Chapter 229: Pfft! What Bad Luck!

The summer clouds were beautiful.

The summer rain fell slowly.

After two classes.

Miss Jiang stood on the balcony.

One hand propped up her head, while the other twirled her hair.

The dampness brought by the drizzling rain gave her an inexplicable sense of calm.

“Jiang Jiang, do you think my braids look good today?”

Hearing this, Jiang Ning turned to look at Little Qi, who was showing off her twin ponytails.

“They look great. Our Wenwen is the prettiest.”

“Hehehe.”

Little Qi beamed with satisfaction, her smile as bright as a flower.

But soon, another issue arose.

“Jiang Jiang, can you check if I have a pimple here?”

“No, you don’t.”

“You’re lying, I can feel it.”

“Then you do.”

“Oh no, what should I do, what should I do…”

Watching Little Qi panic as she tried to cover it with her bangs, Jiang Ning couldn’t help but chuckle.

So even a little beauty like Qi Wen has appearance anxiety.

Unlike herself…

Tsk tsk.

Still so handsome.

But just then, Sun Qian suddenly appeared behind them.

She placed her hands on their shoulders.

“Girls, did you hear?”

“Class 12’s Luo Chengming got into trouble!”

What???

——————

Luo Chengming.

The eldest son of the Hongsheng Group.

A rich second generation in the eyes of others.

With a relatively fair face and a seemingly bold personality.

All these factors combined made him a prominent figure in the grade.

However, this very person was found with a woman’s intimate apparel in his backpack at school.

While the girls in his class were cleaning, they accidentally knocked over Luo Chengming’s backpack.

As a result…

A magenta mesh triangle appeared in the sight of the boys, girls, and their Homeroom Teacher, Chen Yan.

The next moment.

Chaos ensued.

Chen Yan.

Twenty-five years old.

A graduate of Ningzhou Normal University’s English program.

This was her second year at Jiangzhou Middle School.

In all her years of understanding, how bad could a high school student be, even if they were a troublemaker?

However.

Today’s incident truly shattered her worldview.

To dare bring a worn woman’s intimate apparel to school, and such a style…

Such a…

Even Chen Yan blushed at the sight.

With a tone of exasperation, she scolded:

“Luo Chengming.”

“I know your family background is impressive, and studying might seem trivial to you.”

“So I usually don’t bother you about academics.”

“But for this matter today, you must give me an explanation.”

After speaking, Chen Yan pointed at the triangular mesh object on the desk, her expression serious as she asked:

“Tell me, where did it come from?”

Hearing this, Luo Chengming raised his head, a playful expression on his face.

“Teacher, I told you, I bought it.”

“Otherwise, with this style…”

“Not just the little girls at school, even someone like you, teacher…”

As he spoke, Luo Chengming gave the round-faced teacher a thorough look.

The implication in his gaze made Chen Yan’s skin crawl.

Suppressing her anger, she said,

“Luo Chengming.”

“Stop joking around with me!!”

“I’ll ask you one more time.”

“Where did this come from?”

But she still got no answer.

Chen Yan was so angry she almost lost her temper.

Grabbing Luo Chengming’s arm, she said,

“Come on!”

“Let’s go see the Principal!”

“I refuse to believe no one can handle you!”

Seeing Chen Yan’s temper flare up, Luo Chengming impatiently shook off her hand, chuckling disdainfully.

“The Principal?”

“Hah, let’s go.”

With that, he walked ahead of Chen Yan, nonchalantly leaving the Second Year Grade Office.

Then, looking at the students gathered outside, he waved his hand, strutting towards the Principal’s office like a victorious general.

Chen Yan, who followed, scolded the onlookers:

“What are you looking at!”

“Get back to class!”

With a “whoosh,” twenty or thirty students were dispersed.

But this scene was clearly observed by Miss Jiang standing on the balcony above.

Moreover, she had also seen the magenta panties through the window just now.

In Jiang Ning’s understanding, girls in their teens or twenties generally wouldn’t wear such panties.

Only women of a certain age, unable to suppress the fire in their hearts, would try such styles.

And the one around Luo Chengming who fit this image the most…

Was none other than…

Interesting.

This was truly interesting.

After pondering for a while, Miss Jiang went to a secluded spot in the hallway where no one could see her.

She took out her phone.

Turned it on.

Found a number.

Edited a message and sent it.

After sending it, she acted as if nothing had happened.

She turned off her phone, tucked it back into her pocket, and placed her hands behind her head.

Whistling a mysterious tune, she walked back towards the classroom with a smile on her face.

It’s not the god-like opponents you should fear.

It’s the pig-like teammates.

She had been a bit worried about the money she was about to spend.

But now, it’s all good.

Young Master Luo.

Thank you very much.

…………

From that day on, a rumor began to spread in Jiangzhou’s restaurant industry.

It was said that the head of the Hongsheng Group, Old Master Luo, was embarrassed by his eldest son.

The story was detailed and convincing.

Coincidentally, the other protagonist of this incident was also a topic of discussion.

In her thirties, at the prime of her life.

Yet married to a husband nearly fifty.

Then.

Various rumors began to spread more and more.

Even Secretary Wang, who only knew how to play games all day, sent a message to Miss Jiang one evening, informing her of the situation.

Only to be mocked by a certain boss.

A paparazzi, yet her information gathering was slower than a high school student’s.

Miss Paparazzi was so scared she thought the boss was going to make an example of her.

She quickly promised to get the full story within half a day.

As it turned out.

With some urging.

Miss Paparazzi’s abilities were fully unleashed.

In just two hours.

Miss Paparazzi relayed the current state of the Hongsheng Group via text message to the protagonist.

Shang Jie was suspended.

Indeed.

The formidable Madam Shang, due to this rumor, was suspended from her position as vice president.

Simultaneously.

She lost control over several ‘Emperor’s Chicken’ outlets.

Now she’s idle at home.

Playing the role of a housewife.

As for Young Master Luo.

Rumor had it that a few days ago, he accidentally broke his leg at home.

Currently recuperating at another Luo Family villa.

When Miss Jiang saw this message.

She almost burst out laughing.

The timing of that broken leg was impeccable.

And quite clever.

But come to think of it.

Old Master Luo’s temper is really quite good.

In such a situation.

If it were my brother…

Pfft.

What bad luck!

Horton Manor.

Luo Family Villa.

Shang Jie, dressed in a reddish-brown silk nightgown, curled up on the living room sofa, hugging her legs.

She held a remote control in her hand.

Aimlessly flipping through TV channels.

It was a weekday.

Ten-thirty in the morning.

At this time, Shang Jie should have been in her office at the group company.

Busy with internal affairs, planning the next steps for ‘Emperor’s Chicken.’

Not like this.

Caged like a canary.

Yes.

A cage.

Shang Jie glanced at the butler outside the living room window.

Since yesterday.

She had been notified of her confinement.

Confined within this several-hundred-square-meter villa.

Not allowed to step outside the door.

All necessities delivered by staff.

Her task was to properly educate her two children.

Heh.

Educate the children.

The phrase sounded so ironic to Shang Jie now.

Thinking back to the incident a few days ago, it felt utterly absurd.

Originally, she was just in her office, contemplating the latest event planning.

Unexpectedly, she received a text from an unfamiliar number claiming to be a teacher.

Saying her son, Luo Chengming.

Was caught red-handed with a female classmate at school.

Currently discussing a resolution in the Principal’s office.

Parental presence required.

At that moment, Shang Jie was extremely anxious.

Other news might not have fazed her.

But Luo Chengming had a record.

The incident at the second school had cost them dearly to settle.

If anything happened again now.

No matter how much effort the Luo Family put in, it would be hard to cover up.

With such thoughts.

Shang Jie immediately dropped everything and rushed to the school.

When she entered the Principal’s office.

And saw the magenta intimate apparel on the desk.

For a moment.

Shang Jie felt the world spinning.

Then.

An impulse from nowhere.

In front of everyone, she slapped Luo Chengming.

Later.

Somehow, the matter reached Luo Guosheng’s ears.

He even questioned her face-to-face about any inappropriate relations with Luo Chengming.

Shang Jie, a woman of pride.

Married Luo Guosheng for the trust Old Luo placed in her.

Now, just because of a little rumor.

Even Luo Guosheng began to doubt her.

So Shang Jie was furious.

Said some piercing words.

The result was a slap that woke her up completely, and now this life of confinement.

If it were just confinement.

That would be fine.

But the key issue was.

The group’s rivals.

Seized the opportunity to persuade the board.

To suspend her vice president position.

Along with the management rights of ‘Emperor’s Chicken.’

To know.

During this time.

Shang Jie had invested so much effort into ‘Emperor’s Chicken.’

Just as they were fiercely competing with ‘Shi Ning Ji.’

They suddenly changed leadership.

Shang Jie tried to fight it.

But the group’s response was the only thing that made her smile during this period.

‘It’s just something a college student came up with. With Hongsheng Group’s capabilities, we can replicate several such businesses anytime.’

Heh.

Shang Jie laughed at that moment.

If ‘Shi Ning Ji’s business was so easily replicated.

Why is it that only one such fast-food chain in Jiangzhou can stand alongside KFC and Golden Arches?

At this moment.

Shang Jie suddenly recalled what Jiang Ning had once told her.

Could it be…

Her initial choice was truly wrong?

——————

[To further strengthen food safety supervision of chain restaurant enterprises in the county, enhance the standardization and regulation of store food safety management, and boost consumer confidence]

[Recently, Jiangzhou City’s Market Supervision Administration launched a special inspection named ‘Fast Food Chain Enterprise Food Safety Inspection’]

[This inspection focused on fast-food chain enterprises in urban areas, including KFC, Golden Arches, Shi Ning Ji, and Emperor’s Chicken.]

[Currently, the bureau’s law enforcement officers have inspected 26 chain restaurant enterprises, discovered 61 food safety hazards, issued 12 rectification notices, and ordered the relevant chain restaurant enterprises to rectify within a specified period.]

[The bureau’s director, Lin Fang, stated that they will continue to monitor the]

When Jiang Ning saw this report, she was already in the car heading to Haicheng.

This time, Principal Ma was driving again.

But she chose not to sit in the front.

After all, there were only two people in the car.

Sitting in the front would feel particularly strange.

“Jiang Ning, I didn’t expect you to read newspapers?”

“Just occasionally.” Jiang Ning replied with a smile.

Then she placed the newspaper back on the rear seat.

Hearing this, Principal Ma chuckled:

“Indeed.”

“Young people rarely read newspapers.”

“Nowadays, everyone is into that what… something net?”

“Internet,” Miss Jiang chimed in.

“Oh right, that’s it.”

“I have one of those on my desk too, but I never figured it out.”

“But the solitaire on it is quite nice.”

“Jiang Ning, you know solitaire, right?”

Listening to Principal Ma’s rambling.

Miss Jiang’s gaze wandered outside the car window.

The monotonous scenery of the highway made her thoughts drift far away.

The newspaper’s surprise inspection.

Of course, had Miss Jiang’s hand in it.

However, she didn’t exclude her own store from the inspection.

One of the 12 stores ordered to close for rectification was hers.

It was the one near the third school.

To be honest, it was just bad luck.

The third school held an event that day.

Making the road in front of ‘Shi Ning Ji’ a mess.

Even the inspectors had a very poor impression of that ‘Shi Ning Ji’ store.

There was nothing wrong inside the store.

But it still received a notice to close for rectification.

However, it was successfully lifted the next day.

As for the other 11 stores.

Five were ‘Emperor’s Chicken.’

After all, in this era.

Few people were aware of the importance of safety and hygiene.

If Jiang Ning hadn’t been reborn, knowing the significance of this area.

She might not have paid much attention either.

And it was this very point.

That became her trump card against ‘Emperor’s Chicken.’

Originally, Jiang Ning hadn’t planned to use this move.

Especially when Madam Shang was still around.

Because Miss Jiang knew the capabilities of that woman.

Even if you closed a few of her stores, she could find a way to smooth things over.

And get the stores back up.

Maybe even turn them into models.

But the new person in charge now is different.

A relative of a high-level board member at Hongsheng Group.

Great at amassing wealth, but when it comes to actual work.

Hehehe.

If nothing unexpected happens.

After this surprise inspection.

Those five ‘Emperor’s Chicken’ stores, if not dead, would be crippled.

By the time they’re allowed to reopen.

It would be at least half a month later.

So.

Miss Jiang sat in the back seat.

Daydreaming, thinking about her own matters.

Occasionally exchanging a few words with Principal Ma.

Three hours later.

When the time reached eleven in the morning.

Miss Jiang saw the hotel named ‘Jasmine Holiday.’

However.

As soon as she got out of the car.

A figure, lazy yet smiling, appeared before her.

“Hello, Principal Ma.”

“I am the Personal Assistant for the Linjiang Province Olympiad participants.”

“My name is Xu Suihe.”

“Welcome to Haicheng.”