“小Lin, some people browse for ages without buying, clearly just to waste your time! Everyone knows she’s about to get divorced—where would she get money to show off?”
Xiao Lin hurriedly tried to smooth things over: “Sorry, Yajing is new here…”
Before she could finish, Zhong Qing laughed.
“Can the supply store now openly criticize customers?”
Her eyes scanned the name badge of the clerk—it boldly read Zhao Yajing.
“You’re the niece of Mrs. Zhao, aren’t you?”
“So what if I am?” Zhao Yajing lifted her chin defiantly.
“Not to mention I’m spending my own money,” Zhong Qing said, her clear voice drawing the attention of nearby customers, “as long as I’m not divorced yet, Pei Yanshen is still legally my husband—and he’s more than happy to spend it on me—”
She paused deliberately, sizing Zhao Yajing up.
“Are… you jealous?”
Those words hit Zhao Yajing like a punch to the chest.
Everyone in the compound knew that Pei Yanshen’s salary basically went to Zhong Qing.
Her aunt had seen this too, which was why she had tried so hard to match Zhao Yajing with Pei Yanshen.
But who could have expected Zhong Qing to come back right at the crucial moment?
Zhao Yajing flushed red, yelling sharply, “Jealous? Don’t think everyone’s like you—shameless, lazy, leeching off men!”
Zhong Qing remained calm, turning to Xiao Lin.
“Comrade, please fetch the director. I want to ask whether employees at the supply store are allowed to openly insult military families, spreading rumors that harm family unity?”
The words “military family” hit Zhao Yajing like a hammer. Her face immediately paled.
These days, undermining a military marriage was taboo!
If taken seriously, she might even lose her job.
Instinctively, Zhao Yajing looked at Xiao Lin for support.
But Xiao Lin just frowned and quickly went to fetch the director, offering no help.
She had thought highly of Zhao Yajing before—but this time, she had really messed up!
Director Zhou arrived in a hurry, understood the situation, and glared at Zhao Yajing before turning to apologize to Zhong Qing.
“Comrade Zhong Qing, I am very sorry! Our management was negligent and caused you and your child to suffer. To make amends, please choose the clothes you want—I’ll give you a discount as a small token of my sincerity.”
Zhong Qing held Pei Leyu, who was still cowering, and glared at Zhao Yajing’s ashen face.
“Director, discounts are trivial. I came here with my child. Zhao Yajing’s words just now not only insulted me but also scared my child.”
Director Zhou immediately understood.
He turned to Zhao Yajing, scolding sharply:
“Zhao Yajing, you are immediately suspended for reflection, write a thorough self-criticism, and have your bonuses for three months withheld! If you commit such a principled error again, you’ll pack up and leave!”
The commotion had drawn attention, and Zhong Qing clearly didn’t intend to let it slide easily.
As a major customer, the director had to show the proper attitude publicly.
Zhao Yajing’s eyes widened in shock.
She had only told “the truth”—did it really deserve such severe punishment?!
She wanted to argue, but Director Zhou, fearing further escalation, quickly had someone escort her away.
Then he turned back to Zhong Qing, smiling apologetically:
“Comrade Zhong Qing, is this resolution satisfactory?”
Zhong Qing nodded. She wasn’t trying to embarrass him:
“The director is following regulations—we, as military families, trust that.”
After this incident, Zhong Qing figured the shopping trip would finally go smoothly.
After all, Pei Leyu’s state was the most important thing.
Lowering her gaze, she saw Pei Leyu looking up at her with sparkling eyes, full of admiration.
Even Director Zhou noticed, signaling Xiao Lin.
Xiao Lin quickly approached Zhong Qing:
“Really sorry, Miss Zhong. Any clothes you like, I’ll help bring them for you to try.”
Since Pei Leyu was no longer scared, Zhong Qing wasn’t in a hurry to leave.
She bought all the clothes Pei Leyu had liked.
Zhong Qing knew her daughter hadn’t expressed her preferences for fear of costing too much money and upsetting her.
But her daughter would not suffer such a grievance!
She also picked out clothes for Pei Ley An, Pei’s parents, and even Pei Yanshen.
Mother and daughter, laden with shopping bags, drew attention at the checkout.
But since everyone had just witnessed the confrontation, no one dared approach.
When it was time to pay, Zhong Qing suddenly remembered something.
“By the way, comrades, do you sell seeds here?”
“Seeds?” The clerk blinked, surprised. “Yes… we do have some…”
Zhong Qing asking about seeds was already unusual—now she wasn’t buying cosmetics or clothes?
The clerk still patiently explained the options.
Zhong Qing picked some common vegetable seeds, like cabbage and radish.
Once the mother and daughter finally left with their bags, the clerks gossiped excitedly.
…
Back at the Pei residence.
Not long after Zhong Qing and Pei Leyu left, Pei Ley An finally came out of his room.
Scanning the empty living room—only his grandparents were there—he didn’t see Pei Leyu. His heart sank.
“Where’s Xiao Yu?” he asked anxiously.
“Your mother took her to the supply store to buy some things,” Pei’s mother said with a comforting smile.
Pei Ley An’s face turned pale; his voice trembled:
“She’s never liked us—there’s no way she’d take Xiao Yu out! She must be taking her away to abandon her!”
Just like last time she left them!
Pei’s parents were startled by his reaction.
“Xiao An, don’t say that! Your mother isn’t like that! If you’re worried, Grandpa will go find them—”
But Pei Ley An didn’t listen. He darted out, his small figure quickly disappearing into the alley.
His mind had only one thought—
Grandpa and Grandma weren’t often around; they didn’t know how much that woman hated him and Xiao Yu.
She scolded them, called them burdens and jinxes—she wished they would disappear.
…But Dad would know!
He had to find Dad and save his sister!
Pei’s parents were dumbfounded.
“Oh! This child!” Pei’s mother clapped her thighs in worry. “Quick! Old man! Go after Xiao An—don’t let him get lost!”
Pei’s father hurried after him, leaving Pei’s mother alone in the empty room, anxious and flustered.
She had always believed that although Zhong Qing could be a little capricious, her heart was good—she could never abandon a child.
But Pei Ley An wasn’t the type to slander his own mother… yet his fear spoke volumes.