Chapter 82 Zhao Qingda! Get out of here right now!
There weren't many customers in the store in the afternoon; only two or three young women lingered in front of the clothes racks, browsing and selecting items.
Sun Mei was squatting next to the inner shelf, tidying up the clothes that customers had touched.
Wen Xiaoxiao had just seen off a regular customer, collected the money, and issued the invoice.
She straightened up, rubbed her aching back, and habitually scanned the store, but didn't see the little rascal.
Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly walked to the backyard and looked out; it was empty.
"Aunt Liu!" she called upstairs, "Where's Xiao Gai?"
Liu Shuhua leaned out of the second-floor window, her hands still covered in flour: "She was just playing with a ball in the yard! And then she disappeared in the blink of an eye? That little devil!"
Wen Xiaoxiao's heart tightened, and without bothering to greet the shop, she quickly walked out through the front door.
People were coming and going at the shop entrance. She looked around nervously.
Suddenly, she caught sight of a familiar little figure at the corner where the street turned into the alley.
She strode over, and as soon as she turned into the alley, the scene before her made her blood rush to her head.
Wen Xiaogai stood in the shadows of the alley with her back to her, looking up at a man squatting in front of her.
The man was slightly hunched over, holding a toy car in his hand, and was trying to put it into Wen Xiaogai's hand.
It was Zhao Qingda!
"Make a minor change!" Wen Xiaoxiao shouted sternly.
Wen Xiaogai was startled. She turned around and saw her mother, and instinctively wanted to run over.
Zhao Qingda grabbed the child's arm tightly.
Wen Xiaoxiao rushed over, forcefully pried Zhao Qingda's hands off, and tightly shielded Wen Xiaogai behind her, her eyes glaring at Zhao Qingda: "Zhao Qingda! What do you want to do?!"
Zhao Qingda stood up after being yelled at by her.
He looked at the woman in front of him; she was no longer the docile and timid Wen Xiaoxiao he remembered.
"What are you doing?" Zhao Qingda smirked, revealing a smile tinged with his scars.
His gaze, however, was fixed on Wen Xiaogai, who was standing behind Wen Xiaoxiao.
"Can't I look after my own son?"
"You're talking nonsense!" Wen Xiaoxiao trembled with anger, her voice low but each word like a knife.
"Who's your son? His surname is Wen! His name is Wen Xiaogai! He has absolutely no relation to you, Zhao Qingda! I'm warning you, stay away from my son!"
Zhao Qingda's face twitched, a hint of despair in his expression: "Wen Xiaoxiao, stop pretending. This child... looks exactly like me when I was little. He's my child, isn't he?..."
"Shut up!" Wen Xiaoxiao interrupted him. "Zhao Qingda, look at yourself! Do you even deserve to mention the word 'son'? Let me tell you, he is my son, my son alone! He has nothing to do with you!"
The roguish air on his face gradually gave way to a look of dejection, tinged with a hint of bitterness: "Xiaoxiao... I know I was a scumbag before, I'm sorry to you... But look at me now, I'm getting my comeuppance. I've lost my house, my money, a finger, and I'm afflicted with an incurable disease... Wang Juan ran away too, I'm all alone now, with nothing but a worthless life..."
He looked up at her, a hint of pity in his eyes: "Can't I just see the child? He's... he might be my only child in this world..."
"Retribution!" Wen Xiaoxiao sneered, revealing years of pent-up resentment and satisfaction.
"Yes, it's retribution! Zhao Qingda, I told you long ago that you would regret it! Now you're tasting it? But what does this have to do with me? What does it have to do with my child?"
She stepped forward, staring intently at Zhao Qingda, and said, word by word, "Let me tell you, Zhao Qingda, stay away from my life, stay away from my children. We're even. My children have nothing to do with you, whoever they are. If you dare to harass us again..."
She paused for a moment, then said, "Don't blame me for being impolite. Zhao Fei won't let you off the hook either."
After saying that, she stopped looking at Zhao Qingda's face, held Wen Xiaogai's hand tightly, and turned to leave.
Back in the shop, she squatted down, her eyes unusually serious: "Xiao Gai, listen to Mommy. That uncle with the scar on his face is a bad person. From now on, no matter if he gives you candy or toys, you mustn't take them, you mustn't talk to him, and you mustn't go with him. Understand?"
Wen Xiaogai was frightened by her mother's unprecedented sternness and nodded timidly.
“If Mom sees you with him again,” Wen Xiaoxiao emphasized, “I’ll break your legs! Do you hear me?”
These words were harsh, and Wen Xiaogai burst into tears, throwing herself into her mother's arms.
Wen Xiaoxiao hugged her son tightly, her heart filled with a mixture of fear and anger.
In the evening, Zhao Fei returned from the pig farm.
Wen Xiaoxiao had finished tutoring Yizhen and Yibao's homework and coaxed them to sleep.
Wen Xiaogai was probably frightened by what happened in the afternoon, and she also snuggled up next to Liu Shuhua and fell asleep early.
After the couple finished washing up, they lay in bed. Wen Xiaoxiao leaned on Zhao Fei's shoulder. Suddenly, she remembered something, looked up at Zhao Fei, and said, "Hey, Zhao Fei, I have a question for you."
"Hmm?" Zhao Fei closed his eyes.
“Sun Mei in our shop… I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before, like I’ve met her somewhere before. Her name sounds familiar too. She said she used to work at the supply and marketing cooperative, and later got married and moved here… Have you ever been on a blind date with someone named Sun Mei?”
Wen Xiaoxiao asked tentatively.
After she finished her work for a while that afternoon, the vague memory in her mind gradually became clearer. It seemed that a long time ago, Aunt Liu, who was always talking, had mentioned that she wanted to introduce Zhao Fei to a girl surnamed Sun...
Upon hearing this, Zhao Fei opened his eyes and seemed to recall something seriously: "Sun Mei? Back then, Aunt Liu and the others were making all sorts of things, but I had no time for it. I was so busy at the pig farm that I was practically running around like crazy. Yi Di was still young, and at that time, I only had you in my heart... I've long forgotten who I've seen or not."
He spoke frankly and naturally.
Wen Xiaoxiao stared at him for a few seconds, and the little bit of resentment in her heart disappeared.
That's true, it's all old news. Back then, I was in deep trouble with Zhao Qingda, so what's there to care about?
She pouted deliberately and snorted, "Really forgotten? Sister Sun Mei is quite pretty, but she wasn't interested back then?"
Looking at her cute little face, Zhao Fei felt a tickle in his heart. He flipped her over and pinned her down, looking down at her with a playful yet intensely affectionate gaze: "What are you thinking? My heart, Zhao Fei's heart, was stolen by a woman named Wen Xiaoxiao eight hundred years ago. It's already full, how can it hold anyone else?"
As he spoke, he lowered his head and kissed her, lingering and caressing her until Wen Xiaoxiao was breathless and limp in his arms, no longer remembering Sun Mei or Li Mei.
Wen Xiaoxiao's lips moved as she spoke about Zhao Qingda's visit that afternoon, but she ultimately didn't say anything.
If Zhao Fei finds out, he might just go and cause trouble for Zhao Qingda.
It's better to avoid trouble. That person looks like a down-and-out scoundrel right now, and getting entangled with him will only lead to endless trouble.
As long as he stops harassing the child, she'll pretend nothing happened.
She didn't want to create any more trouble in her life now, as it was hard-won.
Xiaoxiao Clothing's business is now on the right track, with sales improving day by day.
Wen Xiaoxiao has a keen eye for quality and sources the right products. In addition, she and Sun Mei provide warm and attentive service, resulting in more and more repeat customers.
The first batch of spring clothes sold out quickly, and the shelves were almost empty. It was time to restock, and summer was approaching, so we needed to get summer clothes.
This time, Wen Xiaoxiao plans to stock up on more items, including not only clothes but also shoes – the shoe section that was empty last time will be filled this time to create a more complete clothing store.
Zhao Fei naturally repeated his previous statement: "I'll go with you." Although the pig farm was busy, he would rather be tired himself than let Wen Xiaoxiao travel far alone, especially to the south where Zheng Shangyu was.
Heading south again, the route was familiar to them.
They contacted Zheng Shangyu first as well.
To thank him for his great help last time, Zhao Fei treated Zheng Shangyu to a meal at a nice restaurant, booking a private room.
The atmosphere at the dinner was very pleasant.
Zheng Shangyu talked about the latest trends and fashions in the southern clothing market, and Wen Xiaoxiao listened attentively, asking questions from time to time.
Zhao Fei didn't say much; he mainly stayed by their side, pouring drinks and serving food to the two of them.
As Zheng Shangyu got into the conversation, he looked at Wen Xiaoxiao and exclaimed sincerely, "Master Wen, no, I should call you Boss Wen now. You've really impressed me. It's only been a short time, and the shop is up and running. Many men can't match your boldness and execution. The key is that you haven't let business wear down your spirit and your seriousness, which is very rare."
He raised his glass to Wen Xiaoxiao: "I, Zheng Shangyu, have met many people in the clothing industry, but you are one of the few I truly admire. Come, let me toast you. I wish you continued success in your business, and that you will open branches and build your own brand in the future!"
Wen Xiaoxiao was a little embarrassed by the praise, and her cheeks flushed slightly. She quickly picked up her wine glass and said, "Mr. Zheng, you flatter me too much. I am where I am today thanks to your guidance and help. I should be the one toasting you."
The two chatted back and forth, making quite a scene.
Sitting next to him, Zhao Fei looked at the undisguised admiration in Zheng Shangyu's eyes and at Wen Xiaoxiao's radiant face because of the recognition. Unconsciously, the old vinegar in his heart was overturned again, and sour bubbles rose up.
He maintained a polite smile, but unconsciously poked at the dish a few times with his chopsticks.
While Wen Xiaoxiao got up to go to the restroom, only two men remained in the private room.
Zhao Fei picked up the wine bottle, filled Zheng Shangyu's glass, then poured one for himself. He then raised his glass, looked at Zheng Shangyu, and his gaze deepened.
“Mr. Zheng,” he began, his voice steady, yet carrying a tacit, unspoken tension between men, “thank you for your help again this time. Xiaoxiao and I are both very grateful to you.”
Zheng Shangyu was incredibly clever and immediately understood the implied meaning.
He smiled, raised his glass, and clinked it against Zhao Fei's. His tone was frank: "Mr. Zhao, you're too kind. I genuinely believe Ms. Wen has the makings of a businesswoman. It's fate that I was able to lend a hand, and it's also because I see she has the ambition and ability. Don't worry,"
He paused, met Zhao Fei's gaze, and spoke frankly and sincerely, "I, Zheng Shangyu, know how to conduct myself. My feelings for Boss Wen are purely admiration and respect, nothing more. My mind is always on clothes and business. I have no interest in anything else."
This statement was frank and straightforward, clearly stating both sides' positions while saving face for each other.
Zhao Fei stared at him for two seconds. Seeing that his eyes were clear and open, he downed his drink in one gulp and gave a slight smile: "Mr. Zheng is a straightforward man. Come on, let's drink."
When Wen Xiaoxiao returned, she sat down and continued to discuss with Zheng Shangyu with great enthusiasm which styles of summer clothes and shoes they should stock this time. Her eyes were full of anticipation and enthusiasm for the future.
Zhao Fei looked at her glowing profile; his Xiaoxiao was flying towards a wider sky.
And he was willing to be the one who would forever guard her on the ground, waiting for her to return home. As long as her heart remained with him.
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