CHAPTER 576: CHAPTER 558: CLOSING THE SHOP

Ye Qing only wanted to shut down Lin Wan’s family store, preventing them from reopening, never thinking of causing anyone’s death. Before Mei Langchi left, he specifically sought a friend from the Industrial and Commercial Bureau responsible for this district, hoping to resolve the matter smoothly. Who knew this issue would be so hard to handle, and now someone was injured, naturally causing him worry.

Watching from a distance as people covered in blood were carried out, Ye Qing did not linger, but turned and silently blended into the crowd.

After Xiao Gu was sent to the hospital, he was immediately rushed into the emergency room. Upon receiving the news, Hu Bin and Liu Wei hurried over. They were both from the Industrial and Commercial Bureau, with connections in various districts. Liu Wei belonged to this district and today heard someone was causing trouble for the hot pot restaurant, prompting him to quickly come to check. Hu Bin was passing by on business and learned of the incident at the hot pot restaurant upon passing, but both were a step too late, offering comfort to Liang Hongmei.

"This situation seems fishy, you probably offended someone who also has connections in the bureau and wants to mess with your store. I’m not clear on this yet, but I will help investigate tomorrow. Those people from the Industrial and Commercial Bureau are ours, and if they stabbed someone, they must take responsibility," Liu Wei said.

"Are there any issues with the store’s paperwork or hygiene?" Hu Bin asked.

"No real issues, we buy the vegetables we use every morning at the market, and our kitchen counters are always spotless. The Industrial and Commercial Bureau frequently checks us, and each time, we are the model for this area."

Hu Bin sighed, knowing without guessing that someone was pulling strings behind the scenes.

Right now, Xiao Gu’s life is crucial, and Liang Hongmei quickly gave Aunt Gui money to rush the paperwork.

After being loaded into the car, Xiao Gu had already passed out, and no one knew the situation inside at this point.

"I’ll help you report this to the police; don’t worry, this matter can’t be let go just like that. Just now, I saw the kid isn’t too seriously injured, so rest assured—though he’ll likely suffer and need to recuperate for a few days," Hu Bin contemplated briefly and said.

"All right, we’ll follow your lead. Xiao Wan isn’t home right now, and my son doesn’t know about this, and I’m at a loss—don’t know what to do," Liang Hongmei expressed urgently.

Hu Bin then asked Liu Wei’s opinion, considering those people were his colleagues.

"Report it," Liu Wei said without any concern.

"Xiao Liu, we can’t report this to the police, we are all colleagues, you need to help us. We really didn’t do it on purpose." Liu Wei just nodded, when confronted by several people from the Industrial and Commercial Bureau rushing over. Liu Wei coldly regarded the approaching group, saying, "Brother, don’t you know the store you shut is my relative’s? Usually, this store is rated as excellent; I don’t know what the reason is this time for suddenly storming in during non-routine checks, picking faults—this clearly disrespects me."

His words caught several people off guard; they hadn’t expected this connection, especially since Director Hu from Central Street had shown up.

Only then did they realize this hot pot restaurant is not simple, today their superior told them to check a store, and they were trying to ingratiate themselves by coming over. They hadn’t expected the situation to be so complicated, risking their uniforms.

The leader began speaking, "Since we indeed made the initial mistake, regardless, let’s first get the person treated, then discuss the rest and find a resolution."

"Yes, yes, yes, we all take responsibility; please don’t report this to the police."

This time, the one speaking was the rude man who previously attacked Xiao Gu. Now, realizing fear, he deeply bowed to Liang Hongmei, "I’m sorry, I was too impulsive earlier, causing injury. I’ll cover the medical expenses and the costs for recuperation."

"Do you think we’re short of money?" Liang Hongmei replied with a cold laugh, "How about I stab you a few times, admit error, and then pay the medical expenses? Is there such good fortune in this world? I just found out today you’re the people’s public servants."

"Dear... Big sister, no one wanted this incident to happen; don’t you agree? We genuinely came to apologize, we understand you’re upset, you can handle this however you wish besides reporting it to the police. We’ll take care of the young man until he’s fully recovered. Will that work?" Losing his previous arrogance, he pleaded helplessly, "Big sister, honestly, nobody wants things to happen like this, and we don’t either. If you trace it back, he was the one who picked up the bottle first."

"Would he have grabbed the bottle if you hadn’t attacked us first?" Liang Hongmei retorted angrily.

"Yes, yes, yes, the crucial thing is that the person is okay now, then we can take good care of them. Besides, we weren’t here to fight; it’s official business conducted formally, you have to understand us, correct?"

"Understand what? You went against women and children and expect understanding? You say official business, and we let you conduct it, right? You wanted to close the store, and we allowed it, but you won’t let the store’s belongings be moved—is that freezing assets? We’re not legally savvy, but we’re no fools. If the city can’t resolve this, we’ll go to the province; surely we’ll find someone in charge somewhere." Aunt Liu and Aunt Gui came back from paying the fees and countered fiercely, their voices loud in the quiet hospital. Aunt Liu’s shout echoed, drawing nearby onlookers’ attention.

Hu Bin sneered, "Is reasoning so effective? Where did all your expertise go? You’re enforcing the law, but you’re clearly being unreasonable. How are you any different from thugs? If it’s okay to just pay compensation after injuring people, then maybe we should beat you and send you to the hospital, how about that?"

"Director Hu, calm down, we acknowledge our handling was inadequate. This matter was genuinely unintentional; we were following our superior’s instructions, just aiming to shut down a store, never intending to harm anyone. Besides, we’re not strangers to their establishment, we know their situation." The leading man pulled out a cigarette, "Come, Xiao Liu, Director Hu, have a smoke... This matter, Xiao Liu knows, there must be someone scheming. We ended up being used as tools."

"You knew and still came; that’s knowingly breaking the law, right?" Liu Wei said coldly.

"We... we’ve only just realized what happened."

"Let’s first bring this issue to the heads of the Industrial and Commercial Bureau. Closing the store but freezing assets is inexplicable. Their original notice only prohibited opening the store, without mentioning removing items. You staff members, knowingly breaking the law, storming in like bandits, must give us an explanation. The medical expenses undoubtedly are yours to cover, for surgeries and recuperation, not one penny less." Liang Hongmei coldly stared at the instigators, "We are ordinary citizens, not people to be bullied whimsically. We run our business diligently, never cheating or doing anything against our conscience. I can boldly claim no restaurant in the vicinity can match our value. If someone accuses us of exploitation, our employees know best whether we do. Everyone’s well aware of the real situation; today this matter doesn’t end." After a pause, she directly demanded, "You all can leave, we’ll keep the receipts for the medical costs; none of it will be omitted."

After exchanging glances, someone finally spoke, "Alright, we will go back and return tomorrow."

Seeing the unfavorable scene, realizing people were angry, they knew talking was futile, they heard Liang Hongmei’s formidable words clearly. The people understood the underlying issue and once the immediate chaos was sorted, they needed to quickly relay information back.

After they left the hospital, they noticed a car parked across the street, pulling up directly in front as their superior exited the vehicle, blocking the hospital’s entrance and quickly inquiring about the situation.

After being informed of the incident inside, the superior’s face turned grim, "Incompetent troublemakers, you were supposed to close a store yet nearly caused a casualty."

"Sir, it’s not our fault; you ordered the seizure of all items and money inside. We didn’t know the owner was sharp and exposed us on the spot. We had no options. Plus, your nephew, who just started two days ago, was reckless, unreasonably beating their adopted son without distinguishing reason, then striking some women in the store."