The Strong Female Lead Versus The Most Miserable Male Lead
Chapter 346 - 344: The Appearance of a Top-Grade Crystal Stone

Chapter 346: Chapter 344: The Appearance of a Top-Grade Crystal Stone

At this moment, Nian Shutong had already flipped through the booklet.

"Is everything here?"

"It’s all here,"

The young clerk, noticing the difficulty on Nian Shutong’s face, even followed up with, "If there’s nothing suitable, you can come back next time to look."

What he meant was, ’If you can’t afford it this time, next time you come, maybe you’ll be able to afford the smallest energy "crystal stone".’

"Psh! Some people really can’t face reality."

The old clerk’s sarcasm made the young clerk’s face turn a bit red.

It was his third day on the job, and he hadn’t made a single sale yet.

Nian Shutong completely ignored the old clerk, letting her entertain herself by putting on a solo performance that nobody wanted to engage with.

Such disregard made the clerk feel even more flustered inside. How dare she look down upon me?

"All you have here are low-level crystal stones, mid-level crystal stones, and transactions settled in high-level crystal stones — none of which I have," said Nian Shutong.

As soon as Nian Shutong finished speaking, the old clerk, as if she had found a weakness to exploit, burst out laughing without restraint.

"It’s hilarious, having nothing and yet daring to come here to shop."

"Do you think you own this store or something, doing whatever you want?"

Nian Shutong finally turned her head to look at the old clerk who had been looking for trouble all along and said indifferently, "It’s not my family’s, but it’s definitely not yours either."

"Do you have a vendetta against the owner of this store, coming here to ruin his business? Otherwise, why can’t you stand to see others shop?"

Having said that, Nian Shutong didn’t give the clerk a chance to reply but turned to the young clerk and sincerely asked, "Do you have any complaint mechanism here? I want to file a complaint against her."

She spoke so earnestly that the young clerk was shaken by her presence and stammered back, "You...you can file a complaint."

"That’s good, I’m not someone who likes to be wronged."

In saying this, Nian Shutong spoke with a hint of deeper meaning; she wasn’t someone to take things lying down, and she intended to leave some sting behind before she left.

That was her signature move.

"First, make a purchase, then file a complaint."

Nian Shutong didn’t dawdle further and directly took out her crystal stone, slapping it onto the counter.

"With this top-grade crystal stone, what size can I buy?"

The words "top-grade crystal stone" were clearly heard by everyone present.

The young clerk, with a dry throat, stared at the pure crystal stone in front of him, where the pure energy within left him without a doubt of its authenticity.

"Please wait a moment, I need to verify the crystal stone and contact our supervisor," said he.

The young clerk quickly took an instrument from behind him, placed it above the crystal stone; when the instrument’s needle spun wildly, he immediately set the device down and contacted the supervisor.

A top-grade crystal stone wasn’t something he could handle.

At this point, the other clerks in the store realized that things had gotten serious.

The rarity of top-grade crystal stones gave them their status.

Not only were they the best source of energy for cultivation, but they were also the best aid for those seeking to break through and advance.

But who could truly afford to use a top-grade crystal stone for advancement when every single advancement required dozens, if not hundreds?

So, whenever a top-grade crystal stone appeared, it was fiercely fought over by the elite families.

This meant that gathering about fifty could help a Level 1 person attempt to advance to "Immortal" status.

The implications of "Immortal" status need no explanation.

The old clerk, who had been instigating and speaking disrespectfully, now only had one thought: I’m finished.

Who would have thought that someone dressed in rags would actually have a top-grade crystal stone?

Right, who would believe it!

A restless gleam appeared in her eyes, and she began moving in their direction.

Nian Shutong saw the old clerk’s actions, thinking she must have a death wish, as her brain seemed to have stalled.

That was fine by her; she didn’t mind taking action one bit.

But before the old clerk could reach them, she was stopped by a few of the other clerks.

"Have you gone mad?"

"If you go, you really will be dead."

These words jolted the slightly crazed old store clerk back to reality.

Right, if she had actually done something to the top-grade crystal stone, that would truly mean she had no place to stand.

At worst, she would just lose her job.

She returned to her own spot, drenched in cold sweat, not daring to make any further moves, tormented inside as she waited for the arrival of the manager.

Meanwhile, the manager, who had received the news, was running while confirming, "Is it really a top-grade crystal stone?"

"I don’t know, but the needle on the instrument is spinning wildly."

"Then it’s almost certain. Make sure to treat our valuable guest well, I’m on my way!"

The manager, a somewhat overweight middle-aged man, cursed himself as he ran, wondering why he hadn’t stayed in the store. If the top-grade crystal stone was missed because he left, he would definitely be killed by his superiors.

The manager sped up once again and dashed.

At this point in the store, Nian Shutong had already been invited to sit down, and precious fruit had been brought to her.

"This is an apple for you to try."

Nian Shutong picked up the apple with a bit of interest but didn’t eat it.

This fruit, in her experience, was sure to be both sour and astringent.

It wasn’t a matter of poor cultivation but rather the seed itself.

It seemed that her own fruit, once they bore fruit, would definitely sell for a high price.

After returning, she could start by selling strawberries; actually, sugar cane could be sold as well, being a fruit after all.

Not only that, Nian Shutong had other plans.

As she was holding the apple, just examining it but not eating, the manager arrived.

"Huff huff huff— I— crystal stone—"

The manager, who had run until he was out of breath, couldn’t string his words together coherently.

Nian Shutong put down the apple in her hand and said to the manager, "Don’t worry, I will definitely make a purchase."

The manager looked at Nian Shutong, his eyes narrowed into slits as he forced a smile.

At that moment, Nian Shutong took out a lollipop and gave it to Dou Dou, who was sitting.

"You sit here and wait for auntie; I will be right back."

"Little Pink Pig, stay with Dou Dou."

"Understood, auntie, Dou Dou is the best behaved."

Dou Dou unwrapped the candy paper and began eating the lollipop.

Lin Mu curiously glanced over, then withdrew his gaze.

"Here! Take this one and go sit down, too."

Nian Shutong took out another lollipop, this one peach-flavored, and held it in front of Lin Mu.

Lin Mu hesitated for a moment but accepted it, unwrapping it like Dou Dou and placing it in his mouth.

The fresh taste of peach and the sweet sensation allowed Lin Mu to relax momentarily, as if the pain in his body wasn’t an issue in that instant.

He gave Nian Shutong his first smile.

"Thank you, I like it."

Nian Shutong, upon seeing Lin Mu’s smile, didn’t feel happy but rather a bit sour.

Kids in harsh reality are satisfied with just a little sweetness.

Nian Shutong felt she had definitely been living amidst the mortal world for too long, not at all like an Immortal.

"Hello, I am the manager of this store. Are you planning to purchase energy with a top-grade crystal stone?"

"Yes."

"May I have the honor of taking a look at your crystal stone?"

"Sure."

Nian Shutong took out the top-grade crystal stone again and casually tossed it to the manager.

"Don’t—throw."