Chapter 17: I Didn’t Want to Bite Her. Is That Normal?

In the mid-to-late days of April, even in a place like An City—a pearl shining in the middle of a desert—the rains began to fall with increasing frequency. Most were merely passing showers, vanishing within half a day.

Su Ye braved the scorching sun that emerged immediately after the rain, pulling her bike up to the entrance of a general goods store. She fished several small boxes out of the parcels strapped to her bike and trotted inside.

The shop was quiet and empty of customers. The owner was busy balancing the books, but she set her pencil down the moment she saw Su Ye enter.

“Big Sister, here’s the leftover stock from today. I’ve brought it back for you,” Su Ye said, her voice sweet and soft.

The woman took the goods back and did a quick headcount while Su Ye began to divide the earnings.

“At the wholesale price plus twenty cents, today’s sales totaled sixteen yuan and seven cents. Here is twelve yuan for you!”

The Southside area she had recently opened up was small and sparsely populated. Since the novelty hadn’t worn off yet, she was making a decent amount, but she knew the profits would only dwindle in the coming days.

But that was the reality of the situation. She had to slowly find a new way forward.

Su Ye waited for the woman to finish recording the transaction. Seeing the woman fidget with her pencil, Su Ye sensed her hesitation and spoke up candidly. “Sister, if you have something on your mind, just say it!”

The woman let out a soft sigh. “To be honest, I feel a bit bad for you. You know, lately, there’s another young girl running around selling things just like you are.”

“Qi Sheng?”

The woman nodded.

Su Ye shrugged. “So, Sister, what are you trying to say? Just be direct, it’s fine.”

“It’s nothing major. I just wanted to negotiate… could we raise the price by another ten cents? I heard Lin Wanjia rented that shop to your friend, so I figured you aren’t exactly hurting for money…”

As she watched Su Ye’s eyes gradually rim with red, the woman’s voice grew smaller and more uncertain. Eventually, her guilt overwhelmed her, and she trailed off into silence, staring at Su Ye.

After a long pause, the woman whispered, “Little Ye, I’m just making too little. Please, try to understand my side.”

Su Ye turned her back and wiped her eyes. “Sister, you aren’t the first person to ask for a price hike. I rely on all of you to put food on my table, so how could I not understand? But you know how I operate…”

She sniffled and wiped away more tears, murmuring, “I’m sorry, Sister. You know I can’t control my tears. I only make a tiny bit of money per item—everyone knows the margins. If we add more to the cost, I won’t even have enough to buy a bottle of water while I’m out.”

“But Little Ye, my child is at the age where school costs a fortune. These goods… it’s like I’m practically lending them to you for free! Sigh!”

Su Ye turned back around, her eyes bloodshot. Her youthful face was a picture of sorrow and fragility as she nodded silently. “Then Sister, we might really need to think this over. I have to save some money for my own living expenses. If I earn too little, I won’t be able to work with you anymore…”

“Don’t do that!” the woman cried out, panicked.

Having someone go out and do the legwork for her brought in far more money than she could earn just sitting in this small shop. Every day, she relied on the small change from people commuting to work or school. She couldn’t afford to lose the revenue Su Ye, her “delivery girl,” brought in.

But since the woman had already pushed the issue that far, and Su Ye’s tears were now rolling down her chubby cheeks, leaving two wet trails on her unpowdered skin, the woman lost all her will to argue.

She clenched her hands as if making a difficult decision and gritted her teeth. “Fine, I’ll just take a smaller cut! I can’t go fighting with you youngsters over these pennies; life isn’t easy for you kids either. Alright, come here, give me a hug. Stop crying.”

“No, Sister, you were right. Let’s raise the price. However…” Su Ye allowed herself to be hugged obediently, then bit her lip. “I have one small, selfish request.”

The woman smiled. “Listen to you, using such fancy words. Go ahead.”

The harmless little bunny gently grabbed the sleeve of the self-righteous weasel, giving it a little tug. Her large eyes were filled with longing, hope, and a hint of innocence as she whispered, “Could I… get an introduction to the supplier?”

***

Yue Chengqi sliced open two tomatoes and handed them to the person currently recounting the day’s events with high spirits. The girl happened to be parched from all the talking; she grabbed one and took a massive bite. The cool, sweet-and-sour juice instantly filled her mouth, making her sigh in satisfaction.

Yue Chengqi asked with a smile, “So, the reason you’re back a bit late tonight is because you went to see that supplier?”

Su Ye nodded while chewing. “Yeah! I looked so weak and pitiful; how could she see that and not help me? Besides, do you understand the difference between a referral from an acquaintance and trying to figure it out on your own?”

Yue Chengqi nodded.

She understood that much. The less developed the economy and the smaller the living area, the more it became a “society of acquaintances.” Such a society was a curious thing; even if you were a complete stranger, the effect of being introduced by someone was worlds apart from having no connection at all.

Just like today—Su Ye had used a minor ruse to obtain a badge of credibility from the supplier, a result she could never have achieved through blind trial and error on her own.

Furthermore, that kind of trust opened doors to many more possibilities that had yet to be explored.

Yue Chengqi gave a warm smile. “I suppose the lesson is to never provoke you. No one can outmatch you when it comes to playing mind games.”

Su Ye hummed with a smirk, but then suddenly knit her delicate brows. “I suspect you’re insulting me!”

“I’m praising you,” Yue Chengqi replied quite seriously.

After all, being able to devise a method to maximize one’s own interests in such a short time without offending anyone required significant wit and intelligence.

A strange sense of pride bubbled up in Yue Chengqi’s heart, causing her to purse her lips and whisper, “You’re very smart. Too smart.”

You’re much smarter than that other person. You deserve to make a fortune.

“That sounds nice. I like hearing that. Say more.”

Yue Chengqi’s lips curved. “Speaking of which, do you know the name of the person who chose the same path as you? I’ll help you curse her out.” Maybe she knew the person.

Su Ye thought for a moment. “I think her name is Qi Sheng? It’s a nice name. She must be a very capable girl. If we weren’t rivals, I’d actually quite like to be friends with her.”

“After all, in all these years, she’s the first one to successfully build a fortune this way. She can endure hardship and has a good head on her shoulders. She’s a good kid.”

Qi Sheng…

That name was incredibly familiar.

She seemed to be the head of the Everguest Mall branch in the provincial capital—an approachable leader who was highly capable, having managed to grow a new supermarket into a powerhouse in the capital.

Yue Chengqi paused and cleared her throat softly.

Su Ye looked at her expectantly. “How are you going to curse her! Hurry, I’m so angry, I’m waiting for you!”

“…” Yue Chengqi realized she had spoken too soon. Since the person seemed to be an important figure, she probably shouldn’t curse her just to vent frustration.

Yue Chengqi smiled. “She isn’t as amazing as you. You were the first to take the risk; you’re more impressive.”

“…That’s it?” Su Ye pouted. “I thought you’d have some grand insults. Turns out you’re no good at cursing people either.”

Yue Chengqi nodded, then asked, “Do you plan to keep doing things this way?”

“Not exactly. I can’t keep tricking honest people, can I? But as for those who try to hike prices and make life miserable for both of us—they can forget about having a good time!”

“Still, Yue Huan, you were right. If you rely on people, they leave; if you rely on mountains, they crumble. Tsk, very few people can see the true profit in distribution. I hope Qi Sheng doesn’t get scammed by those people. Probably not; she seems like a smart kid. Sigh, I hope she understands my good intentions.”

“That brain of yours really is too useful.” Yue Chengqi thought to herself. By doing this, Su Ye could expand her social network while simultaneously placing herself and Qi Sheng on the same side. Rather than letting suppliers jack up prices and hurt them both, it was better for Qi Sheng to stabilize the market price while Su Ye slowly exited to start her own business. Even if they never met, Su Ye was planting the seeds for a future alliance.

Yue Chengqi couldn’t help but feel admiration. Some people were simply born for this line of work!

She truly admired the Su Ye of this age. If only she could get more education and see the wider world, her achievements would be limitless.

Yue Chengqi’s gaze softened, filled with encouragement.

No matter how capable a child of this age was, they always enjoyed being praised. Su Ye tilted her head back slightly, a smug expression overflowing and pooling into the dimples on her cheeks, like invisible wine.

Yue Chengqi felt a sudden impulse. She pressed both index fingers into Su Ye’s dimples. Under the girl’s shocked gaze, she pulled the soft flesh of Su Ye’s cheeks upward, forcing her into a smile.

I’ve wanted to do this for so long!!

The Su Ye of the future seemed to have forgotten how to smile; her dimples had faded so much over the years that it had made Yue Chengqi’s heart ache.

“Hue-Huan, wet go o’ me!” Su Ye barked through bared teeth.

Yue Chengqi couldn’t help but laugh, but she eventually complied, giving the cheeks one last gentle rub before letting go.

The moment she was free, Su Ye clutched her face and spun around, burying her head in her hands.

Suddenly, she bolted upright. “I’m not staying with you anymore, you bully! I’m going to sleep. Watch the stall yourself and come home early tonight!”

Without waiting for a reaction, she sprinted away.

It wasn’t until she reached the market entrance that Su Ye finally slowed down and squatted, her hands still cradling her face. She let out several long, shaky breaths before she could finally calm down.

What’s wrong with you, Su Ye? Why didn’t you bite her? You never let anyone poke your face, so why… why did you forget to bite her?

She bit her lower lip, her eyes wide with realization.

The spots where she had been pinched still felt warm, tingling with a faint itch. It was like a kitten was gently scratching at her, trying to coax out a feeling she couldn’t name.

It’s so weird. It’s not like no one has ever rubbed my face before, but I’ve never felt this strange. Why?

It was so bizarre. She didn’t understand.

Could I figure it out by reading a book?

Su Ye immediately dismissed the thought. Then I’d rather never understand it!

The girl ran all the way home and burst into Lin Wanjia’s courtyard. The older woman was once again lounging in her recliner, “moon-bathing” while waving a cattail leaf fan.

If there had been an incense burner nearby, it would have looked like a scene of a hermit living in a hidden paradise.

Su Ye pouted and walked over, taking the fan from the woman’s hand and gently fanning her.

Lin Wanjia cracked an eyelid, looked at her for a moment, and closed it again. “What is it? Unhappy?”

This was a perfect opportunity. She could ask all the questions in her heart; Lin Wanjia would surely understand and be able to explain everything to her.

But the words got stuck in her throat.

She didn’t even know how to describe this emotion. Because when Lin Wanjia rubbed her face, she didn’t want to bite her either. On the surface, it seemed like the same thing, but deep down, the underlying sentiment was completely different.

The question was unspeakable; the emotion was indescribable.

In the end, she pulled over a stool, sat down, and rested her head on Lin Wanjia’s lap. “Not really. I’m just so tired.”

Lin Wanjia laughed and gave the girl’s ponytail a gentle tug. “You spent the whole day outsmarting people. It’s been hard on you.”

“Your information is so fast, Sister Wanjia. You already know?”

Lin Wanjia’s smile widened. She caught the fan between two fingers and twirled it skillfully. “Seeking profit while maintaining good relations is only your first step,” she said leisurely. “If you want to expand, you must slowly turn them into people you can control, not just ‘friends.’ Do you understand?”

The cattail fan came to a stop, tapping Su Ye on the top of the head.

“Ouch!” Su Ye cried, clutching her head. “I understand!”

“Well, with that brain of yours, I’m not worried. Now tell me, what’s really wrong?”

Su Ye buried her face in the woman’s lap and spoke in a muffled voice. “Sister… if someone touches my face, and I don’t feel like biting them… is that normal?”