Rebirth with a Space to Counterattack and Abuse the Scumbag

My mother looked at me, hesitated, and finally said, "Qingqing, tell me honestly, have you been...doing business lately?"

My heart skipped a beat; sure enough, they'd arrived.

I forced a lighthearted smile and said, "Mom, why would you think that?"

"Your aunt saw you carrying strawberries with a man in town today, and she also saw you talking to people from the factory. Qingqing, tell Mom honestly, what exactly are you doing?" Mom's voice trembled slightly, clearly she had already guessed most of what was going on.

I took a deep breath, knowing I couldn't hide it any longer, and told the whole story.

I looked at her expectantly, thinking she would be happy for me, but to my surprise, her expression changed drastically.

"What? You're actually selling strawberries? Qingqing, you're supposed to be preparing for college entrance exams! How can you waste your time on something like this?"

My father also came over when he heard me, and after hearing what I said, he also looked disapproving.

"Qingqing, your mother is right. Your most important task right now is to study. Don't think about anything else."

I tried my best to explain: "Dad, Mom, I didn't neglect my studies. I did it in my spare time, and the money I earned can help with household expenses..."

"To help support the family? Do you think we need your little bit of money?" Dad interrupted me. "We just want you to study hard, get into a good university, and have a bright future!"

I felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over me, and my heart sank.

I fought back my tears, "But I want to prove myself, I want to build a career through my own efforts..."

"Career? You're too young, you don't understand what a career is!" Mom's tone became even sterner. "You should focus on your studies now, we can talk about other things later!"

The father's roar followed immediately: "Nonsense! Why aren't you studying properly? What are you doing getting involved in these crooked ways? Did we send you to school so you could go into business?"

I tried to explain, "Dad, Mom, I didn't give up my studies. I just wanted to earn some money in my spare time to ease the burden on our family. Besides, I'm doing legitimate business; I haven't broken any laws or regulations!"

"A legitimate business? What legitimate business can a student like you do? Don't think we don't know that most business people aren't good people!" The father's attitude remained firm.

I felt wronged and helpless. I just wanted to help my family, but I couldn't get their understanding.

I argued my case, and finally, my parents agreed to a one-semester deadline. If my grades dropped, I would have to give up the strawberry-selling plan and focus on my studies.

I agreed. I knew I had to prove to them that I could balance my studies and career.

The pressure on my shoulders has increased, so I decided to go to the city's chamber of commerce based on my vague memories from my past life, hoping to find a way to expand my sales channels.

However, Chairman Zhao of the Chamber of Commerce ignored me and even expressed disdain for my strawberry business.

What angered me even more was that he was unusually enthusiastic towards Chen Shuisheng, the owner of Shuisheng Orchard, who was my competitor.

"President Zhao, what do you mean by this? My strawberries are of excellent quality and reasonably priced, why can't I..."

Chairman Zhao waved his hand impatiently, interrupting me: "Young lady, the Chamber of Commerce isn't a place you can just come to whenever you want. You should go back to your studies. Doing business isn't easy, don't waste your time." He turned to Chen Shuisheng with a beaming smile, "Mr. Chen, your Shuisheng Orchard's strawberries are famous far and wide, how's the harvest this year?"

I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug deep into my flesh...

Chen Shuisheng looked at me with a mocking smile and slowly said, "Young lady, this business world isn't a place for you to play house. Your strawberries aren't even enough to fill my teeth." He glanced contemptuously at the strawberry sample in my hand, "With this quality, you want to get into the Chamber of Commerce? Don't you even know your own limitations?"

I took a deep breath, trying to suppress my anger, and said, word by word, "President Zhao, my strawberries are better than those from the aquatic orchard!" I raised my voice and spoke firmly.

Chairman Zhao was taken aback, clearly not expecting me to refute him like that.

I held up the strawberry samples I brought high, like raising a victory flag, and loudly proclaimed, "Dear seniors, today I've brought more than just strawberries; I've brought sincerity. I know I'm a student, and in your eyes, I might just be a little girl playing around, but my strawberries are the result of my careful cultivation." With that, I began distributing the strawberries to everyone present, my gaze firm and confident, as if the disdain and doubt around me didn't exist. As I distributed the strawberry samples, some of the small business owners who had initially looked down on me showed expressions of surprise after tasting them.

"These strawberries are so sweet!"

"They're big and juicy!"

"Little girl, how much are your strawberries?"

Seeing this, Chairman Zhao's face turned somewhat ugly, and Chen Shuisheng's face turned ashen.

He didn't expect my strawberries to be so good, and he certainly didn't expect me to promote them directly within the Chamber of Commerce.

I walked straight up to Chen Shuisheng, held up the strawberries, and said to him, "Mr. Chen, didn't you say before that my strawberries weren't even good enough to fill your teeth, and that the quality was subpar? Now that so many of our peers here acknowledge the quality of my strawberries, shouldn't you apologize for what you said?"

Chen Shuisheng's face flushed red, but he couldn't speak. He coughed lightly and said sarcastically, "Young lady, you didn't use any special methods to ripen these strawberries, did you? These days, many unscrupulous merchants on the market, in pursuit of higher yields and better appearances, disregard consumers' health and use prohibited hormones..."

Before he could finish speaking, I interrupted him: "Mr. Chen, please watch your words! My strawberries are all naturally ripened, absolutely no additives! You can have them tested, and if any problems are found, I'm willing to take full responsibility!" My tone was firm and unyielding.

Chen Shuisheng was speechless after I retorted, and his face turned ashen.

Seizing the opportunity, I began to explain in detail my strawberry cultivation methods and advantages, and assured them that I could provide a stable supply and preferential prices. Several small businesses started discussing cooperation with me, and I responded to each one earnestly, a glimmer of hope igniting within me. Ultimately, several small businesses expressed their willingness to cooperate with me.

I was overjoyed; at least I had made some progress.

However, before I could even celebrate for long, I heard some news: some people said that eating my strawberries would cause diarrhea, and others said that my strawberries were ripened with chemical fertilizers and were harmful to the human body...

These rumors spread like wildfire, and the sales of strawberries began to be affected.

I know this must have been Chen Shuisheng's doing.

He's trying to use despicable means to drive me out of the market!

I began to investigate secretly, gathering information from all sides...

"Chen Shuisheng, do you think you can defeat me like this?" I muttered to myself, "You underestimate me..."

I took out a voice recorder and pressed play...

The recording clearly revealed the conversation between Chen Shuisheng and the people he hired, who conspired to spread rumors and slander my strawberries. The evidence was conclusive.

A cold smile crept across my lips. "Chen Shuisheng, you didn't expect this, did you? I was prepared!" Chen Shuisheng's smug, self-righteous look was truly disgusting.

I took the recording and some pesticide residue bags I had collected from near his orchard and went straight to the Chamber of Commerce.

When Chairman Zhao saw me, a hint of impatience appeared on his face: "What are you doing here? I told you, you..." Before he could finish speaking, I placed the recorder directly in front of him: "Chairman Zhao, I think you should listen to this." Chairman Zhao pressed the play button with a puzzled look, and as the recording played, his expression grew increasingly grim.

Faced with the evidence, he had no choice but to re-examine me.

His previously disdainful gaze now held a hint of apprehension.

He cleared his throat, his tone softening considerably: "Miao Qing, you did a good job. It's good that young people have guts, but..." He paused, then said meaningfully, "The business world is like a battlefield; it's not that simple."

He coughed twice, his tone softening considerably: "Of course, regarding this matter... it was indeed an oversight on our part as a chamber of commerce. Rest assured, we will deal seriously with the unscrupulous behavior of Chen Shuisheng."

I smiled slightly, without showing the slightest hint of smugness.

I know this is just the first step.

Although Chairman Zhao was forced to deal with Chen Shuisheng due to pressure, it does not mean that he will sincerely support me.

He still held a hint of disdain, thinking I was just a student who was only good for small-time stuff and couldn't cause any big trouble.

I did not feel relieved after leaving the Chamber of Commerce.

I know this is just the first step in a long journey.

Although Chen Shuisheng is temporarily suppressed, he certainly won't give up easily.

Chairman Zhao is only on my side because of the circumstances; he won't truly stand by me.

While some small businesses have shown interest in my strawberries, that's far from enough.

I need a bigger platform, a broader market...

A bold idea popped into my head. I took out my phone and dialed a number...

"Hello, I'd like to inquire about the procedures for placing an advertisement on a TV station..." I hung up the phone, a slight smile playing on my lips, my eyes gleaming with determination.