Chapter 52: Righteous Methods

As these words left her lips, Lin Xiaosu felt her own image undergo yet another slight transformation.

The mischievous, somewhat willful spirit in her eyes diluted the ethereal grace she usually carried.

Just then, Lin Xiaosu’s phone rang.

She answered, and Miao Ruolan’s voice came through, “Xiaosu, please come back right away.”

There was a hint of nervousness and unease in her tone.

Lin Xiaosu’s heart skipped a beat. She stood up, “Something’s come up. I’ll be leaving now—let’s talk another time.”

The woman lifted the painting scroll in her hand, as if to remind him he hadn’t taken the artwork meant for him, but Lin Xiaosu had already left the library.

He sensed trouble was brewing.

Ruolan practiced ancient martial arts and was usually calm and composed. She would not be anxious without reason.

Crossing the street, he reached the detective agency. The moment Lin Xiaosu stepped inside, he sensed an unusual atmosphere.

Two uniformed officers sat on the sofa; the man on the left was around forty, the other in his twenties or thirties. Perhaps the uniforms themselves lent them an air of authority. Miao Ruolan stood by the table, visibly tense.

Upon seeing Lin Xiaosu, Ruolan hurried over, “They… they’re from the Municipal Safety Bureau.”

The Municipal Safety Bureau.

Short for Market Safety Management Bureau.

An all-encompassing department.

They oversaw every aspect of market regulation.

Product quality, shop operations—everything fell under their purview.

Anyone running a business could not avoid them.

“Are you the person in charge of the detective agency, Lin Xiaosu?” The man on the left crossed his legs and asked coolly.

“Yes,” Lin Xiaosu replied.

“Xiao Song, show him our credentials.” The middle-aged man ordered.

The younger officer took out his badge and handed it to Lin Xiaosu.

The simple act of presenting credentials conveyed a strict adherence to protocol and the weight of law enforcement, which only made Miao Ruolan more nervous.

Lin Xiaosu glanced at the badge without any change in expression. “I’ve seen it. Go ahead, what’s the matter?”

“All businesses must display their prices clearly. Where is your price list?” The middle-aged man looked around, and of course, there was no price list on the walls.

Lin Xiaosu shook his head gently, “There isn’t one.”

“Xiao Song, take photos for evidence!”

Xiao Song took out a camera and began photographing all four walls. Meanwhile, the law enforcement recorder in front of the middle-aged man blinked, indicating it was recording everything.

Lin Xiaosu’s answer had already been documented.

“Xiao Song, check their accounts!”

Xiao Song walked over to Miao Ruolan, “Hand over the account book!”

Miao Ruolan trembled inside. Even she found the account book shocking—were they really going to inspect it?

The middle-aged man fixed her with a cold, authoritative gaze. “Let me remind you: resisting law enforcement carries severe consequences. Hand it over!”

His last words rose sharply.

Pedestrians passing by outside stopped and exchanged worried glances.

Miao Ruolan glanced at the people outside, growing more anxious and helplessly looked to Lin Xiaosu.

Lin Xiaosu said, “Give it to him.”

Ruolan opened the drawer and handed over the account book.

When Xiao Song opened it, his eyes suddenly lit up.

“Captain Zhou, take a look!”

The account book was passed to the middle-aged man.

His expression grew more stern as he examined it. “To find a lost dog—one hour, thirty thousand! Investigate an extramarital affair—ten thousand for a day! No wonder you don’t dare display your prices!”

More people gathered outside on the street, and hearing these words, everyone looked at each other and began muttering.

The prices were truly alarming for ordinary people.

In this little place called Phoenix City, most couldn’t even find jobs paying three thousand a month, yet someone could earn ten thousand in a single day!

The middle-aged man swept his gaze across the room, “Such illegal business practices cannot be tolerated. Xiao Song, write them the highest possible fine!”

“Sir…” Miao Ruolan became flustered, “We operate legally, we have a business license, we…”

She was truly panicked. Despite her martial arts training and steady temperament—she could subdue any criminal with a swift kick—facing a legitimate enforcement agency, she could not resort to force.

So, for the first time in her life, she pleaded humbly.

But the two men were as unyielding as iron. The fine was slammed onto the table.

The scarlet seal spelled out a penalty: one million three hundred thousand!

Ruolan’s legs nearly gave out. “Sir, we’ve only been open less than a month. Altogether, we’ve made less than one hundred eighty thousand. To fine us one million three hundred thousand—how can we bear it?”

The amount left the crowd outside stunned. A fine of over a million! Who had ever seen such a severe penalty?

This young couple had just opened their shop, and such a heavy fine would surely ruin them.

Miao Ruolan was truly crushed.

One million three hundred thousand—never mind this fledgling shop, even if she and Lin Xiaosu pooled all their family assets, it would not be enough.

Even selling their rural home wouldn’t cover it!

It was over. Their business, just starting, was destroyed.

“Illegal operators: confiscation of illicit gains, additional penalty of three to ten times the amount. This is clearly stipulated by law!” Captain Zhou said coldly. “Sign!”

Miao Ruolan shook her head desperately, “You can’t do this! We… we haven’t broken any laws, we…”

“And you? Will you sign?” Captain Zhou interrupted, his stern gaze fixed on Lin Xiaosu.

Everyone’s eyes turned to Lin Xiaosu.

Only now did they notice something strange about him.

While this disaster unfolded, he sat as if nothing had happened, sipping tea, idly gazing out at the street, letting the officers inspect the accounts and issue the fine.

Now, Captain Zhou addressed him directly.

Lin Xiaosu gently shook his head.

“No signature? That’s fine!” Captain Zhou said. “The law enforcement recorder is proof enough that we’ve served notice. Xiao Song, let’s go!”

The fine, stamped with the bright red seal, was placed before Ruolan.

The two officers turned to leave.

The wind from their departure fluttered the thin fine, toppling Ruolan’s last defenses.

She had never faced such a situation.

She could not remain calm.

She cared deeply about this tiny shop.

Here, she had found her life’s purpose; here, her nights were filled with dreams and her days with passion.

So many times, she had stood by the window, looking out toward distant Flower Stone Bridge, wishing for a beautiful future. But with this million-dollar fine before her, all was shattered.

Their shop could not go on.

Her dream ended before it began.

The road of life is ever unpredictable.

Outside, people discussed the matter.

Some said such profiteering deserved punishment. Making years’ worth of others’ income in a month—how could it go unchecked?

Others felt a quiet sadness, affected by Ruolan’s devastation.

Captain Zhou and Xiao Song scanned the crowd, feeling a touch of satisfaction.

To hold the power over others’ fates—there was a thrill in it.

Just as they were about to leave the detective agency, a soft voice called out, “Wait!”

It was Lin Xiaosu.

He finally spoke.

It was the first time he truly addressed them since they entered, aside from the initial formalities.

Captain Zhou and Xiao Song paused, but did not turn.

Lin Xiaosu said, “I won’t bother citing the relevant national laws, since you’ll likely choose not to understand them.”

Captain Zhou spun around.

Lin Xiaosu raised his teacup, “Go back and tell your superiors—their trouble has just begun.”

His words shocked everyone inside and outside the shop.

Captain Zhou’s face darkened. “Are you threatening law enforcement?”

“Not a threat, merely advice,” Lin Xiaosu replied. “I know my presence terrifies many rats skulking in the shadows—they’ll do anything to drive me out of Phoenix City. But those who serve as dogs for criminals, wielding the blade against me, must be prepared to face my wrath.”

“Openly defying the law, slandering officers—you’ve closed the door to negotiation yourself. Let me be clear: not a single yuan will be deducted from your fine!” Captain Zhou’s voice was low and forceful.

Miao Ruolan turned pale.

The shopkeepers outside were terrified.

Fines—every business owner had received a few.

When fined, one could show humility, apologize, plead, or quietly deliver gifts to the right people. It was possible for a one million three hundred thousand fine to be reduced to ten thousand, or even a few thousand.

But Lin Xiaosu’s attitude?

As Captain Zhou said, he had shut the door to compromise.

Lin Xiaosu stood up. “Ruolan, give me the electric scooter keys.”

“Where… where are you going?” Ruolan handed him the keys.

Lin Xiaosu pointed his finger straight at Captain Zhou’s face. “Deal with him.”

That gesture was clear to everyone—including Captain Zhou.

His face was livid.

Lin Xiaosu walked past him, mounted the scooter, and vanished into the traffic of Phoenix City.

Captain Zhou and Xiao Song left.

The crowd dispersed.

Miao Ruolan grabbed her phone to make a call.

Half an hour later, Zhou Mei rushed over.

After hearing Ruolan’s tearful account and looking over the account book, Zhou Mei shook her head gently.

That shake nearly made Ruolan’s heart fly out of her chest.

Zhou Mei sighed, “I told you this reckless way of doing business would lead to trouble someday. Thirty thousand for finding a dog, ten thousand for an affair—I asked him how much he charged, but he wouldn’t say. I knew it wasn’t a small sum, but never expected you’d leap straight to six figures. Why can’t you work on smaller profits and more customers, and build a long-term business? Is this hit-and-run approach really wise?”

“This isn’t the time to debate business models. Just tell me—what do we do?” Ruolan was anxious. In truth, she agreed with Zhou Mei; she thought the prices were too high, but Lin Xiaosu insisted, and what could she do?

She couldn’t criticize Lin Xiaosu in front of outsiders. She could only face the consequences head-on. What now?

“Municipal Safety Bureau enforcement is legitimate. You can’t fight it head-on. I have a friend at the bureau—I’ll give him a call…”

“Hurry!”