Chapter 461: A Batch of Bad Fabrics
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
At a different location, the auction was still going on fervently.
However, Tao Yuansong grew increasingly displeased as he watched. Fixing his gaze on Chu Qingzhi, who stood at the forefront of the crowd, he vowed to teach her a lesson.
In a burst of anger, he shouted at the shopkeepers, “If any of you participate in Chu Qingzhi’s food festival, I’ll make sure your shops can’t operate anymore!”
His threat instantly silenced the lively scene. The shopkeepers were now caught in a dilemma, knowing well that the threats of a second-generation heir like Tao Yuansong were not to be taken lightly.
Chu Qingzhi, with a stern look, signaled Chu Laipi and Chu Peipei. “Go have a ‘heart-to-heart’ talk with him. I’ll take responsibility for any consequences.”
Chu Peipei and Chu Laipi, who always enjoyed a bit of excitement, immediately switched into their hooligan mode and approached Tao Yuansong with mischievous grins.
Sometimes, when reason fails, force becomes necessary.
Tao Yuansong, realizing that these were real thugs, immediately lost his nerve. He had always been more bark than bite, and now faced with actual tough guys, he lacked the courage to confront them.
As they approached, Chu Peipei and Chu Laipi flanked Tao Yuansong, one on each side, and hooked their arms around his neck. “Brother, let’s step outside for a chat.”
Tao Yuansong, in a panic, turned to his followers, “What are you waiting for? Get these two off me!”
But his followers, just as cowardly as their master, hesitated to act. They tried to force themselves but re=coiled at the fierce glares from Chu Peipei and Chu Laipi, hanging their heads low like quails.
Tao Yuansong was left speechless.
Chu Laipi and Chu Peipei ate well, dressed well, and looked like burly men. They looked like they could take down a dozen with ease. Coupled with their hooligan appearance, they were really scary.
Chu Laipi’s fan-sized hand slapped the shoulder of a follower, causing him to stagger. His face hurt so much that it became hideous. It hurt!!
Chu Peipei hooked his arm around Tao Yuansong’s neck and walked out. “Young Master Tao, let’s go out and talk. Don’t delay our Sister Qingzhi’s business.”
Tao Yuansong had no choice but to comply, lacking both strength and courage.
The three of them and their lackeys gradually disappeared from everyone’s sight.
Chu Qingzhi assured the crowd, “Dear shopkeepers, don’t worry. If anyone faces threats, harm, or coercion from Tao Yuansong for participating in the food festival, inform me. I will resolve it for you.”
Chu Qingzhi was very famous in Shuiyun County. Everyone believed her, and soon, the atmosphere became lively again. The auction continued.
At Pure and Gentle Women’s Clothing Shop.
Xiao Yi walked into the room to look for Chu Qingyue with an ugly expression. “Sister Qingyue, something happened.”
Chu Qingyue’s heart skipped a beat when she saw Xiao Yi’s expression. She maintained her composure and asked, “What happened?”
Xiao Yi did not know what to say. “Sister Qingyue, come over and take a look personally.”
Chu Qingyue followed Xiao Yi to the tailoring room.
Xiao Yi pointed at the fabric on the table and said, “Sister Qingyue, not only is the new fabric we bought full of mold, but it’s also very bad quality. It tears easily and is unusable for making clothes.”
Chu Qingyue picked up the fabric and lightly tugged, and it tore apart.
Her expression changed slightly, realizing they had been sold defective fabric.
She picked up another piece that hadn’t been opened yet, only to find the outer part looking fine but the inner part faulty.
The seller of the fabric had been working with her for a long time. There had been no problems, so the inspection was loosened. She did not expect the other party to mess with her like this!
She spread out all the fabric, but she did not expect that not a single piece of fabric was good.
“Xiao Yi, carry two pieces of fabric and follow me.” Chu Qingyue was very angry now. She planned to ask for an explanation.
“Yes, Sister Qingyue.”
••
The fabric had been ordered from the Zhang Silk and Satin Shop, intended for making clothes for Chu Qingzhi.
Upon arriving at the shop, Shopkeeper Zhang greeted Chu Qingyue as usual. “Miss Qingyue, are you here to order more fabric?”
Chu Qingyue, her face stern, replied, “We’ll talk about that later. Right now, I need an explanation for this.”
She angrily threw two rolls of fabric onto the counter.
Shopkeeper Zhang glanced at the fabric and feigned surprise, “Miss Qingyue, why are you bringing bad fabric to my shop?”
“This was bought from your shop. Where else should I bring it?” Chu Qingyue’s anger escalated as Shopkeeper Zhang showed no sign of guilt.
Shopkeeper Zhang, feigning innocence, said, “Miss Qingyue, don’t make false accusations. Our shop always sells goods of the highest quality. We would never sell defective goods. Perhaps you’re mistaken?”
“Mistaken?” Chu Qingyue’s face turned cold. “You were the only one who delivered to me today. How could I be mistaken?”
Shopkeeper Zhang swore, “I don’t know where you found these fabrics, but I can swear that these are definitely not fabrics from my shop.”
Chu Qingyue slammed her hand on the counter, startling everyone in the shop. “So, you refuse to admit it?”
Shopkeeper Zhang still said patiently, “How can we admit something we didn’t do? Moreover, why didn’t you notice anything wrong when you received it?
Now you come blaming us; what if you’re trying to swindle us?”
Chu Qingyue clenched her fists, her gentle demeanor now overshadowed by anger. “Either replace all this fabric with good quality ones, or we’ll see each other in court!”
Shopkeeper Zhang’s attitude changed. “This is not how you do business.”
Actually, Chu Qingyue knew very well that she could not win if she went to the county office to complain, but she could not take this lying down. “In that case, Shopkeeper Zhang, you don’t plan to compensate?”
Shopkeeper Zhang suggested. “Miss Qingyue, why don’t you go to the county office to sue us?”
Chu Qingyue was so angry that she took a few deep breaths. Are you trying to be shameless? Alright, let’s be shameless together.
She picked up the bad fabric and approached a well-dressed middle-aged man. “Sir, are you here to buy fabric? I advise against buying here. Look at what I got – it’s all defective. He won’t even acknowledge it.”
The middle-aged man looked at the fabric. The outside was good, but the inside was bad. It was a common trick of such heartless merchants. He cupped his hands at Chu Qingyue and said, “Thank you for telling me.” With that, he turned around and left.
When Shopkeeper Zhang saw a potential guest leave, he was so angry that he walked towards Chu Qingyue and said fiercely, “Get out of our shop quickly. Otherwise, I won’t be polite.”
Chu Qingyue turned around and snorted at Shopkeeper Zhang. “Xiao Yi, let’s go.”
When they arrived outside the shop, Chu Qingyue found a few branches and hung the fabrics on them for display. “Attention, fabric buyers! This is an unscrupulous shop. It sells all bad fabrics. I advise everyone to shop elsewhere..”