handle the situation.

The blow from a state-owned enterprise, if not properly dealt with, would surely be devastating.

However, Ma Jian Country was puzzled, as Jishi Pharmacy was established in line with policies. Now, Chongren Pharmacy, as a state-owned enterprise, is aiming to strike at them. Aren’t they afraid of severe penalties from above if the matter is exposed?

Zhou Jiren provided the answer to this confusion. All the decisions and actions of Chongren Pharmacy are executed in secret, and it’s difficult to catch any substantial evidence. Want to punish? You’ll need proof.

Because the investors of Jishi Pharmacy are overseas Chinese, and they have certain connections, many of their medications are imported, such as some antibiotics that Chongren Pharmacy does not have.

In recent years, the two pharmacies have been competing, and the annual sales of Jishi Pharmacy have been on the rise. In contrast, the state-owned Chongren Pharmacy has been stagnant, fluctuating at the same level.

Therefore, the rise of Jishi Pharmacy has greatly affected Chongren Pharmacy.

Although Ma Jian Country was curious about who Beisitian was, Zhou Jiren’s assignments were urgent, so he didn’t follow into the study and went into his own room.

"Why doesn’t Miss Bei sit down?" Zhou Jiren entered the room and handed her a cup of water.

"It’s boring to sit down. I’ll look at the paintings on the wall." Beisitian thanked him as she took the cup.

"There’s a Wenfang Society over here, and the owner, who is fond of writing himself, greatly admires Miss Bei’s calligraphy and hopes to meet her." Zhou Jiren knew what Beisitian wanted to know and avoided unnecessary words that would only serve to tantalize.

"All right, when can we meet?" Beisitian asked.

"He’s not here these few days as he’s in the city participating in a calligraphy competition. It might take a week for him to return."

A week isn’t very long. They could meet the next time she visits.

Since Beisitian wasn’t short of money at the moment, she wasn’t in a hurry to sell her calligraphy. She just hoped to find a shop that could accept them during this period.

"Wasn’t there an urgent need for money the last time a younger brother at home fell ill? If needed, you can take some from me first." Zhou Jiren offered.

A hint of doubt crossed Beisitian’s mind. She wasn’t in a hurry. Even if she were, she wouldn’t show any extra emotion on her face. Why would Zhou Jiren say this?

"Mr. Zhou is truly kind-hearted, but I’m not in immediate need of money, so I’ll just accept the goodwill and wait for Boss Feng to return." Beisitian did not take up his offer.

Although she felt that Zhou Jiren seemed to be probing into her family situation, it seemed absurd for someone of Zhou Jiren’s status to have relatives in a relatively remote village like Kao Village.

Thus, she thought it was probably just her overthinking.

With a sense of caution now, Beisitian was more careful with her words and found an excuse to leave.

The excuse she had just used was to go to the embroidery workshop to pick up something, and for this reason, she was stopped by Zhou Jiren.

"Jian Country, accompany Miss Bei to the embroidery workshop and help her load the items into the car," Zhou Jiren instructed as he called Ma Jian Country over.

Ma Jian Country acknowledged and stood beside Beisitian.

After thanking him again, Beisitian left the doors of Jishi Pharmacy with Ma Jian Country.

"Such a strong sense of defense." Zhou Jiren murmured softly as he watched her figure disappear from sight.

Since Jishi Pharmacy and Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop were separated by three streets, it wouldn’t be worth calling a donkey cart for such a short distance. As usual, Beisitian walked over.

Ma Jian Country naturally didn’t mind the distance. He glanced at Beisitian’s satchel and made small talk, "Does Miss Bei’s family have someone in the military?"

He thought a conversation might bridge the gap between them so he could understand why their North China head would treat a village girl amiably.

"Yes, perhaps they enlisted at the same time as someone from Mr. Zhou’s family," Beisitian said with a smile, casually bringing up Zhou Jiren.

Ma Jian Country never imagined that a village girl would have a similar idea and try to extract information from him.

So when Ma Jian Country heard this, he was taken aback but then laughed, "The Mr. Zhou you’re mentioning can’t be our Mr. Zhou, as he’s an overseas Chinese. His nationality isn’t China, and all his family is abroad, so how could they have joined the army?"

He spoke with a hint of boasting, as overseas Chinese were highly regarded domestically, especially with significant policy support.

Beisitian lowered her gaze. There indeed was something off about Zhou Jiren.

She hadn’t forgotten that Zhou Jiren mentioned he had a satchel identical to hers! Initially, she hadn’t paid attention, but later, always carrying this satchel, she discovered that in the lower right corner of the bag was a small embroidered ’Xu’ character.

She couldn’t see it from above when holding it, but from Zhou Jiren’s perspective, it would be clear as day. Still, he told such a lie, simply to extract more information from her.

Why was Zhou Jiren so interested in her family situation?

Beisitian stopped trying to probe further. It was evident that Ma Jian Country knew little, and pressing him wouldn’t yield much.

Upon reaching the door of Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop, a donkey cart was already waiting. Zhang Baoli had even paid, and everything was prepared, including an embroidery hoop and frame, along with a small bundle containing needles and scissors aplenty and a bag full of spindles – an assortment of colors!

"Little Tian’er, I’m waiting for you!" Zhang Baoli called, waving at Beisitian’s distant figure.

Beisitian nodded, signaling her to head back.

After helping her onto the cart, Ma Jian Country headed back.

Upon returning to Jishi Pharmacy, Zhou Jiren called him into the study to inquire about what Beisitian said along the way and how he responded.

Ma Jian Country answered everything, feeling even more puzzled. Their director paid special attention to a village girl, probing into the details.

He couldn’t help but wonder, could it be that Zhou Jiren had a peculiar taste and was interested in this village girl?

After waving Ma Jian Country off, Zhou Jiren picked up a newspaper, a faint smile on his lips, "What a smart girl!"

On the return journey, Beisitian gently stroked the folded embroidery hoop. She hadn’t handled such things in decades.

Previously, she only embroidered small items using a hand hoop.

The donkey cart stopped momentarily when passing an inn, and a rather handsome young man boarded. It appeared he had already arranged with the cart driver, and their route was the same.

There was still room on the cart, and Beisitian didn’t mind an extra passenger. However, it seemed this person was also heading to Kao Village?