Because the economy was slowing down and it was a weekday, the mall was mostly empty. Even if there were people, they were mostly crowded in the food court.
Sophia was walking by a large clothing store. The store was big, but it had very few clothes on display.
Looking at the style of the clothes, Sophia looked up and saw the brand: "Luoshen"!
Even before, not just anyone from the Jiang family could buy clothes here easily.
Each piece of clothing cost thousands or even tens of thousands of yuan.
Sophia had worn clothes from this brand before. Later, when she left the Jiang family, all her belongings were taken away.
She went inside without trying anything on. She picked out several sets of clothes and gave them to the sales assistant following her, telling the assistant her measurements so they could bring the right sizes.
"Please wait a moment!" The assistant smiled and went to find the clothes in Sophia's sizes.
As soon as Sophia sat down, someone brought her tea and fresh-cut fruit.
The clothes on display were only the mid-range products of the Luoshen brand.
The really expensive clothes were custom-made.
Maybe because they thought Sophia didn't have enough money yet, they didn't show her the full product catalog.
While she was waiting, a surprised voice came from the store entrance, "Sophia!"
Hearing the voice, Sophia's brows tightened slightly.
She withdrew her gaze with disgust.
But the person didn't give up and ran over, "What are you doing here? Xiaoxue said your parents are just farmers. How come you're here?"
They assumed Sophia should be working in the village, farming, planting vegetables, and raising chickens.
Thinking this, Mellina shouted, "You wouldn't be hanging around some rich guy, right?"
She looked around as if trying to catch Sophia's rich boyfriend in the act.
Sophia tilted her head to look at the sales assistant beside her, "Did you hear a dog barking?"
The assistant, ready to enjoy the drama, was suddenly called out.
Holding back laughter, she said to Mellina, "Miss, please don't make loud noises in our store. Please don't disturb other customers."
Mellina's small face flushed red with anger.
"Who are you calling a dog?"
She glared angrily at Sophia, "You cheap woman, stealing others' things, a thief, how dare you show your face here!"
Then she turned her anger on the sales assistant, "You're such a lackey, taking anyone's side. A store like this will go out of business!"
For a business, the last thing they wanted to hear was that.
Just then, the store manager appeared. "Xiaofang, call security."
"Forget it, Mellina, let's go."
A girl standing quietly beside Mellina, wearing black-rimmed glasses and long straight black hair, finally spoke up to persuade her.
Sophia didn't know this girl.
As for Mellina, she was a tool in Jessica's hands, doing whatever Jessica told her.
Sophia didn't bother with them. Before security arrived, Mellina and the girl left.
The clothes Sophia picked were packed quickly.
Unexpectedly, Mellina waited outside the store. The moment Sophia stepped out, Mellina rushed up.
"Sophia, be honest. Where did you get the money? Did you steal it when you left the Jiang family? I'm telling you, these belong to Jessica. You're shameless. Give them back!"
She tried to grab the clothes.
Sophia hadn't expected Mellina to actually dare to touch her.
Losing tens of thousands of yuan worth of clothes would be a big loss.
But since Mellina had picked a fight, Sophia wouldn't waste this chance.
She shouted loudly, "Robbery! Someone is stealing!"
Mellina was angry and tried to slap Sophia.
Before, Sophia wouldn't fight back; she would try to trick her instead.
But now, what Sophia lacked most was money, and what she hated most was losing.
The bag in her hand was snatched away by Mellina. Sophia grabbed the hand Mellina used to slap her and with her other hand, she slapped back.
A clear slap echoed. Sophia took the chance to give Mellina several more slaps.
For years, Mellina had been bullying her!
Although Sophia never lost to her face, Mellina had secretly ruined Sophia's work.
This grudge had to be avenged.
The mall security finally arrived.
They separated the two.
The manager came over and asked if they wanted to settle.
Neither wanted to.
"In that case, you will have to go to the police station," the manager said calmly.
In the afternoon, Auctioneer Zhena tried to contact Sophia but learned she was at the police station.
"Miss Zhena, to be honest, I still have a suspected Yuan Zhaonian's footrest bed. I don't know if you're interested."
An hour later, Sophia, Auctioneer Zhena, and the lawyer she brought came out of the police station.
Sophia was surrounded as she got into the car.
Sophia made quite a scene this time.
Meanwhile, General Yves had already changed his attack strategy.
The Zhao army kept attacking Chen country for days with little progress.
The Chen army thought the Zhao army was playing tricks.
But in reality, General Yves was focusing on the drilling machine.
After days of study, they finally knew how to use it.
Because they were not skilled, the drilling was slow.
And the first well they drilled produced little water.
Still, it gave hope.
All the Zhao craftsmen were sent out by General Yves to scout for places where underground water was shallower.
The day water came out, the Zhao army would fully attack Chen country.
This big machine might be their secret weapon to conquer other countries, especially since droughts were hitting everywhere.
On dark nights, the Zhao army sometimes made surprise attacks, hitting gates and shooting arrows.
Chen's taxi soldiers were exhausted, having slept poorly for several nights.
Then, after midnight, thick smoke rose from the south of the city.
At that moment, General Yves led a surprise attack on the Chen army.
They had received news days ago that the six thousand troops sent by Wu country had quietly withdrawn.
Because of the drought, the people in Wu were starving and rebelling.
The nearest support troops had been sent to suppress the uprising.
Both sides were hungry and thirsty, so their fighting power was equal.
But General Yves's side had already secured water the night before.
The Zhao soldiers drank their fill and had enough food.
Because of many factors, they managed to push into the city about sixty or seventy miles.
Such success on the first try made the following easier.
Soon, General Yves and his troops set up camp inside the city.
The city's people lost hope.
General Yves suddenly sent people to deliver water to the citizens.
Howell was in charge of spreading the word that General Yves was chosen by heaven to save them.
It was a psychological tactic.