4: Plant a seed

"Of course not!"

As the saying goes, the elderly are as sharp as spirits. Having heard this much, how could these people not have their own judgments? They couldn't help but shake their heads, their gazes toward Zhang Guilan and her son turning somewhat suspicious.

But Ye Tian had already continued speaking.

"It seems all you uncles and aunts are reasonable people who can distinguish right from wrong. Could you do me a favor and help me think about what kind of situation would make someone act so abnormally?"

"They must be plotting something!"

Everyone looked at each other, seemingly already having an answer, yet no one spoke up.

Only Old Man Wang, standing at the very back in his vest, couldn't help but chuckle.

"So, let me guess! During the past few days when everyone was chatting, was this Mother Zhang always present? and was what everyone heard most about how I was this and that?"

The crowd remained silent.

But their expressions already indicated their silent admission.

Ye Tian looked at their reactions, sneered, and shook his head. He looked back at Wang Gang and his mother.

"Honestly, there's really no need! With your prices, you won't find a second place in all of Copper City that's this low. If you want to steal my business, why go through all these unnecessary tricks?"

"Exactly! With our prices, what right do you have to compete with me?"

Wang Gang and his mother had felt a wave of guilt from Ye Tian's words, but now Ye Tian had reminded them of their advantage again.

He puffed out his chest, regaining his confidence.

Ye Tian smiled slightly. "So here's the question: you could clearly steal my business fair and square through a price war, leaving me with no way to fight back. Why still use these tactics? What are you so guilty about?"

"Who's guilty?"

Wang Gang's eyes shifted slightly as he retorted.

"Not guilty? Good then. There's a saying, isn't there? Right, 'cheap goods are never good.' I really can't imagine how you manage to offer such a price. So, I'm looking forward to your performance. But it's getting late today. If you're done, I need to start working. After all, for a house like this, every nook and cranny needs to be cleaned; it really can't be finished in less than half a day!"

Quite suddenly, Ye Tian ended the conversation.

He picked up the tools by his side and walked into the house.

The crowd at the door was still waiting for a good show, but who knew it would end just like that?

All of them wore looks of disappointment.

Wang Gang and his mother, whose shortcomings had been exposed by Ye Tian, were even more stifled.

They wanted to vent, but they didn't know how to go and argue with Ye Tian.

Zhang Guilan fumed for a long while before she finally noticed Xu Yan nearby, who seemed to be enjoying her embarrassment.

She couldn't help but speak up: "Yan'zi, are you sure you're going to help an outsider instead of your own people?"

Xu Yan was taken aback, then she frowned.

"Sister Zhang, what do you mean? How I spend my own money and who I choose to hire doesn't seem to require your permission, does it?"

"It doesn't, but don't you regret it!"

With that, Zhang Guilan turned and left with a dark face.

As she walked, she said to Wang Gang, "Xiao Gang, clean Aunt Huang's house well in a bit. Let that Xu Yan see what a huge sucker she's being."

"You got it!"

Wang Gang nodded and quickly left with his two employees.

After everyone had gone,

Xu Yan casually closed the front door.

She walked to the bathroom and leaned against the doorframe, watching Ye Tian mix the cleaning agents. A smile played on her lips.

"I couldn't tell, but you're quite quick-witted. With just a few words, you sorted everything out clearly. I actually called you over today to talk about this, but I didn't expect them to show up at the door.

You have no idea, that family surnamed Zhang are no good. These past few days, they've been badmouthing you to everyone they meet. Some neighbors I introduced to you before were swayed by her and even said the person I recommended wasn't reliable. I was so angry I didn't know what to say."

Ye Tian grinned. "I knew that no matter what others said, Sister Yan would definitely believe in me."

"What's the use of me believing you if others don't? Why didn't you just argue with them to the end when you had such a good chance?"

"What's the point of arguing to the end? Would they lose anything? At most, others would say they're unscrupulous for trying to steal business. It's absolutely impossible for them to make enemies of people they see every day for the sake of an outsider like me.

Therefore, to destroy them, one must first make them mad!"

"What do you mean?"

Xu Yan blinked her large eyes, looking a bit puzzled.

"Don't they like doing business at a loss? Then we certainly shouldn't stop them. As for the specifics, the seeds of doubt have already been planted. By the time I finish working, there should basically be a result."

"You little rascal, what riddles are you playing with me?"

Ye Tian smiled slightly.

"It's not a riddle, just some guesses that still need to be verified. I can't be too sure yet."

"Hmph, fine, don't tell me then. I need to go prepare dinner. Stay and eat with us later!"

"I can't. I have another job to do tonight. If I'm late, they'll dock my pay."

"Look at you, little guy. While others your age are still like sheltered flowers, you're already under so much pressure. If my Xiao Meng is even half as sensible as you in the future, I'll be thanking heaven and earth."

"Can't be helped, that's just how it is for someone with a hard life. Luckily, I have Sister Yan to look after me."

"Go on, smooth talker! I'm done talking to you."

Xu Yan smiled beautifully, her mood seemingly much improved, and turned to go to the kitchen.

In the blink of an eye, three hours passed.

An enticing aroma of food wafted from the kitchen.

Ye Tian also finished cleaning the last pane of glass.

He had even gone the extra mile and tidied up the small garden outside for Xu Yan.

Just as he was about to finish up,

he suddenly heard a cry of alarm from the kitchen.

His heart tightened.

He rushed over immediately.

Just as he reached the doorway,

a figure came lunging out from inside.

Ye Tian reached out to steady her, but unexpectedly used too much force.

His finger suddenly struck something hard.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Xiao Tian, are you okay?"

The sudden collision

startled Xu Yan.

She immediately saw the pained look on Ye Tian's face.

Then she saw the smear of bright red on the fruit knife in her hand, and her expression changed instantly. She hurriedly checked on Ye Tian.

"I'm fine, I just wasn't paying attention and got nicked. Sister Yan, what happened just now?"

Ye Tian grabbed a few tissues and wrapped them around his cut finger as he asked.

"Are you really okay?"

"I'm fine, quickly, what happened?"

"Cockroaches, so many Cockroaches. I wanted to peel some fruit to eat just now, and then a bunch of Cockroaches crawled out from that corner by the windowsill. It scared me to death."

"Cockroaches? I just finished cleaning, how could there be Cockroaches?"

Ye Tian asked in confusion, then walked over to the windowsill.

Sure enough, he found several Cockroaches crawling on the wall beneath the windowsill.

Without hesitation, Ye Tian turned, grabbed a bottle of insecticide, and started spraying.

After a burst of thick mist,

the few Cockroaches on the wall began to wobble.

They didn't crawl far before falling to the floor.

After dealing with the visible Cockroaches,

Ye Tian looked around again.

Then he looked out the window.

His expression turned slightly cold.