SG 45

There was a stack of bamboo baskets on the floor.

Meng Fan wanted to buy many things, so Xia Zhifei picked up one and helped him pack the ceramics he had chosen.

As his gaze followed along the wooden shelves, his attention was caught by the fruit mugs.

“I’ll buy two cups too.”

He picked up a mug with a three-dimensional fruit design.

It was too cute.

“Pick whatever you want. I’ll buy them for you.”

Meng Fan was busy taking things off the shelf according to his list and answered right away.

“No. I’m giving them as gifts. If you pay, then it’s not from me.”

Xia Zhifei thought every design was adorable.

He had never been able to resist cute things.

In the end, he chose one called “No Berry Troubles” and another called “Cherry For You.”

Clicking his tongue, Meng Fan said, “Giving them away? Who else could you give them to except Qin Xuyang?”

“I’m not letting you pay, and you still complain.”

Xia Zhifei raised a set of four cute ceramic capybaras.

“You can give me these instead.”

The items listed on the order were clear, but the last one was “ceramic cat.”

There were seven or eight different ceramic cat figures on the shelf.

Meng Fan was afraid of picking the wrong one, so he took out his phone and got ready to record a video to send for confirmation.

It was already five ten in the afternoon.

The time for Chu Baiyan to come back was getting closer, and Yan Anqing felt more at ease.

The glass door opened again.

Yan Anqing lifted his head for a glance, but it wasn’t the person he was waiting for.

A guy came in, recording a video while walking around.

There had been customers like that before, filming inside the shop.

Yan Anqing didn’t care much.

As long as they didn’t film him, it didn’t matter whether they filmed without buying anything.

The video influencer held up a selfie stick, showing the items on the shelves, and picked up a few pieces to film close-ups while talking to himself.

When he saw two other customers already shopping in front, he skipped filming them and moved toward the back.

He scanned the shelf and picked out a decorative plate meant for display.

“No wonder this shop’s popular. So many people come to film videos here. Once the videos get traffic, others follow, and that helps promote the store too,” Meng Fan whispered to Xia Zhifei.

“The things here really are good. Every piece feels creative. People online aren’t stupid,” Xia Zhifei said.

He thought the reason the shop earned everyone’s praise was that the work itself was excellent.

While they talked quietly, an argument broke out at the counter.

“Every item has a marked price. We don’t give free gifts,” Yan Anqing refused.

“I came all this way, and you won’t even give me one little plate? That’s stingy. I’m posting the video online to help promote your shop. Other stores pay me to film for them.”

The influencer had come because this pottery shop was trending lately. He’d seen several store-visit videos getting good views. He hadn’t planned to charge money, only to take one decorative plate as a small token, thinking it would be a fair exchange.

But the owner rejected him outright.

“You don’t need to promote anything.”

Yan Anqing couldn’t understand. He had never asked for promotion, so why was the man demanding a free item?

“Why are you so stubborn? I’ve got tens of thousands of followers. If I promote you, you’ll earn way more than that plate’s worth.”

The influencer’s tone turned impatient. Other owners begged him to film for them, but this one acted stuck-up.

“The price is written on the plate. If you want it, just pay. If you don’t, give it back.”

Yan Anqing didn’t understand what he was trying to say, so he repeated himself.

Seeing that the man didn’t plan to pay, he raised his voice slightly.

“If you’re not buying, then return it.”

The influencer’s face twisted.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Big shop bullying customers? Acting high just because you’re popular now? I’m talking to you nicely, and you act like you don’t understand human speech? You saw me filming and still expect me to give you free publicity?”

“You… you filmed on your own.”

Yan Anqing’s chest heaved.

He didn’t know what he’d done wrong to be cursed at with such harsh words.

His fingers shook from anger. He clenched his pants seam and raised his voice.

“Get out. My shop doesn’t welcome you.”

“You think I care? There are plenty who pay me for promotion. Keep your stupid plate.”

The influencer handed it over but released his grip just before Yan Anqing caught it.

A crashing sound rang out.

The plate hit the smooth concrete floor and shattered into pieces. The sound startled Xia Zhifei and Meng Fan behind the shelf.

“Idiot.”

The influencer sneered.

A fool like that could even run a store. He thought he’d just teach him a lesson. Yan Anqing stared at the fragments in horror.

An oppressive agitation covered his body. His breathing grew uneven, and his body trembled beyond control.

When he was a child, his grandma once took him to a playground. He had stood at the top of a slide watching the other kids go down one after another, but he couldn’t do it himself. An older boy had pushed him aside roughly.

“Can’t even slide? Idiot.”

That feeling overlapped with the sight of the shattered plate.

That word “idiot” which he had heard so many times before, pierced through his ears into his head.

Yan Anqing instinctively wanted to scream, but before he could, the door opened, and Chu Baiyan rushed in and grabbed him.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

Chu Baiyan held him tightly and pressed Yan Anqing’s head against his shoulder like a wall between him and the other man.

His other hand rubbed Yan Anqing’s back in a steady rhythm to help him breathe.

Once Yan Anqing’s breathing became steady, he held his wrist and moved him behind himself.

When he came in, he had seen the plate hit the floor and heard that insult.

Chu Baiyan forced himself to hold back his anger. He spoke through clenched teeth.

“Apologize first, then pay for it.”

“Who the hell are you? The owner didn’t say anything, and you’re speaking for him? Why should I apologize? I gave the plate back. He didn’t catch it. How’s that my fault?”

The influencer gave him a sideways look full of provocation and turned to leave.

Before he could take two steps, a fist came out of nowhere and slammed into his face.

His selfie stick dropped to the floor.

“You hit me?”

Blood ran from his nose.

He swung his fist in return, but before he could reach, Chu Baiyan kicked him and he fell flat on the floor.

“I’m calling the cops.”

He wiped the blood off his face and got up.

“Go ahead. The shop has cameras. I’ll deal with it to the end.”

Chu Baiyan’s voice was cold.

If not for the fragile ceramics everywhere, and for fear of scaring Yan Anqing, he would’ve gone further.

The man, tall and built, stood there seething. He knew he couldn’t win, and calling the police wouldn’t help him either. He picked up his cracked phone and spat blood on the ground.

“Fine. You two just wait.”

He threw the door open and left.

After the door closed again, Meng Fan and Xia Zhifei came out from behind the shelf with the basket in hand.

The tall man who had thrown the punch was now holding the shop owner gently by the counter, his tone soft, nothing like the anger from before.

Meng Fan and Xia Zhifei exchanged looks. Leaving now didn’t feel right, but staying didn’t either.

“Do you still want these? I can pack them for you.”

Chu Baiyan noticed them and spoke politely.

“All of them.”

Meng Fan placed the basket on the counter.

“Be careful… don’t step on the shards.”

From Chu Baiyan’s shoulder, Yan Anqing revealed his eyes and softly warned when he saw a shard of porcelain near the boy’s foot.

Xia Zhifei stepped aside.

That beautiful plate on the ground was now just pieces.

It was a shame.

Chu Baiyan calculated the total and carefully packed each ceramic piece they bought.

There were two small succulent pots with slightly chipped glaze among the extras, and he gave one to each of them.

“I’m really sorry about what happened. I hope it didn’t scare you.”

“No, no. That guy deserved it.”

Xia Zhifei accepted the bag awkwardly. As a witness, he felt bad for the owner. The whole thing had been undeserved.

After they left, Chu Baiyan took a broom, swept the floor clean, and mopped it once.

“If you’re not feeling well, go upstairs and rest. I’ll watch the shop tonight.”

Now that no one else was around, Chu Baiyan lowered his head and kissed Yan Anqing’s forehead.

“I’ll stay in the shop.”

Yan Anqing wrapped his arms around Chu Baiyan’s waist.

Even though his mood was low, he could hold on because Chu Baiyan was there.