Ling Chengyan frowned and pointed to a bag with a doll's head imprinted onto it. "Isn't that milk powder?"
The saleswoman didn't even bat an eyelid as she said, "That one has been reserved for another customer."
Ling Chengyan suppressed the rising anger in her heart and said, "My child hasn't had milk for two days. Can you sell me a bag for emergencies?"
Before she could finish her sentence, the saleswoman stood up abruptly and threw the sweater in her hand on the counter. She glared at Ling Chengyan and said, "What's wrong with you? I told you, the milk powder is reserved. What are you making a scene for?"
Ling Chengyan finally couldn't suppress her anger and said, "I'm not making a fuss, I'm just here to buy milk powder. The doctor gave us a certificate to buy a catty of milk powder without using a food ticket."
As she spoke, she saw a thick wooden stick leaning against the door from the corner of her eye. She was about to grab and break it to establish her might, but she heard someone say, "What's going on? What's with all the noise?"
Ling Chengyan turned around and saw a man in his thirties walking out from behind a shelf.
The other customers didn't show any reaction, but the saleswomen subconsciously restrained themselves. The saleswoman at the non-staple food counter had a slight change of expression as she whispered, "Director Wu."
The man wasn't tall and had a thin figure. He was wearing a navy blue shirt and pants. His facial features were ordinary, but it held some authority.
"Zhou Hongyan, why are you arguing with a customer again? In our last meeting, we just emphasized that we can't insult or beat customers for no reason. Have you forgotten that already?"
"No, Director Wu, I didn't hit or insult anyone... It was her, she's the one who's making a ruckus. I told her that there's no milk powder left, but she keeps pestering me..."
"There's milk powder on the shelf. I only wish to buy one packet, and a doctor even issued a hospital certificate. Your store's logo preaches 'serving the people,' while my baby is going to starve to death. Is it all fake?" Ling Chengyan said.
Director Wu frowned and turned to glare at Zhou Hongyan. Even after being advised to not start a conflict with a customer, she went and provoked one of them again. Clearly, this girl was stubborn to the bone!
"Dear customer, our sales assistant isn't lying. Milk powder is in high demand nowadays. Although this batch of milk powder has just arrived, it has already been reserved. The money and tickets have already been paid for..."
Ling Chengyan didn't reject his words immediately as he was using a respectful tone. She tried to plead again, "The child hasn't had milk for two days. I just wish to buy one bag in case of an emergency..."
Director Wu frowned and stared at Ling Chengyan, Xiao Xing, and Xiao Tian for a few seconds. Just when Ling Chengyan thought he would refuse, he retracted his gaze and ordered the salesperson, "Sell her a bag."
"But Director Wu, what about Chief Hou..." The saleswoman was quick to speak up.
Director Wu turned around and glared at her. "I'll take care of that."
No matter how hard the saleswoman tried to stop her, Ling Chengyan ignored her and successfully bought the milk powder. She then went to another counter to buy a boat-shaped glass milk bottle, and left the department store with a big-sized and a small-sized milk bottle.
Xiao Tian was famished. She had to find a place to get some hot water to feed her child.
Ling Chengyan stood at the entrance of the department store and looked around. Before she could figure out where to find hot water, an ordinary-looking man suddenly walked up to her. He was wrapped in a rather old gray cotton jacket, and he had a slightly hunched posture. He sneakily got closer and whispered, "Do you want milk powder?"
Ling Chengyan didn't answer immediately. Instead, she scanned the other party to see whether he was an ordinary person or not. There were no signs of him looking like a Kung Fu practitioner. She nodded and replied, "You have a bag?"
The man's eyes scanned the surroundings as he whispered, "I don't, but I know a place where you can buy it. You don't even need any tickets to purchase them."
Ling Chengyan's heart skipped a beat as she subconsciously thought of a place. The black market.
Since ancient times, whenever there was something that wasn't being supplied in the markets, it would often give rise to underground transactions, commonly known as the black market.
Ling Chengyan didn't believe him easily and asked, "How can I believe you?"
The man turned to look at Ling Chengyan and chuckled. "You're a cautious one. Fine, I'll give you ten yuan. If there's no milk powder, you can keep this ten yuan."
As he said that, he handed over ten yuan.
Ling Chengyan's brows slightly trembled. Alarm bells were already ringing in her heart, but she still calmly took the money.
Then, she led Xiao Xing and Xiao Tian back into the department store to temporarily leave them there. She couldn't bring her children to see a place like the black market.
Zhou Hongyan looked at the two children who had been forced into her hands. She was filled with anger, but she didn't dare say a word. 'Why? That woman had just quarreled with me. Why should I take care of her children? Do I owe her anything?'
However, it was useless no matter how angry she was. She placed the children in front of the counter and prepared to leave. The younger one was still alright, but the older one was very stubborn. Zhou Hongyan tried to persuade her to leave, but the little girl was stubborn. She insisted on waiting for her mother to come back to pick them up. If her mother didn't come to pick them up, it would be useless no matter who came.
Meanwhile, Ling Chengyan who was dressed lightly, was carrying a small bag, and following the man through a few turns and alleys. Soon, they arrived outside a factory compound.
This area was very far from the main street, and there were some random weeds growing here and there. Ling Chengyan's eyes shifted around and noticed traces of people walking along the wall. The branches and weeds were bent and showed signs of damage.
This wilderness did not seem like the usual black market where people often traded.
Ling Chengyan stopped in her tracks.
The man had walked a dozen steps along the courtyard wall before he noticed that the person behind him wasn't following. He had no choice but to turn back. "What's wrong? It's not far away, just up ahead."
Not only did Ling Chengyan not move forward, but she also took two steps back."This place is too quiet and secluded, and there's not even a single person here. I'm not going any further."
With that, she turned around and wanted to leave.
The man who looked ordinary and even a little honest, suddenly changed his expression. He chuckled as he put his hand to his lips and whistled. "You're already here, why are you leaving without seeing anything? Besides, my money is still in your hands."
Ling Chengyan took a few steps backward, but her back hit the red brick wall. "You're not selling anything at all, are you?"
Before Ling Chengyan could finish her sentence, two more men ran over from the foot of the wall. One was tall and strong like a bear, and the other was short and thin like a mantis.
"Da Xiong, Gou'er, can't the two of you be more efficient?" The man who brought Ling Chengyan here completely underestimated her. He already saw this young farmer woman as meat under his knife, soon to be served on his plate. He casually teased her with his companions as they circled around Ling Chengyan.
The lean man by the name Gou'er took out a dagger and said while gesturing, "Take out all your money."
The three of them didn't notice that the village wife, who had a look of horror on her face just now, had already straightened her back and even her legs.
"I do have the money, but are you sure you have the ability to take it?"