"Ah... I, shh!"

Upon seeing Young Master Zheng jump out to add to the chaos, the stout Deputy Director of the Tongzhou City Industrial and Commercial Bureau, Huang Kai, couldn't help but curse him inwardly. He berated this Zheng Zhengbin for being an absolute idiot. However, he didn't dare show his true feelings, instead quickly shooting Zheng Zhengbin a look, hoping the fool could get a clue. If it wasn't for some special reason, how could that country bumpkin possibly get Mayor Jin Zhenglin on the phone with a single call? Why else would I, Huang Kai, lower myself to flatter the owner of a mere dilapidated jewelry store?

"Director Huang, what exactly do you mean? What's with the 'shushing'? Do you think I, Zheng Zhengbin, don't carry enough weight? Is my father's position as a deputy chief of the city's bureau a fake!?" But Young Master Zheng was furious now, so how could he possibly pay attention to Huang Kai's signals? Even if he had noticed, he still would have demanded an answer icily.

Are you kidding me? A man of his status and position? His father is the deputy chief of the *provincial* Industrial and Commercial Bureau! And yet, here he was, being disregarded by a mere deputy director from the city bureau, his words carrying no weight. How could someone as proud as him possibly accept such a reality?

"No, no, Young Master Zheng, that's not what I meant, it's just..."

Hearing this, the stout Deputy Director Huang Kai had to fight the urge to kick the imbecile. In the end, he managed to suppress his anger, pull Zheng Zhengbin aside, and whisper, "Young Master Zheng, it's not that I didn't hear you, it's just... I didn't want this either, but do you know who called me just now? It was Mayor Jin Zhenglin from the city! He personally intervened. You tell me, what was I supposed to do?"

"Mayor Jin!?" Young Master Zheng, who had been arrogant just a moment ago, was now scared out of his wits.

"Mayor... Mayor Jin? You mean, Jin Zhenglin? The deputy mayor who oversees our Tongzhou's economy and investment attraction!?" he then stammered, his face a mask of shock. He clearly hadn't expected Huang Kai to say such a thing.

That... that country bumpkin actually knows Mayor Jin?! How... how is that possible?!

"Yes, Deputy Mayor Jin Zhenglin, the one in charge of our Tongzhou City's economy and investment attraction! So, Young Master Zheng, it's not that I, Huang Kai, won't help you, but that I really can't! And now we probably need to appease the other party, otherwise, we won't be able to explain ourselves to Mayor Jin," the stout Director Huang said, nodding and adding anxiously in a low voice.

Obviously, his biggest worry right now was Mayor Jin Zhenglin. A single word from the Mayor, especially an angry one, and a small fry like Huang Kai would be in for a world of hurt.

At this moment, Young Master Zheng's face turned incredibly dark, a flicker of trepidation and panic in his eyes. That country bumpkin actually knows Mayor Jin?!

There was no other choice. Deputy Mayor Jin Zhenglin... what kind of figure was he? He was one of the most powerful leaders in the provincial capital of Tongzhou. Even his own father wouldn't dare to be presumptuous in front of such a man, let alone a junior like himself. They were completely out of his league. And if his father found out! If he learned that his son had offended the formidable Deputy Mayor Jin of the provincial capital over some worthless jewelry store, he'd be furious enough to beat him to death!

At this thought, even though he felt incredibly wronged and his expression was ugly, Young Master Zheng ultimately calmed down "rationally." He forced a smile at the stout Director Huang and said, "Well, since he's one of Mayor Jin's people... let's just drop it." There was no way around it; even he, Young Master Zheng, didn't dare to offend Mayor Jin.

They were in a different league entirely! Only his father, or perhaps the entire Zheng Family, would have the clout to overpower a man like that.

Seeing Young Master Zheng finally come to his senses, the stout Director Huang breathed a long sigh of relief. That fool finally gets it. He then turned to Hua Ming with a fawning smile. "Boss Hua, Elder Brother Hua, you see, we just didn't realize you knew Mayor Jin! It was all a terrible mistake; we didn't recognize one of our own. Please, don't be angry anymore. It was all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding... Ha, ha, ha..."

"A misunderstanding?"

Seeing the one-hundred-eighty-degree turn in the attitudes of the stout Director Huang and Young Master Zheng, Hua Ming felt a wave of vindication wash over him, as refreshing as a glass of ice water on a scorching summer day.

He then sneered. "A misunderstanding? With that one word, you two sealed up the most profitable branch of my Jinnan Jewelry. Do you have any idea how much damage this will do to my store's reputation?"

Hearing this, Huang Kai's expression soured as he began cursing inwardly. Damn it, this old geezer is pushing his luck! Give him an inch and he'll take a mile! What a piece of work!

It wasn't just him; Young Master Zheng's face also darkened as he said unpleasantly, "Boss Hua, it's just a little money. Are you really going to hold a grudge against me, Zheng Zhengbin, over some cash!? Let me tell you, my dad is the deputy chief of the provincial Industrial and Commercial Bureau. He has connections all over Tongzhou City and the province! More importantly, he also knows Mayor Jin. Do you understand me now!?"

"That's right, Old Rascal! You think knowing Mayor Jin makes you a big shot?" Young Master Zheng's Dog Head Military Advisor, Zhou Zhengxu, jumped in again with an arrogant look. "Do you have any idea who Young Master Zheng's father is? Don't tell me you think a country bumpkin like you carries more weight with Mayor Jin than his father does! Don't overestimate yourself. It's not too late to back off. At worst, I'll compensate you a little money privately. Your shop just got sealed temporarily; how much could you possibly have lost!?"

In his view, the shop was just sealed for a bit. How much could they really have lost? At worst, they'd just have to pay some compensation.

"Yes, we're all on the same side, it was just a misunderstanding! Boss Hua, how about we just let this go? We'll take down the seals first," Huang Kai chimed in, trying to persuade him. As he spoke, he made to order someone to remove the seals.

"Director Huang, even if you remove the seal now, it'll be useless." Hua Ming's next words made Huang Kai's face stiffen.

"Boss Hua, what do you mean by that..." he asked, his expression turning ugly.

"What I mean is very simple," Hua Ming said coldly. "It was easy for you from the Bureau of Industry and Commerce to seal my jewelry store. But if you want us to reopen, I'm sorry, that's going to be a bit more difficult. Let's get this matter properly investigated first."

Truth be told, if it were up to him, he would have let the matter rest here to avoid more trouble. However, Chen Fei had just sent him another text telling him not to let it go so easily... that his side was ready. Hua Ming had no choice but to comply, which was why his stance was so firm. This was what his son's brother, Chen Fei, wanted. At the same time, he was reeling from shock. He had picked up on something from their conversation... Mayor Jin?! Had his son's brother really summoned the city's mayor with a single phone call? If so, that was absolutely incredible!

"Old Rascal, I'm warning you, don't push your luck! You're going too far!" Young Master Zheng bellowed, unable to contain his anger at Hua Ming's ungratefulness. "So what if you know Mayor Jin? You need to understand that he's just a deputy! He's not the one calling the shots in Tongzhou City!"

The only reason they'd changed their attitude and tried to drop the whole thing was because the man knew Mayor Jin and had some backing, right? But now, he, the great Young Master Zheng, was willing to bow his head and let the matter go, and this Old Rascal still dared to push his luck and be so ungrateful?! Fuck! Who the hell did he think he was? Did he really think that he, Young Master Zheng, was afraid of him?!

"Just a deputy? Young Master Zheng, even if your father were here, would he dare to speak so recklessly? I'm sorry, but if you all want to linger here, I'll be taking my leave," Hua Ming said, giving Zheng Zhengbin a cold, derisive look. He shook his head slightly, then turned and walked right out of the Jade Carving Factory.

Besides, the factory is sealed now, so there's no need to worry about anything getting stolen!

"Boss Hua, Boss Hua! I... This damn mongrel!" Seeing Hua Ming actually leave, the stout Director Huang couldn't help but curse out loud. In truth, he was in a full-blown panic.

After all, Zheng Zhengbin wasn't a government official, and he had a powerful background. His father was the Deputy Director of the Provincial Bureau, and behind him stood the entire, vast Zheng Family. So, even if Mayor Jin decided to assign blame, it would likely be a lot of thunder with very little rain—a simple warning at most. But Huang Kai was different. A minor official like him, a deputy director, might seem impressive to ordinary people, but in the eyes of a major figure like a deputy mayor, he was a complete nobody! If Mayor Jin wanted to vent his anger, removing him from his position or otherwise dealing with him would be as easy as saying a single word. He knew that even their own Bureau Chief, Duan Lingxing, was merely a direct subordinate of Mayor Jin. And he, Huang Kai... he wasn't even in the same league. The gap between him and Mayor Jin was just far, far too wide.

At this thought, he couldn't help but look at Zheng Zhengbin with a pleading gaze, his face mournful. "Young Master Zheng, you have to help me this time. Please, put in a good word for me. Otherwise, if Mayor Jin really comes down on me, my life is over! You have to help me."

By now, he couldn't begin to fathom how much he regretted getting involved in this mess. Why did he have to stick his nose into this damn business in the first place?! He had been courting death, completely overestimating his own importance!

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