Yang Qingheng glanced at the watch inside her sleeve for what seemed like the hundredth time, her expression no longer as cheerful as it had been at the beginning.

Master Xu frowned, feeling somewhat puzzled.

I already reminded Song Hengjue yesterday; given his personality, he should only arrive early, not late.

With a forced smile, he said to Yang Qingheng, "Comrade Yang, my little brother is always punctual. I didn't expect him to be so late today. He's had some family troubles lately, so maybe he's held up by them. Why don't you wait a little longer?"

The agreed time was 10 o'clock, but it was already 12 o'clock and no one was there. Yang Qingheng felt that she needed to re-examine this cooperation. A person who doesn't even have a sense of time probably doesn't have any sense of contractual responsibility. She could trust Master Xu, but she couldn't trust this person. If he ran away with her money, who would she complain to?

"No need, I have something to do later, let's talk about the cooperation next time." She shook her head and stood up.

If they hadn't managed to get Yang Qingheng as a shareholder this time, the production line would have had to shut down. Xu Erye was anxious and cursed Song Hengjue in his heart several times. But when facing Yang Qingheng, he shamelessly apologized: "Comrade Yang, I really didn't arrange things properly this time. Since you're already here, why don't we chat about your recent batch of cloth bags? I just got a batch of new tea here. You have a good eye, so let me try some of this tea."

As he turned to retrieve the tea leaves carefully wrapped in tin foil from the cabinet, Master Xu's expression twisted for a moment.

He took off the Da Hong Pao tea that someone had brought back from another province, which he wouldn't drink more than twice a week, but now he had to reluctantly give it up for Yang Qingheng to drink.

Hopefully, that kid Song Hengjue will arrive soon, otherwise his big red robe will be wasted.

Da Hong Pao? Yang Qingheng paused upon hearing the name, knowing that Master Xu had gone all out this time. After all, the two would be cooperating in the future, and she was happy to give him face. So she sat down, glanced at her watch, and generously said, "Alright, I'll stay for another half hour. Any longer won't do. I definitely need to be back before one o'clock."

Before leaving today, we agreed that I would bring Yao Ying lunch back at noon, because she was worried that the old lady wouldn't take a nap and was staying up to wait for her to come back.

Master Xu laughed heartily, his eyes constantly darting towards the door.

Just as the tea leaves were being brewed, a flurry of noise came from outside the door. Master Xu was startled. Being a man of many experiences, he grabbed Yang Qingheng's wrist and pushed her towards the water vat.

"The Industry and Commerce Bureau is here. You should go inside and hide."

Yang Qingheng suddenly remembered Tang Bainian telling her to be careful, and she felt a little flustered.

It's only been a few days since the last inspection, and they're already doing another one. This is happening so frequently; I'm afraid the higher-ups are already keeping an eye on their city.

Everything was dark, and soon there was a knock on the door.

"Knock knock knock!" "Hey, Industry and Commerce Bureau, open the door!"

Old Master Xu tossed a teacup from the table under the bed, lit a cigarette, and slowly opened the door, speaking in a heavily accented rural tone: "Industry and Commerce Bureau? What are you doing at my house?"

"Stop talking nonsense, just answer my questions." The leader's gaze swept around the house.

Yang Qingheng was holding her breath in the water tank when she could clearly feel a gaze sweeping over her. It felt like a thorn in her back, and her hair stood on end.

Have you seen any suspicious persons in the vicinity during this period?

Master Xu stubbed out his cigarette against the door, scratched his head, and said as honestly as a quail, "What are you saying? With such a commotion outside, I'm not deaf, how could I not hear it?"

The leader scoffed, "Knowing that there were people doing illegal transactions here, you didn't report it. Do you have any regard for national interests? Your thinking is corrupt. You're a lackey of Western capitalism, a traitor! Tomorrow we'll arrest you and have you denounced!"

He stretched his hand forward, and the two men behind him understood, rushing up and slamming Master Xu's face against the wooden door.

The men bared their teeth and brandished their claws, pressing down on Master Xu's face until it hurt.

His expression changed, revealing the panic typical of an honest man: "Brothers, what you're saying is terrible. Those people outside are fierce and menacing. How could I, a mere commoner, dare to go against them... If you say that, then I misspoke earlier. I didn't hear any noise outside."

The leader had intended to intimidate him into helping to arrest people and identify their faces, but to his surprise, he changed his mind!

That big oaf!

He was so angry that he clenched his teeth, but he was surrounded by his subordinates and didn't want to ruin his image, so he took a deep breath and swallowed his anger.

He ordered the two men behind him, "You two, search this place thoroughly."

Yang Qingheng held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest, and the strong smell of fermented sauerkraut around her made her brain feel oxygen-deprived.

"Creak." That's the sound of a cabinet being opened.

"Pfft." That was the sound of the blanket being pulled off.

Footsteps drew closer: "What's in there?"

Master Xu chuckled sheepishly, “These are pickled cabbages I made a few days ago. I carried them all the way from the countryside with great difficulty, and I stomped on them several times to make them very firm. They’re sure to be delicious. If you gentlemen would like to try some, please feel free to take them. As long as you don’t mind, consider it a gift from me…”

The man lifted the lid halfway, but upon hearing that it had been stepped on, his stomach churned, and he nearly vomited. He slammed the lid shut, his face ashen: "Who wants your lousy sauerkraut!"

"Let's go." The leader strode outside.

Master Xu exclaimed in surprise, "I didn't do anything, why are you taking me away!"

"Anyone in this black market could be a traitor to the development of capitalism, and you're no exception. Go to the police station and talk to the police!" the escort shouted, and hit him on the head with a hammer.

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