Chapter 21 - A Supermarket Encounter (1/2)

”Don't you dare touch that bread!” Nora's loud scream startled the group of shoppers around them. She pursed her lips but didn't bother apologizing as she snatched the bread from Xiu's hand saying, ”Aren't you tired of eating this? We have spent the whole week on bread.”

”And who's fault is that?” Xiu retorted with a smirk as she wiggled her brows.

Nora grumpily huffed. ”Focus on the grocery list.”

Xiu smiled at her tantrums and turned back to look through the ingredients of the condiment pack in her hand. Seeing that it was sugar-free, she placed it in the trolley and pushed it forward.

”So, are you going to that recreational trip tomorrow?” Nora asked while placing the pasta in the trolley.

”Don't want to,” Xiu replied indifferently.

”Don't make excuses this time. Who knows you might get a surprise on this trip?” Nora teased her playfully.

Xiu shook her head at Nora's teasing and didn't pay any attention to her.

”Mom, I want that candy!” Both Xiu and Nora's attention shifted to a little boy tugging at his mother's sleeve and his mother was sternly dragging him away.

”Candies are not good for teeth. You will get cavities. Stop making a scene here.”

This particular scene reminded both girls of a particular person they were very well familiar with. Xiu looked at Nora and found her guiltily averting her eyes. Of course! That person was Nora herself who threw these kinds of tantrums when it came to her shopping habits.

Seeing the tears in that kid's eyes, Xiu pulled out candy from her purse and saw how that kid's eyes brightened up. But Xiu languidly unwrapped it before placing it in her mouth. Her look of satisfaction made the kid wail even more pitifully.

The mother of the kid glared at Xiu and said loud enough for people to hear, ”Young people these days are really insolent!”

Xiu didn't mind at all. But someone else sure did. As Nora was about to get in her fight mode, Xiu raised her hand to stop her.

”We don't have to concern ourselves with these remarks.”

Nora nodded and stomped her foot before walking off to buy the seafood. Just then Xiu heard someone scoffing and turned to see Dylan scowling while throwing daggers at her with his eyes.

”I knew it! You are no good! How can you be so petty?” He was raging over from the moment he saw Xiu teasing that little kid.

Xiu crossed her arms before her chest in an imposing manner completely losing her childlike innocence that created the misunderstanding between them at the first meeting. ”Please, enlighten me... How am I being petty?”

Her words were simple but her authoritative voice with a sharp edge gave Dylan an eerie feeling. But he still wanted to hold his ground as he insisted, ”Didn't you just mock that little kid? Over a candy! How shameless is that?”

Xiu thumped her hands on the trolley's handle making Dylan flinch in surprise. She started pushing the trolley toward him as she spoke, ”The candy was mine. Why am I not allowed to eat it?”

With her each step, Dylan took a step back. ”But... Your petty action of provoking him made that kid cry.” Dylan spoke adamantly while Xiu rolled her eyes at him.

Xiu gave an illusion that she was going to push the trolley to hit him and Dylan on instinct tried to avoid it, only to bump into a pillar. As he stumbled back, Xiu extended her foot and Dylan tripped only to land on his buttock in a pitiful condition.

”Ommf!” He groaned in pain.

Xiu squatted down near him while he rubbed his forehead. ”Aiyo! This is why I think you should walk with a cane. Uncle is getting on age and he even needs spectacles now. Should I lend you mine?”