Chapter 135: Go and Ask

Zhao Fan sat down to the side and waited calmly under the gaze of many. The revenue of Feiteng Company was the source of his current confidence.

Not long after, a middle-aged man hurried over.

"Hello, I am Fu Hongxing, the chief of the police station. I apologize; my subordinates were unaware of my visit today. Please forgive any improper remarks they may have made, Mr. Zhao."

The name Zhao Fan was quite well-known in Yangcheng.

Zhao Fan smiled slightly. "It’s fine. I didn't come here today because of anyone’s slip of the tongue. The police station should have received a report from Feiteng Supermarket yesterday. I am simply here to ask: why did the police not respond?"

"The police did not respond?" Fu Hongxing looked surprised. "That’s impossible. Our department has always been quick to act. As long as we receive a report, we dispatch officers immediately. Such a failure to respond would never happen."

The smile on Zhao Fan’s face deepened. "Are you implying that we never filed a report?"

Fu Hongxing chuckled. "No, no, I am merely raising a reasonable doubt. I have no such thoughts at all."

Although he claimed he had no such thoughts, the carelessness on his face was obvious. Seeing this, Zhao Fan suppressed his rising temper and reached out to take the loss report. "Please take a look at the damage assessment for my supermarket."

The smile on Fu Hongxing’s face stiffened, and he looked down. "This... is it really necessary to bring the loss assessment?"

"Of course it is necessary. Otherwise, if the police station is unaware of the extent of my losses, who knows... heh."

He left the end of the sentence hanging with a laugh, but both men understood the implication. Fu Hongxing took the report, flipped through two pages, and felt a jolt of shock. How could the losses be so substantial?

"Mr. Zhao, are the figures in this assessment accurate?" Fu Hongxing’s voice was tinged with caution.

"With data like this, a brief investigation would confirm it. There is no need for me to deceive you."

Fu Hongxing coughed a few times. "Well, regarding the vandalism at Feiteng Supermarket, the department will open a case immediately and apprehend the perpetrators as soon as possible."

"Thank you."

"And, I must offer you a word of advice, Mr. Zhao. Those capable of such vandalism are likely hired by someone else. Even if they are caught, I fear they won't have the funds to compensate you."

Zhao Fan’s smile widened. "Just catching them is enough. As for the compensation, I have my own ways."

Fu Hongxing gave a dry laugh. "Right, right."

Before leaving, Zhao Fan turned back. "There have been too many incidents in Yangcheng lately. I often wonder if I should move to a place that allows me to relax."

Fu Hongxing stood frozen. It was a blatant threat, demanding he provide a resolution. Even though Fu Hongxing was furious, he could only smile at this moment. Feiteng Company had not been around long, but its assets were increasingly profitable, making it a major taxpayer. Yangcheng could not afford to lose such a significant taxpayer.

After leaving the police station, Zhao Fan sighed. "Did you see that?"

Chen Da looked somewhat dazed. "I... I saw it." He could never have imagined that Fu Hongxing’s attitude would change so drastically just because of a loss report.

Zhao Fan said meaningfully, "In the face of interests, some people must always yield." Win-win cooperation was the key.

The results of Zhao Fan's visit appeared within two days. Upon receiving the notification from the police that the culprits had been caught, Zhao Fan was not surprised. He hung up the phone and took Chen Da to the station.

Fu Hongxing, whom he had met days earlier, was already waiting. Seeing Zhao Fan, he led him to the interrogation room. "These are the people who vandalized the supermarket."

Zhao Fan looked closely. A dozen people were crowded inside the room, huddled together in a chaotic mess.

"Are they all here?"

"All of them. Not one is missing."

Zhao Fan’s eyes grew cold. It was these dozen people who had caused him such heavy losses. "Have you asked why they did it?"

"Not yet. Cough, since the losses were so great, I was afraid there might be a misunderstanding, so I contacted you first."

It wasn't that Fu Hongxing was deliberately currying favor; it was simply that if this matter were handled poorly, it would lead to losses, and being cautious was never a mistake. Moreover, given the current growth trajectory of Feiteng Company, this was a promising young man; offering him a little convenience was a good way to make an acquaintance.

Zhao Fan’s lips curled upward. He understood Fu Hongxing’s intent—making a friend was good.

After interrogation, the vandals insisted they had acted simply because they disliked seeing the supermarket doing so well. They claimed there was no other motive and no one had instructed them. Because they all clung to this story, the interrogation hit a stalemate.

In this situation, Zhao Fan had the officers show them the loss assessment, stating clearly that they would be held fully liable for the damages. Faced with the staggering numbers, one of the dozen finally buckled. After all, the losses were too high; if they were held personally liable, they would never be able to pay.

Once one cracked, the others followed. Soon, one of them pointed to someone from a prominent family behind the scenes. As for which family, they wouldn't say, only that it was someone the owner of Feiteng Supermarket had offended.

At this point, Zhao Fan knew exactly who it was. The only person he had clearly offended was Bai Yongyuan of the Bai family. Thinking of Bai Yu, Zhao Fan sneered internally. The Bai family was already in such a state, yet they still had the energy to target him. Very well, very well indeed.

"They must pay at least half of these damages." Zhao Fan left with Chen Da. Debt must be repaid; even in court, Zhao Fan would be in the right.

After leaving the police station and buckling his seatbelt, Zhao Fan received a call from his mother. "The old man in the hospital has woken up."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Fan dropped Chen Da off at the supermarket and headed to the hospital. His parents were already there, standing by the bedside, facing Jiang Yong. Zhao Fan’s arrival drew everyone’s attention.

His mother started to speak but hesitated. "Xiaofan."

"Don't worry." Zhao Fan walked to the bedside. "Sir, hello. I am the owner of Feiteng Supermarket."

Jiang Yong’s grandfather had a head full of white hair, but his skin was surprisingly smooth and clear.

"Hello. I know why you are here. That receipt is under the bed board at my house. Xiaoyong, go home and bring that receipt to Mr. Zhao."

"Alright." Although Jiang Yong agreed, he didn't move.

Zhao Fan smiled, not minding. "Sir, I assume you are aware of the food poisoning incident. I would like to ask: on the 30th, what exactly did you purchase at Feiteng Supermarket?"

"I didn't buy much. Just a piece of meat, a head of cabbage, and some baby bok choy. They are things I buy regularly."

"Anything else besides those?"

The old man shook his head. "Just those few things. The vegetables at Feiteng are cleaner and cheaper than elsewhere, but other things are too expensive, so I couldn't bring myself to buy them."

"I understand."