Chapter 60: Apology, Immediately

Compared to Yu Xin’s overflowing enthusiasm and excitement, Xiao Wei, the sales assistant, appeared rather indifferent.

Yu Xin nodded gently and pulled Li Chao’s arm closer, introducing him with warmth, “Xiao Chao, this is Xiao Wei. We grew up together as childhood friends, though it’s been over a decade since we last met.”

She then turned to Xiao Wei, her voice tinged with emotion, “I never imagined I’d run into you here. The decor is so luxurious—your salary must be quite impressive, right?” As she spoke, she couldn’t help but reach out to softly touch a nearby, exquisite ornament.

Seeing this, Xiao Wei hurriedly and nervously stopped her, “Don’t touch that! If you break it, you couldn’t possibly afford to pay for the damage.”

Those words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the warmth and intimacy in Yu Xin’s heart.

Her hand hung awkwardly in the air before she slowly pulled it back. The look she gave Xiao Wei was now tinged with an unfamiliar distance.

After a brief silence, Yu Xin tried to maintain a veneer of calm and asked, “So… how have you been lately?”

A barely perceptible hint of smugness flickered across Xiao Wei’s face as she replied, “I’m doing very well. Everything’s been going smoothly.” Her tone carried a sense of superiority, as if to show Yu Xin that her life now far outshone that of her old playmate.

A pang pierced Yu Xin’s heart, and she couldn’t help recalling how they used to laugh and cry together as children, inseparable and close. Yet now, Xiao Wei seemed so changed, so unfamiliar, leaving Yu Xin deeply disappointed.

“That’s good. I hope everything continues to go well for you,” Yu Xin responded, forcing down her loss with a smile. She averted her gaze from Xiao Wei and looked at Li Chao instead, her eyes full of affection and tenderness.

Sensing her emotional shift, Li Chao gently squeezed her hand, offering silent support and comfort.

Watching their interaction, Xiao Wei felt a surge of jealousy. She thought to herself, “How did Yu Xin find such a good boyfriend, while I’m still working as a sales assistant?”

Trying to break the awkwardness, Xiao Wei asked, “Yu Xin, what do you do for work now?”

“I just do an ordinary job, but I really enjoy it,” Yu Xin replied, her voice filled with confidence and contentment.

“Oh, I see.”

Xiao Wei’s tone betrayed a touch of disdain as she silently mused, “Yu Xin’s job can’t compare to mine. As a sales assistant here, I deal with wealthy people every day. Someday I’ll marry a rich man.”

Yu Xin saw right through Xiao Wei’s thoughts and sighed inwardly. She realized that Xiao Wei was no longer the friend she once knew.

“We have things to do. We’ll be going now.” Yu Xin didn’t want to continue the conversation; she took Li Chao’s hand and turned to leave.

Xiao Wei watched their retreating figures, her heart filled with loss and helplessness. She realized that their friendship was beyond repair.

Yu Xin felt as though a heavy stone weighed upon her chest, making it hard to breathe. She had once believed that, even as years passed, some bonds—especially those woven in the innocence of youth—would always endure.

But each of Xiao Wei’s words cut like a knife, striking her at her most vulnerable.

“I always considered you a friend…” Yu Xin’s voice trembled as she tried to awaken even a flicker of warmth in Xiao Wei’s heart. Clearly, she had overestimated the resilience of their friendship.

Xiao Wei’s mocking laugh was as biting as a winter wind—icy and merciless. “All my friends are white-collar professionals!”

The words struck Yu Xin like a slap, stinging not just her face but her heart as well.

Tears welled in Yu Xin’s eyes, but she fought to keep them from falling.

She was angry at Xiao Wei’s snobbery and coldness; she was heartbroken over the end of their friendship; and more than anything, she felt sorrow for the world’s prejudice and indifference toward the less fortunate.

“What right do you have to be my friend!” This final sentence was like a verdict, tearing down Yu Xin’s last emotional defenses.

She said nothing more, only glared at Xiao Wei through eyes brimming with fury and tears, as if trying to pour all her grievances and hurt into that gaze.

Xiao Wei looked at her, a smirk playing around her lips as she sneered, “What qualifications do I lack? You’re just a widowed woman from a village—what makes you think you deserve to be friends with me? Look at yourself, look at your clothes, where you live. Do you really think you’re worthy?”

Yu Xin’s face turned pale, her lips quivered, and her heart filled with indignation and anger. She wanted to retort, to tell Xiao Wei she was not a widow, that she still had her own life.

But no words came. It was as if something blocked her throat, strangling her voice.

The air seemed to freeze around them, silent except for the sound of their ragged breathing.

Li Chao stepped forward, gently patting Yu Xin’s shoulder in silent support.

A warmth flickered in Yu Xin’s heart and her gaze grew firm. She looked up at Xiao Wei and said, “Xiao Wei, I know my circumstances aren’t good, but I have my dignity. I won’t feel inferior because of your words. Nor will I change my way of life because of them. I believe that, as long as I work hard, I can change my fate.”

Xiao Wei’s face darkened, her eyes filled with jealousy and anger. “Don’t think you’re anything special, Yu Xin. You’re just a poor widow from a village—what can you do for me? What benefit can you bring?”

Yu Xin’s heart ached with helplessness and disappointment. She said, “You’ve gone too far, Xiao Wei. We were friends once. We shared so many wonderful times. How could you treat me like this?”

Xiao Wei’s eyes grew even colder. “Stop pestering me, Yu Xin. I don’t want anything more to do with you. Just go—don’t show yourself in front of me again.”

Yu Xin’s heart was filled with sadness and despair, her eyes losing their light.

“You’re heartless, Xiao Wei. I never thought you’d treat me this way. So, this is the end of our friendship.”

Xiao Wei looked even more pleased with herself. “Stop deluding yourself, Yu Xin. You’re simply not worthy to be my friend.”

At last, Yu Xin took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions.

She understood that some roads must be walked alone, and some pain can only be endured in solitude. Through this, she would learn to cherish those who truly understood and supported her. As for so-called “friends” of the past—let them remain in the past.

Indeed, the world is fickle, and people are never constant.

When you are at your lowest, it seems as if those around you are waiting to kick you while you’re down.

Li Chao stood silently to the side, his brows furrowed, ripples of emotion stirring in his heart. He had thought that once identities were revealed, the other’s attitude might improve, yet things had only grown worse.

He sighed softly and stepped forward, his gaze sharp as he asked, “Isn’t it risky to treat distinguished customers this way? Aren’t you afraid of criticism and complaints?”

“Criticism?” Xiao Wei’s lips curled in scorn, her eyes full of disdain. “I’d rather ask—have you considered how much of my precious time you’ve wasted with your behavior?”

“What’s more,” her tone sharpened, “when you’re dressed so shabbily, how can you claim to be a customer?”

Li Chao was taken aback by the depth of her coldness. He bit his lip, trying to stay calm.

“Hillbillies!” she spat contemptuously, waving them away. “Go on—your very presence is a stain on our store’s reputation!”

This dispute quickly caught the attention of passersby, who stopped curiously to watch the unfolding drama.

Li Chao’s eyes were icy, his face hard as he retorted, “Remember, every word and action of yours will bring its own consequences.”

A wave of undisguised scorn swept over Xiao Wei’s face. “Consequences? How laughable!” She smirked. “People like you, so full of puffed-up words and empty bravado—what else are you capable of?”

She lifted her chin defiantly. “If you’re really so tough, why not have the manager throw me out right now?”

Before the words had faded, a slightly displeased female voice called out from afar, “What’s going on here?”

This sudden question made Xiao Wei instantly rein in her arrogance. Her expression shifted swiftly as she hurried forward.

“Manager, you arrived just in time!” Xiao Wei’s tone was now urgent and ingratiating. “These two customers are clearly penniless, yet they insist on touching the merchandise. I was just about to politely ask them to leave.”

Her words were pure fabrication, designed to incriminate Yu Xin and Li Chao.

The manager—a woman with delicate features and piercing eyes—frowned slightly, as though recalling some unpleasant memory.

She spoke firmly, “Everyone who walks through our doors is a valued guest. We must not judge anyone by their appearance, nor measure worth by their attire.” Her words radiated justice and principle. “Besides…”

Just as she was about to continue, her gaze fell on Li Chao and Yu Xin standing by the entrance, their figures striking under the gentle lights.

At that moment, an intangible tension filled the air, signaling imminent change.

The eyes of all four met and held, as if time itself had frozen.

Li Chao’s face was full of astonishment; he had never imagined that the woman he’d just encountered on the street—the one who had accepted his apology—was the very manager standing before him now.

Such coincidences underscored just how surprising and interconnected the world could be.

The manager’s gaze lingered on Li Chao before snapping back to Xiao Wei, her eyes wide with surprise and confusion. “The two people you just said couldn’t afford anything—are these them?”

There was disbelief in her voice.

Xiao Wei nodded without hesitation, a sneering smile on her lips as she taunted, “That’s right, it’s them. Even if we sold our clothes at ninety percent off, they wouldn’t spend a penny.”

Her words dripped with contempt for their supposed poverty.

But upon hearing this, the manager’s anger blazed. She knew well Li Chao’s true identity and wealth; Xiao Wei’s words were nothing short of humiliating herself.

Struggling to contain her fury, the manager’s voice trembled with agitation as she snapped, “Enough!”

She turned to Li Chao, her tone sincere and apologetic. “Sir, on behalf of my staff, I offer you my deepest apologies. Please accept her apology; her actions in no way represent our store’s attitude.”

“Now!” The manager’s tone grew stern, her gaze sharp as steel. “Apologize to this distinguished guest immediately! Your ignorance and arrogance have gravely damaged our store’s reputation.”

Her command brooked no argument, radiating the authority and resolve of a true manager.