On a late spring afternoon in 1984, sunlight streamed through the clouds onto the streets of Hongqi Commune, making the leaves of the roadside plane trees appear even greener. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, as if announcing the approach of early summer. Lin Wanqiu sat in the food workshop's office, carefully checking the orders for a new batch of sesame crisps. Her fingertips traced the neat numbers on the ledger, but her mind kept drifting back to the investigation results promised by Director Wang. Ever since she handed over Old Li's testimony and the "Fuji Pastry Shop" poster to Director Wang three days earlier, she had been hoping to uncover the truth as soon as possible and bring the malicious whistleblower to justice.
"Director Lin, someone's looking for you outside. They say they're from the commune's industrial and commercial bureau!" Li Xiulian's voice came from the office doorway, her tone tinged with excitement. Lin Wanqiu immediately put down the ledger in her hand and strode out of the office. She saw Director Wang standing in the courtyard with two uniformed staff members, their faces serious and determined, clearly having obtained the results of their investigation.
"Director Wang, have you found any leads on the whistleblower?" Lin Wanqiu strode forward, her heart filled with both nervousness and anticipation. Shen Tingzhou also walked over from the production workshop, his sharp eyes fixed on Director Wang, clearly also keeping a close eye on the progress of the investigation.
Director Wang nodded, took out an investigation report and a photo from his briefcase, and handed them to Lin Wanqiu. "Comrade Lin Wanqiu, after a joint investigation with the county public security bureau, we have confirmed that the whistleblower is Liu Fugui, the owner of 'Fuji Pastry Shop' in the county! This is his confession and the evidence we have collected. You can take a look."
Lin Wanqiu took the investigation report, her fingertips trembling slightly as she opened it. The report detailed the investigation process: Director Wang and others, carrying Lao Li's testimony and Liu Fugui's photo, first went to "Fuji Pastry Shop" in the county town and found Liu Fugui. Initially, Liu Fugui denied everything, claiming that he had never been to Hongqi Commune, let alone reported "Wanqiu Food Workshop." However, when the staff produced a copy of the anonymous report and a handwriting analysis report issued by the Public Security Bureau—proving that the handwriting in the report highly matched Liu Fugui's usual handwriting—Liu Fugui finally panicked and admitted to the fact that he had maliciously reported the matter.
It turned out that after Liu Fugui opened "Fuji Pastry Shop," he originally wanted to seize the market by taking advantage of the county town's geographical location. However, he did not expect that "Wanqiu Food Workshop's" pastries not only tasted better and used higher-quality ingredients, but were also cheaper than his shop, causing his business to plummet. He lost a lot of money in less than a month after opening. He once asked Lin Wanqiu for the pastry recipe, but was refused. He then harbored resentment, feeling that Lin Wanqiu was deliberately excluding him. So he wrote an anonymous letter of complaint, fabricating lies about "dumping at low prices" and "illegally using additives," hoping to bring down "Wanqiu Food Workshop" through the investigation of the Industrial and Commercial Bureau, so that his own shop could have a chance to recover.
"That Liu Fugui is outrageous! He actually used such despicable means to frame us!" Lin Wanqiu was furious after reading the investigation report, her face pale with anger. She gripped the report tightly with both hands, her knuckles turning white. She hadn't expected that her adherence to the principle of fair competition in running her food stall would still result in malicious suppression from a competitor. Shen Tingzhou walked to her side, gently patted her shoulder, and said in a calm tone, "Don't be angry. Now that the truth is out, he will definitely receive the punishment he deserves."
Seeing Lin Wanqiu's angry expression, Director Wang quickly comforted her, "Comrade Lin Wanqiu, don't worry. We have already reported Liu Fugui's illegal activities to the county's Industry and Commerce Bureau and Public Security Bureau. According to the 'Provisional Regulations on the Management of Urban and Rural Individual Industrial and Commercial Households,' his behavior constitutes malicious reporting and disrupting market order. He will not only have to publicly apologize to you and 'Wanqiu Food Workshop,' but will also be fined. His pastry shop will also be ordered to suspend business for a month!"
"Public apology? Fine? Suspension of business for rectification?" Hearing these punishments, Lin Wanqiu's anger gradually subsided. She recalled the "Interpretation of Market Competition Regulations" in her spatial storage, which mentioned that the industrial and commercial departments have the right to punish malicious competition and disruptive market order according to the severity of the circumstances. Liu Fugui's punishment was clearly in accordance with the relevant regulations, making him pay the price and also serving as a warning to other competitors.
"Director Wang, thank you for your fair handling of the matter." Lin Wanqiu took a deep breath and said sincerely, "Actually, I don't necessarily want to do anything to him. I just hope that he can realize his mistake and not use such unfair means to compete in the future. After all, doing business is about integrity and quality. You can't go far by framing others."
Director Wang nodded approvingly. “Comrade Lin Wanqiu, it’s truly commendable that you have such an idea. However, the punishment that is due still cannot be omitted. This is not only to give you and the food workshop justice, but also to maintain the market order of our commune and even the county, so that more operators can do business in a fair environment.”
As they spoke, the workers from the food workshop gathered around. Upon hearing that the whistleblower was Liu Fugui and had been punished, they all began to discuss it amongst themselves.
"I knew it! Someone must be jealous of our food stall's good business, so they deliberately reported us!"
"That Liu Fugui is too wicked! His own pastries are not good, and he still wants to ruin us. He deserves it!"
"Luckily, Director Wang and his team are fair, otherwise we don't know how long we would have been wronged!"
Li Xiulian walked up to Lin Wanqiu and said excitedly, "Director Lin, that's great! We've finally been exonerated! Let's see who dares to frame our food workshop again!"
Lin Wanqiu smiled and nodded, her heart filled with emotion as she looked at the enthusiastic workers before her. She cleared her throat and raised her voice, saying, "Don't worry, everyone. No matter what difficulties we encounter in the future, I will face them together with you. Our food workshop's success today is due to everyone's hard work and the support of our fellow villagers. As long as we continue to maintain quality and operate with integrity, we have nothing to fear from any malicious competition!"
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