Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Accepted to the Department Store
"Mom, I got accepted at the department store, I can start working there tomorrow."
Su Xiaoxiao hastily shared the good news with her mother.
Liu Cuilan widened her eyes in disbelief: "The third one, what did you say? Wouldn’t my ears be playing tricks on me?"
Su Xiaoxiao nodded vigorously: "Mom, you heard right, I can start working at the department store tomorrow."
Liu Cuilan was so thrilled that she almost fainted on the spot. Her third child was truly accomplished.
Recently, rumors had been spreading around the village that her third child got kicked out of the department store for cheating on the exam.
Despite her vehement denial, no matter how she explained, no one was willing to believe her. Now was the perfect opportunity to spread the good news and clear her third child’s name.
After dinner, Su Xiaoxiao noticed that her mother, who usually didn’t like going out, uncharacteristically left the house, bringing her along on the pretext of going out to digest food.
"Mom, we want to go too."
Knowing that their mom was going to spread the news about their third sister, the two little brothers wanted to tag along to share the glory.
Usually, whether in the village or at school, due to Father Su’s affairs, they always appeared inferior to others, always being pointed at and whispered about.
This time, they wanted to ride on their third sister’s coattails and stand tall for once.
"Go where? Stay home and take good care of your Sister Zhaodi and the kids."
After saying this, Liu Cuilan pulled Su Xiaoxiao out the door.
By coincidence, as they stepped out, they ran into Zhang Dongmei and her mother.
They were surrounded by several village aunties, as Li Huilan proudly boasted that Zhang Dongmei got into the city department store.
"You know the department store? My daughter will start working there tomorrow."
Aunties immediately looked at Zhang Dongmei with envy: "Wow, your Dongmei is really going places."
"The department store is so hard to get into, Dongmei got in just like that, unlike some people who cheated on the exam and got kicked out right on the spot."
"You’re talking about the Su family’s girl, right? That girl was never good at studying. If not for her mother pleading with everyone, even the high school wouldn’t have taken her..."
As they were chatting proudly, they saw from afar Liu Cuilan and Su Xiaoxiao walking over.
Li Huilan immediately raised her chin with a sarcastic tone: "Tsk, your daughter did something so shameful, yet you’re still out and about?"
Zhang Dongmei also looked disdainful: "Indeed, cheating to get into a department store, I’m embarrassed for you."
Around them, the aunties chimed in: "Exactly, look at their Dongmei, excellent from a young age, got into the department store in one attempt."
"Who says my daughter cheated? Did you see it with your own eyes or what?"
Usually meek and mild, Liu Cuilan now spoke loudly with newfound confidence.
"Dongmei, quickly tell her, did her third daughter cheat on the exam and got thrown out?"
An auntie looked toward Zhang Dongmei.
Zhang Dongmei immediately straightened her back: "Yes, I saw it with my own eyes."
Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but roll her eyes, as if seen with her own eyes—the gossip was actually spread by her.
She didn’t bother to argue, instead, she immediately stepped forward and slapped Zhang Dongmei twice loudly.
"If you hadn’t mentioned it, I’d have forgotten to settle things with you. Zhang Dongmei, are you so bored that you have to stir trouble for me?"
Su Xiaoxiao didn’t forget that if not for her quick wits, the department store interview would have been ruined by this Zhang Dongmei.
"Su Xiaoxiao, are you crazy? You dare hit me?"
Zhang Dongmei immediately rushed forward, grabbing Su Xiaoxiao’s hair.
"Let go of me!"
Seeing her daughter being bullied, Liu Cuilan immediately charged forward.
Li Huilan refused to be outdone: "Don’t you touch my daughter."
As they spoke, the two began to tussle.
The sisters who had been standing by watching quickly stepped back; they didn’t want to get involved in the scuffle.
Soon, everyone watched in shock as the four women in front of them pulled hair and scratched faces.
Yikes, what a fierce fight.
Ultimately, it was Liu Cuilan who emerged slightly victorious, pinning Li Huilan to the ground with slaps from left to right.
Su Xiaoxiao also kicked Zhang Dongmei to the ground: "Zhang Dongmei, if you dare spread nonsense about me again, I’ll tear that foul mouth of yours."
The nearby aunties were stunned; this mother and daughter usually appeared soft and weak, how did they suddenly become so fierce?
With a sneer, Liu Cuilan spat at Li Huilan: "All you do is spew nonsense. Who said my third child got kicked out? My third child will be working at the department store tomorrow, so keep spreading lies at your own risk."
"What? Your Xiaoxiao also got into the department store?"
An aunty spoke in disbelief.
Li Huilan had just gotten up from the ground when she heard this: "How is that possible? You’re just making things up, aren’t you?"
Zhang Dongmei chimed in too: "I personally saw Su Xiaoxiao get kicked out, how could she have gotten in?"
The crowd exchanged glances. Everyone in the village knew about the Su family girl, known for being pretty but not much else.
Liu Cuilan straightened her back: "Anyway, from tomorrow onwards, my Xiaoxiao will be a sales clerk at the department store. Believe it or not."
"Anyone can talk big, but who knows if it’s true or not."
Li Huilan rolled her eyes as she spoke.
Aunty Wang suggested: "I heard that the city department store currently has some flashlights in stock. How about this: whoever between Xiaoxiao and Dongmei can buy a flashlight for us, we’ll believe them."
Hearing this, Li Huilan glared at Aunty Wang: "Those flashlights are in short supply, even department store employees might have a hard time getting one..."
Before she finished speaking, Su Xiaoxiao spoke up: "A flashlight, is it? Any aunties who want one can come register with me, and I’ll bring it back for you once it’s available."
Aunty Wang had just said it offhandedly, knowing how difficult it was to get a flashlight, hoping for a lucky break, not expecting the Su family girl to agree so readily.
She immediately looked at Li Huilan with disdain: "Huilan, could it be that your daughter is the one who didn’t actually get in? How else would the Su family girl dare to agree to bring one, while you just make excuses?"
"Exactly, I asked her to get a stainless steel water bottle for me before too, and she had all sorts of reasons to decline. She might just be lying."
Watching as those who had just been backing her suddenly turned sides, Li Huilan got anxious: "What nonsense are you spouting? My daughter got in fair and square. Stainless steel water bottles and flashlights are just hard to come by. I advise some people not to put on airs just to save face."
Zhang Dongmei backed her up: "Exactly, anyone can talk big, but not delivering on promises would be embarrassing."
"Who said I can’t deliver? I’m putting it out here today, whether it’s a stainless steel water bottle or a flashlight, I can help everyone buy them. If you want one, feel free to register with me."
Su Xiaoxiao’s words stirred up a storm, with several village aunties immediately surrounding her.