16: Chapter 16 Store Closure Crisis! Wang Hao, you're asking for it!

At 7:30 the next morning, Lin Feng rode his bike to the Fusion Workshop.

Just as he parked his bike, the shop door opened with a "creak."

Pan Jingjing poked her head out, her ponytail tied meticulously, a professional smile on her face: "Good morning, Boss!"

"Morning." Lin Feng walked into the shop carrying a large Storage Pouch. "You guys are here so early?"

"Of course!" Su Xiaoyu bounded out from behind a shelf, a rag in her hand. "Sister Pan said we should open early today to try and sell more!"

Li Mengmeng was wiping the counter. She looked up and gave a shy smile: "Good morning, Boss..."

Lin Feng looked at the spotless floor, the tidy shelves, and the gleaming glass, inwardly praising them.

These three girls were truly reliable!

"This is today's stock." He placed the Storage Pouch on the floor. "There's both green and blue grade items. Take inventory and put them on the shelves."

Pan Jingjing squatted down and took a look inside the bag.

Her eyes widened slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. She just looked up at Lin Feng, her gaze carrying a hint of inquiry.

"Boss, the quality of this batch... is even better than yesterday's." She said softly, "Especially these blue leather armors; their defense attributes almost rival purple grade."

Lin Feng's heart stirred.

This girl had a sharp eye!

He had indeed invested more mana during the Fusion; he hadn't expected her to see it at a glance.

"Yeah, just good luck," Lin Feng replied vaguely.

Pan Jingjing didn't ask further, simply nodding. "I understand. Xiaoyu, Mengmeng, come help stock the shelves!"

The three girls began working nimbly.

Lin Feng stood behind the counter watching, suddenly feeling that being a boss... felt pretty good.

Especially seeing Pan Jingjing command the situation with such composure.

The girl was wearing a black professional skirt suit. Though only 16 to 18 years old, her efficiency was better than many workplace veterans.

"Boss, for these blue weapons, I suggest raising the price to 250." Pan Jingjing walked over with a notebook. "Their attributes are 15% higher than the same quality on the market. We can definitely go for a premium route."

Lin Feng glanced at the weapons she had marked; they were all the ones he had invested more mana into during Fusion last night.

"Sure, you decide."

Pan Jingjing's eyes crinkled into a smile. "Thank you for the trust, Boss."

She turned to get back to work, her ponytail swaying gently behind her.

Lin Feng rubbed his chin, thinking: This girl can guess my thoughts with just a look and is so reliable... she'll be incredible in the future!

Who wouldn't like a beautiful, obedient, and sensible female secretary?

Cough, cough, thinking too far ahead.

Lin Feng shook his head, preparing to give a few instructions before heading to the dungeon.

Just then—

A sudden commotion came from outside the shop.

"Make way, make way! Urban Management enforcement!"

Three men in dark blue uniforms swaggered into the shop.

The leader was a balding middle-aged man with a beer belly so large his uniform buttons were about to pop.

Following him were two young men: one was a Skinny Tall Guy acting nonchalant, and the other was a short, chubby man with a fierce face.

The shop instantly fell silent.

Su Xiaoyu hid behind a shelf in fear, and the rag in Li Mengmeng's hand dropped.

Pan Jingjing frowned, but quickly put on a professional smile and went to greet them. "Officers, is there something I can help you with?"

The Balding Man didn't even look at her, his gaze scanning the shop.

Finally, it landed on Lin Feng.

"Are you the boss?" he asked in an unfriendly tone.

"I am." Lin Feng stepped out from behind the counter. "What's the matter?"

"What's the matter?" The Balding Man sneered. "Someone reported your shop for selling counterfeit and inferior equipment! We're here to shut you down for investigation!"

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat.

Counterfeit and inferior?

His equipment had genuine attributes; how could they be counterfeit?

"Officer, could there be a mistake?" Pan Jingjing said quickly. "All the equipment in our shop comes from legitimate sources, and the attributes are all labeled truthfully..."

"Who are you?" The Balding Man squinted at her. "Is it your place to speak here?"

Pan Jingjing's face turned pale, but she bit her lip and didn't back down.

Lin Feng pulled her behind him and said in a heavy voice, "Officer, our shop's paperwork is complete, and our goods are legal. If you want to shut us down, you must have a reason."

"A reason?" The Balding Man pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket. "See this? Market Management Regulation Article 38: suspected of selling substandard goods, authorized for temporary closure!"

The Skinny Tall Guy behind him stepped forward, pointing at a blue short sword on the shelf. "This blade is labeled with 18-22 Attack. Who knows if that's real? What if a customer buys it to fight monsters and the blade breaks?"

The short, chubby man added, "Exactly! Where would a small shop like yours get so many blue-grade items? They must be fakes!"

Looking at the faces of these three, Lin Feng suddenly understood.

This wasn't law enforcement.

This was looking for trouble!

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger.

Having been around for years, he knew the rules—some people were just after money.

"Officers, how about we step aside and talk?" Lin Feng lowered his voice, making a gesture of counting money. "I know the rules..."

He thought the other party would take the hint.

To his surprise, the Balding Man's eyes widened. "What are you doing? Trying to bribe an enforcement officer? I'm telling you, no way!"

His voice was very loud, and pedestrians on the street looked over.

"We are here today to strictly enforce the law!" The Balding Man spoke with righteous indignation. "Unscrupulous merchants like you must be severely cracked down upon!"

Lin Feng was stunned.

Something was wrong.

If it were just about money, he should have hinted at how much he wanted by now.

But this guy was acting completely unyielding...

Lin Feng's gaze swept over the three, and suddenly, behind the short, chubby man, he saw a familiar figure.

It was a middle-aged man in his fifties, wearing the same uniform but standing at the very back, keeping his head down.

Uncle Zhang?

Lin Feng remembered; this was a neighbor from the same alley in his hometown who had been in the Urban Management team for over a decade.

Uncle Zhang also saw Lin Feng. His eyes flickered, and he quietly shook his head.

Lin Feng's heart sank.

He forced a smile and said to the Balding Man, "Officer, I'm going to go say hello to a friend."

Without waiting for a reaction, he quickly walked over to Uncle Zhang.

"Uncle Zhang, long time no see." Lin Feng lowered his voice. "What exactly is going on?"

Uncle Zhang glanced at the Balding Man in the distance and whispered with a bitter face, "Xiao Feng, who did you offend?"

"Offend someone?"

"Yes!" Uncle Zhang's voice dropped even lower. "Our captain received a call yesterday from a big shot... specifically naming your shop to be shut down! They even said it must be done by the strictest standards, with no leniency at all!"

There was a "boom" in Lin Feng's head.

A big shot?

As a newcomer who just opened a shop, what big shot could he have offended?

Unless...

Wang Hao!

Although there was no evidence, his intuition told him it was that grandson causing trouble!

First sending people to tail him, and now finding people to shut down his shop...

Lin Feng's fists clenched until they cracked.

"Uncle Zhang, thanks," he whispered. "I understand."

Uncle Zhang sighed. "Xiao Feng, I advise you, just... close the shop for now. We can't afford to provoke those people."

Lin Feng nodded and turned back to the shop.

Pan Jingjing and the other two watched him nervously.

"Boss, how is it?" Pan Jingjing asked softly.

Looking at the worried gazes of the three girls, Lin Feng felt a wave of frustration.

But he knew that confronting them head-on was useless right now.

They were in uniform, holding "legal" reasons; as a rookie Explorer, he couldn't win against them.

"Jingjing, Xiaoyu, Mengmeng." Lin Feng took a deep breath. "Let's call it a day. You guys go home and rest."

"Huh?" Su Xiaoyu panicked. "But the shop..."

"The shop will be closed for a few days," Lin Feng said calmly. "But don't worry, your wages will be paid as usual; think of it as a paid vacation. I'll notify you to return to work once I've handled things."

Li Mengmeng's eyes turned red. "Boss..."

Pan Jingjing stared at Lin Feng for a few seconds before suddenly asking, "Boss, is someone targeting us on purpose?"

This girl was too smart.

Lin Feng neither admitted nor denied it, only saying, "Just listen to me and go back for now. Give me the ledger and the payment QR codes; I'll handle the aftermath."

Pan Jingjing bit her lip and finally nodded. "Okay, we'll listen to the boss."

She turned to get the ledger, her movements still efficient, but her back looked a bit lonely.

The three girls packed their things and left, looking back repeatedly.

Once they were far away, the Balding Man smiled triumphantly. "Smart move! Put up the seals!"

The Skinny Tall Guy and the short, chubby man took out the seals they had prepared and "slap," pasted them on the shop door.

[Temporarily Closed Due to Suspected Illegal Operations]

The bright red slip was extremely eyesore.

The Balding Man walked up to Lin Feng, patted his shoulder, and whispered, "Kid, remember this for the future. Some people aren't meant to be provoked by someone like you."

After saying that, he laughed loudly and led his men away.

The crowd of onlookers on the street gradually dispersed.

Lin Feng stood at the shop entrance, looking at the seal, a fire burning in his chest.

Wang Hao...

We grew up together, and just because you're jealous of my Physique, you're trying to destroy me like this?

Failing to kill me, and now shutting down my shop?

Cutting off someone's livelihood is as bad as killing their parents!

Lin Feng's teeth ground together.

He punched the wall in resentment.

*Bang!*

A small crater was left in the wall.

"If only I had a combat Talent..." Lin Feng's eyes turned red. "I'd go to the academy right now, drag him out, and give him a brutal beating!"

No, more than just a beating.

He wanted to kill Wang Hao!

Such a villain was a scourge if left alive!

But soon, Lin Feng calmed down.

Killing?

He didn't have the strength for that right now.

Wang Hao was at the academy, protected by teachers and helped by classmates.

And since he didn't even have a combat Talent yet, relying solely on a few skills in a real fight...

"No, I can't be impulsive."

Lin Feng took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to be calm.

He remembered what his parents had said: "Xiao Feng, when you encounter a problem, think of a solution first; don't let your emotions lead you."

Right.

The most important thing now was to get stronger!

Only by becoming stronger would he stop being bullied!

Only by becoming stronger could he make Wang Hao pay the price!

Lin Feng's gaze gradually became firm.

He pulled out his phone and checked the time.

9:00 AM.

"I'll go check the street stalls first to see if the old man is there."

If he could buy some special items from the old man, fuse some good things, and then go to the dungeon to level up, he would have more confidence.

And...

Lin Feng touched the Explorer badge on his chest.

The Bronze Badge represented the lowest-level Explorer.

But if he could raise the badge to C-rank or above, he would be a "meritorious contributor" recognized by the Federation.

By then, the Urban Management would have to think twice before touching him!

"That's what I'll do!"

Lin Feng took one last look at the sealed shop and turned to leave.

The sunlight shone on his back, casting a long shadow.

The young man's back looked a bit lonely.

But his steps were exceptionally firm.

He walked through the market toward the end of the street.

He calculated in his mind: if the old man wasn't there, he would go directly to the dungeon.

The Level 5 dungeon, "Gloomy Forest," was filled with Level 5-8 monsters and provided abundant experience.

With his current strength, he should be fine if he was careful.

And...

Lin Feng touched the Light Burst Stone Bombs and the Sky-Ban Talisman in his Storage Pouch.

With these two powerful weapons, he could handle any danger he encountered.

"Wang Hao, you just wait."