Many people have arrived, and they are not from the same department. Judging by their clothing, they seem to be from the Administration for Industry and Commerce and the Health Bureau, conducting a joint enforcement action.
On either side of this group, Qin Chuan's parents, elder brother, and second brother are all wearing smiles, saying something inaudibly.
After all, they are officials, and they are citizens. A supermarket, like any other establishment, is subject to the jurisdiction of many relevant authorities, such as the Administration for Industry and Commerce, Food and Drug Administration, Health Bureau, Fire Department, Public Security Bureau, Price Bureau, and so on, all of whom have the right to supervise.
Bai Xiaoguang keenly sensed that something was amiss. His boss, Qin Chuan, was no longer an unknown figure; he was considered a prominent person in the entire county. Logically, no one should be bothering them on the first day of the supermarket's opening.
Yet, the presence of officials from both the Administration for Industry and Commerce and the Health Bureau was highly unusual!
"You guys stay here. I need to call the boss!"
Bai Xiaoguang said to his three subordinates and then strode out the door.
As he passed the group of enforcers, he overheard them saying they intended to inspect the supermarket's various permits and licenses.
Bai Xiaoguang quickly went to the logistics department in the courtyard, where a landline was installed. He swiftly dialed Qin Chuan's number.
"Hello, boss! I need to report something to you."
In Ning County, within the police station courtyard, Qin Chuan was currently sitting in an office, being hosted by Officer Zhao.
The conversation between the two was about yesterday's events. According to Officer Zhao, they had interrogated Zhou Bintong (the bald man) non-stop for twenty-four hours overnight, but the results were not ideal.
Zhou Bintong adamantly insisted that the knife attack yesterday was entirely his own impulsive act and that no one had instigated him.
However, they did have an unexpected breakthrough during the interrogation of others.
Although Han Shifei had not hired someone to commit murder, he was guilty of provoking quarrels, all of which stemmed from Feng Lei's side.
Yesterday, both Qin Chuan and the driver, Feng Lei, had filed reports. Qin Chuan accused Han Shifei of hiring someone to kill him, while Feng Lei sued for being hired to be attacked, as well as for the destruction of his vehicle and other offenses.
Qin Chuan had not found any grounds to prosecute Han Shifei, but there was a breakthrough on Feng Lei's side.
Zhou Bintong was tough, taking all the blame, but his three subordinates were not as hardened. Fearing repercussions, they confessed everything after an overnight interrogation.
They revealed that the mastermind behind the destruction of the vehicle and the assault on Feng Lei yesterday was Han Shifei.
When Qin Chuan learned this news, he was both surprised and delighted, never expecting the case to take such a convoluted turn.
"So, Brother Zhao, can Han Shifei's actions lead to a prison sentence?"
Qin Chuan asked.
"Of course!"
Officer Zhao replied affirmatively, "The Criminal Law clearly stipulates that for intentionally damaging another person's property or assaulting someone with the involvement of three or more people, if the circumstances are particularly malicious, a sentence of up to three years of imprisonment may be imposed."
"For particularly serious cases, a sentence of three to seven years of imprisonment may be imposed!"
"Holy cow!"
Hearing such severe penalties, Qin Chuan was stunned. He had merely intended to annoy Han Shifei, never imagining that such a minor incident could lead to his downfall.
But from the looks of it, the situation had developed far beyond his expectations. Han Shifei was very likely to be sentenced and detained by the Ning County police.
Qin Chuan was momentarily unable to accept this fact. As he stood in a daze, his phone rang. Qin Chuan excused himself and went outside to answer it.
"What is it? Speak!"
"Boss, we've just had people from the Administration for Industry and Commerce and the Health Bureau show up at our supermarket."
Bai Xiaoguang reported, "They are currently inspecting all our supermarket's permits and licenses."
Upon hearing Bai Xiaoguang's report, a glint flashed in Qin Chuan's eyes.
"They've come after all!"
He could guess with his eyes closed that this was undoubtedly Han Shifei's doing.
"It's alright, let them check. All our supermarket's permits, licenses, hygiene standards, fire safety, food expiration dates, and other aspects are in perfect order."
Qin Chuan said.
Bai Xiaoguang, who had been tense, finally relaxed. Suddenly, he remembered something else, "Boss, I also saw Secretary Wang at the supermarket! And he brought two people with him!"
"Secretary Wang? Is he here to deliver the award? That fast?"
Qin Chuan was slightly surprised.
"An award? What award?"
Bai Xiaoguang asked, confused.
"Wang Ping'an came empty-handed?"
This time, it was Qin Chuan's turn to frown.
"I... I'm not sure, but I saw him empty-handed when I was in the supermarket... Huh? What's that?"
As Bai Xiaoguang was speaking, his eyes suddenly caught sight of a crowd gathered at the supermarket entrance, looking up at the wall.
He squinted and noticed that a square golden plaque had been hung on the supermarket wall at some point. It was shimmering in the sunlight, and its radiance had attracted the attention of many people.
Bai Xiaoguang looked closely at the plaque and saw five large, bright red characters inscribed on it: "Excellent Enterprise Award."
"Bo... Boss, is the award a bronze plaque with 'Excellent Enterprise Award' engraved on it?"
Bai Xiaoguang asked urgently.
"Yes!"
Qin Chuan nodded.
"That's it, then! That golden award plaque is already hanging on our supermarket wall, and many people are gathered around looking at it!"
Bai Xiaoguang said, and then immediately apologized.
"I'm sorry, boss. I was inside the supermarket just now and didn't see when Secretary Wang delivered the award."
"You said Secretary Wang is still at our supermarket right now, correct?"
"Yes, he's inside looking around."
Qin Chuan pondered for a moment and then said, "How about this, go inside the supermarket, find Secretary Wang, and briefly explain the situation. See what Secretary Wang suggests we do?"
"Okay, boss, I'm going now!"
Bai Xiaoguang hung up the phone and quickly went into the supermarket to find Wang Ping'an.
In the Ning County police station courtyard, Qin Chuan held his phone, a half-smile playing on his lips. He regretted not being at the scene himself; otherwise, he would have loved to witness the encounter between the enforcement team and Wang Ping'an. It must have been quite amusing.
Just as he was about to return to his office, suddenly, several people hurried out of the main gate. The person in the lead was Zhang Wenbo, Han Shifei's most loyal old crony.
Behind him were Zhou Yitong and two henchmen.
However, Zhang Wenbo, usually calm and composed, was now displaying an undisguised anxiety on his wrinkled face. When he saw Qin Chuan in the courtyard, his eyes lit up.
"Boss Qin, can we talk?"
Zhang Wenbo blocked Qin Chuan's path and spoke proactively.
"I don't think we have anything to talk about, do we?"
Qin Chuan's expression was exceptionally indifferent, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
From the expressions of Zhang Wenbo, Zhou Yitong, and the others, Qin Chuan could tell that Han Shifei was in a bad situation. The Ning County police had likely informed him of the overnight interrogation.
Knowing that his subordinates had betrayed him and confessed, even the formidable Han Shifei was starting to panic.
And upon learning that Han Shifei was truly facing imprisonment, others became even more flustered.
This was Ning County, not Yongnan County. Their pride and influence were of no use here. Therefore, the only person they could think of to resolve this predicament was Qin Chuan.
For Han Shifei's sake, they were forced to seek out Qin Chuan.
No matter the cost, as long as Han Shifei did not go to jail, it was all that mattered.