CHAPTER 18: CHAPTER 18: REGISTRATION

"Mr. Zhang."

Su Xiaoxiao was just about to turn back when she heard this greeting.

Oh, she heard wrong. Her last name isn’t Zhang.

She immediately guided the old lady to a safe spot without turning her head.

The old lady grabbed her hand, her face full of gratitude: "Young lady, thank you. Are you also here to apply for the salesperson position?"

Su Xiaoxiao nodded: "Yes, Grandma."

The old lady looked at her with a kindly smile: "What’s your name? I’ll have to thank you properly when I get the chance."

"No need for thanks, Grandma. I still need to go apply, please take care."

After speaking, Su Xiaoxiao turned and was about to go back to the queue.

As soon as she got next to the line, someone lightly tapped her shoulder.

Who’s going to be a troublemaker now?

Su Xiaoxiao turned around angrily and froze as she faced that familiar handsome face.

Zhou Cheng? What’s he doing here?

This face she thought about day and night suddenly appeared in front of her. Zhou Cheng got a bit nervous and didn’t know where to put his hands and feet.

The more nervous he got, the more serious his expression appeared.

"I called you just now but you didn’t respond. I thought I mistook someone else for you."

Zhou Cheng spoke with a bit of nervousness.

He was just trying his luck but hadn’t expected the two of them to bump into each other so coincidentally.

Su Xiaoxiao suddenly met his stern, icy face, and felt her heart skip a beat.

Damn it, could he have realized he’s mistaken and come back to get his stuff?

She suddenly felt a bit guilty.

Though he insisted on giving those things, she really wasn’t his girlfriend and still accepted his gifts.

But she had important matters to attend to today, and if she was going to lose face, it couldn’t be here.

She nervously leaned closer to Zhou Cheng: "Could we discuss our matters later? I have something very important to do right now."

Zhou Cheng immediately realized she was here for the department store salesperson application.

He nodded: "Alright, I’ll wait for you nearby."

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t expect him to be so cooperative, and her fondness for him increased a bit more.

Sigh, it’s a pity such a good person is with someone like Zhang Dongmei.

But that’s none of her business. As the saying goes, there are varied tastes for turnips and cabbages, maybe he likes that type.

"Thanks for your understanding; I’ll be back soon."

Su Xiaoxiao smiled at him, waved her hand, and turned to join the queue.

Zhou Cheng’s gaze instinctively followed her as she went.

Today she wore a pair of dark blue pants that were somewhat faded and patched, paired with a light yellow floral shirt, which was rather old with frayed cuffs.

The two long, black braids casually hung at her sides, accentuating her fair and lovely face.

Among a group of girls dressed in youthful and glamorous outfits, she appeared overly plain, even shabby.

From time to time, people looked at her with disdainful gazes, filled with contempt.

Yet she stood there gracefully, moving forward with the queue, head up and chest out, her posture upright without any hint of fear or inferiority, even with a subtle smile on her lips.

Her confidence and poise made her striking even in plain clothes, captivating Zhou Cheng’s gaze.

The thought of such a radiant girl being his girlfriend made Zhou Cheng’s heart warm, yet he felt some guilt.

He hadn’t realized how difficult her life was; he shouldn’t have sent impractical chocolates and pens; he should’ve sent more fabric coupons and money.

He should’ve sent some meat coupons too; she was too skinny, with that slender waist that felt like he could encircle it with one hand.

Su Xiaoxiao followed the line ahead, aware of Zhou Cheng’s occasional glances, feeling a bit conflicted.

She had no money in her pocket; how would she return his things later?

She took a moment to glance at the game store, which had items like White Rabbit candy and braised beef, but...

Her wallet’s coins were used up on anti-hair loss shampoo; now it’s cleaner than her face.

Wait, anti-hair loss shampoo.

Who knows if Mr. Zhou has issues with hair loss.

She was lost in thought when the application line finally reached her.

The person handing out application forms was a middle-aged woman who appeared to be in her forties.

The woman gave her a disdainful glance up and down before scoffing: "Move along, dressed like that and you’re still trying to apply. This isn’t a place for you, hurry up and get lost."

Her tone was filled with contempt.

As soon as she finished speaking, mockery followed from behind.

"Tsk, tsk, you’d think she’s here for a handout."

"Exactly, dressed like that and still daring to apply."

Su Xiaoxiao frowned, turning to see the two girls who had mocked her before.

She narrowed her eyes, her fingers clenched tightly with crackling sounds.

The long-faced girl immediately recalled the scene of being beaten before, shrank her neck, and the rest of her words stuck in her throat, unable to speak further.

The slap she received still made her face sore even now.

The plump girl was already timid; seeing her friend shut up made her immediately stop talking and avoid Su Xiaoxiao’s gaze.

This crazy girl was too terrifying when she lost it; they couldn’t beat her; not at all.

"Why are you still sticking around here? Hurry up and leave, don’t waste time for those behind you."

Some newcomers, unaware of Su Xiaoxiao’s fierceness, chimed in softly.

"Yes, yes, hurry up, don’t waste everyone’s time; so many people are waiting to apply."

Su Xiaoxiao slapped a piece of red paper onto the table, causing a loud thud that startled the woman.

She swiftly frowned at her, looking increasingly impatient: "What do you want? Are you trying to make trouble?"

"Ma’am, could you please read the application announcement carefully? Which part says you can’t apply if you’re poorly dressed?"

Ma’am?

Li Xiuping’s face turned green upon hearing this form of address.

Every applicant here politely called her sister, and this clueless girl dared call her ma’am?

What kind of vision does she have? People thought she was only in her thirties; how could she be a ma’am?

Thinking this, her glance toward Su Xiaoxiao grew even more impatient: "I say you can’t, so you can’t. I make the decisions here, now leave at once."

Her voice barely faded when Su Xiaoxiao calmly picked up the pen in front of her, snapped it in a single motion.

Li Xiuping’s face turned pale: "What... what do you think you’re doing? Don’t think I won’t report you to the police."

"I intended nothing, just to apply,"

Su Xiaoxiao spoke steadily, paused for a moment, then continued, "If someone wants trouble, I won’t go easy."

"You’ve got some nerve, dead girl, you think this is some place you can just act out."

Li Xiuping’s face became even more unpleasant, pointing at Su Xiaoxiao: "You need to leave right now."