Chapter 68: Fawning!
Translator: Lonelytree
Mo Deli was sickly sweet with his attitude.
Before Xiao Lingyu could say anything, Jiang Tao asked, “Lingyu, what exactly is going on?”
Xiao Lingyu wasn’t one to talk bad about people. However, the woman had pushed her luck by slandering Xiao Lingyu’s name. Xiao Lingyu had done nothing wrong. She said, “I wanted to get a bag of strawberry seeds. The girl said she wanted 1000 for them. I was shocked and said they were too expensive. Then, she called me a poor wretch and tried to chase me out. It was then that I said I would lodge a complaint against her. That was when you arrived.”
Jiang Tao turned to Kang Xiaoxue. “Is she telling the truth?” Even though Jiang Tao was not familiar with Xiao Lingyu, the latter was courageous and quick-witted enough to help the police take down a human trafficking ring. That proved Xiao Lingyu’s character. She was not someone who would frame others.
Therefore, Jiang Tao believed in Xiao Lingyu.
When the stern Jiang Tao turned to Kang Xiaoxue, the latter’s face paled, but she was determined not to admit anything. She retorted, “That’s not true. Sh-She is framing me!” She pointed angrily at Xiao Lingyu.
Jiang Tao asked, “Oh? Tell me, how did Lingyu frame you?”
Kang Xiaoxue stubbornly continued, “I… I didn’t say that she was poor, and I didn’t chase her out either. She was the one who said the things here are too expensive, so she wanted to leave. She wanted to lodge a complaint against me for that!”
Both Jiang Tao and Mo Deli’s faces were dark. Kang Xiaoxue continued, “I told you. It’s she who is framing me…” Mo Deli cut her off harshly, “Shut up!”
To be fair, Mo Deli and Jiang Tao had heard the dispute between Xiao Lingyu and Kang Xiaoxue clearly. Mo Deli had no idea his sister-in-law would be so stupid to talk such nonsense when a powerful character was around. Looking at Kang Xiaoxue’s pitiful and aggrieved appearance and comparing it to Xiao Lingyu’s calm and collected nature, people who didn’t know better would think Xiao Lingyu was the bully.
Kang Xiaoxue cried harder after being scolded. She wept. “Brother-in-law, I’m not lying. Why are you scolding me?”
“We heard everything before we came in! How can you say you’re not lying?” Jiang Tao didn’t wait for Mo Deli to speak. He said sternly, “You’re really a horrible person.”
Kang Xiaoxue’s face turned red and white from shame and anger. She didn’t expect the men to hear everything. She was afraid since her lie was exposed. Even though she didn’t know Jiang Tao, she knew he was someone important from the way her brother-in-law fawn over him. She said weakly, “I… I…”
Mo Deli cursed internally, ‘What a troublemaker!’ Then, he went forward to mediate the issue, “Director Jiang, don’t be angry. My sister-in-law is still young. Please forgive her inexperience.”
Jiang Tao asked directly, “Young? May I know how old is she?”
Mo Deli’s expression froze. “She looks more than twenty years old to me,” Before Mo Li answered, Jiang Tao continued, “If a person of her age can still be forgiven for being young and foolish, when can we hold her responsible for her actions?”
Mo Deli’s expression stiffened. He lowered his head, bent his waist, and said with an apologetic smile, “Director Jiang, don’t be angry. I’ll get Xiaoxue to apologize to this Miss Xiao right now!”
Then, he looked at Kang Xiaoxue and shouted sternly, “Come here and apologize to Miss Xiao!”
Kang Xiaoxue’s tears flowed harder. She looked wronged and innocent. However, she had to yield to her brother-in-law. She shuffled forward. Her eyes burned jealously at Xiao Lingyu like they were spitting fire. She sputtered, “I’m sorry! I…” Before she even finished, Kang Xiaoxue ran away crying. She left behind an embarrassed and furious Mo Deli.
Mo Deli coughed awkwardly and said, “Miss Xiao, Xiaoxue was spoiled rotten by her big sister. But she is not a malicious person. Since she has already apologized, why don’t you forgive her?”
‘You bitch, you should be thankful that my Xiaoxue has apologized to you. If not for Director Jiang, I’d chase you out with my fists!’ Of course, he didn’t say that aloud.
Xiao Lingyu sighed. “Manager, I’ll accept her apology. I don’t care whether she’s malicious or not, but.” Xiao Lingyu turned to the counter, “Can I trouble the manager to settle the bill for me? It’s getting late, and I need to rush home.”
Xiao Lingyu was not going to take issue with a stranger.
Mo Deli was stunned, but he quickly nodded, “Of course!” He checked the seeds and frowned when he saw the strawberry seeds. “Miss Xiao, do you still want the strawberry seeds?”
Xiao Lingyu nodded. “Yes.”
Mo Deli reminded, “Miss Xiao, you might not know this, but Xing Yin County’s geography is not suitable for growing strawberries. People have tried in the past. The strawberries were either small or unpalatable.” He was telling Xiao Lingyu not to waste her time.
Xiao Lingyu smiled, “It’s alright. I still want to give it a try.” She thought internally, ‘After all, I have the farming space.’
Mo Deli shrugged since Xiao Lingyu didn’t take his advice.
He said, “How about this? I’ll give you the strawberry seeds for free. I’ll sell you the rest of the seeds at the original cost price. They are 50 RMB in total!”
Mo Deli was the seed station manager, but the station belonged to the Agriculture Bureau. There was a record of everything sold. However, to give Director Jiang face, Mo Deli was willing to pay a few hundred RMB out of his own pocket.
Xiao Lingyu was surprised by the low price. She looked at Jiang Tao beside her, and she understood why. Mo Deli was doing Jiang Tao a favor through her. However, Xiao Lingyu had no relations with Jiang Tao. They were just acquaintances. She could not take advantage of him like that. Plus, she also didn’t want Jiang Tao to owe Mo Deli because of her.
Xiao Lingyu said seriously, “Manager, that is too cheap! Earlier, the miss told me the seeds cost around 1200. Manager, please sell me the seeds at their normal price. You don’t have to give me any discount.”
Xiao Lingyu turned to Jiang Tao and shot a gaze at him.