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Village Bully Wants My Barbershop
墨書 Inktalez
After sending off the last wave of customers, I turned off the lights and prepared to close up as usual.
Just as I pulled down the rolling shutter, the Village Bully, Hua Xiaobei, kicked the door open with a group of people behind him.
Once I turned on the lights, I realized that these were all barbers from our village, some of whom had even been my apprentices.
The Village Bully spoke first, "How can you set your prices so low? What do you expect others to do for business?"
I looked at the clearly marked price list on the wall, feeling puzzled.
Our village may not be large, but it has its fair share of rules. When I first opened my shop, a "Market Alliance" approached me, asking me to unify pricing with everyone else and to display a standard price list to ensure market fairness.
"Hua Xiaobei, stop stirring up trouble. That sign was put up by you back then; how am I charging less than anyone else?"
"What you have on the wall is fine, but who knows if you've secretly lowered prices for customers? Otherwise, how come your business is so good?"
"My skills are good; I have many returning customers. Is that a problem?"
"What nonsense! Cutting hair is just about taking a pair of scissors and trimming it short; even a ten-year-old can do it. You city folks are just cunning, trying every way to ruin others' businesses!"
I couldn't help but laugh helplessly.
I had grown tired of city life and quit my job as Chief Hairstylist, seeking only a peaceful life in the countryside.
Just in time for the relocation and reconstruction of Panhu Village, I watched as the new countryside underwent modernization, surrounded by beautiful mountains and rivers, and immediately decided to settle here.
Little did I know that the idyllic life I envisioned would be overshadowed by constant troubles.
Panhu Village was originally nestled in the mountains, where generations lived off farming. A few years ago, the entire village moved down to the plains due to government poverty alleviation efforts.
Although the village's infrastructure had improved, its deep-rooted issues remained stubbornly intact. It's no wonder they had struggled to prosper all these years.
Seeing me silent, Hua Xiaobei became even more animated: "Look! I told you so; you must have given them a discount behind the scenes! You violated the pricing agreement, and now you owe a fine of fifty thousand. Hurry up and pay!"
"I've said it before—there was no discount! I'm operating legally; why should I be fined?"
"Why? Because this is our rule in Panhu Village! If you don't pay today, don't even think about opening your doors tomorrow!"
I slammed my hand on the table: "Damn it! I'm not someone to be intimidated! I'll say it again—I'm operating legally. You have no right to fine me; you're just extorting me!"
Without a word, Hua Xiaobei grabbed a chair and was about to swing it at me. I quickly pulled out my phone and pointed it directly at him: "Think carefully! I have over three hundred thousand followers. If you lay a finger on me, I'll go live immediately, and we'll see who ends up worse off!"
Hua Xiaobei wisely set the chair down and then shot a glance at his followers behind him. To my surprise, my former apprentices began to voice their grievances.
"Master, my whole family relies on my skills to make a living. How can we survive when you monopolize everything?"
"Exactly! Just do us a favor; even if you close your shop for a few days, it would help. There are plenty of tourists now, and we just want to earn a meal!"
"You have no wife or children, so you don't understand our struggles. I haven't opened my shop in a month. Please, Master, help us survive!"
"I know it's tough for you, but I haven't given anyone discounts or stolen your customers."
"How about you come to my shop to help out for a couple of days? It would give you some extra income, and you can name your pay."
After this, everyone exchanged glances.
Hua Xiaobei scoffed loudly: "Look at this so-called master. You all begged him, but instead of understanding, he wants to treat you like laborers. How selfish!"
Sure enough, the apprentice who had just called him 'Master' immediately changed his tone and pointed a finger at me, cursing: "Damn it! You city folks are so selfish. You clearly have money but still want to compete with us for business. From today on, we no longer recognize you as our master!"
"Since you're so unkind, don't blame us from Panhu Village for being ruthless. If things go wrong for you in the future, remember that this is all your doing!"
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