"Madam Li, what do you think of me? I am not the doorman to greet everyone coming and going out of the mall." Li Xue snapped out, curling her lips at the old lady who never learns from her past experiences. Hasn't she always said to her that in this world, they are just mere strangers? Then how come every time this woman comes to get insulted by her?
Liu Hua at once saw red. Her eyes immediately went to stare at the people around whose attention has suddenly started getting fixed at them with some excitement. Her fists got clenched at the side to hide her anger and maintain the soft side she has been keeping all this time.
"Li Xue, do I have to remind you every time that I am your mother and you should give me respect, especially when there are people around. Even though filiality is not in your character, you can pretend in front of others. It won't drain your much energy" She said, keeping her voice low and absorbed.
Li Xue could not help but only chuckle at her words. "Madam Li, I feel like you are again confusing me for your all goodie – good daughter. Let me clear this out, I am not Wen Sying to hold pretence 24 x 7 on my expressions. Now since the things are all understood and explained, kindly excuse me".
She said and then again turned to leave. Wen Sying quickly went beside the old lady, hooking her arms again with her, "Aunt Liu, please don't mind her. Let her go. We are here to shop, so let's go and shop for our things first. Okay?" Her tone coming out all soft, all opposite to what Li Xue has used before.
Liu Hua sighed at her luck while moving her hand to gratefully pat on Sying's hands. "You are too sweet, girl! Only if I had a daughter as you not like that bratty girl then …" Her words suddenly paused as her eyes went again to stare at the scarf wrapped around her neck. "Sying, this scarf … Did Li Xue do anything to you? Say to me and I will …"
In her subconsciousness, Wen Sying's hands instantly moved to hold her neck. Of course, she was still feeling the sting of pains that she was feeling due to the harshness with which her neck was earlier grabbed. Her eyes voluntarily went to look at Li Xue who was still not too far away, fear flashing in her gaze.
The old lady was neither blind nor dumb to not see the dread in the girl's eyes standing this close to her. "I knew this. That girl only means harm. We can't expect her to do anything else. But we cannot encourage her too" She said as her eyes turned vicious along with her words. "You come along with me and see me handle her. Today I will let her know her right place!"
She said as she tugged on the arms of Wen Sing to pull her along with her.
"Aunt Liu, that will not be needed. Let's not create a scene here. many people are looking at us". Wen Sying said but anyway the woman pulled her in the direction she had seen Li Xue leaving.
In the distance, Li Xue was just about to take her step out of the mall's glass screening door when she heard the same voice from behind. Her eyes, rolling to show her irritation already.
"Li Xue, wait there! You can't leave yet"
Pursing her lips into a straight line, Li Xue turned around to ask, "What now, Madam Li? Do you again forget to give your useless thoughts on something?" Her words were clearly shot out to prick the nerves of the lady and she knew that it did its job well as she can see her frowning already. Her eyes went to stare at Wen Sying behind her, giving her a devilish smirk just to further provoke her clenched nerves.
Liu Hua could no longer control herself. This girl was always testing her limits to bring the worst. But did she really think that every time she could rule her? Not a chance! She still was her mother and far sharper than her.
"Manager, manager!" she yelled as she pierced her eyes at her daughter at the front and then looked around to call a managing administrator of the place.
Li Xue was confused at the sudden change in the story. But she was not the one to make assumptions, so she waited to see it unfold more. Her eyes shortly went to glance at Wen Sying for once and then at the people around. Though anticipation of seeing more was in every eye, not everyone had the time to stay there and see what was that all about.
"Manager! Manager!" Liu Hua yelled again when yet did not see anyone coming at her call, purposefully glowering her gaze at Li Xue, trying to intimidate her. However, she tried, the disdainful expression on her face did not waver, not even got a bit lesser than before.
"Aunt Liu …" Wen Sying came up to stop the lady but before she could even begin her words, the same manager from before came running on his heels to attend the request.
"Yes, Ma'am, is there any problem?" The manager asked, looking quizzically between the three ladies at front. Wen Sying and Liu Hua were already known to her but Li Xue seemed … His eyes swept to look at her from top to bottom.
She was dressed in some casual fitted jeans, tee and a jacket. Though she was looking all perfect and trendy, her style was something getting shadowed with the ethnic style, Wen Sying was carrying at the place. Or maybe the manager just wanted to play biased for the people he knew was popular.
Li Hua's eyes darted to look at Li Xue, while her hands tucked Wen Sying to her side all protectively. "What type of security arrangements do you keep in your mall? My daughter was harassed by this petty girl in the restroom and here she is leaving without any punishment or apology. Is this the way you treat your customers?"
Li Xue's brows got raised at her words. Her expressions, still nonchalant but one can see something brewing inside her eyes.
On the mention of the daughter, the manager's eyes instantly when to stare at Wen Sying as previously he has been introduced to them as mother and daughter. Getting on his utmost polite behaviour, he quickly asked, "Ms Wen, are you hurt somewhere?"
Wen Sying shook her head in denial as there is no way she would want to probe the things against Li Xue. But there was something else getting on the plans of the woman, standing beside her.
"What? Are you doubting my words? Of course, she is hurt or else, why do you think she would wrap her neck with this scarf? This is definitely not matching with her today's dress style". Liu Hua said, suppressing Wen Sying's denial at an instance.
The manager bowed his head in apology as he said, "No, no, Madam. Please don't take me wrong. I was just concerned for Ms Wen. Please give me some time, I will make the woman apologize".
"Who wants an apology? Just call the police and send her to jail. That's the place suitable for criminals like her". The old lady snickered. Her eyes, showing satisfaction.
Quite murmurs filled the place as people heard the words.
"Hey, was that the famous model of the fashion industry, Wen Sying?"
"Yes, yes, she looks the same. Look, here I searched her picture on the internet. She is looking the same", some others said, raising the internet browsed picture on their phone.
"Yes, she looks the same. Was she being harassed? And who is that woman? She looks familiar but I can remember her face. But I must say she is really a good looking one. Sigh, why does she has to turn villain in the story? Now there will be consequences."
"I don't know. Let's hear more for them to say!"
The manager nodded before saying, "Yes, Madam. We will do that. Let me handle these things for you. Please don't stress yourself because of all this". Then turning to face Li Xue he was about to ask his question when suddenly Li Xue's phone mild ringtone interrupted everyone.
Maintaining her stoic calmness on her face, Li Xue pulled her phone out while gesturing to everyone to maintain the silence for a second. Her eyes, getting dilated seeing the caller id on her phone screen.
How exactly did this man always come to be there every time she messes up the thing around? Has he fitted some trouble detector chip from which he gets the updates about her? He was truly troublesome in a sweet way. The way in which she could not complain.
"Yes, Mr Beelzebub!" she answered in a totally changed tone, connecting the call without any hesitation.