"I am." Xiaofeng looked at the two large bags of food the two teenagers had, and then at them. They were both around sixteen or seventeen, at an age where they knew no better.
In modern terms, this is an age of rebellion, the kind that even parents can’t manage.
"Good, if it’s yours." The teenager stretched out a finger, "Let me tell you, you can’t afford to mess with any of us. Frankly, with just a word from me, your shop could face closure. So, you should really be showing us some respect."
One sentence, and we’re supposed to please them. And how do we please them? Waiving the bill is clearly the best way.
"So that’s how it is." Xiaofeng nodded, "Then how do we settle it with you guys touching my person?"
"She was asking for it—trying to stop us, insisting on payment. We were just trying to teach her a lesson," the teenager slurred, "To make her remember, next time she sees us guys, to show some respect."
Just taking some stuff, not being able to see the truth, not teaching a lesson, how can that be okay?
Listening to the teenager’s words, Xiaofeng smiled slightly, "Young man, you haven’t seen real disrespect."
As she spoke, she extended her palm and slapped the teenager, "Young man, if your parents haven’t taught you the principle of paying when you buy something, I don’t mind teaching you. It’s only right to pay for what you buy, no matter where you go."
What a young age to learn the wrong things, to act like a bandit.
If his family doesn’t care anymore, she doesn’t mind stepping in.
"You dare hit me." The teenager covered his face, disbelief written on it, "Just you wait, I’ll have your shop shut down in no time. Believe it or not."
"I believe it, of course." Xiaofeng had no reason to doubt, "Even if you manage to get my shop closed now, you’ll have to settle the bill before you leave and apologize to her."
Xiaofeng pointed at Manman, who was still kneeling on the ground, "She is the manager of my shop. It’s her duty to ask you to pay when you don’t. But you’ve laid hands on her, and you need to apologize for that."
"Don’t even think about it." The teenager’s face turned red, the alcohol in his system now awake, "Do you know who I am? Thinking I would apologize, don’t even dream of it."
Damn, the one on the ground isn’t sensible enough, and yet, there’s one even less sensible. Expecting him to apologize, that’s just impossible.
With all these brothers watching, it’s plain public humiliation; of course, he won’t agree.
"You have two choices: either pay and apologize or I call the cops and let the authorities handle it. It’s your choice," Xiaofeng said, her expression chilling. The teenager, seeing her demeanor, felt a bit intimidated.
"If you’ve got the guts, call the police. I’m telling you, I’m not apologizing. You hit me; you’ve caused big trouble. I want to see if your shop can still operate tomorrow. Not just your shop, but you as well, might end up in jail," the teenager boasted, his voice dripping with pride. "Is what we’re selling legal? Did you get a permit? Just one charge, and you’re done for."
"Whether my shop stays open is my business, but you not paying and assaulting my staff, that’s your mistake. If you don’t apologize and try to leave, you’ll find it rather difficult," Xiaofeng insisted.
"Call the cops if you want to, just stop the nonsense. I want to see who dares to arrest me," the teenager stiffened his neck. "I’m telling you, if you can’t kill me today, I’ll definitely kill you tomorrow."
"Call the police," Xiaofeng told her employee.
Customers began to gather around, familiar, of course, with the few young men. A good Samaritan stepped forward, "Miss, I think you should let it go, you can’t fight them. It’s only a matter of damaged goods, just take it as a loss and let it go."
She clearly looked out of place, taking things too seriously.
"Yeah, miss. Their families are not the kind you can afford to offend. Better not to call the cops; if it can be settled privately, then do it that way," they recommended.
The youth listened to the customers’ words, his eyebrows raised in smug satisfaction.
See, these are the perceptive ones.
Xiaofeng thanked them, "Uncle, Auntie, thank you for your kindness. We also run a small business and can’t afford such trouble. I believe the police station will handle this fairly."
"Fine then, I’ll just wait here for the police to come. I want to see how they’re going to deal with me." The youth sat down with a proud look on his face, "You guys wait here too and see what she can do to me."
"Like an egg striking a rock." A redhead youth with his hand in his pocket scoffed, "Overestimating oneself."
"Haha." The other youths laughed boisterously.
Xiaofeng didn’t rush but simply walked over to Manman and stretched out her hand to help her up.
"Hold on," the youth spoke, "Aren’t you going to accuse me? Just let her kneel. I want to see how the police will handle me after they arrive and see this situation."
Xiaofeng glanced at him, this youth was really asking for a beating: "For every minute she kneels more, you’ll have to kneel just as long and apologize to her."
"Wishful thinking." The youth truly thought the beauty before him was a bit dim-witted.
The officers from University Town police station arrived quickly.
"What happened here, who called the police?" Three officers arrived, two men and a woman.
"Comrade, it was me." Xiaofeng stepped forward, she briefly explained the situation, then looked at the three officers.
The man in charge was about to speak when Officer B stepped forward and whispered something to him.
Officer A frowned, B nodded in agreement.
"Since there’s been a dispute, we’ll take everyone to the police station for questioning," A gestured, "Who’s right and who’s wrong, we will naturally find out clearly."
This wasn’t a convenient place for questioning; it would be easier to deal with back at the station.
The youth’s eyebrows danced with excitement as he stood up and raised an eyebrow at Xiaofeng: "Let’s go."
Xiaofeng’s eyebrows lifted, it seemed this youth did have some influence.
"Comrade, I can follow you, but I need to make it clear beforehand. If they are in the wrong, they’ll have to come back here, kneel, and apologize to her," Xiaofeng pointed at Manman still kneeling on the ground.
"As long as you can prove my fault, I’ll apologize to you," the youth said, obviously only saying it casually. But was it possible? Of course not: "On the other hand, if you start to regret, I’m always ready to welcome you kneeling down and begging for mercy."
Haha, it was the hearty laughter of the youth.
Xiaofeng held Manman’s hand and followed the officer together.
"Ms. Su, I’m sorry, it’s my fault for not doing my job well and causing you trouble," Manman said.
Xiaofeng smiled without saying a word.
"Let me tell you, if you’re scared now, it’s still okay to kneel down and beg for mercy. Who knows, I might even spare you a way out," the youth jeered as he walked shoulder to shoulder with her.