Director Yang stood stunned for a moment, only coming to his senses after a long while.
His expression immediately darkened.
He waved his hand, signaling his secretary to prepare.
He berated Song Qiao, "Comrade, what kind of character are you? Because I wouldn't bend the rules for you, you're cursing me to have a car accident."
"No, listen to me, there's real danger. If you don't believe me, have the driver check the car."
Misunderstood, Song Qiao felt utterly speechless. He thought to himself, "People with small minds see everyone as small-minded. Who would waste their time cursing you to have a car accident? What good would that do me?"
"Nonsense."
Unexpectedly, Director Yang, who already had a short temper, refused to listen to his explanation and spoke with intense anger.
He let out a reprimand and turned to shout at the security guards downstairs,
"Security! Security! Come quickly, get this lunatic out of here!"
As soon as he finished speaking, two security guards rushed into the room, intending to escort Song Qiao out.
"Good advice cannot save a stubborn fool." Seeing that the director didn't believe him at all, Song Qiao was helpless.
He was about to leave with the security guards.
Director Yang's secretary hurried upstairs, casting a surprised glance at Song Qiao.
She reported to the director, "Director, I just took a special look at the tire. This young man was right. The front right tire does have a fault. If you were to drive like this, it would surely lead to a wreck and fatalities."
Director Yang was shocked. He looked at Song Qiao with disbelief.
Without a word, he turned and went downstairs to the car.
Upon inspection, he found the tire indeed had a problem, and a significant one at that.
He felt a surge of fear.
Turning around, he apologized to Song Qiao, who had followed him down, "This car does indeed have a malfunction. I was too hasty just now, I'm truly sorry."
Before Song Qiao could speak, he asked with confusion, "How did you discover a fault that even my driver didn't notice?"
Song Qiao smiled faintly. He had already thought of an excuse while following the director downstairs. He then explained to the director,
"Director Yang, you might not know, but I'm particularly fascinated by cars. I can't tear myself away when I see a good car. When I came upstairs earlier, I noticed a problem with your car."
"Seeing that you were about to leave, I was genuinely worried and felt compelled to warn you."
"Oh, young man, you are truly my savior! It's all my fault for treating you that way just now."
Director Yang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and replied with a smile.
Then, as if remembering something, he asked Song Qiao, "I haven't even asked for your name."
"My name is Song Qiao. You can call me Xiao Song."
Seeing the director's intention to get acquainted, Song Qiao's eyes lit up, and he quickly gave his name.
"I remember, you needed a business license, right?"
"That's an easy matter. Hand over the documents to my secretary, and this will be expedited. It will be ready by tomorrow morning."
Saying this, he turned his gaze to his secretary and instructed, "Xiao Zhao, make a note of this. This matter needs to be handled quickly, Xiao Song needs it urgently."
"Understood, Director Yang." Secretary Xiao Zhao nodded quickly, her eyes filled with gratitude towards Song Qiao.
After all, Song Qiao's warning today had not only saved the director's life but also hers.
"In that case, thank you very much, Director Yang." Seeing that the matter was settled, Song Qiao couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and quickly expressed his gratitude to Director Yang.
Director Yang quickly waved his hand at Song Qiao.
"Hey, Xiao Song, what are you talking about? If anyone should be thanking, it's me. Compared to saving a life, this small matter is nothing."
Seeing that a replacement vehicle had arrived, Director Yang exchanged a few more pleasantries with Song Qiao before leaving with his secretary.
...
In the morning, after sending Xixi to kindergarten, Xia Yuqing and her mother and sister went together to the market that Song Qiao had mentioned.
Before they even got close, they could see the "Fragrant Stinky Tofu" sign of Song Qiao's shop from afar.
The rolling shutter door was tightly shut, and there was no one in sight. The scene was one of desolation.
Xia Yuqing's face immediately fell.
An unspeakable grievance welled up in her heart.
This useless man had indeed not told her the truth.
With the shop empty, he must have closed up to gamble again.
"Sister, see? I told you not to trust this man," Xia Xueqing said, shaking her head, her face filled with disdain and contempt.
Xia Yuqing, suppressing a tremble, nodded and prepared to leave with her sister.
As soon as she turned, she saw Song Qiao cycling over, panting heavily.
"Liar! You smooth-talking dog man, how dare you show your face!" Xia Xueqing immediately flew into a rage and shouted at Song Qiao.
Song Qiao frowned, glanced at the three women, and was about to explain to his wife.
However, Xia Yuqing had already turned away, intending to leave.
There was no point in saying more. She didn't want to see this man who had disappointed her so profoundly for another minute.
"Yuqing, please listen to my explanation. I really went to get the business license." Seeing his wife looking lost and dejected, Song Qiao felt both heartbroken and anxious.
He never expected Xia Yuqing and her family to arrive at his shop at this time.
With the fact of the shop being closed staring him in the face, it seemed his explanations would be futile.
Just as Song Qiao was about to chase after them, he was surrounded by four or five customers.
"Boss, you're finally here! I've been waiting all morning."
"That's right, I couldn't get any yesterday, and I've been craving it like mad."
"Boss, are you open today? If you are, I want to buy ten yuan worth."
They all spoke at once, crowding around Song Qiao, eagerly awaiting his reply.
Song Qiao gave them an awkward smile and explained, "Everyone, everyone, I'm truly sorry. I had an urgent family matter today, so we weren't open this morning."
"Don't worry, we'll be open this afternoon."
Upon hearing this, everyone became excited, and a queue instantly formed in front of the shop.
Xia Yuqing and her two companions, who were about to leave, were utterly shocked by the scene.
Xia Xueqing rubbed her eyes in disbelief and asked, "Sister, am I... am I seeing things? These people all seem to be heading towards Song Qiao's shop."
"It seems so. What's going on?" Their mother-in-law was also astonished.
They never imagined that the shop, which had been deserted moments ago, would be crowded in less than a minute!
Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Song Qiao opened the rolling shutter door and set up his stall.
He considered for a moment, then suddenly remembered something. He turned and retrieved a megaphone from inside.
"Because of my absence today, everyone had to wait in vain this morning. Therefore, I've decided that the 'buy one get one free' promotion from yesterday will continue today!"
As soon as his words fell, it caused a sensation among all the customers, and many more people joined the queue from the sidelines.