Xiao Long was startled and touched his nose guiltily. "Brother Liang, you're right. This is Brother Chuan's signature skill."

"You know that's good. Your brother Da Chuan is a loyal friend. He's given me this much so that I can open a shop. I'm very grateful. You can't be a person without a conscience. If your conscience is bad, you definitely won't have any money." After saying that, Feng Liang went back to rolling out the noodles.

Xiao Long wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Jiang Mingzhong had just told him that if he found out what the other two ingredients were, he would give him another thirty yuan.

It's tough now.

After the noodle shop closed for the night, Xiao Long went home, and Feng Liang finished tidying up and rode his bicycle straight to Chunmai Noodle Shop.

Lin Chuan didn't go home tonight; he sent Lin Ping and Lin Wei home instead.

The store has staff, and the three of them are basically working in shifts now, with one staying at the store and the other two going home.

Today it was Lin Chuan's turn to be in the store.

He had just put the meat he would use tomorrow into the pot when he heard someone knocking on the back door.

Lin Chuan went out and opened the door.

Feng Liang pushed his bicycle in.

"Brother Liang, why aren't you home with your kids so late?"

Feng Liang parked his bicycle there. "I'll go back in a bit and talk to you about something."

"Come on, let's go inside and warm up."

Lin Chuan poured Feng Liang a glass of hot water. "Have you eaten dinner?"

"I've eaten, I've eaten," Feng Liang said. "Don't bother, sit down and let's talk for a bit."

The two of them each sat on a small stool by the stove.

Feng Liang lowered his voice and said, "Do you know Jiang Mingzhong? He's the chef at the state-run restaurant."

Lin Chuan nodded. "I know him. What's wrong with him?"

“He came to my shop for noodles this afternoon,” Feng Liang said. “Then Xiao Long sneaked over to him. We were too far apart for me to hear clearly, and I didn’t dare to get too close, but I felt there was something fishy going on.”

Lin Chuan frowned, throwing firewood into the stove as he pondered.

"It's highly likely that Xiaolong sold that package of ingredients to Jiang Mingzhong."

Feng Liang was alarmed. "What should we do? I've heard that your braised meat sells very well, even taking over the business of state-run restaurants."

Lin Chuan patted the dust off his hands. "Logically speaking, state-run restaurants belong to the public, so they shouldn't be relying on this braised meat business. To put it bluntly, they're taking away Jiang Mingzhong's share of the profits, both overt and covert."

"What will you do if Jiang Mingzhong finds out about your formula?" Feng Liang asked worriedly.

Lin Chuan smiled and said, "Don't worry about that, he won't be able to guess. But since he's so determined and even managed to bribe Xiao Long, he'll definitely make another move. We can't just sit here and wait to be killed."

Feng Liang was anxious. "What should we do?"

Lin Chuan pondered, "Let me think of a way."

"Okay, if you need any help, just let me know."

Feng Liang left in a hurry after he finished speaking, after all, he still had two children at home.

The shop quieted down, with only the bubbling of the pot filling the air.

Having done business in his past life, he had witnessed too much scheming and deceit. Now that Jiang Mingzhong had set his sights on him, he couldn't just sit idly by and wait for his doom.

Therefore, the most important thing is to suppress Jiang Mingzhong before he can come up with a solution.

Jiang Mingzhong felt that since he had taken over his business and affected his ability to make money behind the scenes, it would be better if he didn't take any more money from now on.

Doesn't he take pride in his legitimate government job?

Then you might as well give up your job.

After thinking about a plan, Lin Chuan felt confident and began to study quietly with his books back in hand.

Lin Chuan is very confident about taking the college entrance examination next year.

He already had good grades. If Wu Chunhua and Lin Youfu hadn't locked him in his room in the middle of the night on the day of his college entrance exam, he would have taken the exam the year it was reinstated.

In addition, he learned a lot about business in his previous life.

Moreover, the questions in the college entrance examination are not that difficult now.

However, with so many people vying for a single spot, the number of students admitted is far too small.

But he was confident that he would pass the exam.

Making money is important, but reading books to acquire knowledge and broaden one's horizons is equally important.

Two days later, instead of receiving news from Xiaolong, Jiang Mingzhong was greeted by Song Guoxing, who brought the secretary of the trade union of the state-owned restaurant.

He looked at Song Guoxing's gloomy face and didn't know what was wrong for a moment.

Union Secretary Lü Chengwen had a stern face, a briefcase slung over his arm, and pushed up his glasses.

"Comrade Jiang Mingzhong, we have received a report that you are embezzling grain and meat from state-run restaurants and using your position to enrich yourself. Please come with us for an investigation."

Jiang Mingzhong was dumbfounded. "Secretary Lü, where did you get this idea? I... I didn't do it! Who reported me? This is a rumor, it didn't happen. Secretary Song, please say something! I've worked diligently at the restaurant for so many years."

Song Guoxing was in a bad mood today after being approached by Lü Chengwen.

However, Lü Chengwen is a man who always handles official business strictly and doesn't listen to anyone's opinions; he takes things very seriously.

Moreover, the union is an independent entity, so he can't easily speak up now.

"Comrade Jiang Mingzhong, we just need your cooperation in the investigation. Once the investigation is clear, your innocence will be restored," Lü Chengwen said coldly.

Jiang Mingzhong knew Lü Chengwen all too well; given the circumstances, he was definitely going to visit him.

He reflected on what he had done over the years. He had been very careful and hadn't embezzled much, so no one should have found out.

If someone had discovered this, someone would have reported it long ago.

He's been short of money lately, so who could possibly know about this and report him?

Has he offended anyone recently?

Jiang Mingzhong couldn't understand it at all.

However, as long as Lü Chengwen has no evidence, he will not admit to anything.

Jiang Mingzhong was taken away by the union members, and Jiang Xueying naturally knew this after get off work.

Her mind was in turmoil. As she left home, her footsteps inadvertently led her to Chunmai Noodle Shop.

She stood there, looking through the window, and could see Lin Chuan's tall figure serving noodles to the guests.

Jiang Xueying couldn't resist, so she went into the store and called out, "Lin Chuan."

Lin Chuan turned his head to look at Jiang Xueying, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes. "What is it?"

Jiang Xueying walked over and said softly, "Lin Chuan, my father was taken away by the union. I'm in a bad mood."

Lin Chuan was surprised that the union members acted so quickly.

He also needs to find a way to provide some evidence to the union members so that they don't investigate too slowly.