The Fishmonger's Secret Chapter 2

Sebastian hand froze in mid-air.

That white handkerchief was fiercely crumpled in his palm.

He stared at me, chest heaving violently.

Obviously angered by my attitude.

"Money? You just want money?"

He sneered, took out checkbook from chest, swish swish wrote a string of numbers.

Took out a stack thick cash from wallet again.

"Pap" a sound.

All thrown on cutting board full of fishy smell and bloody water.

"Close stall."

He ordered, tone unquestionable.

"Accompany me eat a meal, say words clear."

"These money, enough you sell fish a year in this broken place."

People around sucked cold air.

That stack money say less also have $2,000 - $3,000.

For people in market, this is a huge sum.

Sebastian raised chin, waiting see me cry bitterly, or angry from embarrassment throw money back.

After all previous Joanna, most couldn't stand this insult.

I looked at that stack money stained with fish blood.

No hesitation.

Reached hand grabbed that stack wet bills, weighed in hand.

Then stuffed into that fanny pack patched many times.

"Thank you boss."

I nodded to him, face no half humiliation.

"Want what service? Kill fish or scrape scales?"

Sebastian pupils fierce shrank.

"Joanna..."

His voice trembling, finger pointing me shaking.

"Do you still want face?"

"Before for a limited edition bag not bought, you could cold war with me three days."

"Now for this bit money, you don't even want dignity?"

I impatiently took off apron.

Inside was a washed white old T-shirt, neckline loose.

"How much a pound is dignity?"

I asked him back, conveniently picked up water hose beside washed mud on rubber boots.

"Let's go, didn't want eat?"

"But say first, high-end restaurant I not go, disheveled clothes they not let in."

Sebastian choked by me speechless.

Could only black face follow behind me.

I took him through narrow dirty alley back door of market.

That is road to Low-income Housing.

Ground full sewage and rotten vegetable leaves.

Air filled with a moldy smell.

Sebastian walked carefully, afraid dirty his shoes.

"Walk two steps you know why I love money."

I said without looking back.

Passing alley entrance, Landlady blocked there cracking melon seeds.

Seeing me, immediately spit shell.

"Little Jo, when pay last month utility bill? Not pay again I cut power!"

"Auntie Wang, immediately, just opened business."

I accompanied smile, took out few bills Sebastian just gave from pocket, didn't count handed over.

Auntie Wang seeing money, face immediately changed.

"Ouch, rich ah? Okay okay okay, give you few days grace."

Walk forward again.

Scrap picking Uncle Liu pushed cart over, wheel stuck in pit.

I word didn't say went up help push cart.

Finished bargained with Uncle: "Uncle, last time that cardboard you calculated me 50 cents less, today have to make up."

Sebastian stood aside watching all this.

Face more and more ugly.

He watched me calculate few cents with people.

Watched me bow and scrape to landlord.

Watched me skillfully shuttle in this bottom world he felt suffocating at a glance.

That reality, like slaps, fiercely fanned on his face.

Finally, he couldn't stand it, grabbed my arm, strength big like want crush my bone.

"Enough!" He roared.

"Joanna, stop acting."

"I don't believe you can accept this life."

"Move out, I arrange apartment for you, find job for you."

He took out phone, fingers flying operation.

"I transfer you $1 Million."

"Later don't let me see you lose face in this kind place."

He eagerly wanted use money to wash guilt in heart.

Or say, wanted buy a peace of mind.

Prove he didn't ruin me so thoroughly.

I didn't move.

Quietly watched him operate.

Few seconds later.

"Ding" a sound.

Not transfer success prompt sound.

But transaction failed error sound.

Sebastian stunned.

He looked red words on phone screen, face blank.

"What happened? Network bad?"

He tried again.

Still failed.

System prompt: Recipient account frozen due to "Blacklisted by Credit Bureaus" identity, restricted high consumption and large transfer.

Sebastian hand froze.

He fierce looked up at me.

I also looked at him, mouth corner pulled a sarcastic smile.

"President Sterling noble person forgetful."

"Three years ago, to force me admit guilt, was you personally applied asset freeze and credit blacklist to court."

"Till now, haven't unsealed yet."

Sebastian face instantly pale.

He opened mouth, wanted explain something, but couldn't make sound.

That means once wanted force me to dead end.

Now became wall hindering his charity "kindness".

How ironic.

Alley entrance came engine roar sound.

A red Porsche stopped there, extremely dazzling.

Door opened.

A foot wearing red bottom high heels stretched out.

I looked that direction, plainly said to Sebastian:

"Your wife came."

"Not go look?"