The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

"Hmph, you think you’re the only ones with money? I can afford it, too. I’ll take it home and hang it up just to look at it. Bet you can’t buy it now, huh? You wanted to wear it, but now you’ll never get the chance. I’ll make you sick with envy."

The fat woman gave Gu’er a triumphant look, appearing as smug as could be.

"Oh yes, we’re just so mad. You just take that home and enjoy looking at it."

Sui’er made a face at the fat woman. She had understood Gu’er’s intentions from the start. To be honest, neither she nor Gu’er was desperate for this dress. They could buy plenty of others; it wasn’t like they absolutely had to have this one. There was no way the fat woman was going to make them angry.

"Alright, let’s go."

Gu’er shook her head. She hadn’t wanted to get into it with the fat woman, but the woman had insisted on seeking them out. Now that she’d paid a premium for a dress she couldn’t even wear, Gu’er considered it a lesson learned. There was no need to stick around. She would rather spend this time with her husband and kids.

"Miss, we’re getting more of this dress in stock tomorrow. You can come by and pick one up then. It looked really great on you," the shopkeeper called out.

"For twenty?"

Sui’er asked, looking back.

"Twenty."

The shopkeeper nodded.

"Alright, I’ll come pick it up tomorrow then."

Sui’er was delighted.

At this, the fat woman practically exploded with rage. ’So, it turns out I spent a hundred on a useless dress, while they can just come back tomorrow and get one for twenty. Aren’t they plotting against me?’

"I don’t want it anymore! What crappy dress is worth a hundred? You’re selling it to others for twenty—that’s a total ripoff! Hurry up and give me a refund."

The fat woman flung the dress at the shopkeeper.

"Are you even being reasonable? You were the one who offered a hundred. Nobody forced you. You were the one who insisted on buying it, and when they tried to, you wouldn’t let them. Now you’ve paid and you want a refund? Besides, you’ve already manhandled the dress. Not a chance."

The shopkeeper was no pushover, and she knew exactly how to deal with different types of customers.

Gu’er and Sui’er said nothing. Gu’er tugged on Sui’er’s arm, and the two of them started to leave.

"You... You can’t leave! You ganged up to scam me! You think you can just walk away? No way! I don’t care, I don’t want this dress. You buy it. You give me a hundred."

The fat woman grabbed Gu’er, refusing to let her go. She couldn’t accept buying this dress for a hundred. Otherwise, instead of pissing Gu’er off, she’d only end up pissing herself off.

"Are you nuts? You were the one who insisted on buying it. Do you think we’re stupid? We’re not going to pay a hundred when we can get it for twenty. You take it home and look at it yourself. Now let go."

Sui’er pulled at the fat woman, trying to make her let go.

"I don’t care! You can’t leave! Give me the money! If you don’t give me a hundred, none of you are going anywhere!"

The fat woman was throwing a fit, but she remembered she wasn’t supposed to curse at Gu’er.

"Are you sure you want to keep holding me like this? You do know that you’re restricting my personal freedom, right? That’s against the law. It’s much more serious than just cursing at me."

Gu’er’s voice wasn’t loud, but the moment the fat woman heard her, she let go.

Gu’er glanced at her, said nothing more, and turned to leave with Sui’er.

But how could the fat woman just let her leave? She moved to stand in front of Gu’er, blocking her path. She wanted to grab her but didn’t dare. She wanted to curse but couldn’t. It was unbelievably frustrating.

Just then, another person entered the shop.

"Chunxiang, what are you doing?"

The newcomer, who was also carrying shopping bags, recognized the fat woman. Seeing her blocking someone’s path, she couldn’t help but ask.

"Oh! Sister-in-law! What are you doing out shopping? Look at all the things you bought!"

When Chunxiang saw the newcomer, her eyes immediately lit up, and she hurried to greet her.

Seeing that the fat woman, Chunxiang, was now talking to the newcomer, Gu’er and Sui’er had no desire to linger. They picked up their things and tried to leave again.

"Stop right there! You can’t leave! Buy the dress and give me my hundred, or this isn’t over!"

Chunxiang immediately blocked Gu’er and Sui’er again.

The woman Chunxiang had called "Sister-in-law" tugged on her arm and asked what was happening.

"Sister-in-law, you have no idea. These two are nasty pieces of work. They ganged up with this crooked seller to swindle me. It’s a twenty-yuan dress, and they forced me to pay a hundred for it! I can’t let them get away. You have to stand up for me! Get your husband to arrest them!"

Chunxiang completely turned the tables, playing the victim. Then she shouted at Gu’er, Sui’er, and the shopkeeper, "Do you have any idea who she is? This is my sister-in-law! Her husband is the police chief of this entire district! Cross us, and you’ll be sorry! As for you," she added, glaring at the shopkeeper, "do you want to keep this shop open or not?"

The fat woman looked extremely smug, certain that she now had the upper hand.

The shopkeeper’s expression soured. While the police department didn’t have direct authority over her shop, she knew they had connections in the bureaus that did, like Industry and Commerce or the tax office. If she truly offended someone like that, running her business would become very difficult.

The shopkeeper wasn’t the only one with an ugly expression; the fat woman’s sister-in-law looked just as displeased. ’I never should have come in here,’ she thought. ’I shouldn’t have gotten involved. What was I thinking?’

"That’s enough. Stop making such a scene."

Chunxiang’s sister-in-law glared at her. Chunxiang was about to say something, but then she saw her sister-in-law walk over to Gu’er and break into an apologetic smile.

——————

Thank you to Duoduo... Gugu for the peace charms, and thank you to Hai Feng’s baby060219 for the monthly ticket. Thank you all for your support.