"I—"
The youth standing at the entrance of the Cake Shop, holding a baseball bat, looked at the middle-aged woman and slightly opened his mouth.
"What about you?"
The middle-aged woman glared at him.
"You—" The youth shrank his neck after being scolded.
"What about you?" The middle-aged woman stepped forward and said bluntly, "If you really have nothing better to do, go beg on the street. At least you might get something to eat. Don't show off those muscles in my shop when they're barely bigger than your brains."
The group of youths had gathered together by then, staring at the middle-aged woman before them.
"What are you still standing around for? Get the hell out!" The middle-aged woman spat as she looked at them.
The youths looked at one another, then finally slunk away to the side.
Meanwhile, the middle-aged woman had already helped the frail boy to his feet and led him into the shop.
Not far away, Hai Xi watched the scene in stunned disbelief. "She's amazing."
At the same time, she noticed those youths heading in their direction.
The youths moved quickly, reaching a spot not far from Hai Xi in just a few strides.
The youth in the lead scratched his head, slowing down more and more.
Finally, he seemed to come to his senses. Looking at the burly youths around him, he shouted, "Why are we afraid of her?"
"That's right!" The youths suddenly realized, glancing at one another.
But they still hunched their shoulders somewhat. Clearly, their courage had just been scolded right out of them.
They needed a little encouragement.
Just then, the lead youth raised his head and happened to see Hai Xi watching him.
Looking at Hai Xi, he said without hesitation, "What are you looking at? Is there