Suddenly, the elderly woman's expression turned serious as she said to Xiao Xun, "Young man, something's not right! There's a hundred yuan missing from my wallet. Don't go yet, explain what's going on!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xun frowned. "What do you mean? I was kind enough to catch the thief for you, and now you're trying to extort me?"
"Could this young man be in cahoots with that thief just now?"
"How could that be? If they were together, why would he be shouting to catch the thief?"
"Maybe he's also a thief, framing a competitor!"
"Hmm, yes, that makes sense."
Xiao Xun pointed to the surveillance camera above. "This is a society governed by law. Everything requires evidence. Slander is against the law."
The elderly woman grabbed Xiao Xun's arm. "Everyone, please be the judge! This kid took my money and is now accusing me of slander. I'm an old person, and saving money is not easy!"
"Can you let go first? I'm not going to run away."
"No!"
The elderly woman resolutely shook her head, her grip tightening. She shouted, "If I let go, you'll definitely run. Unless you return that hundred yuan, I won't let go!"
"I saw it just now, he didn't touch your wallet!"
Hearing this voice, Xiao Xun's heart warmed instantly. There were still good people!
The woman who stepped forward to speak for Xiao Xun was Guan Jiawen.
"Madam, I saw everything from the side. He didn't touch your wallet. Please check again carefully. If you still suspect him, you can request to view the surveillance footage or call the police. However, you must be absolutely sure, as this involves a crime."
The elderly woman looked up at the camera and realized it was indeed focused on their area.
"Madam, would you like to check again?" Xiao Xun said with a smile.
The elderly woman, feeling a bit guilty, released her hand and began to check her wallet with apparent seriousness.
Then, with a smile, she said, "Oh dear, look at my brain. I'm getting old, my memory isn't good. The money is all here, it's all here. Young man, I misunderstood you!"
Xiao Xun knew she was faking it but didn't bother to argue.
Next, the elderly woman quickly stuffed her wallet into her pocket and left sheepishly.
Seeing that there was no more excitement, the surrounding people gradually dispersed.
Xiao Xun walked over to Guan Jiawen. "You made it so hard for me to find you. Why did you leave without a word?"
Guan Jiawen was wearing a leather apron stained with fish scales and blood. A strong fishy odor emanated from her, clearly indicating she was selling seafood.
Guan Jiawen lowered her head and said softly, "I owe so much money, I have to find a way to repay it!"
"Take it slow! You owe money, not your life! All those usurious loans have been settled for you!"
Guan Jiawen forced a sweet smile. "President Xiao, aren't you working today?"
"I am. I heard you quit, so I came to see."
Guan Jiawen bowed to Xiao Xun. "Thank you for your concern."
Xiao Xun helped her up and waved his hand. "Never mind that, how's business?"
Guan Jiawen nodded, sighed, and replied, "Only sold two fish, sigh!"
"Let's go, I'll see where you are and support your business."
Guan Jiawen blinked. "Okay, then I'll rip you off today."
"No problem."
Following Guan Jiawen to her stall, Xiao Xun finally understood why her business was poor. Her stall was in the furthest corner of the entire seafood section, and the space was very small, barely enough to display much merchandise.
"Your spot isn't very big."
"It can't be helped. The rent for good locations here is too high, and they're all occupied. I had to use all my strength just to secure this small spot."
Xiao Xun nodded and then crouched down to examine her seafood. Based on his experience, the seafood was very fresh. However, given her poor stall location, it was understandable that business was slow.
He could buy all of this seafood himself, but he knew Guan Jiawen wouldn't accept such a gesture. How could he help her properly?
Perhaps he could ask Zhao Yuman later if her restaurant needed any local seafood.
Xiao Xun stood up and said to her with a smile, "Guan Jiawen, your fish looks quite fresh. Give me one."
"Certainly."
Guan Jiawen scooped out a fish with a net and began preparing it for Xiao Xun.
Xiao Xun took a short video with his phone, planning to show it to Zhao Yuman next time they met.
Soon, Guan Jiawen finished preparing the fish and handed it to Xiao Xun in a bag.
Xiao Xun took the bag. "How much?"
"You're actually going to pay? I can't accept it! You've helped me so much, and you even came to see me. Consider this my token of appreciation."
Hearing her words, Xiao Xun took out cash. "No, this is your business. I must pay."
Guan Jiawen pretended to be angry. "I said I don't want it, so I don't want it. If you insist on paying, I'll be upset. Besides, we were colleagues once. What's wrong with me giving you a fish?"
"Alright then, I won't pay. But we have an agreement, next time I come, you must accept payment, or I won't come again."
Guan Jiawen rolled her eyes at Xiao Xun. "That's a given. If you came every day to take a fish, my business would have to close down early."
Just as Xiao Xun turned to leave, Guan Jiawen suddenly called out to him.
"Oh, wait a moment, there's one more thing!"
Xiao Xun stopped and asked, puzzled, "What is it?"
Guan Jiawen's face suddenly flushed. "Are you busy the next couple of days?"
Xiao Xun didn't know what Guan Jiawen was up to. "If you have something, just say it. If I can help, I definitely will."
"It's like this, I have a gathering in a couple of days, and I bragged that I found a boyfriend..."
Xiao Xun instantly understood. "This matter! No problem."
Guan Jiawen was overjoyed, her eyes shining. "Really?"
Xiao Xun nodded. "There's a handsome guy at the company. I'll have him contact you."
Guan Jiawen quickly waved her hands, her face even more radiant. "I showed them your photo..."
Xiao Xun shook his head. "My photo? How can that be..."
Guan Jiawen fiddled with her fingers, like a little girl who had made a mistake.
Xiao Xun took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "Just this once, never again."
Guan Jiawen nodded heavily. "Thank you, President Xiao."
Xiao Xun swung the bag with the fish. "You carry on, I'm leaving."
It wasn't far from the pedestrian street, and he had been notified that his store was finally renovated.
Xiao Xun drove back to the pedestrian street, signed the papers, paid the final installment to the renovation team, and then called the store manager, informing her to gather the employees in the afternoon to resume business.
The store manager happily agreed. She even told Xiao Xun that if he hadn't called her soon, she would have quit and found work elsewhere. She felt uneasy only taking money without working.
In the afternoon, Xiao Xun went to the convenience market again. From a distance, Guan Jiawen's stall was surrounded by a sea of people, a throng of heads so dense it was hard to move.