Zhang Chao was bewildered at this mont. As soon as he got ho, his father started scolding him harshly and even kicked him twice.
If his daughter-in-law weren’t present—and pregnant—his father would have hit him on the nose long ago.
It turned out that starting a few days ago, problems began cropping up at his family’s restaurant and supermarket. They failed hygiene inspections, fire safety inspections, and a custor even found a bug in their food. Moreover, two custors had a fight in the supermarket.
In just two or three days, their restaurant was ordered to close for rectification, and the supermarket’s revenue plumted because of continuous inspections and the incident of the fight. Even if it wasn’t ordered to close, it was on the verge of it.
Especially since, after the restaurant was ordered to shut down by the authorities, the custor who found a bug fild it and uploaded the video online, gaining support from several influencers.
Issues that money can fix are minor; the rest require connections.
As for eting hygiene standards or addressing fire safety risks, these are simple enough, especially when there are real issues, not just baseless accusations.
If strict standards were enforced, how many could asure up? Inevitably, there would be so faults found; it’s just a matter of how the situation is handled.
Zhang Chao’s family was aware of this previously, but occasional tipping had kept everything peaceful. When problems arose this ti, he initially thought it was due to stricter inspections from higher-ups and attempted to placate them, only to be directly rejected, leaving him bewildered.
After all, it wasn’t a major issue; how could it lead to a shutdown?
His restaurant, though not starred, had decent business. The shutdown caused significant food wastage, not to ntion the breach of contract compensation for those who had placed deposits in advance.
That wasn’t even the main issue—the primary concern was the custor finding a bug and posting it online.
Public opinion quickly tilted, and hygiene issues can be fatal to the food industry.
Even if this matter was perfectly resolved later, or the custor was proven to have frad them, it would still be a significant challenge for his family, inevitably causing a dramatic drop in business.
Moreover, he wasn’t sure if it was their fault since the kitchen’s hygiene was indeed lacking. Maybe a careless chef let a bug slip in?
Zhang Yongcai sensed sothing amiss after many years in business—this was being blown out of proportion.
He pulled many strings, owed favors, and offered bribes to gather so information.
In short, they had offended soone, and soone wanted to ruin them. However, even after pleading and offering money, nobody would reveal who it was.
He then realized the adversary might be challenging, leading to his anxiety. Who could be formidable enough that no information could be gathered?
He pondered all afternoon at ho, considering who might have been offended recently, listing people he didn’t get along with over the years but found no clues until his wife ntioned whether their son and daughter-in-law had eaten.
Suddenly, a light bulb went off in Zhang Yongcai’s head. Like a bolt from the blue, he thought it might be his son who had offended soone.
Especially since his son had recently called him about a conflict with a classmate, who allegedly threatened them and was supposedly a wealthy influencer investing in films.
All signs pointed to this classmate being the culprit.
What he couldn’t comprehend was how a young man could not only be wealthy but also so well-connected to have soone investigate their restaurant, leading to its closure.
Knowing the powers involved, this young man had an extraordinary background.
So, Zhang Yongcai called his son and daughter-in-law over, promptly scolding his son harshly.
If he hadn’t offended soone, then it must be his son. After eliminating the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.
"Dad, don’t be angry. Maybe there’s so misunderstanding, don’t hit him!" Ning Tong quickly stepped between her father-in-law and husband to stop him.
anwhile, Zhang Chao’s mother ca out and held her husband back, fearing he would frighten their unborn grandchild.
"Exactly, can’t we discuss things calmly?"
Under their persuasion, Zhang Yongcai finally sat down, but he kept glaring at his son.
Zhang Chao stood at the living room door, ready to flee if his father tried to hit him again.
"Dad, just because sothing happened at ho doesn’t an it’s my fault. Besides, I told you about it at the ti, and you said it was fine," Zhang Chao said defiantly.
Even after hearing about the family’s issues, Zhang Chao thought the conflict with Su Qing sparked the revenge.
But he couldn’t admit it now, nor did he dare to admit it.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yongcai glared, about to move, surprised at his son’s defiance, blaming his own leniency over the years.
The family was well off, yet they raised a good-for-nothing. He had no job and relied on them to support his wife and child. Worst, he couldn’t keep away from trouble.
Luckily, Ning Tong and her mother-in-law quickly intervened. Ning Tong even turned back, saying, "Say less, Dad, don’t be mad!"
Hearing this, Zhang Heng reluctantly closed his mouth, while Old Zhang nodded approvingly at his daughter-in-law.
He then asked, "Xiaotong, do you also know the young man you t the other day?"
"Yes, we were high school classmates. His na is Su Qing." Ning Tong’s eyes changed at the ntion of Su Qing. But now it was too late; she was married and even had a child—what more was there to think about? Surely, most people who marry young end up regretting it.
"Do you know anything about Su Qing’s family background?" Zhang Yongcai took a deep breath and asked.
There was no doubt with how things were unfolding that the other party’s family had good connections.
Ning Tong shook her head. Although she and Su Qing were classmates for three years, she didn’t know what his family did. She only knew Zhang Chao’s family was wealthy because Zhang Chao boasted about it himself. Who cared about that during high school anyway?
"Not really, but Su Qing beca popular last year through short videos, made money, then invested in stocks and earned more. He even invested in a movie with eighty million. He should... be quite rich."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yongcai was shocked, looking again at his son. How could there be such a vast difference among classmates of the sa age?
Now knowing the other party was wealthy, suspicion naturally increased considerably.
He then said, "You, go apologize to your classmate tomorrow!"
"Why should I apologize? I’m not going!" Zhang Chao exploded upon hearing this. Apologizing to Su Qing would be more painful than death.
"Not going? Say that again!! You got us into this ss; if you’re not going, do you expect to?"
"I’m still not going! Besides, how do we even know it’s him? What if it isn’t?"
"Even if it isn’t, you still go! If you don’t, then get out!"
"Fine, I’ll leave!"
...
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