Chapter 347 - Chapter 347: Chapter 354: Being Blocked by Someone (2/2)

“Big brother, since that store is already sold, let’s let it go. There’s still the other one. I’ll buy that one. Although it’s smaller, it’s well-located. I had only thought it a bit too expensive before, but now it seems I have more of a ‘connection’ with that other place,” she said.

Su Hengyi, hiding his complex feelings, laughed a bit at Su Wenyue’s way of putting things: “You have an odd way of talking about ‘connection.’ Well, if that’s the case, let’s go purchase that place.”

Although Su Hengyi said this, his tone carried some uncertainty. Years of experience in business had honed his sharp intuition, and he could sense something fishy about this situation.

Indeed, upon reaching the other location and expressing the intent to buy the shop, the owner gave the same excuse as the first: the government had forced them to sell to them first.

Even Su Wenyue felt something was amiss. How could it be such a coincidence that right when she wanted to buy a store, someone else had already purchased it, beating her by just a slim margin, as if targeting her deliberately.

By that point, Su Hengyi’s expression had turned entirely stern, his glare threatening the shop owner: “Tell me exactly who bought the store. If you don’t, don’t blame me for being unpleasant. I may not have the power to arrest you like the officials, but I can definitely make your life and your family’s life more miserable than prison. Don’t try my patience.”

Su Hengyi’s threat was no bluff; he would follow through if the shop owner did not comply.

Piecing together the details from the shop owner and other information, all signs pointed to the Sun Family. Su Wenyue was not surprised. The Sun Family had a grudge against her family, and while previously restrained by the Marquis Beian Mansion, they had found a stronger backer and were expected to cause trouble. Yet, the means they employed were despicable—using such sneaky tactics behind someone’s back was utterly disdainful.

“Big brother, let’s go back. The Sun Family has a quarrel with me and must have learned I wanted to buy a store, deliberately opposing me. We won’t stoop to their level,” Su Wenyue, knowing her brother wouldn’t want her to be wronged, expressed a willingness to step back. The Sun Family had recently aligned with the influential Prime Minister Wang and confronting them head-on was unwise. Better to dodge their sharp edges for now and see how long they could last.

Su Hengyi was a man of reason. He understood the dynamics within the Imperial Court well enough. If his sister could see the rationale, he certainly grasped the implications. Despite his annoyance and disdain for the Sun Family’s lackey tactics, he did not act rashly. Teaching the Sun Family a lesson would have to be done covertly, not openly, to avoid trouble for the Su Family. Without the intellect and restraint to manage that, one would be unfit to be the Su Family’s successor.

However, just as Su Wenyue intended to withdraw, someone deliberately made that impossible. As soon as she exited the store, she was stopped by none other than Madam Sun and her daughter, who stood there looking smug and triumphant, as proud and showy as peacocks.

“Oh, if it isn’t Madam Han. What’s this, looking to buy a store? That’s really unfortunate; you’re a step too late. We’ve just purchased this store. They’re both such lovely locations that even without conducting business, owning them would still be nice,” she said.