The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 234 - 233: The Hard Clash

Chapter 234: Chapter 233: The Hard Clash

The purchase contract locked in the safe vanished into thin air; if Pei Yang had previously harbored only guesses and suspicions, at this moment, he was almost certain they had been schemed against.

"Manager Huang, I understand what you mean, but there’s another favor I’d like to ask of you."

"Let’s hear it."

Pei Yang recounted the event of signing the purchase contract in duplicate with Song Feiyu, "...Please write me a declaration stating clearly that Hengxing Company has had no business dealings with Meihao Food Processing Factory up to this point, and then just stamp it with the company seal, and that will suffice."

Huang Yuan initially thought he would just need to wait for Pei Yang to take the bait, sell the apple candies to Shi Guangsheng, then he could use the contract to extort money from him.

This way, he could profit from both sides, making a hefty sum.

If he wrote the declaration, what would he be able to get his hands on?

Moreover, just because he wasn’t taking the apple gummies didn’t mean he didn’t need them. What if Pei Yang sold the apple gummies to someone else? What would he use to settle things with the boss?

Within a few seconds, several thoughts whirled through Huang Yuan’s mind. Without pretending to be all high and mighty, he coldly ordered Pei Yang out.

"I kindly show you a clear path, and you give me this attitude. As for writing a declaration, write your motherfucking declaration. Whether you sell the candies or not, if you don’t, just wait for them to rot in your hands. Get out!"

Pei Yang wasn’t offended, politely excused himself, and calmly stood up to leave.

Watching Pei Yang’s composed and tall figure walking away, Huang Yuan felt a bit uneasy.

Upon reflection, this was just a former ocean-going worker without money, power, or any backing—what was there to fear?

...

"Clang, clang, clang, clang..."

"Get your candy, free candy here! Authentic local Red Marshal apples turned into apple gummies, chewy, sweet and a bit tart, and so delicious beyond compare. Come get your free candy!"

In front of the Hengxing Building, Pei Yang picked up a pair of Copper Cymbals and clapped them together with a resonant clang as passersby were drawn in by the word "free."

Soon, a large crowd gathered.

Du Juan and Shen Hongmei, each holding a bag, distributed apple gummies to the onlookers. Though it was just a small pack, the passersby were thrilled.

They didn’t have to pay, and who would look a gift horse in the mouth?

Behind Pei Yang, Shen Chaobei and old Zhu held up a four-to-five-meter-long banner with the words "Meihao Food Processing Factory delivery" written in eye-catching brush script.

Some curious onlooker asked, "What’s all this about?"

Pei Yang had been waiting for that question. Seeing the crowd grow, he put down the Copper Cymbals, picked up a megaphone, and laid out the whole story of signing the purchase contract with Hengxing, the contract’s disappearance, and Hengxing’s refusal to accept the merchandise.

Everyone loves a good piece of gossip, and the crowd ate up the story as eagerly as they did the candy.

"It’s our fault for not keeping the contract safe, and we accept Hengxing’s refusal to take delivery. However, it’s written in the contract that the party who breaches it must pay compensation."

"I earnestly request all uncles, aunties, sirs, and madams here to lend a hand by bearing witness that our Meihao Food Processing Factory has indeed followed the agreement to deliver the goods, and we haven’t violated any contract terms."

"Those willing to help bear witness, I’m willing to give away two pounds of our factory’s apple candies for free."

The moment they heard they could get two pounds of candy for free, the onlookers burst into excitement.

They had all tried the apple gummies and indeed found them delicious and not sticky, with a fuller flavor than other fruit candies.

"I will, I’ll bear witness for you!"

"Me too, just tell us, what do we need to do?"

Pei Yang stated his requirements, "Just stand with us in front of Hengxing’s door until midnight."

The ask was not too demanding, yet it made many people hesitate.

Fengcheng had been blanketed by snow for several days. The days were bearable, but at night, temperatures could fall several degrees below zero, which could be potentially deadly.

For this, Pei Yang had already prepared a strategy.

"Those willing to stand with us in witness can go home now, grab some warm clothes, quilts, and hot water, and then come back."

When they heard this, many were once again moved.

A candy costs two to three yuan, so two candies would be five to six yuan. To think, one could earn five to six yuan by just freezing through a single night; this business isn’t bad at all.

The commotion caused by Pei Yang quickly spread throughout Hengxing, and it also reached Huang Yuan’s ears.

Huang Yuan never imagined Pei Yang would dare cause a scene right in front of the company, showing no fear of offending Hengxing.

With this uproar, everyone inside and out knew that Hengxing was refusing to honor the contract, and after this, Huang Yuan couldn’t resort to the additional clauses in the contract to extort benefits anymore.

Pei Yang’s unconventional approach angered Huang Yuan, who also felt a growing unease.

What if Pei Yang saw through his and Shi Guangsheng’s tricks and refused to sell the apple candy to Shi Guangsheng? What then would he use to settle accounts?

Right away, Huang Yuan called Shi Guangsheng, telling him to come immediately to Hengxing to discuss the purchase with Pei Yang.

Shi Guangsheng arrived very quickly.

"You’re Factory Manager Pei, right? I’m the owner of Xiyuan Candy Factory. How about we find a place to talk?"

Pei Yang accepted a cigarette from Shi Guangsheng and followed him to a quiet location.

After lighting the cigarette for him, Shi Guangsheng expressed his sympathy for Pei Yang’s plight, then quickly changed his tone, speaking as if he were saving the day—

"I’ve also struggled for half my life to get to where I am today, so I understand your difficulties. How about this, I’ll take the whole truckload of candy off your hands. It’s so cold out. Take the money and go home early, don’t make a scene here anymore. Hengxing is a large enterprise with profound connections behind it—not someone you or I can afford to offend."

Pei Yang, smoking leisurely, looked at Shi Guangsheng’s cunning, greedy face.

"Mr. Shi, I appreciate your kindness, but I’m not selling this load of candy."

Shi Guangsheng thought that Pei Yang would ask about the price right out of the gate, but Pei Yang flatly stated he wasn’t selling.

How could he not sell?

"Why not sell?"

"The contract specifies delivery on the 23rd, which is today. If I sell this candy to you, and Hengxing decides to hold us to the contract later, what will I have to deliver? Right?"

Shi Guangsheng was at a loss for words, attempting to urge him further, but Pei Yang spoke up again: "If you really intend to buy this load of candy, Mr. Shi, come talk at the factory tomorrow."

There was nothing Shi Guangsheng could do but retreat for the time being.

However, he didn’t go far but found a place to call Huang Yuan.

Learning that Pei Yang was adamant about making a fuss in front of the company, Huang Yuan couldn’t help but becoming furious.

After discussing on the phone, they decided to first drive the people away.

...

"Pei Yang, can this really work? Hengxing is no small player, you’ve embarrassed them greatly with this stunt, and the future won’t be easy for you."

Listening to Old Zhu’s advice, Pei Yang scoffed lightly, "If I don’t do this, I can’t even survive today, let alone worry about the future."

True, the huge penalty for breaking the contract was not something an ordinary person could afford.

If it’s a death on both sides, might as well fight for a total breakdown; it’s at least satisfying.

Old Zhu began to worry about Shen Mingzhu’s health again, and when he mentioned his wife and child, Pei Yang’s eyes softened with a smile, and his rugged, hard face also seemed to soften.

Just as they were talking, a few security guards suddenly rushed out of Hengxing Company, threateningly attempting to drive away Pei Yang and his party.

Pei Yang didn’t confront them directly but signaled Old Zhu to park the truck 50 meters away on the roadside.

Even Hengxing, with all its audacity, couldn’t control the entire street.

Then, Pei Yang, leading Shen Chaobei and his wife as well as willing bystanders ready to testify, began a guerrilla warfare with the security guards.

When chased by the security guards, they moved away.

And when the security guards went back, he came back to Hengxing’s entrance with his group.

This infuriated Huang Yuan, causing his forehead to throb furiously.

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