Chapter 1, First Encounter

Since childhood, Xu Tong has been following Tang Xingbang to handle the various items in the store. Tasks such as changing water pipes, although they may not seem like something a girl could do, Xu Tong can accomplish them with ease.

Xu Tong smiled at him warmly

The man smiled at Xu Tong and said, "Keep it up!"

Miss Hu approached him with a gentle smile and softly said, "Chen, please wait for me a moment. I will smoke a cigarette first, then I will take her inside to change the water pipe, and I will be back soon." As she spoke, she leaned forward attentively to light a cigarette.

As she reached the door, Miss Hu finally changed her expression once again. She looked at Xu Tong and, lowering her voice, said indignantly: "I detest you poor people with your pitiful looks begging for money, always pretending to be obedient in front of men to gain sympathy"

"Alright; please lead the way to the restroom," she said cooperatively

After greeting the doorman and signing in, she walked into the apartment building, found Room 601 according to the address, and stood in front of the door. She raised her hand to ring the bell, and it took quite a while before someone came to answer the door. It was a woman whose appearance was so enchanting that it was almost alluring.

As Miss Hu walked into the living room from the entrance, Xu Tong inadvertently glanced up and saw a man reclining on the sofa

Xu Tong looked at him with a charming gaze, as if silently expressing her gratitude through her eyes

Miss Hu, when using water again, may not have faced any issues a few days ago, but in the future, she is likely to find herself in a state of unrest. She can guarantee that the neighbors downstairs will frequently rush up to bang on her door, exasperatedly telling Miss Hu not to let dirty water flow down. As for Miss Hu herself, she will surely wear a puzzled expression, unable to comprehend the situation, no matter how anxious or confused she feels, she will not be able to identify the root cause.

However, although she is disgusted by him, the enchanting Miss Hu seems to like him very much.

Miss Hu walked inside. Xu Tong appeared flustered and awkward, smiling shyly at the man.

Hand the water pipe nozzle to Miss Hu, and Xu Tong will wait for her to pay. However, Miss Hu lowered her voice and said to her: "You give me these things, but I won't install them. What do you want me to do?"

She has always revered customers as gods, yet some of these gods do not know how to appreciate their blessings. Since Miss Hu is willing to play the haughty game with her, she has decided to return some "little surprises" to her

Xu Tong forced a bitter smile and replied, "I have already gotten used to it. Everyone has their own difficulties in life, and nothing is entirely within our control. How can one dictate what others are willing or unwilling to do? Does Buddhism not say that the essence of practice is to accept adversity? If one thinks this way, then regardless of what one does, whether it is painful or not, one will not feel wronged!" She deliberately emphasized her words and referenced Buddhist philosophy.

Miss Hu did not catch the insinuation in Xu Tong's words and smiled as brightly as a blooming flower while searching for money from her belongings

The man was indeed moved by her words, his expression softened, and a smile appeared.

Xu Tong subtly rolled her eyes, secretly sighing to herself that, apart from her, there were indeed others who could change their expressions with such proficiency.

Anyone who makes her unhappy, she always finds a way to give them some "little surprises," making them live each day in fear and filled with excitement

In order to allow her mother to leave in peace, she promised herself that she would learn to be a lady and no longer behave in a rough manner like a tomboy. During that time, she practiced smiling in front of the mirror every day while biting on her chopsticks

Survival is governed by the principle of survival of the fittest; being pitied merely indicates that one will eventually be discarded.

The man pressed his thin lips together and gave her a slight nod, which could be considered a response. Suddenly, he asked: "Can a girl handle such work?"

She saw it clearly, and at the moment she smiled, he squinted his eyes

Miss Hu let out a soft hum, as if Xu Tong had been waiting until now merely to ask for more of her money

While Xu Tong secretly felt nauseated, she couldn't help but admire the man. It was remarkable how he could remain so composed and at ease in the presence of such an affected woman.

Mother said: "Good child, how wonderful it is to smile like this, it is truly eye-catching! From now on, smile like this, do not laugh like a boy anymore!" Mother also taught her, "The most captivating expression for a girl is none other than a smile that blooms with a hint of sadness— it is beautiful and mysterious, evoking concern and unforgettable!"

Who in the old street does not know? It is better to offend the little tyrant Tang Zhuang than to offend the smiling little fox Xu Tong

Miss Hu immediately smiled even more brightly, "I think so too, it's just that I have so much on me at the moment," she affectionately held Xu Tong's hand and patted it, saying, "Wait for me, I will go get you some more!"

For instance, just now, she put in quite a bit of thought

Not only can it be completed, but it can also occasionally make some subtle adjustments elsewhere

Therefore, those who have offended her had better possess some real skills; otherwise, they will face a very miserable and humiliating defeat

Is it possible to expect her to have a bit of compassion and show mercy? No, it is not.

Thinking of the chaotic scenes that would unfold in the future, Xu Tong broke into a mischievous smile. The actions she had taken would not be easily discovered. One could only fear that in the end, this proud Miss Hu would be driven mad by the disturbances from her neighbors

She smiled again, looking at Miss Hu, and gently said to her: "We can install it for you as well, but this will incur an additional charge"

That person had an extremely handsome face, and when his gaze swept over her, it was utterly indifferent. When looked at closely, the corners of his mouth seemed to curve slightly upward, as if he were smiling. However, upon further scrutiny, it became apparent that the faint curve was not a smile, but rather a hint of lazy mockery and sarcasm.

Xu Tong continued to feign timidity and innocence to the end, as she exited the door, repeatedly mixing her pleas with sobs: "I am sorry, Miss Hu, I am so sorry, I truly did not seduce your husband, please believe me..."

Xu Tong could not help but sigh inwardly: Indeed, if a beautiful woman is like a source of disaster, then a handsome man is like a bewitching demon. When this man smiles, who would dare to say he is not so handsome that one would wish to strip him bare and take him to the bridal chamber

No! Sir, you have given me respect! Thank you!

Xu Tong nodded and followed her into the house. While lowering her head to change her shoes, Miss Hu, who had always held her chin high in arrogance, did not notice that a flicker of emotion passed through Xu Tong's eyes, revealing countless enigmatic glimmers.

It is not an easy task to compete with her in terms of wit; if one is not careful, one might end up being skinned alive by her.

Others may not use their brains, but even when you do, it is of no use, which clearly shows how foolish you are. All your efforts are spent on how to act coy and infatuated with men, which is truly both laughable and pitiable

She has never deemed compassion worthy of carrying with her

"Not at all," Xu Tong replied with a similarly hypocritical smile, "You are too polite. It is just a small effort. Changing the water pipe is actually quite easy. Once you find the trick, it can be done effortlessly without even having to think!"

Xu Tong felt a chill in her heart, yet the smile on her lips grew increasingly humble and submissive

She was taken aback. It turned out there was someone else present. No wonder Miss Hu's expression changed in an instant

The man on the sofa suddenly spoke up

His sudden smile gave one a feeling akin to the blinding brightness after a heavy snowfall has just cleared

Xu Tong smiled and asked her: "I am from Xingbang Hardware Store. May I ask if you are Miss Hu who called our store?"

Without waiting for anyone to speak, Miss Hu had already taken out the money. She warmly stuffed the money into Xu Tong's hands, smiling as she said: "Thank you for your hard work"

It is as if he is a sage isolated from the crowd, observing the foolish lives of those around him, while he himself remains untainted and aloof, mocking them with a pristine demeanor, amidst the filth and corruption that clings to others.

She appeared anxious and uneasy, looking at Miss Hu, and shrank back as she said: "I’m sorry, Miss Hu, you really misunderstood me. I did not intentionally try to seduce your husband! I just wanted to thank your husband, please believe me!" Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for the man on the sofa to hear. The tone was trembling, as if she had just been secretly threatened by someone and was filled with fear.

Out of respect for her opponents, she should treat them equally as herself; how could she use compassion to humiliate them?

As she stepped into the elevator, she whistled, feeling an immense sense of joy

The corners of my mouth are chafed, my gums are swollen, and my cheeks are sore. Although it is hard, it feels worthwhile, as it brings comfort to my mother

Miss Hu stood up to greet Xu Tong as she came out, smiling gently and saying: "Thank you! If it weren't for you, we really wouldn't know what to do! Such rough work is something we probably could never manage in our lifetime. If you hadn't helped us change the water pipes, we probably wouldn't even be able to use the restroom today!" The tenderness and warmth in her voice were in stark contrast to the arrogance and coldness she had just displayed.

The woman slightly raised her chin, nodded slightly, her expression haughty, "It is indeed me."

Xu Tong's brow furrowed tightly, her expression one of restraint. She looked as if someone had pinched her hand painfully, yet she endured the pain in silence, unwilling to speak of it

Miss Hu, with her back to the sofa, did not see it. In an instant, the man's expression changed slightly, and a hint of disgust flashed in his eyes. The scene was akin to a king in the palace encountering his arrogant and overbearing concubine, who was scheming to bully a weak and innocent little maid.

She portrayed the scene of a weak and impoverished girl being secretly persecuted by her jealous lover with exquisite brilliance and exceptional skill. Anyone who hears or witnesses this moment cannot help but feel sympathy for the seemingly innocent and simple girl, and condemn the petty and malicious jealous woman

The man smiled faintly at her and said, "I haven't done anything, no need to thank me."

Feeling extremely refreshed, Xu Tong walked into the living room. Miss Hu was coiling around the man like a snake, her face beaming with smiles, completely flattering and wholeheartedly trying to please him

Xu Tong slowly retracted her smile. Miss Hu's expression made her feel very uncomfortable

It is not easy for a girl to do such rough work at home. I think you might as well be generous this time and pay her a little more. Listening closely, one can actually discern a hint of subtle mockery in his voice

Xu Tong gazed at her reflection in the mirror, a mischievous smile playing on her lips

The distance in space caused the gentleness on Miss Hu's face to vanish in an instant. It was as if she had donned a new mask of arrogance, skillfully putting it on as she imperiously instructed Xu Tong, "There, that’s the spot," she said, raising her chin and directing her gaze towards the pipe beneath the pool. "Replace the water pipe under the sink and also change the faucet. Once you’re done, come find me, and I will pay you for your work." With that, she hurriedly turned and walked towards the living room.

Before Miss Hu turned around, her expression suddenly changed. The haughty and cold demeanor she had just displayed seemed like an instant coffee mask affixed to her face, which melted away in an instant, replaced by a gentle and almost water-dripping softness.

Money is not an issue; I will pay you more than I originally promised, as long as you can fix the water pipe properly

Xu Tong looked at the note in her hand, confirming that she had not gone to the wrong place. The address she called the store to request delivery to was indeed here

Xu Tong felt as if two pairs of eyes were intentionally and unintentionally scrutinizing her, so she quickly widened her eyes without leaving a trace, adopting an innocent expression of both restraint and anticipation. She stared at the banknotes in Miss Hu's hand, secretly blinking her eyes as if to suggest that the more she blinked, the more money would appear. At the same time, she revealed a hint of disappointment in her expression—her eyes were filled with sorrow, as if lamenting the fact that the payment Miss Hu offered was not as much as she had initially promised.

Xu Tong frowned slightly. An increasing number of women nowadays devote excessive energy to maintaining their appearance, unknowingly becoming so superficial that they are oblivious to their own lack of intellect, and they increasingly struggle to engage in meaningful conversations with others

Xu Tong's eyes turned cold, a glimmer of cunning flashing through them

The man nodded slightly and turned his gaze to the window

Miss Hu hurriedly turned to look at the living room, her expression filled with panic. She then turned back to Xu Tong, gritting her teeth and saying angrily: "Shut up! Hurry up and leave!" As she spoke, she quickly opened the door, raised her arm, and forcefully pointed outside, urging Xu Tong to leave quickly.

Miss Hu entered the washroom with Xu Tong

Miss Hu turned to look at Xu Tong's clothes, which were stained and tattered—these were actually Xu Tong's work clothes—without hiding her frown, a look of disgust flashing across her face. "After you come into the house with me, do not touch anything else." The implication was clear; she was concerned that Xu Tong would dirty her belongings.

Xu Tong, with a timid and pitiful expression, withdrew her hand, took two steps forward, and bowed gratefully to the man on the sofa. However, while she uttered her thanks, her heart harbored ill intentions, thinking: May your life be shortened; how dare you make your great-aunt bow to you!

One should strive to be strong while alive. Although sympathy may serve as a comfort for the weak, it also stands as a humiliation for the strong

Not long after, my mother passed away. From then on, a faint sadness lingered in her smile

Before the door closed, Xu Tong could see clearly that a layer of beads of sweat had already formed on Miss Hu's forehead

The hint of sarcasm at the corner of his mouth immediately vanished

Xu Tong felt increasingly uncomfortable. It is indeed true that birds of a feather flock together; in this room, the women were unreasonably arrogant, and the men were even more insufferably condescending.