"Heh heh, that's about the gist of it. Uncle Dong, please get things ready on your end. That way, I can call you directly if anything comes up," Chen Fei said with a slight chuckle, glad that Dong Wencheng understood. He felt a little embarrassed since every time he called, it was to ask for a favor.

"Alright, I'll have someone make preparations later. If there's a real issue, just call me yourself," Dong Wencheng said with a straightforward nod, matching Chen Fei's lack of formality with a chuckle of his own. Although it was rare for him to engage in such activities, he found it quite exhilarating on the rare occasions he did.

After all, even someone like Dong Wencheng found it difficult to put the Zheng family, a prominent clan in Jiangnan Province, at a disadvantage. But Chen Fei, Mr. Chen, was different. No matter how formidable the Zheng family was, could they really rival the Chief Instructor of Flying Leopard?

After chatting a bit more, Chen Fei hung up the phone, as he had to board his flight.

「Meanwhile.」

Zheng Zhengbin, Young Master Zheng, and Zhou Zhengxu had already left the Jinnan Jewelry Jade Carving Factory, fuming as they drove away.

"Damn it, Young Master Zheng, that old bastard is just plain ungrateful! How dare he refuse your goodwill!?" Zhou Zhengxu cursed angrily from the driver's seat. He couldn't believe that even with Young Master Zheng personally making an appearance, the old man still had the gall to refuse them. Doesn't that mean I'm going to miss out on a huge sum of money?

"Hmph! It seems that old fool really thinks he's found some powerful backing," Zheng Zhengbin, Young Master Zheng, said, his expression grim and his eyes filled with malice. "His mind must be clouded by greed; he has no idea what he's getting into."

What is my identity and status!? Even though that unfortunate incident years ago kept me out of politics, my position as a direct lineage member of the Zheng family is undeniable! Not to mention, my father is the Deputy Director of the Provincial Bureau of Industry and Commerce—a high-ranking official! Who in the entire jewelry business wouldn't treat me, Zheng Zhengbin, with the utmost respect, obedience, and flattery?

But now, some worthless Jinnan Jewelry had the audacity to be so arrogant, daring to decline the 'goodwill' of Young Master Zheng? Are they looking down on me? Or do they think their backer is more powerful than mine?

As he stewed on this, the expression on Young Master Zheng's face grew even darker. He sneered, "I'd really like to see what kind of backer that old fool has found! Let's see if they're truly more powerful than me, Zheng Zhengbin!"

"You're being far too humble, Young Master Zheng," Zhou Zhengxu immediately chimed in with fawning praise before lowering his voice to ask, "Here in Jiangnan, besides the sons of a few provincial leaders or the Xiao Family, who would dare claim to be more powerful than you? That would be sheer arrogance! But Young Master Zheng, how are we going to deal with that old man?"

"Isn't it simple? What if I have someone from the Bureau of Industry and Commerce conduct a spot check on Jinnan Jewelry? The jewelry market is rife with counterfeits these days, so the bureau often receives 'complaints'…" Zheng Zhengbin replied with a smug, sly smile.

"A spot check!?"

Zhou Zhengxu was startled at first, then hesitated. "Young Master Zheng, I've heard that Jinnan Jewelry has very strict quality control. I'm afraid it won't be easy to find any actual problems with an inspection."

"Hard to find anything wrong? Heh." Young Master Zheng scoffed disdainfully. "Zhengxu, why are you so dense at a time like this? Whether Jinnan Jewelry has problems isn't up to them, and it isn't up to us! But what if the Bureau of Industry and Commerce *finds* a problem with them?"

"Young Master, you mean…" A light of realization dawned in Zhou Zhengxu's eyes. He finally understood! That's right. It didn't matter if Jinnan Jewelry actually had any issues. What mattered was that if the Bureau of Industry and Commerce *said* they found a problem, then there was a problem!

"You still don't get it? My father is the Deputy Director of the Provincial Bureau of Industry and Commerce. Who wouldn't give him face? When the time comes, we'll just have them 'find' a batch of gold-plated fakes. Then we can crush that old fool however we want! Hmph! Just a crummy jewelry store, and they dare to be so arrogant. I, Zheng Zhengbin, can't wait to see what they do after their shop gets shut down for fraud! Hahaha!" As he spoke, Young Master Zheng burst into wild laughter. What a joke. He could deal with the owner of some insignificant jewelry store however he pleased.

He truly didn't believe that someone of that caliber could possibly cause any waves for him.

Is it even possible? Clearly not! Hahahaha!

"Haha! That old guy is toast! You're brilliant, Young Master Zheng, absolutely brilliant," Zhou Zhengxu chimed in, laughing with unconcealed delight.

After a moment, he seemed to recall something and said hesitantly, "But Young Master Zheng, that old man must have some kind of backing to have refused us so boldly. What if they intervene… How about this? We bring reporters from the city television station. Once the story airs, their business will be ruined. Even if they eventually manage to solve the trouble with the Bureau, their reputation will have plummeted from being on TV."

The man was utterly ruthless. Such a tactic was like pulling the firewood out from under the cauldron, destroying their very foundation. Once Jinnan Jewelry being investigated by the authorities was on television, their reputation would be severely damaged, even if they were later proven to be innocent. Their business would surely collapse as a result. His mentality was clear: if I can't have it, I'll destroy it.

"Bringing reporters? Zhengxu, that's a vicious move, but I like it! Damn it, it's just a worthless jewelry store. I don't even want it anymore. Driving it into bankruptcy would be for the best! That'll teach him the price for daring to refuse and offend me, Zheng Zhengbin!" A sinister smile crept across Young Master Zheng's face as he snorted coldly.

「About two to three hours later.」

Hua Ming was pacing inside the Jinnan Jewelry Jade Carving Factory, his heart pounding with anxiety, when his phone suddenly rang.

A phone call? Who could it be… Hua Ming's heart leaped into his throat. He pulled out his phone and saw the caller ID: the manager of their store in the bustling market of Tongzhou. His heart sank. This was bad.

His hand trembled slightly as he answered the call. "Hello…"

He had barely uttered the single word when the frantic voice of the store manager cut him off. "Boss? It's me, Xiao Zhu! It's terrible! A group of officers from the Public Security Bureau just barged into the store! They said they're here to conduct a spot check on our jewelry and precious metals… What do I do?"

"What? The Bureau of Industry and Commerce?"

Hua Ming's heart trembled. He knew Zheng Zhengbin's retaliation had arrived. With his father as the Deputy Director of the Provincial Bureau of Industry and Commerce, sending a team over would be laughably easy. More importantly, if the Bureau was determined to find fault, they could conjure up a batch of faulty goods even if every single item in the store was perfect. There was an old saying: an official has two mouths. What they say goes. How could ordinary people like them argue?

"Hello, boss, boss! What should I do… It really looks like they're here just to cause trouble." When Hua Ming didn't speak, the voice on the other end grew even more anxious.

"Xiao Zhu, don't panic. Keep the situation stable. We absolutely cannot lose our composure now," Hua Ming said in a grave voice. "There's no problem with the goods in our store, right?"

At Hua Ming's question, the store manager's voice became firm. "Absolutely no problem! Boss, I can guarantee that a hundred percent! At the very least, they won't find a single problematic item on our side."

"Then let them check!" Hua Ming gritted his teeth. "We have nothing to hide. Can they really just throw mud at us?"

He knew he couldn't afford to panic. If he did, the problem would become much, much worse.

"But, but… but boss, the people from the Bureau of Industry and Commerce also brought reporters from the city TV station," the manager added.

"What did you say!? Reporters!?"

Hua Ming felt his heart stop for a second, his mind going completely blank.

Reporters? This… this is too vicious! If Jinnan Jewelry really ends up on TV this time, our reputation will take a fatal blow, even if we're being framed! This is just… it's outrageous bullying! Can people with connections and power really be so lawless!?

Just then, a commotion erupted at the entrance of the Jade Carving Factory. Hua Ming instinctively looked over, and his face instantly changed, his expression a mixture of anger and panic.

He saw Zheng Zhengbin, Young Master Zheng, and his lackey, the Dog Head Military Advisor Zhou Zhengxu, swagger in again, surrounded by a crowd. One lit a cigarette with a flourish, blowing smoke rings as he shot a contemptuous, sidelong glance at Hua Ming. The other sneered derisively.

"Well, Boss Hua? Heard any news? I hear one of your stores is being inspected. How about it? Need Young Master Zheng to help you out? Hahahaha!"

As he spoke, he burst into uncontrollable laughter, his face and eyes filled with disdain and mockery.

Old fool, now you know who you're dealing with, don't you? Hahaha!

Unexpectedly, however, Hua Ming simply stared back at Zheng Zhengbin with a grim expression and said slowly, "Young Master Zheng, you are an important person. My Jinnan Jewelry is not worthy of associating with you, nor do we wish to. So, if you two have no further business here, please leave. Don't disturb our work."

"Old fool, what did you say!? Say that again if you've got the guts!?" Zheng Zhengbin immediately roared, his face contorting with fury.

Who the hell do I think I am? What is my status? When has anyone ever insulted me like this? He's kicking me out before I've even had a chance to warm my spot?

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