Chapter 096: Bullied

Shi Runrun lay sprawled amidst the shattered shards of glass, pain radiating from every part of her body. Cen Huan, ignoring the person who had knocked her over, rushed to her side and bent to help her up. Upon closer inspection, she saw Runrun’s arms were badly cut in several places, fresh blood streaming down.

“Runrun! Are you alright? Oh my god, you’re bleeding so much!” Cen Huan exclaimed in distress, her eyes reddening with worry. She quickly fished some tissues from her bag and pressed them to the wounds to staunch the bleeding.

At that moment, a kind-hearted saleswoman hurried over with a first-aid kit, pulling out disinfectant and cotton swabs to clean the wounds. Runrun, disheveled and in pain, forced a smile to reassure Cen Huan, not wanting her to worry. “It’s nothing, Huanhuan. Just a few small cuts, really, I’m fine.”

The saleswoman, still concerned, carefully wrapped Runrun’s arms in bandages after disinfecting the injuries.

However, just as they were about to leave, the store manager appeared and blocked their way. “I’m sorry, ladies, but you can’t leave just yet.”

Still in pain, Runrun exchanged a glance with Cen Huan, both voicing their confusion at once, “Why not?”

The tall manager, her lips painted a fierce red, looked coldly at Runrun. “I’m sorry you were injured in our store, but you just broke an entire display of cosmetics and skincare products—these are all high-end luxury items. Now, we need to discuss compensation.”

Runrun fell silent. Cen Huan, unable to hold back her temper, shouted at the manager, “Are you serious? My friend got hurt in your store! It’s enough that we’re not asking you to compensate us, and now you want us to pay you? Is there no justice left in this world?”

Runrun found this absurd as well and added, “I was pushed and fell, that’s why your products were damaged. I’m not responsible for this, and I won’t accept any demands for compensation. On the contrary, I reserve the right to demand compensation from your store for my injuries.”

The manager, undaunted, actually sneered, “If you’re hurt, you’re welcome to seek medical attention. With a doctor’s report and hospital receipts, we can reimburse your medical expenses. But the total value of those products is over a million. This can’t just be swept under the rug.”

“You—!” Cen Huan was furious.

She made to pull Runrun away, but before they could leave, several security guards—perhaps summoned in advance—appeared and encircled them, blocking their path.

“Get out of the way! My friend is hurt! I need to get her to the hospital!” Cen Huan’s face was red with anger, but the guards showed no sign of moving.

The manager, heels clicking as she approached, sneered, “Ladies, it’s only right to pay for what you’ve broken. If you don’t compensate us today, you’re not leaving this store.”

“You—!” Runrun glared at her, eyes wide with rage.

She reached for her phone. “You won’t let us go? Fine, I’ll call the police! We’ll see who’s in the right!”

Runrun refused to believe the store could act with such impunity.

Unexpectedly, the manager laughed and addressed the growing crowd: “Look, they damage expensive products, refuse to pay, and now want to call the police! Just how shameless can you be? Fine, you want to leave? Security, let them go. Take their photos and post them at the mall entrance—let everyone know to avoid these two disgraceful people!”

With her cutting sarcasm, the guards actually stepped aside.

But now, Cen Huan refused to leave; she pulled out her phone to call the police herself.

Runrun stopped her. Weighing her options, she realized that if things escalated, both sides would bear some responsibility: her injury was real, but so was the destruction of the merchandise. In the end, she’d end up losing more.

Fortunately, her injuries weren’t too deep or serious. After a moment’s thought, she decided to bear it, dragging a still-muttering Cen Huan out of the store under the watchful eyes and whispers of onlookers.

Outside the mall, Runrun pulled out a business card and called Li Ming.

Though her wounds had been bandaged, blood still seeped through. Cen Huan, worried, spoke urgently to Li Ming as he pulled up in his car, “Sir, can you take us to the hospital first? Runrun is hurt—I think she should see a doctor.”

Li Ming’s face changed instantly, his panic evident. “Madam, you’re injured? Where? Is it serious?” Seeing her clutching her arm, he grew even more anxious. “You’re bleeding? I must inform President Xiao at once!”

“No, please!” Runrun quickly shook her head. “Secretary Li, I beg you, don’t call him. He’s so busy. It’s just a minor wound, there’s no need to alarm him. Just take me to the hospital, and I’ll tell him myself later.”

Li Ming looked torn, sweat beading on his brow. He’d been tasked with escorting the president’s wife, and she’d gotten hurt—if President Xiao found out, he’d be in serious trouble.

Runrun seemed to sense his worry and smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, I’ll tell Xiao Xuezheng myself. It’s not your fault, and I’ll make sure he knows that.”

Relieved, Li Ming nodded solemnly and drove them to the hospital.

The Maybach vanished from the entrance of International Finance Center.

On the fifth floor, by the floor-to-ceiling windows, a tall woman watched their departure, a cold smile curving her red lips. She pulled out her phone and dialed a number, unable to suppress her delight. “Wanwan, you have no idea how satisfying that was! Shi Runrun, that wretched woman, I pushed her and she got hurt, then the store manager I bribed humiliated her thoroughly! You should’ve seen the look on her face—absolutely priceless! Sure, after she married Xiao Xuezheng, she gained a powerful protector, and we can’t touch her openly. But she’d better not get too complacent—sooner or later, someone like me will put her in her place!”

On the other end, Chi Wanwan smiled in satisfaction, her mood soaring. “You did well! But be careful not to slip up. If Xuezheng finds out you bullied her and traces it back to me, I’ll be implicated.”

“Don’t worry, Wanwan. Everything was airtight—there’s no way Xiao Xuezheng will ever find out!”