Lu Hongbo stared intently at Xia Xiaolan.
So young.
So beautiful!
This was his opponent, the common enemy of several state-owned department stores.
Losing to such a young and beautiful woman left Lu Hongbo bitter. He had reached his age before becoming general manager of a state-owned department store, yet Xia Xiaolan had achieved the same position at such a young age.
Why?
Because of private capital expansion.
It wasn’t about experience anymore, but about capital – how could Lu Hongbo accept that?
But this young woman had skills.
If he had faced the same situation, he couldn’t have handled it as well as Asia did.
It wasn’t that he was less intelligent than Xia Xiaolan, but at Zijingshan Department Store, few people could coordinate with him. Most employees wouldn’t react quickly enough, and situations would deteriorate… yet in Asia, it was handled so effortlessly.
Lu Hongbo’s gaze lingered on Xia Xiaolan with complex emotions before he looked away, continuing to shout about his innocence!
Xia Xiaolan had no intention of engaging with her defeated opponent and left with Song Minglan.
Song Minglan had one advantage over Xiao You – the Third Miss Song was particularly confident and assured, unafraid that Lu Hongbo might be released even after his arrest.
Could mere denial lead to acquittal?
If so, why were Chinese prisons so full?
Wrongdoers always claimed innocence, but guilt depended on evidence. Xia Xiaolan had exposed everything in front of numerous customers, not just to defend Asia but to draw attention to the case!
Neither Song Minglan nor Xia Xiaolan worried as they left the city bureau, while Officer Zhuo and others were destined for an all-night shift.
Bringing in Lu Hongbo was just the beginning. The city bureau quickly brought in the managers of other state-owned department stores.
Though not directly implicated, they needed to cooperate with the investigation. Everyone knew the state-owned stores had allied against Asia – could this extortion scheme be Lu Hongbo’s solo plan?
“Chief Yang, these people aren’t scared at all, they’re not cooperating with the investigation!”
Chief Yang chuckled: “They’re old hands, not afraid of our show of force. They’re not rushing, and neither are we. Let’s see who breaks first!”
By tomorrow, these people will feel the pressure. Currently united in their stance, they’d likely race to betray Lu Hongbo once individually threatened.
Chief Yang was experienced, unafraid of stubborn silence – even the most stubborn mouths could be pried open-
…….
Chief Yang’s prediction proved correct; things turned around early the next morning.
With so many customers present at the scene, how could they not discuss it at home?
The story spread everywhere. At breakfast stalls, people gathered in small groups, sipping spicy soup while discussing the incident. Those who had bought milk powder from Asia were praised:
“Asia’s salespeople are so patient, explaining many precautions when selling milk powder, even giving out booklets to take home with preparation instructions and scientific parenting knowledge – I found it useful! They put heart into their business, while others get jealous. Instead of plotting harm, why not learn from Asia’s service?”
Gossip-mongers agreed, “Indeed, you should have seen the attitude of Asia’s general manager last night… those troublemakers are despicable, bringing a child with chickenpox to the store – who were they trying to infect?”
“Shh, this runs deep, must be Asia’s competitors behind it!”
Asia’s competitors – weren’t those the state-owned department stores?
Better not delve too deep into that topic.
Someone finished their soup, patted their belly, and stood up, “Instead of guessing, if we’re concerned, let’s go ask Asia. The city bureau arrested the troublemakers last night, there must be results by now!”
True, why not ask?
Whether the milk powder was problematic or someone was framing them, they could just ask the police.
People rushed to Asia, where Huang Guoqiang manned the customer service desk today, patiently repeating the story for each wave of customers.
Soon, many learned that the city bureau had taken suspects for questioning.
They’d even brought in the managers of several state-owned department stores!
Though most had suspected this, official confirmation was shocking. Police wouldn’t randomly bring people in for questioning. Taking in all the state-owned store managers suggested the mastermind was among them… or perhaps several working together?
“Well, we’ll have to wait for the bureau’s investigation results…”
Huang Guoqiang, ever the performer, said vaguely, his few words worth others’ many. Without officially condemning the state-owned store managers, public opinion had already convicted them – how could they recover?
Given the milk powder and chickenpox concerns, some citizens went straight to the city police bureau after hearing the news from Asia.
By noon, at least two to three hundred people waited in the bureau’s courtyard for answers!
Chief Yang wasn’t young anymore, developing eye bags after one sleepless night. He’d only slept two or three hours last night, all because of Lu Hongbo and his cohorts.
“Chief Yang, crowds are waiting in the courtyard, refusing to leave. Should we ask them to go?”
Chief Yang struggled to stay alert, glaring in response, “The masses are concerned about their interests, wanting the truth. Why ask them to leave? Let them stay. Open the interrogation room windows, let those store managers see and hear for themselves.”
Young people lacked cunning.
Without showing pressure, these managers wouldn’t panic.
The citizens waiting in the courtyard were that pressure – let the managers see how their malicious scheme had angered the public!
With windows open, not only could the managers see the courtyard situation, but the crowd could see them too.
People pointed and discussed loudly!
This was unprecedented for these managers, all prominent figures were now treated as criminals by common citizens… Didn’t they still need to live in Commercial City?
Commercial City Department Store’s manager broke first: “It was Lu Hongbo, all Lu Hongbo’s doing. Everyone opposed this plan, but he insisted on doing it-“
Indeed it was Lu Hongbo who led their alliance, formulating various strategies to suppress Asia. Having played “big brother” for so long, now it was time for Lu Hongbo to take responsibility!
Commercial City’s manager had harbored resentment, stemming from Lu Hongbo always arranging rotating sales promotions to minimize Zijingshan Department Store’s losses…
Once one spoke, others followed, pushing everything onto Lu Hongbo.
Suddenly, everyone turned against Lu Hongbo.
Outside the bureau, Xia Xiaolan dozed in her car until Zheng Feng came to report the latest developments.
Xia Xiaolan sighed: “The old saying is true – water can float a boat or sink it. Lu Hongbo and others tried to use public opinion to damage Asia’s business, but in the end, public opinion brought them down!”