"Director Wu, please don't worry. I will follow up with an investigation," Assistant Li said with a serious expression, as this seemed to be their first time facing such an issue and they were taking it quite seriously.
Wu Haoyu nodded, looking at Liu Yifeng's pleading expression.
"It's fine. This is likely just someone trying to cause trouble, a warning shot at best. It shouldn't cause any real harm."
Liu Yifeng wasn't entirely sure either, but he could only offer his analysis for now, hoping to put Wu Haoyu's mind at ease.
Upon hearing Liu Yifeng's words, Wu Haoyu didn't respond. He simply nodded and fell into thought, his demeanor completely different from his earlier agitation.
Tongtong also sensed Wu Haoyu's worry. He tilted his little head and stood beside Wu Haoyu, saying, "Uncle Wu, I also think you don't need to worry. If people envy you, it means what you're doing is very successful, and that's why people are jealous."
Wu Haoyu smiled and patted Tongtong's head. Hearing the boy's words did indeed make him feel much better.
"Brother Liu, I'm so sorry for making you witness such a spectacle today," he said, looking at Liu Yifeng, still feeling a bit embarrassed.
He had come to witness Wu Haoyu's great achievements, only to encounter such a ridiculous scene.
"Brother Wu, what are you talking about? We're friends, aren't we? What's there to be embarrassed about? It's the Lunar New Year holiday, so let Tongtong play at your place for a few days. That way, he won't keep complaining that I don't let him go out."
Seeing that Wu Haoyu was still bothered, Liu Yifeng changed the subject, hoping to distract him.
"Hooray! Tongtong finally gets to play to his heart's content!" Tongtong exclaimed, jumping with joy upon hearing Liu Yifeng's words, and then he ran off to play in the exhibition hall.
He even started discussing with other children visiting the exhibition, appearing extremely happy.
"Children, they just love to play. Since there's nothing else going on, and he insisted on coming to find you, I'll have to trouble you, Brother Wu, to look after him for a few days so he can have his fill of fun."
Since Liu Yifeng had promised Tongtong, he had to deliver. He hoped Tongtong would have a great time here.
"Brother Liu, what are you saying? Didn't you just tell me not to be polite, and now you're being polite to me? Don't worry, I'll take good care of Tongtong. If I can't even manage this, then I'm truly useless."
Wu Haoyu's attention was indeed diverted by Liu Yifeng, and he seemed much better.
Liu Yifeng smiled. "Good, I'm relieved to hear you say that. I'll pick him up after work this evening and bring him back before you start work in the morning. This child, if he doesn't get to play enough, who knows what conditions he'll start demanding from me."
He looked gently in Tongtong's direction, feeling content. Seeing Tongtong healthy and happy was all he could ask for.
Seeing that Tongtong was having fun, Liu Yifeng didn't call him when he left. He thought he'd pick him up later in the evening, after bidding Wu Haoyu farewell and asking him to take good care of Tongtong.
For the next week, Tongtong was dropped off by Liu Yifeng at Wu Haoyu's place, and then picked up after work.
He had also followed up to see if the woman would return, but fortunately, she hadn't. Just when everyone thought she wouldn't reappear, things took a turn.
"Where's your boss! Come out!" Tongtong was engrossed in his play when the same woman he had seen before arrived again. She clearly intended to cause trouble, and she had a young boy with her.
Assistant Li stepped forward first to calm the woman down, and then Tongtong went to fetch Wu Haoyu.
"Madam, we are aware of your ploy. I don't care who sent you or what your intentions are. I will not pursue this further. Please leave immediately."
Having learned about the woman's scheme, Wu Haoyu became more confident. Without his earlier sympathy, his actions became more direct.
However, the other party seemed to have come prepared. She directly presented the items Liu Yifeng had mentioned previously, and the young boy standing beside her.
"Aren't these the evidence you asked me to bring? This is my son, and this is the purchase record my son made at your store. I've brought all the evidence you asked for. Tell me, how will you compensate me!" The woman's aggressive demeanor showed that she had come with full confidence this time.
It seemed she was determined to get the compensation she felt she was owed. However, the past week had given Wu Haoyu enough time to find evidence.
Wu Haoyu looked at the timid young boy and the model cards that were indeed from his store. He was momentarily speechless.
"I understand your concerns. However, at this moment, I'm not entirely sure when this card was purchased, nor am I sure if this is your son. We need to investigate both matters. I hope you can come to the office and wait a moment."
Although flustered, Wu Haoyu's mind remained clear. He wouldn't be misled by the other party. If her claims were true, he would certainly provide the appropriate compensation.
The woman immediately became displeased. "What? What is he saying? Everyone, listen to this boss. Last time he told me to bring my son, and I brought him. Now he's saying he needs to verify if he's my son. You all tell me, isn't this clearly a tactic to delay payment and avoid compensation?"
She began to shout loudly. There hadn't been many onlookers before, but now almost everyone had gathered around, including everyone in the exhibition hall.
Some supported the woman, while others sided with Wu Haoyu. Amidst the various opinions, people were discussing and gossiping.
"Furthermore, you have such a large exhibition hall. We common folk truly can't afford it. Even if you're having a promotion, you can't deceive consumers! We've spent so much, and then you tell us we got nothing? Isn't this clearly a scam? Tell me, isn't it?"
The woman seized upon the common people's sentiment, escalating the situation. It was evident she was determined to cause a scene.
Wu Haoyu frowned, observing the woman's clamor and guessing her objective.
"How about this? Since you claim your prepared evidence is genuine, let our loyal customers take a look and see if these are indeed model cards from our store. As for whether this child is yours, we can discuss that separately. As you said, a large establishment like ours isn't going to disappear, so you can rest assured. But we need to follow procedure, right? Verifying this shouldn't be too much to ask, everyone agree?"