Chapter 169: Courtesy

"Section Chief Chen, take a look at this."

The person from the quality inspection department beckoned to Chen Da.

Chen Da widened his eyes slightly. It seemed just as Number Four had predicted—something was indeed wrong!

He took a few quick strides to stand before one of the dismantled television sets.

"Look here."

The inspector pointed to the interior.

Just as Xu Fei had discovered earlier, there were clear signs inside this television indicating it had been tampered with.

"Is it?"

"Refurbished."

Chen Da nodded.

"Come on, seal this up for me and take it away!"

With that, he turned to face Chen Xiaonan.

"Chen Xiaonan, I'm temporarily sealing this batch of goods. You cannot sell them anymore. As for when you'll be allowed to sell them, wait for our notification."

Having said this, Chen Da exchanged a glance with the two colleagues he had brought along.

The two officers took several official seals out of the briefcases they were carrying.

Seeing this, Chen Xiaonan was dumbfounded. He pulled Chen Da aside and said, "Section Chief Chen, look, we're all family here. Can't you find a way to let this slide?"

"What did you say?"

Chen Da glared at him.

"Didn't you see the people from the quality inspection department here too? They've already stated that your goods are secondhand items passed off as brand new, which constitutes inferior goods masquerading as quality merchandise. You are blatantly disrupting normal social business operations. Let me tell you, don't waste your breath on me, just wait to be dealt with."

Chen Da had come here specifically looking for trouble, and now that he had caught a genuine offense, he certainly wasn't going to let it go easily.

Realizing there was no reasoning with Chen Da, Chen Xiaonan instructed his clerks to pull down the shop shutters first.

He even used curtains to block all the windows.

Chen Da glanced over and said coldly, "Quite the actor, aren't you? Fine, but when the official testing results come down, this shop of yours will be sealed up anyway."

Chen Xiaonan ignored him.

Instead, he hurried into the back office.

He dialed Zhang Lei's number.

"Brother-in-law, something's happened. Our family's televisions have been raided by the industrial and commercial administration."

...

"Number Four, I must hand it to you, you really called it."

Chen Da pushed open the door to Xu Fei's office and walked in with a smile.

"Oh."

Seeing that it was Chen Da, Xu Fei stood up and offered him a stool to sit on.

"What would you like to drink?"

"Just a glass of plain boiled water will do."

Xu Fei picked up the thermos from the corner of the room and poured him a cup.

Chen Da blew on it, then took a large gulp.

"I was dying of thirst. I spent ages arguing with that guy Chen Xiaonan. That stubborn mule insisted I show my identification and produce the relevant regulations before he finally nodded and let us put up the seals."

"You sealed their merchandise?"

"That's right. The quality inspection folks took a few televisions back to run detailed tests and confirm the exact situation. As soon as the results come out, I'm bringing my men back to seal his shop!"

Chen Da slammed his teacup onto the table with a smile.

"Mm."

Xu Fei nodded.

"What's wrong, Number Four? Isn't this news worth celebrating?"

"It's certainly worth celebrating, but I still want to wait and see, to see when the person behind the scenes finally shows their face."

"Tell me, why do you care so much about this? Once Chunfang is shut down, there won't be anyone left competing with us on Zhongxing Street. Our Brothers Store will remain the top dog."

Chen Da took another sip of water as he spoke.

"Older Brother, do you remember the person who snatched our millet business before?"

"I remember. What about it?"

Xu Fei frowned slightly. "I suspect that person and the actual boss of Chunfang might very well be the same person."

"What?"

Chen Da scratched his head.

"It's that complicated?"

"I just have a feeling that this person seems to have been targeting us all along—or rather, targeting me."

Chen Da blinked.

"Damn, that person sounds genuinely terrifying."

Xu Fei smiled.

"These are just my guesses. I only hope there are no further developments regarding this Chunfang incident."

...

In the afternoon, Xu Fei was in his office reviewing the month's accounts.

Suddenly, he heard someone shouting outside: "I want to see Xu Fei! Xu Fei is my son-in-law!"

?

Xu Fei was startled.

He walked out of the office to see Zhang Hongjun running over.

"Manager, you'd better go take a look. There's a woman in her fifties out there demanding to see you."

Xu Fei nodded and walked toward the front.

The moment he stepped into view, someone grabbed his arm.

"Xu Fei, you've really grown quite arrogant, haven't you? Do I need to make an appointment just to see you now?"

Recognizing his mother-in-law, Xu Fei smiled and said, "Mom, what are you saying? Come on, let's go to the back and talk."

Mother Du's arrival caught Xu Fei somewhat off guard.

This mother-in-law of his had always treated him like an enemy.

In his heart, he tried to guess the reason for her visit.

After having her sit down, he personally poured a cup of water and placed it before her.

Xu Fei certainly couldn't bring up past grievances now. Since she had taken the trouble to visit in person, failing to observe proper etiquette would make him the one in the wrong.

He understood at least that much.

"I didn't come here today for any other reason. It's just that I haven't seen Duman for several days and I miss her terribly. If you two are free tonight, why don't you come home for dinner? The whole family can get together."

A Feast at Hongmen?

Xu Fei turned these thoughts over in his mind, but kept his expression carefully neutral.

He simply smiled and said, "Alright. Actually, Duman also mentioned to me that she hasn't been back in a long time and misses you all."

"Good. Since that's settled, I'll go back and prepare."

Mother Du stood up as she spoke, acting as if her sole purpose had been to personally invite Xu Fei and Duman home for dinner.

Xu Fei personally escorted his mother-in-law out of the shop.

Watching her retreating figure, Xu Fei stood in place, deep in thought for a long time.

What on earth was going on?

...

"What? My mom came to invite us home for dinner?"

Duman wore an expression of sheer astonishment upon hearing the news.

"This—how is this possible?"

Xu Fei smiled bitterly and shook his head.

That had been his exact first reaction as well.

"Then... then should we go tonight..."

"Let Xuyun eat by herself."

With that, Xu Fei stood up and walked over to the wardrobe.

He picked out a decent-looking outfit and put it on.

"Let's go."

Duman nodded.

After making arrangements for Xuyun, the two of them left the Xu residence.

The journey was spent in silence.

When they arrived at the Du household, Father Du opened the door.

Today, his father-in-law was unusually polite to Xu Fei, which left Xu Fei secretly alarmed.

His eldest brother-in-law had gone down south to do business and hadn't returned yet, but Father Du deliberately brought him up.

"Duhong even called today, telling us to bring you two over so we could mend fences. There's no need for the family to be so estranged. That boy!"

His father-in-law's words sounded entirely casual.

Yet Xu Fei frowned slightly.

Was Duhong really that kind of person?

He knew his eldest brother-in-law better than anyone else.

In the past, Duhong would have wanted nothing more than to give him a severe beating the moment they met.

Why the sudden change of heart?