Chapter 0434: Trouble Comes Knocking

The great leader once said, struggling against heaven is endless joy, struggling against earth is endless joy, struggling against people is endless joy.

Compared to those who have spent years in government offices, Zhao Fusheng had to admit that Qiu Ming and Jiang Xuerui were more accurate than him in judging the thoughts of certain officials.

In other words, Zhao Fusheng's judgment of Zhou Wei's reaction was based on his own experience and life lessons, while Qiu Ming and Jiang Xuerui's judgment relied on their professional habits as journalists.

“Just the three of us going in?” Standing at the entrance of Xiangyang Industrial and Commercial Bureau, Zhao Fusheng asked Qiu Ming and Jiang Xuerui in surprise.

Qiu Ming chuckled and glanced at Zhao Fusheng: “What, are you scared?”

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: “It’s not about being scared; I just don’t know what to say later.”

“Just speak normally, pretend we’re not here. We’re your followers,” Jiang Xuerui said calmly, casually putting a pen in her coat pocket.

Zhao Fusheng blinked, thinking it best not to meddle in whatever those two were planning.

Stepping out of the car, Zhao Fusheng walked straight into the bureau.

Behind him, Qiu Ming and Jiang Xuerui followed like guardian deities. The bloodstain at the corner of Qiu Ming’s mouth had been wiped clean, leaving only some redness, nothing serious.

Familiar with the route, Zhao Fusheng arrived at Zhou Wei’s office. Standing at the door, he glanced left and right. Qiu Ming and Jiang Xuerui nodded to him simultaneously. Without ceremony, Zhao Fusheng pushed the door open and walked in.

Zhou Wei was sitting in his office, waiting for news from Hua Zi. He had just called Hua Zi, but no one answered. Though a bit puzzled, Zhou Wei didn’t take it seriously.

After all, he knew that thugs like that were always unreliable.

But he didn’t suspect Hua Zi had run into trouble, because during the trashing, Hua Zi had called him to ask how many machines to smash. At that time, recalling Zhao Fusheng’s attitude, Zhou Wei hardened his heart and casually said to smash them all.

Even Zhou Wei hadn’t thought much of it at the time, just wanting to vent his anger. Little did he know, Hua Zi actually followed his orders and smashed most of the machines.

Otherwise, if they had left right after smashing, Zhao Fusheng wouldn’t have been able to lead Qiu Ming and the others to trap them in the arcade.

“What are you here for?” Zhou Wei sneered inwardly as he saw Zhao Fusheng push the door open, and asked.

Zhao Fusheng looked at him with a dark expression and said word by word: “You hired them, didn’t you?”

Meeting Zhao Fusheng’s gaze, Zhou Wei put on an innocent face: “I have no idea what you’re talking about. This is my office, not a place for you to throw a tantrum. If you’re not here for business, please leave.”

He wasn’t an idiot. With two strangers behind Zhao Fusheng, no matter who they were, Zhou Wei wouldn’t admit in front of them that he had sent people to trash the Glory Arcade.

The villains in movies and TV shows always blabber before their schemes are exposed, revealing everything to the clueless protagonist.

Zhou Wei wouldn’t do that. No matter what Zhao Fusheng said, he would never admit it.

Zhao Fusheng wasn’t angry either. He coldly glanced at Zhou Wei and suddenly said: “That thug’s phone is in my hand.”

Huh?

Zhou Wei was startled and looked at Zhao Fusheng in surprise.

Clearly, he hadn’t expected Zhao Fusheng to know this.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled. He had asked Qian Dongliu to get it, and earlier had Qiu Ming and Jiang Xuerui take photos. Of course, he wouldn’t admit that he had Qian Dongliu snatch it from Hua Zi; instead, he claimed it was found in the arcade.

Seeing Zhou Wei’s expression, Qiu Ming and Jiang Xuerui exchanged a glance and understood—it seemed just as Zhao Fusheng had said, this guy was connected to that thug.

“I don’t know what nonsense you’re talking about. Please leave.” At this point, Zhou Wei still gritted his teeth and pretended, pointing at the door and saying to Zhao Fusheng: “Whoever you are, get out now, or I’ll call the police.”

Zhao Fusheng paused, then laughed: “Call the police? Are you joking, Section Chief Zhou? You sent people to trash our store, and now I come with evidence, and you tell me you’re going to call the police?”

“Manager Zhao, I’m also very distressed that your arcade was trashed by thugs, but I really don’t know those four people. Please don’t slander me,” Zhou Wei said, taking a deep breath.

He knew that although Zhao Fusheng now had the phone, which might be troublesome for him, he could simply claim the phone was lost. As long as Hua Zi didn’t reveal who called him, Zhao Fusheng would have no way to prove anything.

Zhao Fusheng smiled faintly and said nothing. Qiu Ming, standing beside him, laughed and looked at Zhou Wei meaningfully: “Section Chief Zhou, right? If I remember correctly, Zhao Fusheng never mentioned how many people were involved. How did you know there were four troublemakers?”

“This…” Zhou Wei was at a loss, annoyed that he had slipped up and been tricked by this guy.

Jiang Xuerui looked around and said calmly, "Section Chief Zhou, I don't understand. Why go so far? Isn't it just about wanting some money? Why did you have to smash the shop?"

Zhou Wei looked at them and suddenly laughed, his expression full of strangeness. His gaze moved back and forth over several people, finally stopping on Zhao Fusheng.

"Zhao, I didn't expect you to be quite capable."

Zhou Wei looked at Zhao Fusheng and said with a sneer.

He could now be sure that Hua Zi had probably fallen, maybe the security guards of Wanda Mall had made a move. After all, if that guy had smashed all the machines in the shop, it would definitely attract a crowd. The security team at Wanda was strong, Zhou Wei had known that for a long time, so he had told Hua Zi to smash only part of the machines and leave. But unexpectedly, that bastard had been caught.

Zhao Fusheng shrugged: "Section Chief Zhou flatters me. To be honest, I didn't expect you to be so insane as to smash my shop for a few tens of thousands a year."

Zhou Wei chuckled and shook his head: "No, you're wrong."

"What?" Zhao Fusheng was startled.

"It's not a few tens of thousands." Zhou Wei looked calmly at Zhao Fusheng: "I can tell you clearly, if you want this arcade to open, you must give me thirty percent dry shares. Otherwise, as long as I, Zhou Wei, am in Ninghai, this arcade of yours will never open."

Dry shares?

Zhao Fusheng was stunned. Even Qiu Ming and Jiang Xuerui were dumbfounded, staring wide-eyed at the smug Zhou Wei. None of them had expected him to be so greedy.

Jiang Xuerui looked at Zhou Wei and blurted out: "You, what kind of public servant are you?"

"Public servant?" Hearing this, Zhou Wei's face instantly showed an extremely absurd expression, as if looking at a fool: "Little girl, how old are you? Don't you know that power unused is power wasted? Public servant, I think you've read too many books and become stupid."

Looking at the expression on his face, Jiang Xuerui suddenly felt extremely nauseated. This guy actually took abusing power for personal gain so for granted, he was simply a disgrace to the cadre team.

Zhao Fusheng sighed silently in his heart, said nothing more, and looked at Qiu Ming.

Clearly, he no longer wanted to talk to this guy Zhou Wei.

Qiu Ming looked at Zhou Wei and shook his head helplessly: "Section Chief Zhou, as a party member, I want to advise you: it's not too late to rein in at the brink of the precipice. No matter what, you shouldn't make things so difficult for Zhao Fusheng and the others."

"Since we've already come this far, I'll be straightforward. You all go back and discuss it properly. I only want a thirty percent dry share, and I guarantee that with this money, your business will be safe and sound." Zhou Wei, however, completely ignored Qiu Ming's meaning, looking at Zhao Fusheng and saying flatly, "If you don't heed my advice, don't think Wanda Mall can protect you once and then a second time."

He paused, then chuckled, "How many machines do you have that can be smashed?"

Having said this, his meaning was already clear: he was forcing Zhao Fusheng to cooperate with him, otherwise, he would send people every day to cause trouble.

As Zhou Wei said, when doing business and opening a shop, the worst thing is having people causing trouble every day. Even if they don't smash the machines, just making noise and fuss every day will affect other customers.

By then, when other customers see hooligans causing trouble in the arcade all day, they naturally won't come anymore.

So Zhou Wei was now emboldened and fearless.

What's more, he still had a big weapon in his hand.

"And I'm telling you, as long as I don't nod my head, your business license won't be approved. When the time comes, if you dare let in a single customer, I'll have you shut down!" Zhou Wei looked at Zhao Fusheng, saying word by word.

Zhao Fusheng had remained silent the whole time, watching Zhou Wei perform in front of him like a clown. After Zhou Wei finished, he stood up and said to Zhou Wei, "Are you done?"

Zhou Wei was startled and nodded subconsciously: "I'm done, what..."

Before he could finish, Zhao Fusheng casually picked up the teacup in front of him and threw it at Zhou Wei.

Smack!

The teacup smashed against Zhou Wei's desk, shattering into many pieces.

Zhou Wei's face changed drastically, while Zhao Fusheng looked at him coldly: "Don't worry, even if I throw all my money into the water, I won't let you get a single cent."

With that, Zhao Fusheng turned and left.

Behind him, Jiang Xuerui followed Zhao Fusheng out.

Qiu Ming, however, was not in a hurry. He slowly stood up, showing a smile to Zhou Wei: "Section Chief Zhou, we'll meet again."

Zhou Wei looked bewildered, not knowing what he meant, and watched helplessly as Zhao Fusheng and the other two strode away.