<h4>Chapter 126: Viral</h4>


    Everyone turned to look at Xiong Zhigang. Even the boys who had been supporting him before thought that this star student of the high school league was throwing a tantrum in a fit of rage. Spouting such bold words to someone wearing both military and government badges seemed like madness.


    Li Xiaofei didn''t bother to retort. Arguing was pointless in the face of facts. However, Xiong Zhigang''s defiance made Li Xiaofei vaguely suspect that he might indeed have something up his sleeve. He was curious to see what it might be.


    The banquet continued. After the series of thrilling award presentations, everyone needed to rx a bit. So, the next segment featured several cultural performances. They were very impressive.


    ***


    <i>Backstage.</i>


    "What? No, absolutely not," said Zhong Ling as she stared in disbelief at her ssmate and close friend, Huang Yu.


    She couldn''t believe that Huang Yu was actually trying to introduce her to a so-called big shot to be his mistress. Itpletely shattered her worldview.


    "Little Ling, don''t be so quick to refuse," Huang Yu smiled, her short blonde hair framing her face. "I know it''s hard to ept at first, but think about it carefully. How many years do we girls have in our youth? Your father passed away, you have no home to return to, no support in this world, and now you''ve only just switched to martial arts cultivation. Think about it, how can you progress in martial arts without resources? You have no money, no background, and you''ve missed two years of the best cultivation time. You''re about to graduate from high school; what will you do then? Don''t wait until you''re old and no one wants you, only to start regretting it."


    Zhong Ling shook her head and replied, "I''m sorry, you may have a point, but I have my own principles and boundaries."


    Huang Yu looked at her in frustration and said, "I''m not afraid to tell you, the person interested in you is one of the top figures in Liuhe Base City. He can do whatever he wants. If you follow him, you''ll instantly stand at the top of the pyramid. What resources couldn''t you get then?"


    But Zhong Ling continued to shake her head.


    Huang Yu tried to persuade her patiently. "A girl''s beauty and youth are our strongest weapons, but this weapon depreciates with time. If you don''t take this opportunity now, you''ll regret it after you graduate and face the harsh reality of society."


    "There''s no need for you to say any more," Zhong Ling said firmly. "I still consider you a friend, but please don''t talk about this again."


    A flicker of barely noticeable anger shed in Huang Yu''s eyes. "Little Ling, I really consider you a friend, which is why I''m saying all this. The powerful figure who''s interested in you is determined to have you. Even if you refuse, he has many ways to make you submit. You can''t escape."


    Zhong Ling looked at her youthful and beautiful reflection in the mirror. She thought of Li Xiaofei in the slum, her ssmates like Zhou Yiyou gathered around her, and that lecherous old man on stage earlier...


    Indeed, her beauty had brought her a lot of attention. Some of it was beneficial and some of it was trouble. All those faces kept swirling in her mind. In the end, only one remained. The boy on the main stage receiving the Kunlun Badge.


    <i>Maybe he was right.</i>


    Zhong Ling sighed quietly within herself.


    "If such a terrible thing happens, I''d rather die," she said with unwavering determination.


    ***


    <i>At the shopping mall of Starry Sky Tower, Xiesheng boutique.</i>


    "Today we have discounts."


    "You can get a good deal."


    "Handmade, a brand of our own Great Xia... "


    The shop owner with ck sses stood at the entrance, enthusiastically trying to attract passing customers. But almost all the potential customers just nced at the store name and quickly walked away, not stopping for an unknown small brand.


    The shop owner with ck sses smiled bitterly.


    "Excuse me, ma''am, our mall prohibits soliciting customers outside the store." A well-dressed female mall manager said haughtily as she approached. "This impacts the experience of other customers. Please stay inside your store."


    The shop owner weakly defended herself, "I am inside my store. I didn''t step out... "


    "That doesn''t matter. You can''t call out to attract customers. It disturbs the guests," the mall manager said sternly. "We''ve receivedints from other merchants. Your behavior seriously disrupts the mall''smercial order."


    "Then why are they allowed to do it?" The shop owner pointed to a few international brand stores opposite her, where multiple female sales assistants stood at the entrance inviting customers in.


    "They are international super brands, whose monthly revenue is thousands of times yours, and they attract tens of thousands more customers. Many peoplee here specifically for these super brands... Greater contributiones with privileges," the female mall manager stated bluntly.


    The shop owner with ck sses protested, "But I also pay rent and signed a contract... "


    "To be honest, I don''t know how you even got the entry qualification.’ The mall manager said mockingly. "If I were the general manager, a small brand like yours would never be allowed into Starry Sky Mall. It tarnishes ourmercial image."


    "But... " The shop owner couldn''t help but retort, "If we don''t give our own Great Xia brands some opportunities and resources, how can they ever grow? Those international super brands also started small."


    The mall manager scrutinized the shop owner and said, "I admire your love for national brands and your naive idealism, but unfortunately, Starry Sky Mall is not a charity. Moreover, I must inform you that if your sales do not meet the target by the end of this month, you will have to leave."


    The shop owner felt defeated and resentful but had nothing more to say.


    <i>The weak are always bullied. This is true for individuals, for nations, and in the business world as well.</i>


    "Okay, I understand," she said, turning away in despair.


    Suddenly, a rush of hurried footsteps came from afar. Arge crowd of people surged forward like a flood, rushing toward the store.


    "This is the ce."


    "Xiesheng? Yes, this is the store."


    "Hurry, buy everything."


    "Hey, don''t push! There should be some order here."


    The customers, who looked like butlers, servants, or bodyguards, swarmed in like a tide. They didn’t even say a word as they began frantically grabbing the clothes off the racks as if they were snatching up food in an apocalypse.


    The shop owner with ck sses stood there in bewilderment, her expression dazed as she adjusted her thick lenses.


    <i>What’s happening? A robbery? Someone actually dares to rob a store in Starry Sky Mall?</i>