Chapter-09Â
I Think This Woman Is My Nemesis!
Inside the hair salon.
Pei Nianâan rolled her eyes impatiently at Wen Ying.
Her voice was already thin and sharp; now, because she was so agitated, it went up two more pitches. Even the finger she pointed at Wen Yingâs nose was trembling with anger.
âI havenât even settled the score with you for spilling wine all over Brother Chengnian last time! Today you embarrassed me in class again, and now, even when Iâm just here to wash my hair, I run into youââ
âWhy are you everywhere like some kind of haunting spirit?â
Wen Ying looked at the furious Pei Nianâan with calm indifference.
âClassmate Pei Nianâan, I just work part-time at this salon. Donât overthink it. If you really canât stand me, you can leave.â
âWhat kind of attitude is that? Youâre an employee, Iâm the customer! Donât you know what manners are?â Pei Nianâan nearly exploded.
She couldnât out-argue Wen Ying, and she didnât dare to hit herâso she just stood there fuming helplessly.
âWhereâs your manager? Iâm going to complain about you trying to kick out a customer!â
The manager, who had been watching the scene in shock, quickly rushed over to smooth things over.
âOh dear, donât be mad, miss! This employee just started working here and doesnât know the rules yet. Iâll talk to her later, I promise!â
Then, turning sharply to Wen Ying, the manager scolded:
âWen Ying, whatâs wrong with you? What have I told you before? The customer is always right! How dare you try to drive one away? Do you have a death wish? Apologize to the customer, now!â
Wen Ying stood still, her back straight and her expression firm, clearly unwilling to admit any fault.
The manager grew even angrier, about to continue scolding herâwhen Gu Chengnian, standing nearby, frowned.
âAre you done yet? Sheâs just a junior employee and hasnât done anything wrong. Why are you chewing her out like that? As the boss, shouldnât you protect your staff instead of blindly sucking up to customers?â
Manager: â???â
After saying that, Gu Chengnian turned to Wen Ying, his expression softening.
âSorry, itâs Nianâanâs fault this time. Donât take it to heart. Tell you what, Iâll apologize on her behalf. Come on, help me wash my hair.â
Pei Nianâan stared at Gu Chengnian in disbelief, but before she could say anything, he had already walked off with Wen Ying.
Pei Nianâan kicked over a stool in frustration.
âPei-jie, Pei-jie!â Yu Zhi quickly grabbed her before she lost control. âDonât be angry, please! Iâll buy you milk tea, okay?â
âMilk tea, my ass!â Pei Nianâan shook her hand off. Glaring at Wen Yingâs retreating figure, she hissed through clenched teeth:
âThat vixen! Just you waitâIâm going to tear you apart one day!â
Yu Zhi saw the tips of her young missâs ears turning red with anger, then suddenly grabbed Pei Nianâanâs shoulders and turned her toward the mirror.
âOh my god!â
Pei Nianâan gasped when she saw the reflectionâher face was twisted in rage, her mouth gaping, brows furrowed, lips downturned. She looked like a bitter, deranged woman.
She quickly turned to Yu Zhi.
âWas that crazy woman in the mirror just now⊠me?â
Yu Zhi nodded.
Pei Nianâan immediately started rubbing her cheeks, puffing them up, trying to fix her expression.
âNo way, thatâs too scary! How could I look like a shrew?â
Yu Zhi seized the moment to talk her down.
âPei-jie, think about itâevery time you run into Wen Ying, you get angry, right? MaybeâŠâ
[WARNING! Forbidden for host to spoil, hint at, or reveal any part of the original plot! Electric punishment imminent!]
A sharp voice screamed inside Yu Zhiâs head, and an electric jolt shot through her body, making her twitch.
âWhatâs wrong? Keep talking,â Pei Nianâan asked, puzzled by her sudden freeze.
Yu Zhi cursed the system furiously in her heart, then quickly changed her words.
âI meanâPei-jie, youâre a fairy, a true goddess! Losing your temper in public totally ruins your image!â
âAnd besides, angerâs bad for your healthâit can even cause nodules!â
Pei Nianâan felt soothed by the flattery. Taking a deep breath, she smiled at her reflection.
âHow about this face?â
âPerfect!â Yu Zhi replied instantly.
Feeling better, Pei Nianâan thought back to Yu Zhiâs earlier words, then suddenly widened her eyes.
âWaitâI just realized something!â
Counting on her fingers, she said:
âHow many times have I even met that Wen Ying? And every single time, she manages to piss me off! Either Iâm angry already, or Iâm on my way to being angry!â
Before Yu Zhi could answer, Pei Nianâan declared with conviction:
âI think this woman is my nemesis!â
âYes, yes, exactly!â Yu Zhi nodded vigorously. âYour energies just clash! Best stay far away from her.â
The more Pei Nianâan thought about it, the more it made sense. Then she glanced toward the hair-washing area.
âNo, that womanâs bad luck incarnate! I canât let Brother Chengnian be alone with herâŠâ
âPei-jie!â Yu Zhi quickly grabbed her. âHis hairâs already wetâyou canât just drag him out now! What are you planning to do? Iâll go with you.â
Pei Nianâan thought for a moment.
âI want to get my nails done.â
Before she could say another word, Yu Zhi had already nodded eagerly.
âPerfect! Letâs go get your nails done together!â
Pei Nianâan looked back toward the wash area, hesitating.
âButâŠâ
âNo buts! Havenât you heard the sayingââLove yourself firstâ? If you make yourself gorgeous, youâll be the center of attention wherever you go! How could Gu-shao not notice you then?â
Pei Nianâanâs eyes lit up.
âYouâre right!â
Tossing her purse to Yu Zhi, she lifted her chin and strutted toward the nail salon next door, letting out a pointed âhmphâ in Wen Yingâs direction before leaving.
Yu Zhi sighed in reliefâher young miss had a fiery temper, but at least she was easy to pacify.
Yu Zhi followed Pei Nianâan into a nail salon.
Pei Nianâan strode inside and announced grandly:
âI want the most expensive crystal nailsâand your best manicurist.â
Then she sat down on the sofa with full queenly grace.
Several university girls getting their nails done turned their heads simultaneously, their eyes scanning the designer brands covering Pei Nianâan.
The shop ownerâs eyes lit up, and she hurried over.
âPlease come in, miss! We have authentic Swarovski crystalsâŠâ
âNo need to explain,â Pei Nianâan interrupted. âI want a one-of-a-kind design.â
Then she turned to Yu Zhi and waved.
âSit down, you too.â
Yu Zhi hadnât planned on getting her nails doneâsheâd spent the whole morning at the salon and just wanted to grab some lunch.
âPei-jie, I havenât eaten all day, not even breakfast. Can I please go grab some food first? Iâll come back after.â
âSit.â Pei Nianâan arched a brow, then said to the manicurist, âGive her the same level of service as me.â
The owner immediately caught on and shouted toward the back:
âXiao Li! Come out and bring all our best crystals!â
She personally pressed Yu Zhi into a chair, poured Pei Nianâan a cup of tea, and fussed around her with excessive enthusiasmâso much so that the other customers were stunned.
After all, in a small nail salon near a university, when had anyone ever seen the boss personally serve tea to a client?