Annoying Customers

Sun Mei led Mr. Wu to a big store across the street. She had been there with Yu Zan a month ago, when Mr. and Mrs. Lin had gone away for the weekend. They had not invited Sun Mei on their trip, as they had preferred to leave her behind at home to take care of the house and the dogs. Sun Mei hadn't been shopping ever since.

When they walked into the busy store, Mr. Wu was shocked by the disorderly state of the shelves and the clothing racks. They even saw some people try on clothes on the spot because the line to the fitting rooms was too long.

"Let me show you what 200 dollars can get you here," Sun Mei told Mr. Wu, who was looking at a messy pile of T-shirts with an appalled expression.

"This is hell," he said earnestly.

"No, hell is over there." Sun Mei pointed to the long line before the fitting rooms. She quickly picked out a couple of tops and jeans and said, "See you in three hours, sir!"

Mr. Wu nodded in understanding as she walked away. "Do you think anyone will mind if I organize these T-shirts while I wait?" he asked her loudly.

Sun Mei laughed before she said, "Knock yourself out, sir!"

Thirty long minutes passed as she waited for her turn. From where she stood in line, she could see Mr. Wu sort out those T-shirts and organize them with a concentrated expression on his face. She glanced at him from time to time and smiled subconsciously.

When her turn came, she tried on the clothes quickly and walked back out. She was afraid that the other customers, particularly those interested in the T-shirts, would start a petition to kick Mr. Wu out.

Mr. Wu's disgruntled expression when she approached him made her suspect that she was right.

"A man just walked by, picked up one of the T-shirts I had just folded, and then threw it back on the pile! My neat pile! Just like that!" he told Sun Mei in disbelief.

"Sounds like you had a hard time," Sun Mei commented with a smile.

"I think I understand why shop assistants are so hostile now," said Mr. Wu thoughtfully. "They see us as potential threats to their orderly stores."

"Rightfully so."

As they spoke, a woman approached with her son, who looked about ten years old. Before Mr. Wu could react, the boy grabbed a T-shirt, glanced at it quickly, and dropped it back down.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Mr. Wu exploded. "Why did he even pick that up? It was clearly not his size!"

"Okay, we need to get you out of here before you go crazy, Mr. Wu!"

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm clearly fine," said Mr. Wu, who was clearly not fine.

"Just go wait for me by the cash registers. I'll be there in a second."

When Mr. Wu nodded, Sun Mei ran over to the underwear section. She quickly selected some undergarments and a few pairs of socks and headed to their meeting place.

"Done!" she announced.