Xia Xiaolan spoke decisively.

First, she established her identity as Ya Xi Ya department store’s general manager.

If they didn’t believe the sales clerk, surely the general manager’s promise carried weight?

Second, she clarified Ya Xi Ya’s stance – they wouldn’t evade responsibility, and terms could be negotiated between both parties.

Third, she showed concern for the customer’s child.

Xia Xiaolan was almost certain this was deliberate troublemaking. Several “customers” who had earlier caused a commotion were already under Zhuo Weiping’s close surveillance.

But Xia Xiaolan always believed that life safety superseded everything else. Even if this infant was merely a prop, and regardless of whether this woman was the real mother, Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t disregard human life… Though she showed no mercy to enemies, how could an infant be an enemy? The baby had no consciousness and was completely innocent!

She wasn’t even sure if the child was truly allergic to milk powder.

Rashes could be caused by various conditions, not just milk powder allergies.

Xia Xiaolan’s words were impeccable – reasonable, well-founded, and responsible. The milk powder sales clerk felt both moved and excited: Manager Xia had personally confirmed that the clerk’s earlier promises represented her stance!

With such a responsible leader, regardless of age or gender, working under them felt secure.

When Xia Xiaolan revealed her identity, the onlookers were surprised. Such a young and beautiful woman was Ya Xi Ya’s general manager.

The gap between people seemed too vast – someone so young managing a large department store… The general manager’s words should be reliable, right? She had personally promised to take responsibility!

Song Minglan also persuaded: “Sister, we’re a major department store, and our general manager is here. If it’s truly our fault, how could we not take responsibility? With so many witnesses present, let’s go to the hospital together and address the child’s allergy. Sister, please don’t underestimate allergies – they vary in severity. Some mild cases resolve on their own just by stopping the formula, but severe cases require immediate treatment!”

Song Minglan didn’t know all this – it was from Xia Xiaolan’s staff training sessions.

The milk powder sales clerk had to learn it, and so did Special Assistant Song.

She was applying what she’d just learned. Fearing the onlookers might not understand allergies, Xia Xiaolan offered a simple explanation:

“Everyone’s had penicillin injections, right? They always do a skin test first – that’s to prevent allergic reactions. We can’t take allergies lightly; we’re considering the child’s safety.”

Indeed, from the sales clerk to the general manager’s appearance, no one had dodged responsibility. They all insisted on taking the child to the hospital first.

This genuine concern for the child calmed the angry onlookers.

“The general manager is right, let’s get the child to the hospital first!”

“Look at those rashes, they seem to be getting worse…”

Huang Guoqiang pushed forward, “When our Manager Xia promises to take responsibility, she definitely will!”

Manager Xia, Old Huang is here – just say who needs handling, and I’ll pounce!

The woman holding the child became flustered, “I- I’ve already been to the hospital-“

Her eyes darted through the crowd, seeking familiar faces but finding none. What should she do next?

Xia Xiaolan raised her voice:

“Oh, you’ve been to the hospital? What did the doctor say? Is the child alright? Did the doctor prescribe any medicine? Sister, which hospital did you visit? If that hospital isn’t satisfactory, we can try another one. Don’t worry about the cost – Ya Xi Ya will cover all medical expenses. We’ll go to the best hospital and use the best medicine. Whatever it takes to reduce the child’s suffering is worth it!”

How should she answer?

If she claimed the child was severely ill, why weren’t they at the hospital instead of bringing the baby to the store in cold weather?

If she said it wasn’t serious… then the store’s responsibility would be diminished!

The woman holding the child was caught in a dilemma, stammering, and could only continue making unreasonable demands.

Xia Xiaolan coldly watched her act unreasonably, no longer trying to persuade her.

The crowd of onlookers grew larger.

Customers from other floors had rushed over – Ya Xi Ya’s business would be affected today.

Huang Guoqiang, being strong, forcefully helped the woman up:

“Sister, is this your child? What kind of mother stands by watching her child suffer? You demanded the store take responsibility, and we agreed. We’re just retailers, not manufacturers, yet we still promised to take responsibility, didn’t we? Every customer buying formula receives an instruction booklet, and our staff personally explains everything. You heard the explanation, saw the booklet, and even went to the hospital – how could you not know about allergies? If it’s an allergy, we need treatment, right? You said your family’s financial situation is difficult and you borrowed money for formula, and we’ve promised to cover medical expenses… What’s wrong with this solution? Your unreasonable behavior makes me suspect you’re deliberately causing trouble for the store!”

“Comrade Huang Guoqiang, mind your words!”

Xia Xiaolan reprimanded.

Huang Guoqiang sheepishly replied, “Manager Xia, I’m sorry. I just can’t fix my bad habit of speaking too directly. I was wrong – I volunteered to forfeit this month’s bonus and apologize to this sister! Sister, please forgive my thoughtless words. If you don’t forgive me, the store will surely fire me.”

Speaking too directly?

This wasn’t Huang Guoqiang’s true nature – he was an old hand, thoroughly seasoned like deep-fried food, a fence-sitter who followed whoever held power.

Such words would have been inappropriate coming from Xia Xiaolan, but from Old Huang, they were acceptable. An employee volunteering to forfeit his bonus – what more punishment could be demanded?

Xia Xiaolan privately approved – indeed, every type of person had their use. The old man’s acting wasn’t bad!

Huang Guoqiang’s words had made everything clear to the onlookers.

Yes, nothing seemed to satisfy her.

The store hadn’t shirked responsibility and had proposed solutions, yet the woman holding the child remained unreasonable.

Not concerned about the child’s condition, just causing a scene in the store, with the crowd making the baby cry loudly.

The crying, initially strong, had gradually weakened, the voice becoming hoarse. Was it from exhaustion or growing weakness… How could a mother not care?

A forthright older woman pushed to the front:

“Are you this child’s mother? I work at the Neighborhood Committee, and I’ve never seen a mother like you. I suspect you’re a child trafficker who stole a baby to scam money from the store!”

Huang Guoqiang’s eyes lit up – perfect timing!

He grabbed the woman holding the child, “The Neighborhood Committee comrade makes a good point. Even if it costs me my bonus, I must say this situation seems suspicious. Would some kind citizen please notify the police station? Let the police officers be witnesses as we go to the hospital. Sister, you surely can’t object to this? We might be heartless capitalists, but the police serve the people!”

The woman holding the child panicked.

Zhuo Weiping, in plainclothes, squeezed through the crowd, exchanged a glance with Xia Xiaolan, then announced loudly:

“I am the police. Here’s my work ID. What exactly is going on here?!”