Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
After yesterdayâs incident, Xu Chaomu learned her lesson and dressed in her school uniform early the next morning, heading out with her backpack.
She even made a point of stuffing her homework notebook into her bag in front of Butler Ling, to let him know she really was going to a classmateâs place to do homework.
To make it more convincing, she even asked the driver to take her to a female classmateâs house.
Sure enough, Butler Ling did not suspect a thing.
Xu Chaomu walked around the backyard of her classmateâs home for a while and only confidently strolled out after seeing the driverâs car drive away.
She didnât believe she could be caught by Shen Chi again; he was so busy, having left early in the morning, how could he have time to deal with her?
Xu Chaomu first headed to the mall where she planned to buy something for
Lou Yanli. She wasnât someone who liked to take advantage of others, and since Yanli had given her a gift, she felt she should reciprocate.
Might as well⦠might as well buy something for Shen Chi, too, considering he had helped her vent her anger.
She didnât know what boys liked, but seeing that Yanli had quite the scholarly air about him, she picked out a few books.
For someone who usually only reads entertainment magazines and R-rated comics, she really had no idea what books to buy. But seeing that âThe Book of Songsâ and âThe Analects of Confuciusâ seemed like excellent choices, she bought a few and stuffed them into her backpack.
After leaving the bookstore and looking up, she found herself passing by the very same spot as the previous evening.
The electronic screen was still displaying ads for dresses and high heels, and
Xu Chaomu watched mesmerized for a long time.
Would she look good in them?
She still decided to muster up the courage to give them a try.
The mall was exceptionally clean, the floors shiny enough to use as mirrors. It was the weekend, so there were quite a few people around. The white light shone on the counters and shelves, making the whole place glitter and sparkle.
There were several perfume shops on the first floor, so fragrances wafted throughout the mall.
Xu Chaomu was dazzled by the beautiful clothes, jewelry, shoes, and cosmetics everywhere.
There were many beautiful women coming and going, lightly or heavily made up; although they didnât compare to the beauties she saw at the ball, each had their own charm.
Xu Chaomu searched from one brand to the next, until her eyes were swimming.
She hardly recognized any of the designer names in the mall, but she remembered the two from yesterday, so she focused on finding just those.
She searched from the first floor to the second floor, then from the second floor to the third floorâ¦
Before she could find them, she came across a tie at the menâs counter that really caught her eye.
It was yet another brand with English she couldnât recognize, finally understanding her English teacherâs good intentions â mastering a foreign language was indeed important.
Xu Chaomu pressed her face to the glass case; she didnât care for the rest, but that dark blue silk tie had her attention. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
She thought that this blue tie, paired with the black suit Shen Chi often wore, would look great!
Just as Xu Chaomu was about to ask an employee to take it out for her to look at, a high-heeled saleswoman walked over.
âLittle sister, with so many people today, step aside; this place isnât for you,â the woman said with thick makeup, instantly judging by Xu Chaomuâs school uniform that she was there to make trouble.
âI want to take a look at this!â Xu Chaomu pointed at the tie inside the cabinet.
âLittle sister, we donât have anyone to entertain you here. Go downstairs quickly, and study hard; thatâs what you should be doing. When you grow up, youâll know that you canât afford the ties here.â
The woman looked down at Xu Chaomu with a face full of scorn.
âIsnât your door open to do business? If they are customers, why am I not a customer?â Xu Chaomu retorted, unwilling to accept this.
There were a few couples in the store, and the staff were very enthusiastic with them, helping them select this and that, but when it came to her, they couldnât care less.
âLittle sister, Iâve already said so much; if we go any further, it might hurt your pride. Anything here is beyond your means. Even if ten years pass, you probably still wonât be able to afford it!â
âMiss saleswoman, please show me that tie!â
At that moment, a tall, blonde beauty walked over, pointing at the tie Xu Chaomu had her eye on.
Xu Chaomu blocked the front of the display case: âI saw it first, if anyone is going to look, I should be first!â
Seeing she was just a schoolgirl, the blonde beauty laughed exaggeratedly: âAre high school girls this fashionable now? Little girl, who are you buying that tie
âItâs none of your business who Iâm buying it for,â Xu Chaomu shot back.
âYouâd better step aside, little sister, or Iâll have to get you thrown out, and that wonât be pretty,â the saleswoman said with a darkening expression, her eyes full of disdain and contempt.
The blonde also laughed: âLittle girl, do you even have the money for that tie? If you donât, maybe big sister can give you some advice. Old men these days like student girls like you. Just lie in their arms in a bar, and youâll have as much money as you want. With one nightâs work, you can buy several ties!â
As soon as her words fell, several saleswomen began to laugh, covering their mouths.
Xu Chaomu spat back, smiling: âNo wonder you can afford it, but judging by your looks, youâd probably have to lie down for a good few nights just to save up for one tie.â
Pfft, as if she, Xu Chaomu, didnât understand these things!
She was one of the top tough girls and a female hooligan! She didnât fear anyone!
âYour mother, who are you cursing!â The blondeâs face immediately turned green, and she was about to slap Xu Chaomu.
Xu Chaomu dodged: âIâm cursing you; could I be wrong?
âMiss, Miss, calm down; itâs not worth arguing with a high school girl. Look at her, who knows what kind of wild child she is, raised without any manners,â the saleswoman intervened, trying to keep the peace.
Another saleswoman rushed over with tea and water: âMiss, please calm down, Iâll get the tie for you to look at.â
Xu Chaomu stood in front of the cabinet: âAre you bullying the customer because youâre a bigger store? I came first, so why does she get to see and I donât?â
âSomeone get this girl out of here, she wonât learn her place until she sees some color! She really thinks sheâs something!â the shift supervisor yelled at a few male employees.
A few male employees walked over, shoving Xu Chaomu: âWalk away on your own, donât fucking block our business!â
Pushed roughly by one of the men, Xu Chaomu lost her footing and stumbled over a step.
She reached out to grab the counter but was shoved again by someone else, causing her to fall forward!
As she braced for a painful landing, a strong hand grabbed her arm and pulled her up.
Xu Chaomu recognized the familiar scent and her face instantly lit up with a smile.
She threw herself into Shen Chiâs arms: âFourth Brother⦠Iâve been insulted.â
She rubbed her little face against his chest, and Shen Chi frowned, looking at her disdainfully: âYou got your snot all over me.â
âIâve been insulted, arenât you going to do something about it!â Xu Chaomu clung to his waist, refusing to let go.
Shen Chiâs large hand stroked her head, raising his eyebrows: âNow you remember to call me Fourth Brother? What if I canât do anything about it?â