1039 Ear Cropping (1/2)

Forced selling was unavoidable in unregulated markets. The most classic example was the world's IT hubs. In order to gain short-term profits, they were willing to lie, sell fake goods, pass off second-grade products as first-grade ones, and use forced selling. They had a plethora of methods to scam their consumers out of their hard-earned money. With the rise of e-commerce, IT hubs had, of course, become weaker. But even then, there were some individuals who rushed to IT hubs due to their lack of knowledge and ended up falling victim to their vicious ways.

The pet market was quite similar to the early phases of the computer parts and DIY market, but it was worse. The same despicable methods existed in order for people to scam money out of consumers. But with the flexibility and unpredictability of the pricing of animals, there was no way for them to reason their way out of it, and they only had their own bad judgment to blame.

Zhang Zian gave it a thought and was glad that he didn't make the choice. If he had followed that person and ended up getting sold to a deserted yard, forced to face several adult and vicious dogs, he might have had no other choice but to pay up.

It wasn't because he wasn't alert, but because he wasn't a regular here, and he didn't understand what happened behind the scenes.

”But since we were strangers, why did you so kindly remind me? You're not afraid of that person finding out?” Zhang Zian asked. There was no love without reason, and there was no blind hate. He didn't believe that this bald wandering doctor had reminded him out of the sheer goodness of his heart.

The doctor put down his glass. ”Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be afraid? But I'm more afraid of you.”

”Me? What's there to be scared of?” Zhang Zian was puzzled. Could it be that he looked as fierce as a monster?

”You're quite a famous man in Binhai City. If a normal person was forced to buy something, they could do nothing much but take it. But if you were taken advantage of, would you ever let it go?” the doctor asked him.

”Of course not!” Zhang Zian declared. He could only take advantage of other people. How could he let others take advantage of him? He would definitely try to get them back for it.

”Youngsters nowadays don't watch much TV, but I watch TV every day. I've seen reports about you, and I know you've been to the dog market and caused a huge ruckus here. Even the related authorities had gotten together to enforce the law, and had pretty much cleaned up this entire place… I sure don't want you to call the authorities here if you were scammed—I would be out of a job then. I only have a stall here to earn money, so I gave it a thought. I'd rather ruin his business than ruin my own…”

The doctor honestly talked about his reasoning.

Zhang Zian said nothing.

Even Snowy was stupefied by his words. ”You do make some sense…”

Blackie knew that Zhang Zian was famous, but not this famous. Even a random doctor operating his shop in the middle of the dog market knew about him. His impression of Zhang Zian became better, and he decided to forgive Jin Er just this once.

”Besides, I heard you mentioning that you want to buy a Rottweiler?” The doctor's eyes swept over the three of them once before he asked.

”Not just Rottweilers, but any dog that's suitable to be a guard dog.” Zhang Zian knew that this doctor had been in this dog market for some time, so he would definitely know more about the situation here. He asked, ”Do you know anyone else other than that person who sells such dogs?”

The doctor replied, ”I don't know what a guard dog is, but you guys just want a fierce big dog, aye? I do know someone. She's planning to come here for ear cropping. Why not just wait for her for a bit?”

”Ear cropping?” Snowy's hands went to her ears subconsciously. This ear?

Zhang Zian nodded. That ear.

”Why do you crop their ears? For the same reason as tail docking? In case they cause injury to the dog while it swerves through the bushes?” Snowy asked.