Chapter 50

"Who is in charge here?"

Several people appeared in the private room, all wearing the uniforms of the Industrial and Commercial Bureau. The leader was a man with a broad and muscular build, a face full of sternness, and cold eyes.

Click!

The lights in the private room suddenly turned on, breaking the previously mild atmosphere. Everyone was at a loss, looking at the people who had suddenly appeared, completely puzzled.

"I am. Who are you? What do you want?" Yang Xiaocui was whispering to Luo Lin when this unexpected situation occurred. After a brief moment of shock, she stepped forward to respond.

"Are you?" The leading man raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, it's me!" Yang Xiaocui said calmly. "I don't know why you're here. I don't think I've evaded taxes. Even if I did, it's not your jurisdiction; it should be the Tax Bureau's responsibility, right?"

According to current laws, the Industrial and Commercial Bureau is responsible for market supervision and administrative law enforcement, including the registration and supervision of market entities, maintaining market operating order, supervising the quality of goods in circulation, and investigating illegal direct sales and pyramid schemes.

The Golden Splendor Entertainment City in Xingtang County had been operating for several years and had never engaged in illegal activities. There was no conflict with the responsibilities of the Industrial and Commercial Bureau. Yang Xiaocui really couldn't understand why they were here.

Could it be...

"Hmph, who said we came to check for tax evasion? If you were, the crime would be even greater. We received a report that you are operating illegally and have issues with your qualifications. Now, hand over your business license and tax receipts," Niu Dezhu said loudly, his face flushed, clearly drunk.

Su Mu sat in the corner the whole time, watching the scene with a cold smile, but didn't say much.

"Our entertainment city has always operated legally, without tax evasion, and our qualifications have been approved. How could there be a problem? What illegal operation are you talking about?" Yang Xiaocui, who wasn't a newcomer, immediately rebutted.

"Right, show us the evidence if you have the guts!"

"How can you make us close without evidence? What kind of people are you?"

"Do you think I won't report you and make you all pay the price?"

Yang Xiaocui's classmates started to speak out of turn, looking at Niu Dezhu and his team with clear disdain.

Slap!

Niu Dezhu swept his gaze over the room and suddenly slammed his hand on the table, shouting angrily, "What? Do you want to rebel? Do you know what the crime of obstructing the enforcement of state administrative agencies is?"

"You keep saying we're operating illegally. Where's the evidence?" Yang Xiaocui said. "If you can't provide evidence today, I won't accept it. Not only will I not accept it, but I will also sue you! We'll see who is right and who is wrong in court!"

A woman can be as brave as a man, Su Mu thought to himself. But Yang Xiaocui clearly underestimated Niu Dezhu's boldness. Since he dared to come here, he must have done his homework.

"Are you going to resist us to the end? Let me tell you clearly, we are the enforcement team of the county Industrial and Commercial Bureau. From now on, your business license is revoked. You will be notified when it can be restored. This entertainment city must close from tonight, or you will know the consequences," Niu Dezhu said arrogantly.

"Hand over the business license!"

"I..." Yang Xiaocui's courage wavered. She had never thought of resisting a government agency, let alone the Industrial and Commercial Bureau.

"Who are you? I know the director of the Industrial and Commercial Bureau, Mr. Dong. Do you want me to call him now?" Yang Xiaocui said.

Nonsense!

Niu Dezhu said disdainfully. Do you know the relationship between Director Dong and Lu Ming's father? Are you closer than he is? Lu Ming notified me to handle this today. If I can't do it well, how will I face Lu Ming in the future? Do I still want to work in the Industrial and Commercial Bureau?

"Are you not going to hand it over? Search the other private rooms, evict everyone, revoke the business license, and seal the place!" Niu Dezhu waved his hand.

The entire room was stunned!

Yang Xiaocui never thought that mentioning Director Dong would have no effect. What's going on? Is there something strange here?

Just as Yang Xiaocui was about to call for help, a voice suddenly came from outside the door. It was Lu Ming, who walked in with a smile, his gaze falling on Niu Dezhu.

"Isn't this Captain Niu? What are you doing here?" Lu Ming said with a grin.

"Mr. Lu, what are you doing here?" Niu Dezhu deliberately put on a serious face.

"Well, these are all my classmates. We're having a class reunion. What are you doing, Captain Niu?" Lu Ming asked with a smile.

"Class reunion? I didn't expect these people to be your classmates. If that's the case, it's even better. We received a report that there is illegal operation here, selling fake cigarettes and alcohol, so we came to investigate. Since the owner is your classmate, please have her cooperate and hand over the business license. If she doesn't, you know, it will be bad for everyone," Niu Dezhu said loudly.

"Is that so? Let me see." Lu Ming turned to Yang Xiaocui with a smile. "Xiaocui, can you hand over the business license?"

Shameless!

Too shameless!

Extremely shameless!

None of the people present, including Yang Xiaocui, were strangers to the ways of the world. They had heard of such situations even if they hadn't seen them. This is clearly a setup by Lu Ming! If it weren't for him, would Niu Dezhu come here? If he didn't want to cause trouble, he could have made Niu Dezhu leave with a word, instead of acting like this. His performance was too amateurish, treating everyone as fools, but he didn't realize he was the biggest fool.

What a classmate! Who has a classmate like you? Everyone in the room knew Lu Ming's background and looked at him with disdain, but no one dared to stand up. After all, he was from the Industrial and Commercial Bureau, and his father was the head of the traffic police in Xingtang County.

Offending Lu Ming would bring no good.

If it were any other time, Yang Xiaocui might have tolerated it, but not now. She had been provoked repeatedly, and Lu Ming had almost taken advantage of her several times. Now, he was trying to get enough benefits from her by using underhanded means during the class reunion.

Yang Xiaocui couldn't bear this any longer; she had to explode!

"Lu Ming, you bastard, stop pretending to be a good person. Don't think I don't know what you are. If you have evidence, show it. Otherwise, make your people get lost! If you push me too far, I'll close this place and make you all pay the price!" Yang Xiaocui shouted.

Her words stunned the entire room!

Luo Lin had never seen Yang Xiaocui so angry. Everyone's eyes were filled with shock, indicating that she must have suffered a lot to be pushed to this point.

Su Mu, sitting nearby, had a cold look in his eyes. He knew Yang Xiaocui well; if it weren't for the last resort, she wouldn't do this. She wasn't the type to give up easily, especially since the Golden Splendor was doing well.

Lu Ming, if you're looking for trouble, don't blame me for taking action.

Unlike the shock of Luo Lin and her classmates, Lu Ming's people, after a brief moment of surprise, looked at Yang Xiaocui as if she were a fool.

They had seen bold people, but never someone so bold as to speak so recklessly in front of them. Do you know what this is called? This is called insulting a state official, which can result in criminal charges!

Niu Dezhu immediately lost his temper!

"Lu Ming, don't blame me for not giving you face. I can't give you face in this matter. If you have nothing to do, stand aside. I'm determined to handle this today!" Niu Dezhu shouted, his breath reeking of alcohol.

You're asking for it!

Lu Ming cursed Yang Xiaocui in his heart. How dare you speak to me like that? You think you're something. Fine, let's see who can outdo whom.

"Brother Niu, handle it as you see fit. I won't interfere," Lu Ming turned his head and stood by the door, whispering to Niu Dezhu as he passed, "Brother Niu, do it thoroughly. If you can shut down this entertainment city, I'll give you a 10% stake."

Lu Ming actually wanted to shut down the Golden Splendor!

Niu Dezhu's eyes lit up at Lu Ming's words. A 10% stake, that's a lot of money. No question, he would do his best for Lu Ming's sake.

"Threatening a state official, it seems your place has serious issues. Now, I order you to hand over the business license and close for rectification! Clear the room, evict everyone, and search each room! I don't believe there's nothing wrong here!" Niu Dezhu waved his hand with authority.

"This is bad! Xiaocui, why don't we just admit defeat and pay the fine?"

"Right, once they have the business license, you won't get it back."

"This is clearly a setup by Lu Ming. Xiaocui, think carefully before you decide."

Several classmates quickly gathered around, their faces filled with anxiety, but none dared to challenge the people in front of them. All they could do was comfort Yang Xiaocui.

"Is he not going to take action?" Luo Lin wondered, looking at the side.

Yang Xiaocui didn't think Su Mu could help much; he wasn't necessarily better off than she was. As she listened to her classmates' advice, just as she was about to make a last stand, an arm reached out and pulled her back, and a cold voice suddenly rang out.