Outside the shop, Wang Xianping and Wang Haichen sat in their car, their faces dark as they watched the long line of customers.
Across the street was their own chain noodle shop.
Business had improved significantly since they’d obtained Lin Jiang’s seasoning, but it was nowhere near as booming as Xiaojiang Noodle Shop.
This was because they had doubled the amount of water and added other seasonings to approximate the flavor.
They had managed to achieve a decent taste.
But compared to the real Xiaojiang Noodle Shop, it was still a far cry.
Before Lin Jiang’s new shop opened, their own noodle shop had also had lines forming outside.
But the good times didn’t last. Once Lin Jiang’s new shop opened, all the customers flocked over to his place.
"That woman... has she gotten the recipe yet?"
Wang Xianping was a bit younger than Lin Jiansheng. He had a dark complexion and an average build. Sitting in the car, his presence was so intimidating that the driver in the front seat didn’t dare to breathe too loudly.
"Zhang Jingjing sent me a message. She said Zhou Jingliang agreed to give her the recipe," Wang Haichen said.
"Just another day or two, and his recipe will be ours."
"Then let him make his money for a few more days. Once we get that recipe, I have countless ways to deal with him!"
Wang Xianping’s expression brightened considerably. He said to the driver,
"Back to the company for now."
"Understood, President Wang."
The father and son returned to the company. With the recipe almost in their grasp, their next step was to figure out how to deal with Lin Jiang.
"Dad, once both our shops have the same recipe, we’ll need a way to sway the customers’ opinions," Wang Haichen said.
"I’m planning to hire some food bloggers to sling some mud at them first, give customers a bad impression, and then aggressively promote our own shop to turn the tide."
Sitting in the boss’s chair in his office, Wang Xianping held a cigarette between his fingers and crossed his legs.
"That’s not nearly enough. We need to find some dirt on them."
"Their reputation has been excellent since they opened. There hasn’t been any negative news at all. Otherwise, I would’ve already kicked them while they were down."
"If they don’t make mistakes, we can make them make mistakes," Wang Xianping said.
"Find a chance to bribe one of their employees. Get them to use some expired ingredients, or add something to the soup base. Wouldn’t that give us an angle to attack them?"
"Dad, you’re always one step ahead. I didn’t even think of that."
"You handle the public opinion side of things. I’ll take care of the rest. Taking them down will be a matter of minutes."
Holding his cigarette, Wang Xianping’s lips curled into a smug smile.
"When I was out making a name for myself, he was still teething. A young punk like him wants to fight me? In his dreams."
"It just goes to show that old fool Lin Jiansheng is useless now, letting himself get dragged down by him."
"He never had much power to begin with. It’s only natural that he ended up like this," Wang Xianping said.
"After we take him down, taking over the business in the Beiqiao Community will be a natural progression."
"Awesome! Once we do this, our family’s business will reach a whole new level."
"It’s inevitable."
RING RING RING...
Just then, Wang Xianping’s phone rang. A glance showed it was a call from the marketing manager.
After answering, Wang Xianping put the call on speaker and set the phone on his desk.
"President Wang, someone filed a report claiming there are mouse droppings in the noodle shop’s seasoning. The people from the Market Supervision Bureau are already here investigating."
Wang Xianping’s temper flared. "At every meeting, I remind you all to pay attention to safety and hygiene! Why did something like this happen?!"
"It’s not a hygiene issue. It’s a problem with the seasoning recipe that was delivered," the marketing manager explained.
"The authorities went straight to the kitchen as soon as they arrived and confiscated all the soup base ingredients."
"I understand."
After hanging up, Wang Xianping’s expression was incredibly dark as he pondered a solution.
"Dad, don’t worry yet. There must be a misunderstanding," Wang Haichen said.
"The recipe came from Zhang Jingjing’s boyfriend. It can’t be the problem. Did a mouse get into the shop?"
"That’s also a possibility. I’ll contact my people first and see if I can get some inside information. Let’s deal with this first."
Wang Xianping picked up his phone, but just as he was about to make a call, the office door was suddenly pushed open.
He was about to yell, but to his surprise, the people who entered were police officers.
"Officers, what can I do for you?"
"You’re Wang Xianping, the general manager of Jinyuan Catering Company, correct?" the lead officer asked.
"I am..."
"We’re from the sub-bureau. You are suspected of instructing Lang Zhenglian to commit burglary and of engaging in unfair business practices. We need to take you in for questioning. Come with us."
"Isn’t there some misunderstanding? I didn’t instruct him."
Wang Xianping knew about Lang Zhenglian going to wreck the shop.
But the idea hadn’t been his. Lang Zhenglian had suggested it himself. He had merely acquiesced to the plan; it was a far cry from "instructing" him.
"Whether you instructed him or not isn’t for you to say. He’s already implicated you. Come back with us for questioning first."
Facing the police, Wang Xianping didn’t dare say much more. He could only go with them and deal with the rest after he got back.
But he already had a bad feeling in his gut. This matter would probably be very difficult to resolve.
Wang Xianping was led out with the police at his side. Wang Haichen followed them.
He didn’t have the ability to solve this problem; following was just instinct.
After all, the person being taken away was his own father. No one could remain indifferent when something like this happened.
The hallway was full of people. Many didn’t know what was happening; most were just there to watch the drama unfold.
But just as he stepped out of the office, Wang Xianping’s secretary rushed over.
"President Wang, something’s happened."
Seeing the police, the secretary hesitated, unsure if she should speak.
Wang Xianping remained relatively calm. "What is it?"
"A company called Xiaojiang Catering sent us a lawyer’s letter. It says we stole their secret recipe, which involves patent infringement, and they’re suing our company..."
Wang Xianping froze, standing rooted to the spot.
If the first two incidents were a coincidence, then the matter of patent infringement explained everything.
’This is all Lin Jiang’s doing!’
’I’ve been set up by him!’
"First, come with us for questioning. As for company matters, you can deal with them later," one of the officers said.
The police didn’t give Wang Xianping a chance to say more, escorting him to the police car downstairs.
But before getting in the car, Wang Xianping said,
"Officer, can I have a word with my son?"
"Fine, go ahead. I’ll give you five minutes."
Wang Xianping turned, walked over to Wang Haichen, and whispered,
"Lin Jiang is behind all this. We’ve been set up by him. Go find your Uncle Pan now and ask him to help solve this. I’ll deal with Lin Jiang after I get out."
"Got it."
After exchanging a few more words, Wang Xianping was put into the police car.
Wang Haichen’s face was terrifyingly grim. He turned and went back into the company, preparing to call Pan Shengli.
But just as he returned to the office, Zhang Jingjing walked in.
"What happened? Why was your dad taken away?"
Zhang Jingjing wasn’t genuinely concerned about Wang Xianping. She had gotten the recipe and had come to find Wang Haichen, planning to trade it for a house.
Before she could even talk to Wang Haichen, she saw Wang Xianping being led away by the police. Worried it might affect her getting the house, she had come to ask what was going on.
Wang Haichen didn’t say a word, just stared coldly at Zhang Jingjing.
"Why are you looking at me like that? I didn’t do anything..."
SMACK!
Before Zhang Jingjing could finish speaking, Wang Haichen slapped her across the face.
"Speak! Are you in on it with them?!"
Stunned by the blow, Zhang Jingjing fell to the ground.
"Why did you hit me? What does this have to do with me?!"
"The seasoning that was delivered had mouse droppings in it! Did Zhou Jingliang do it on purpose?!"
"I don’t know! It was fine before, why would there be a problem this time?!"
Wang Haichen pointed at Zhang Jingjing.
"You bitch, you’d better explain yourself, or this isn’t over!"
"I... I’ll message Zhou Jingliang and ask what’s going on."
"At a time like this, you’re still fucking messaging him?! Call him and ask!" Wang Haichen cursed.
"Okay, okay, I’ll call."
Zhang Jingjing dialed Zhou Jingliang’s number, but after several attempts, the call wouldn’t go through.
"The call isn’t connecting. I’ll send him a video call."
Opening WeChat, Zhang Jingjing tried to video call Zhou Jingliang, but the call failed.
"He... he blocked me." Zhang Jingjing started to panic.
"Don’t worry yet, I’ll send a message to Lin Jiang. I’ve almost got him hooked. I can definitely find out what’s going on from him."
Grabbing her phone, Zhang Jingjing sent a voice message to Lin Jiang, only to find that she had been blocked by him too.
Now Zhang Jingjing was truly dumbfounded. Connecting this with what had just happened, she finally realized she’d been played.
"They both blocked me, but I have the recipe Zhou Jingliang gave me."
In a hurry, Zhang Jingjing couldn’t be bothered with anything else and took out the recipe.
Wang Haichen glanced at it, and his anger surged even higher. He kicked Zhang Jingjing.
"This is a fucking recipe for animal feed! How could this be a seasoning recipe?!"
After the noodle shops opened, Li Yuanyuan and Zhou Xiaoli were put in charge of them, respectively.
Lin Jiang didn’t have to manage anything, so he left at noon and parked his car across the street from the Jinyuan Catering Company.
Watching the police car drive away, Zhou Jingliang remarked with emotion,
"You’re ruthless. You sent them straight to jail."
"They were heartless first, so don’t blame me for being ruthless."
Once the police car was gone, Lin Jiang didn’t linger. He took Zhou Jingliang back to the clubhouse.
"Have you thought about what I told you before?"
"What thing? About investing in the noodle shop?"
"Yeah. Try to scrape together some more money. I’ll let you buy a stake in the noodle shop. You won’t have to manage anything, just wait for the dividends at the end of the year."
"I know you’re trying to help me, and I appreciate the thought, but I’ve already found a job. I’m leaving tomorrow."
"Huh? What job did you find? Where are you going?"
"Back to Rongcheng City. My old master quit his job and has been messaging me every day. I couldn’t say no when he asked if I wanted to work for him, so I already agreed."
"You bastard, since when did you get so stubborn?"
"We’ve been best friends since we were kids. Our bond is stronger than anyone’s. I don’t want things involving money and profit to come between us. You know what I mean, right?"
"It’s because I know what you mean that I’m asking you to invest. That way, it’s a partnership."
"That’s just a nicer way of putting it. In reality, it’s still just you handing me money. But..."
Zhou Jingliang sat cross-legged, lit a cigarette, and said,
"I feel like I’m still young. I want to go out and struggle for a couple more years. If I can make a name for myself, that’d be great for everyone. If I can’t, then I’ll come back and rely on you."
"Small brain, big thoughts."
That night, the two of them didn’t go anywhere. They stayed at the clubhouse drinking until the early hours of the morning and didn’t wake up until noon the next day.
After getting up and quickly freshening up, Lin Jiang took Zhou Jingliang to eat noodles. Around three in the afternoon, he dropped him off at the airport.
"You dog, give me a call after you land."
"I know."
Two grown men, there wasn’t much need for sentimentality. Zhou Jingliang waved and walked toward the boarding gate.
After seeing Zhou Jingliang off, Lin Jiang returned to Century Triumph.
But more than a day had passed without him receiving any notification, which Lin Jiang found a bit strange.
’This map has two bosses: one is Wang Xianping, and the other is Pan Shengli. I’ve taken care of one of them now, so why isn’t there any notification?’
He drove back to Century Triumph. The ascending elevator stopped on the first floor.
Lin Jiang took a step back to make room for the people getting on.
When the elevator doors opened, he was surprised to see Zhao Fangfei standing at the entrance, a middle-aged couple beside her.
’Looks like they’re here to see an apartment.’
But what Lin Jiang hadn’t expected was the appearance of a blue arrow above Zhao Fangfei’s head.
And right at that moment, a game notification appeared.
[Pet detected: Capture?]
[Hunger: 80%]
[Capture condition: Spend 100,000 yuan in cash for it.]

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