It's only 2000 now. Anyone who remembers this era knows that people were generally still very poor at that time, and households with 10,000 yuan were still a minority in rural areas.

He Wenlin happily hummed a little tune all the way back to the shop.

As soon as I got back, I saw two public officials at the door from afar.

He Wenlin thought it was someone from the Industry and Commerce Bureau coming to inspect the shop.

As soon as He Wenlin got closer, she heard one of the tall men say, "We received a report that you're making rotten vegetables and meat into unsafe fast food and selling it to the public, and you're operating without a license. Sir, can we go in and take a look?"

Upon hearing this, Grandma He was so frightened that she lost her composure and hurriedly explained in her local dialect, "No, no, we use only good ingredients, we're not a shady fast food chain."

The two public officials couldn't understand.

Ruan Lingfeng immediately explained it in the local dialect.

"Linlin, Linlin!" Grandma He waved excitedly when she saw He Wenlin return.

As soon as He Wenlin approached, she immediately said, "Linlin, you were right! We've been reported! They say we're operating without a license and that we're using rotten vegetables and meat. Honestly, we're using fresh, high-quality ingredients!"

He Wenlin gently patted Grandma He: "Don't panic, don't panic, we have nothing to fear if we are upright."

He Wenlin walked over, took out two bottles of Coca-Cola, handed them to the two staff members, and said with a smile, "Uncles, you've worked hard. Have a Coca-Cola to cool off."

"No need, little sister, your family members are adults now."

"Uncle, don't underestimate me just because I'm young. I'm actually the chef and the major shareholder of this restaurant."

The two staff members looked at each other, unable to believe what they were hearing.

He Wenlin continued, "My family was poor, so I came out to make a living. This is my grandmother, and she is also the legal representative of this shop."

After saying that, He Wenlin took out the proof of the business license application from yesterday: "We have already applied for a business license."

Although He Wenlin does not yet have a license, unless someone above or inside deliberately makes things difficult for her, generally no one will make things difficult for her small business.

He Wenlin continued, "I don't know who's slandering us behind our backs, but uncles, I swear to God, we use only the best ingredients. You can see for yourselves, the vegetables we use are all fresh, bought every morning around 4 a.m., and there's also meat, pork liver, and look at this rice, oil, and salt..."

He Wenlin took them out one by one to show them.

"Although we don't have fancy decorations here, our dishcloths are divided into food contact surfaces and non-food contact surfaces, and all ingredients are kept away from the walls and the ground. Everything is strictly carried out in accordance with food safety and hygiene standards."

After the Taiwanese-owned department store where He Wenlin worked in her previous life was acquired by a department store in the United States, it became very strict about food safety and hygiene. There were monthly inspections by third-party companies and monthly cross-inspections, and He Wenlin developed good habits there.

Of course, He Wenlin herself also wants to be a conscientious businesswoman.

The two staff members quite appreciated He Wenlin's calm and composed attitude.

"Your work is indeed much better than other stores."

These two have frequented various restaurants, big and small. It can be said that although He Wenlin's shop is not fancy, the hygiene and ingredients are indeed much better.

"Jianjun, what are you doing here?" Suddenly, the voice of the owner of the Bosi Garment Factory came.

"Sister Min."

One of He Wenlin's staff members smiled and called out, then walked over.

Judging from their demeanor, they seem to know each other well and have a pretty good relationship.

He Wenlin quickly stepped forward and sweetly called out to Wang Min, "Aunt Wang."

The staff member named Jianjun was immediately taken aback: "You two know each other?"

Wang Min smiled and said, "We know each other. What are you doing here?"

“We received a report that they were operating without a license and using rotten vegetables and meat to do unscrupulous business, so we came to take a look.”

"The things here should be pretty good. You can check carefully and don't wrongly accuse the young girl. She's underage and it's not easy for her to come all this way to make a living. It's just an unlicensed business. You can just get her one. The country is encouraging private businesses and the economy, and our Shaocheng leaders are also encouraging everyone to invest here. There's nothing wrong with it. Just a few words of criticism, and that's it."

“They really have no problems here. They’ve applied for the licenses and permits, and their hygiene is excellent, better than many big restaurants. The ingredients are also very fresh.” After Jianjun finished speaking, he said to He Wenlin, “Food is the most important thing for people, and food safety is the first priority. Little girl, keep it up.”

Hearing this, He Wenlin breathed a sigh of relief and quickly took out two packs of cigarettes: "Thank you both for your advice, uncles. I will definitely keep your teachings in mind."

Both of them declined, saying, "We have rules; we can't just take things without permission. You're making us make a mistake. Take them back right now."

No matter how He Wenlin tried to persuade them, they wouldn't accept it.

He Wenlin had no choice but to give up.

Finally, the two of them went to Wang Min's factory.

He Wenlin watched them leave.

Grandma He patted her chest: "I was so scared, Linlin! Who is this 'Aunt Wang'? We really have to thank her. If she hadn't spoken up, things probably wouldn't have been resolved so smoothly. Officials have two mouths; even if they hadn't let us close down, we would have had to pay a hefty price. She really helped us a lot."

"She is my mother's boss, the owner of the clothing factory."

“No wonder she’s dressed so elegantly. She’s such a good person, she deserves to be rich. But… she’s so wealthy, what should we give her to thank her?” After saying that, Old Mrs. He looked around the shop. “If we’re going to treat her to a meal, this place isn’t classy enough.”

To be honest, He Wenlin didn't know how to express her gratitude.

"Grandma, I'll handle this, so don't worry about it. Where's Dad? Did he really go looking for a job?"

Although He Wenlin was cold to her father and didn't assign him any work, given his prideful nature, he probably wouldn't look for a job.

“I sent him to the farmers’ market to buy buckets and people. Your second brother just fell and broke a plastic bucket. With things so busy at home, we need to prepare at least a couple more, otherwise we won’t be able to handle it all.”

"Linlin, do you think the person who reported us was our cousin?" asked He Wenjun, the second brother.

He Shan: "I think it's definitely him!"

“Who can say for sure without evidence?” He Wenlin said. “They are suspects, but they could also be the workshop director of the shirt factory or someone else who is jealous of us. Without evidence, don’t go out and make wild guesses or talk nonsense.”

"Sigh," sighed Old Mrs. He. "I should have asked about those two people earlier."

"Grandma, no one will tell you if you ask. Besides, if they called to report it, the Bureau of Industry and Commerce might not even know who reported it."