As Lin Xiao Tian's face remained calm, Qin Yuan's brow furrowed.
Just then, several cars pulled up in front of the restaurant.
A group of uniformed personnel alighted from the vehicles. Qin Yuan recognized them at a glance; they were likely local government officials.
Market Supervision Bureau.
Fire Department.
...
Qin Yuan counted, realizing that within this short span, people from five or six different departments had arrived.
"Oh! Isn't that Captain Liu? What brings you here?" Cheng Ao spotted a man from the Market Supervision Bureau and quickly plastered on a smile as he went to greet him.
The two had some acquaintance, but Cheng Ao had no idea why Captain Liu would suddenly show up. In the middle of the afternoon, could it be an inspection?
If it was an inspection, things would be dire. His small restaurant, for the sake of profit, was severely non-compliant in both hygiene and safety. If thoroughly investigated, it would have to be shut down!
Previously, Cheng Ao had managed to evade several inspections through various connections, but this time, seeing Captain Liu's stern expression, he felt an ominous unease.
"Boss Cheng, long time no see. This is a surprise inspection, and we hope for your cooperation," Captain Liu said, casting a meaningful glance at Cheng Ao.
Cheng Ao was startled.
"Surprise inspection?"
"How come I didn't receive any notification?"
Captain Liu's expression immediately turned cold. "What? We need to notify you for an inspection? If we notify you, is it still called an inspection?"
"This... this isn't necessary!" Cheng Ao became a little anxious. "How about this! Captain Liu, you see, something has happened here, and the restaurant is in a mess. Could you perhaps wait for me for a while?"
Cheng Ao gestured towards the beggars smashing cars in front of them.
Captain Liu's gaze also fell on the beggars. Just as he was about to step forward and question them, he was stopped by a voice.
"Is this something you should be concerned with? Aren't you here to inspect this place? Do what you're here to do. Leave other matters to others."
"Lin Xiao Tian, what are you saying? Are you telling Captain Liu how to do his job?" Cheng Ao asked, feigning concern.
But he failed to notice that at that moment, Captain Liu looked at Lin Xiao Tian with apprehension in his eyes.
Lin Xiao Tian ignored Cheng Ao altogether and spoke to Captain Liu again.
"Am I making sense? Or did Mayor Liu not make things clear?"
Upon hearing "Mayor Liu," Captain Liu's eyes widened.
"You are correct. We will deal with the immediate situation at once!" Captain Liu replied respectfully.
Cheng Ao was stunned.
What was going on?
"You?"
Why was Captain Liu speaking so respectfully to Lin Xiao Tian?
Who did Lin Xiao Tian think he was?
Before he could recover from his surprise, he noticed that the other officials present were also looking at Lin Xiao Tian with courteous expressions.
"Mr. Lin, rest assured, this enforcement will be conducted with absolute fairness." An official from the Disciplinary Committee assured Lin Xiao Tian.
Lin Xiao Tian smiled slightly. "Then I'll trouble you all!"
As the Disciplinary Committee members left, all the inspecting personnel present walked towards the restaurant entrance.
Cheng Ao was completely flustered.
Were they really going to inspect?
And so many departments, even the Disciplinary Committee was here, weren't they trying to put him out of business?
Cheng Ao tried to stop them, but was quickly steered aside on the grounds of obstructing official duties.
"This... this..." Cheng Ao became desperate. He suddenly thought of Teacher Qin and pleaded, "Teacher Qin, I... could you possibly..."
Cheng Ao stammered.
He wanted Qin Yuan to use her connections to prevent the inspectors from entering, but if he said that, wouldn't it be an admission that his establishment had problems?
Qin Yuan, whether she truly didn't know or was pretending not to, nodded.
"Gentlemen... please wait a moment!"
Qin Yuan called out to the group.
"I also have some acquaintance with Mayor Liu. I wonder if you could do me a favor today and not make things difficult for my student?"
Upon hearing Mayor Liu's name, everyone instinctively stopped.
Didn't Mayor Liu send them to inspect?
Why were they being told not to inspect now?
"Teacher Qin, how can you say that? They are carrying out their duties to inspect this restaurant, which is to foster a good market environment and prevent certain individuals from engaging in unscrupulous practices. Teacher Qin, how can you hinder their work for the sake of saving face?" Lin Xiao Tian's voice rang out.
Seeing Lin Xiao Tian intervene, the inspectors also breathed a sigh of relief.
However, they did not enter yet, waiting for the final outcome between the two parties.
"Xiao Ao just mentioned that he is currently indisposed. Shouldn't that be taken into consideration? Shouldn't an inspection allow for some preparation time? It's also a matter of hospitality!" Qin Yuan argued.
"Teacher Qin is indeed a teacher; your sophistry skills are truly admirable to us country folk," Lin Xiao Tian said with a cold sneer.
"I am merely stating the facts!"
"Is this the fact you're stating? If there were criminal evidence hidden inside, would you also wait for them to tidy up before letting the inspectors in? Teacher Qin, this is an inspection, not a visit. You wouldn't fail to understand this basic logic, would you?"
Qin Yuan was already at a disadvantage, and Lin Xiao Tian's words left her speechless.
But she was absolutely unwilling to concede defeat today, especially when facing someone connected to Qin Yuxiang.
"Sharp-tongued, I won't argue with you. Let's talk about something practical."
"How practical?"
Qin Yuan smiled, not answering Lin Xiao Tian, but instead taking out her phone.
The next moment, she put the phone on speaker.
"Hello! General Manager Fang? It's me, Lin Xiao Tian!"