Ning Yuan has been in a good mood lately, and some arrogant fools are going to be in big trouble.
Old Jin and his wife went around trying to find people to cover up the incident, or at least pin the blame on those petty thugs.
When Mr. Tang and Mr. George found out, they reported the matter to the consulate.
Then, Ying Gang and his team discovered that the gang of thugs had actually tried to get their hands on her.
When Rong Zhaonan found out, he sneered and first had Ying Gang and the others "treat" the thugs well in the detention center. Then he found a big shot in Shanghai who owed him a favor.
He knew his young wife could set a trap for scumbags, and he had a backup plan.
But he didn't intend to let his wife, who was busy with classes, homework, and business every day, worry about burying scumbags. Otherwise, she wouldn't have time for him to kiss and hug her.
Actually, he didn't even need to clean up the mess. Ou Minglang had already stirred things up in front of his father and told him about Ning Yuan saving him.
Director Ou has already inquired about this matter, and there's no need to say anything else but to investigate it thoroughly and not to show favoritism.
When they saw this, they realized that it had really alarmed the bigwigs in charge of foreign affairs, and the consulate sent another inquiry letter.
Old Jin had been a respected figure in Shanghai for many years, but now no one pays him any attention, and he himself has been placed under quarantine and investigation.
Only then did the old lady of the Jin family realize that she had kicked a really big nut to crack!
I had nowhere to cry, and my hair turned completely white overnight!
Who would have thought that a girl from a small town in Southwest China, who came here for the college entrance exam, had so many formidable "knives" behind her back?
"It is the father's fault if his son is not taught properly; this is the retribution they deserve."
When Grandma Xia found out, she snorted coldly: "If you encounter an honest person who isn't as clever as Xiao Ning, won't you suffer a great loss and be bullied for no reason?"
What kind of beast would think of seizing a girl's wealth by taking advantage of her and ruining her reputation?
While picking vegetables, Ning Yuan said with a smile, "This is one of the reasons why I chose to open a coffee shop instead of a clothing store, and why I want to make the coffee shop a cultural landmark—I want to leverage its popularity."
These days, the people who frequent coffee shops are either foreign friends or elderly people with some education.
Or, another option is an organization like a school that has a need to entertain official business.
As a nobody, she can't rely on Rong Zhaonan alone to protect the fruits of her hard work.
Although Ding Lan was annoying, she was right. It's better to have what others have than to have it yourself, and besides, sometimes distant water can't quench a nearby fire.
She has to weave her own web of relationships like an eight-legged spider.
A business tycoon once said in a business interview that in the end, doing business is all about building connections.
The Heart of the Era is a perfect place for her to weave her network of relationships.
For example, Professor George was originally a research equipment engineer who lived at Fudan University and did not teach her, but was invited to give lectures in the engineering department.
But he was a loyal customer of the coffee shop, and he helped her practice her spoken English every day. He couldn't bear to see her being bullied like that.
Grandma Xia looked at Ning Yuan, who was picking vegetables with her sleeves rolled up, feeling both sorry for her and proud: "The little girl is like me, ambitious, but she should also pay attention to the balance between work and rest."
People who work too hard and are too competitive are mostly insecure.
Grandpa Tang suddenly remembered something and looked at Grandma Xia: "Xiao Ning has a wide network of connections now. A-Xia, haven't you always wanted to find that Hetian jade longevity lock?"
Upon hearing this, Ning Yuan asked, "Grandma is looking for a longevity lock. What kind of longevity lock? What dynasty is it from, and what is its condition?"
Grandma Xia hesitated for a moment; she didn't want to cause Ning Yuan any trouble.
But considering that Ning Yuan had resolved the shop's problems, she had relatively more free time during this period.
She then pulled out a thumb-sized Hetian jade longevity lock from her sleeve.
The white jade is warm and smooth, and the design is simple, except that a passionflower is carved at the bottom. The style is... impossible to tell from the dynasty.
Grandma Xia sighed, "When my son and Lao Tang's son were born, we carved three small jade locks, one for each of us in the family."
She paused, her expression turning somewhat somber: "The situation was bad at the time. After he went abroad, he never came back. A few years later, I heard that my son had passed away."
“During the most difficult time, your grandmother sold her little lock to get money for my medicine. Now she’s hoping to find it,” Old Tang said wistfully, gently pushing up his glasses.
She lost her son, but still longs to recapture the memory of being sold.
Ning Yuan took the small Hetian jade longevity lock, hugged Grandma Xia, and said earnestly, "No problem, because you are my most beloved grandma and grandpa!"
Grandma Xia patted Ning Yuan on the back, her eyes a little red: "My good girl!"
It doesn't matter if they don't have a son; having such a sweet and loving daughter is a blessing they've earned.
...
Ning Yuan originally wanted to go see Rong Zhaonan after lunch, but her brother has been busy lately.
She took Ah Heng directly to Uncle Fang's tailor shop.
Uncle Fang examined the small lock she brought with a magnifying glass for a while, then shook his head.
"Although this is a fine piece of Hetian jade and the carving is exquisite, it doesn't reach the level of Master Zhong Ling. The style isn't particularly special either. I only deal in antiques, so it would be difficult for me to find something like this for you."
Ning Yuan had high hopes for Uncle Fang's extraordinary abilities and had even prepared the money.
result……
She sighed, "There's really no other way. My grandfather and grandmother lost their child, and they just wanted to get a piece of Hetian jade as a keepsake."
But after so many years, it's not easy to find.
Uncle Fang pulled down his glasses and glanced at her: "You little rascal, you're quite filial. I'll ask around for you, but let me make it clear first, the chances aren't high. I don't usually accept ordinary goods from my online store."
Ning Yuan immediately perked up: "Thank you, Uncle!"
Seeing how happy Ning Yuan was, he thought for a moment and pointed in a direction—
"You might want to try asking at the Huating Road secondhand market, the secondhand stalls on Changde Road, the street stalls on Fuyou Road, or the state-run consignment shop on Changle Road. You'll have a better chance of finding it there."
Ning Yuan nodded vigorously and immediately handed a box to Uncle Fang: "Uncle, these are our shop's newest pastries, would you like to take them and have some?"
No need for coffee; the coffee beans are still high-quality goods sourced through Uncle Fang's channels.
Uncle Fang accepted the pastry box and chuckled, "You do know I have a taste for this."
Uncle Fang is a typical Shanghainese who likes sweet things.
Ning Yuan thought for a moment, then leaned closer and whispered, "There's one more thing. I'd like to ask you for a favor, and I'll offer you a reward."
Uncle Fang glanced at her: "What is it?"
Ning Yuan finished speaking in a low voice.
Ah Heng couldn't help but stare at her; this young lady was truly unpredictable.
She's capable of anything!
Ning Yuan went out and glanced at Aheng: "Trying to tip off your brother?"
Ah Heng was taken aback, then chuckled dryly, "Sister-in-law, if you do this without telling my brother, and something goes wrong, I'll be in deep trouble..."
“Then just tell him. I haven’t cheated on him, and there’s nothing I need to hide from him,” Ning Yuan said straightforwardly.
Ah Heng choked on his saliva: "Cough cough cough."
My sister-in-law is really bold and outspoken.
Aheng wanted to go to Rong Zhaonan's office, but she found that her team leader had been suddenly called to Guangzhou.
"They say there's been some problem at the port over there," Chen Chen said, sitting amidst a pile of documents, looking worried.
Ah Heng was speechless: "No wonder my sister-in-law developed such an independent personality, this man is a bit unreliable..."
The team leader didn't even take his clothes; he left a note for Ning Yuan and flew directly to Guangzhou.
Chen Chen muttered to himself, "This time the captain only brought Lao Xu, not me. It must be because I drank too much last time and made him angry."
Ah Heng sighed and scratched his head: "Forget it, I'll help my sister-in-law with this myself."
Chen Chen immediately perked up his ears: "What's going on? What's the excitement? Are you taking me with you?"
Ah Heng crossed his arms and said lazily, "You have to stay here and wait for the captain's call. There are so many things to coordinate with several units. Don't get involved in women's affairs."
After saying that, she turned and left.
...
Ever since Fatty Jin and his father had their bad luck, Manhua and Huazi had been in a good mood for a week.
I felt energized now, working at the shop, greeting customers who placed orders, and helping the coffee shop with its inventory.
After work that day, the three of them, along with Ah Heng, agreed to go to a Sichuan food stall run by a small business in the nearby night market.
Ning Yuan can't handle spicy food very well, but she craves hot pot with butter and occasionally indulges in it.
But after the four of them finished eating and returned to the alley where Manhua and the others lived, they sensed something was wrong—
A few figures suddenly emerged slowly from the quiet, deserted alleyway not far away.
No, there were more than a dozen figures, each holding a knife and a shovel.
Ning Yuan narrowed her big eyes and looked at the other end of the alley, where more than a dozen figures walked out, carrying knives and shovels.
Nearly thirty armed men cornered the four of them in the alley.
Ning Yuan scoffed. She knew someone would come knocking. When a business grows big, it's bound to attract envy.
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