Yu Xueli glanced over the two people. As far as she knew, Shen Meng wanted to start her own business, and she would definitely go to the Provincial City in the future. It was impossible for her to stay in the county with her and open a small shop.

But if the partner was Wu Xianglan, then she had to consider it.

"I have to take over the place; my mother-in-law hasn't been well this year, and Old Qian is busy. If I continue working at the hospital, I won't have much time to take care of the family."

"Didn't you previously want to leave the job to Dezi?"

"That kid is doing well, studying nicely, he's in middle school now and needs to stay in the dormitory. He doesn't want to stay home, afraid of causing trouble, and worried about his grandparents coming to our house to make a fuss. He said he wants to get into a teacher's college and become a teacher in the future. The kid has his own ideas. Daya's and Xiaoya's father and grandma left dowries for them. Our two little ones at home can save up through me and my husband. For Dezi, I just thought of selling the job, and the money from it will be kept for him."

Wu Xianglan exclaimed, "Oh my!" She couldn't bear the thought of selling her job to start a small shop; it was a stable job, especially at a hospital, and just thinking about the perks made her mouth water.

"That's how it is, Xianglan knows you want to take over the store, so she thought of pooling some money in. She won't manage it. Just divide the profits with her when you earn."

"Yeah, that's how it is. I have some savings. If it were someone else, I wouldn't be willing, but my elder sister-in-law mentioned you wanted to take over a store, and I immediately thought of this. I know how smart you are; you definitely won't lose."

"Tsk, tsk!"

Shen Meng couldn't help rolling her eyes listening to Wu Xianglan's flattery. After all these years, whenever she wants to do something, it's always this brown-nosing.

"Alright, we're all acquaintances. Xueli, your say. If you're willing, join in with her. If not, we'll pretend we never mentioned this."

"It's fine, but I just want to open a small eatery. Having someone else join means the costs would be less, but in business, there's profit and loss. I can't guarantee earnings, and if we're to partner, we got to be frank about the risks upfront."

"Alright."

Wu Xianglan understood this principle. If it were in the past, she would have thrown a fit if someone told her this, but in recent years, having interacted with Yu Xueli and Xie Jinghao, she had become reasonably grounded. Apart from occasionally taking small advantages, she didn't have major faults.

Shen Meng didn't get involved in the partnership discussion. She simply listened in from the sidelines, sometimes giving suggestions.

After the discussion, both decided to contribute 1,500 yuan each. The profits would mostly go to Yu Xueli since she would be handling the store matters. Hence, she would take sixty percent, which Wu Xianglan was okay with.

The terms were written down clearly in black and white, and the two signed and stamped their agreement, finalizing the business.

As Wu Xianglan held one copy of the agreement, her face revealed her agony. The money nearly emptied her savings, comprising what she got during the family separation and her job perks at the textile factory, along with what she accumulated over the years. It was just enough.

But next month's household expenses would come from an unpaid wage.

Shen Meng also offered some suggestions on what food to sell at Yu Xueli's small eatery. With her recognized culinary skills, Yu Xueli even thought of having her try some dishes when available and give feedback!

As they started discussing future plans, the three of them became increasingly enthusiastic.

Half a month later.

Yu Xueli and Wu Xianglan's eatery opened. Inside dining had eight tables, resembling the simplest noodle shop, with a few reliable elderly ladies hired in the kitchen and two young men in charge of boiling noodles.

The broth and sauces were prepared with Shen Meng's help, turning out deliciously flavorful. On the opening day, the place was packed because it smelled simply too good.

Wu Xianglan stood at the entrance with her two kids, welcoming guests, when she spotted Lu Changzhu and Liu Sanjin approaching from afar with Zhou Jiaojiao's two kids, without a hint of a smile on their faces, making her heart skip a beat.

"Yong Qiang, Yong Li, you two stick with me. Today's your mom and Aunt Xue Li's grand opening of the restaurant, we can't let them ruin it."

"Mom, don't worry. My sister and I won't leave. We'll stay right here."

"Yeah, we're not leaving."

Wu Xianglan swallowed hard, put on a brave smile, and walked over.

"Dad, Mom, what brings you two over? Yaya is walking by herself, that's great! Are you tired?"

"Hmph!"

Gazing at Lu Yaya's face that resembled Zhou Jiaojiao's, Wu Xianglan felt intense dislike.

"Slap!"

"Mom!"

Yong Qiang and Yong Li were startled to see Liu Sanjin suddenly slap their mom, rushing in front of her to check her cheek for marks.

"What was that for? What gives you the right to hit me? Mom, what did I do wrong for you to come all this way to hit me?"

"Hit you? I feel like smacking you right now, Wu Xianglan! You're living well in the county with the kids, enjoying life without a thought for Qian Cheng and Yaya. They're suffering in the village with me. Your husband got fired from the pig farm, and you haven't checked on him. What are you planning? Are we still a family or not? Go home and take care of your husband! And, by the way, go to your elder sister-in-law, figure out a way to get Jiaxuan out."

"Tsk, dreaming, huh? Take care of him? Forget it. For the sake of Yong Qiang and Yong Li's grandparents, I won't stoop to your level today. You know Jiahe all these years. Why won't you go find Jinghao? Too afraid to? Isn't it just bullying the weak? I have no way. If you keep bothering me, I won't hesitate to divorce your son."

Wu Xianglan spoke firmly, but neither Lu Changzhu nor Liu Sanjin's expressions changed the slightest. They were certain Wu Xianglan was speaking in frustration. Lu Jiahe's behavior had been reckless, but it wasn't the first time, and they believed it was just empty words from her.

"Grandma, Grandpa, if mom and dad divorce, my sister and I are both in favor. We've long wanted them to separate. All these years, it's been my mom who's worked hard raising us. When I was young, I didn't understand and blamed her, but now I've grown, and if my mom divorces dad, my sister and I will only acknowledge her. In the future, we'll study hard, earn money, and take care of her."

"Exactly, exactly, mom, let's go. Aunt Xue Li made delicious noodles. We don't care about them. Yaya and Qian Cheng are bad kids. Your dad doesn't treat you well yet is obediently filial. Would rather leave mom but think of dad. How great! Just remember that when you're hungry next time!"

After finishing, Yong Li pulled Wu Xianglan away, and Yong Qiang cast a resentful glance at Lu Changzhu and Liu Sanjin.

The elderly couple felt a chill in their hearts from the look in their grandson's eyes.