Luo Wei said, "We can only wait for the new experts to arrive tomorrow."
Zhao Qiang said, "I'm afraid it won't make a difference even if they come."
Luo Wei said, "Many hands make light work; it's better than them arguing endlessly like this."
Zhao Qiang stood up and said, "I'm a little hungry, let's go out for a late-night snack."
Luo Wei checked the time: "Xin Yu should be back by now. I'll call her and ask where she is. Let's go together."
(Thanks to the following for their monthly ticket support: Life is Lonely, Only Reading; I'm Quite Fat; He Wenxiu aa; and Youthful and Beautiful Geda Dou)
(Thanks to g傲 and 大*包 for the donations)
(Thanks to Da*Bao and ZhuJingJing for the update request tickets)
Volume Two [396] A Deeper Understanding
【396】A deeper understanding
When Chen Xinyu received the call, she was already in the guesthouse courtyard, so she didn't go upstairs. Soon, Zhao Qiang and Luo Xiaowei came down, and the three of them left the guesthouse. The streets were a bit deserted. Firstly, it was late, and secondly, the recent diarrhea incident was still putting pressure on the people, so people didn't go out unless necessary.
This is a pork bone restaurant that stays open very late. The main dishes are pork bones, and the staple food is ramen. Luo Xiaowei and Chen Xinyu each ordered a small bowl of thin noodles, while Zhao Qiang ordered a pot of pork bones and two large plates of boneless meat. It was very appetizing to eat with minced garlic. Considering that garlic has an unpleasant smell, the two girls also ate some, so that they balanced each other out.
Zhao Qiang advised the two women, "Eat more meat, you're not afraid of getting fat anyway."
Chen Xinyu said, "Who said that? Slimming tea is so expensive now, and you can't even buy a number. It was suspended for almost half a year recently, and many girls were almost going crazy. I heard that the sales outlets in Beijing were vandalized several times."
Luo Xiaowei giggled and nudged Zhao Qiang's thigh with her foot, as if to say, "You've been keeping all this from Reporter Chen."
Zhao Qiang said, "With your reputation as a renowned reporter, Chen, are you worried about not being able to buy it? I'm sure some boys will buy it and deliver it to your door."
Chen Xinyu said, "You really guessed wrong. Buying Bee Bee slimming tea isn't just about having power and influence. The company that runs it is very powerful. Even though my friend Chen Zihan works for the Beijing Municipal Government, he can't pull any strings. At most, he can buy a slightly earlier pre-sale ticket. My other friend Geng Qiuhan is a well-known and wealthy man in Beijing, but he can only spend more money to buy a pre-sale ticket number from a scalper. It's said that only central government officials can use it at any time."
Zhao Qiang knew that the two men Chen Xinyu was talking about were probably the two boyfriends she had previously said she had approved. However, he wondered if these two men would come after him if they knew that Chen Xinyu was sleeping in his arms at night.
Luo Xiaowei didn't have a bad impression of Chen Xinyu. She said, "Sister Xinyu, I'll give you a few packs, so you don't need to buy pre-sale tickets."
Chen Xinyu was delighted: "Really? I've noticed I've gained weight since returning to Beijing, so I need to lose some more. If you have any slimming tea, I'll buy it for you. How about I give you double the price?"
Luo Xiaowei glanced at Zhao Qiang, who said, "Alright, forget about buying or not, I'll give you as much as you need."
Chen Xinyu rolled her eyes at Zhao Qiang: "Do you think you're a god? Little beauty, do you have any cosmetics? Can you give me a few bottles too?"
Zhao Qiang said, "Okay, you can drive over and pick it up later."
Chen Xinyu said, "You're really getting cocky." Actually, Chen Xinyu is usually a lively girl, but when Zhao Qiang glares at her, she has to obey any order he gives her.
Luo Xiaowei ate her ramen in small bites, a forced smile on her face. As long as Zhao Qiang was willing, she would bring a train to pick it up, let alone a car.
Chen Xinyu continued, "Did you know that the slimming tea and cosmetics from the Youth Health Products brand are amazing? It's said that many cosmetics and health product companies in China bought samples to study. There's a mysterious substance in them that hasn't been deciphered yet. It's because of this mysterious substance that they've been able to dominate the market. Let me tell you another secret: drinking a whole month's worth of slimming tea at once can achieve rapid weight loss. Someone has tried it. Although the official sources keep saying it's harmful to the body, no one has noticed. Their purpose in selling it separately is simply to make more money. I'm going to do an interview to expose their exorbitant profits. Others may fear the Zhang family, but I'm not."
Luo Xiaowei finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, which puzzled Chen Xinyu. She asked, "Xiaowei, what are you laughing at? I really think this is a good topic. Zhao Qiang, what do you think? You have to help me go undercover at the production factory. I want to find out the exact cost of this slimming tea and cosmetics from the source."
Zhao Qiang said, "I'll just tell you directly, it's only a few dollars."
Chen Xinyu said, "How do you know? You're just guessing. We need evidence, otherwise this news won't make it onto TV."
Zhao Qiang said, "Do I need to guess? I'll take you to the factory to see for yourself after things are settled here. The slimming tea is just ordinary tea mixed with mother tea, and the cosmetics are just ordinary cosmetics mixed with mother liquor. And the cost of the mother product is always ignored. But you can just take a look and leave it at that. Don't talk nonsense or report anything, or the price bureau will definitely come knocking on your door."
Chen Xinyu said, "Why? Don't you want me to achieve more in my work? My reporting is to hope that they can lower the price so that all Chinese people can use such good products and break their monopoly of exorbitant profits."
Zhao Qiang said, "You can't make me a scapegoat for your achievements at work, can you?"
Chen Xinyu was still somewhat confused: "When did I ever use you as a sacrifice? I would sacrifice myself for you." Chen Xinyu didn't say this casually; her dependence on Zhao Qiang hadn't lessened at all since returning to China.
Zhao Qiang touched his nose: "The youth health products business is co-founded by Zhang Lingfeng and me. I own 70% of the shares. I provide the parent products, and he is responsible for production, sales, and handling relationships."
"Ah..." Chen Xinyu stood there stunned, as if struck by lightning.
Luo Xiaowei opened her handbag and took out several packets of slimming tea, saying, "Sister Xinyu, feel free to use them. However, I didn't bring many cosmetics. These slimming teas are pure mother products, so you'd better only brew a few tea leaves at a time, otherwise you'll get diarrhea."
Chen Xinyu pushed the slimming tea back, "Hehe, you keep it, I only need him." Saying this, Chen Xinyu stopped eating her noodles, hugged Zhao Qiang's arm, and looked blissfully happy. Of course she was happy that Zhao Qiang was so powerful. If what Zhao Qiang said was true, and the cost of the mother product could be ignored, then the daily income would definitely exceed one billion! Geng Qiuhan had always been flaunting his wealth in front of her, but compared to Zhao Qiang, what was he? Zhao Qiang earned half of his life's worth in a single day.
Luo Xiaowei knew exactly what Chen Xinyu was thinking. She said, "Zhao Qiang doesn't belong to any of us. Sister Xiaoya wouldn't agree to us messing around with him like this, so neither of us can be seen in the light of day."
Chen Xinyu picked up the slimming tea on the table: "Then I'll keep it. Every little bit helps, hehe." Chen Xinyu wanted to say that we should team up to get rid of Xu Xiaoya, but she didn't think Luo Xiaowei was any less intelligent than her. Since Luo Xiaowei and the others didn't have this plan, it meant that Xu Xiaoya was very important to Zhao Qiang, so she was better off not even having this thought.
The two women were already used to Zhao Qiang's huge appetite. He ate a total of ten bowls of ramen, but he was still not full. Three large bowls of pork bones were served, and he only stopped when the owner told him they were all gone.
Chen Xinyu and Luo Xiaowei watched Zhao Qiang eat, occasionally exchanging whispered conversations. Chen Xinyu was more interested in knowing more about Zhao Qiang; this man was ruthless in killing, but she hadn't expected him to be so financially powerful as well.
Luo Xiaowei didn't dare to say much, fearing that Chen Xinyu would reveal Zhao Qiang's secret. So when faced with Chen Xinyu's question, she could only give evasive answers, which made her seem insincere. Zhao Qiang said, "Xinyu is one of our people, so it's fine to tell her."
Chen Xinyu said, "Yes, Zhao Qiang wants me to develop in the field of news media. Everything I do is for him. You shouldn't hide it from me, otherwise it will be bad if there is another misunderstanding. If that happens, we will be the ones who suffer the loss."
Luo Xiaowei nodded: "Yes, I dare to say that Haifeng Group is also his if Zhao Qiang agrees, so your future reports should be biased towards us."
Chen Xinyu was only slightly taken aback: "I can see that too. At your age, you wouldn't have been able to take over Haifeng Group without Zhao Qiang manipulating things behind the scenes, let alone having a smart remote control system."
Luo Xiaowei nodded: "Yiyi Fashion Apparel also has 70% of Zhao Qiang's shares."
Chen Xinyu laughed: "Really? I really like its clothes now. They're sold out in Beijing. I really want its designer to design one for me."
Luo Xiaowei pointed at Zhao Qiang: "Go find him."
Chen Xinyu was very surprised: "Really? You designed those trendsetting clothing styles? You know, even European and American designs aren't that good." In Chen Xinyu's eyes, Zhao Qiang was more suited to killing, and designing clothes seemed to be the job of women or refined people.
Zhao Qiang boasted shamelessly, "I'll design a few for each of you later."
Chen Xinyu said happily, "That's great! I can wear it on the show and get free advertising for Yiyi Fashion."
Luo Xiaowei continued, "Jiayuan Investment goes without saying, and Zhao Qiang also owns 70% of Rednet Technology."
Chen Xinyu said, "So you have a connection with the Hu family too? I only found out after I returned to Beijing that Yang Shiqi was actually a member of the Yang family. You really know how to recruit people. But I heard from my dad that the Hu family and the Yang family have never gotten along. They didn't have a fight?"
Luo Xiaowei said, "I don't know if there's any arguing behind our backs, but no one would dare to do that in front of Zhao Qiang."
Chen Xinyu nodded: "I believe Zhao Qiang has the guts." Chen Xinyu's belief was in Zhao Qiang's ruthless nature.
Luo Xiaowei said, "In addition, Zhao Qiang also has a small company called Shunfeng Technology, but it doesn't have much of a future. It's just a cover for Zhao Qiang's identity. I don't think I need to say anything about keeping it a secret. Zhao Qiang must have told you about it before."
Chen Xinyu nodded: "I understand, Zhao Qiang. Now that I know your hidden strength, then what you said in Africa must have been serious. Do you think I could be the suitable candidate you're looking for?"
"Yes." Zhao Qiang replied without hesitation.
Chen Xinyu said, "But I don't know how to take the first step toward achieving your goal."
Zhao Qiang said, "Focus on developing your career at CCTV and building a strong network of contacts. This will be the foundation for establishing media outlets overseas in the future."
Chen Xinyu chuckled: "We already have a foundation even without playing, but let's do it your way."
A loud crash came from the kitchen, followed by the landlady's shout. Zhao Qiang put down the bone he was holding and went in to check. It turned out that the landlady had fallen to the ground. His face was a little pale, and the landlady was asking him with concern, "How are you, old man?"
The boss said, "It's alright, I'll be fine after I go to the restroom."
Zhao Qiang asked, "Do you have diarrhea?"
The shop owner said, "Yes, but don't worry, I've never eaten seafood before, so it's definitely not the kind of disease you get outside."
Before the boss even went into the restroom, the ramen chef he hired suddenly rushed in first: "Oh dear, I suddenly have a stomachache, boss, please wait a moment."
Volume 2 [397] New Discoveries
[397] New Discovery
Zhao Qiang was no longer in the mood to eat. The owner and the noodle chef both had diarrhea, and he didn't know if the food had been contaminated. Sigh, it seemed he couldn't eat out anymore. He decided to buy the ingredients himself and have Luo Xiaowei cook at the guesthouse.
After paying the bill, the owner finally got his number, but before he could come out, the noodle chef was already waiting outside. Even the owner's wife felt unwell in her stomach, and it seemed that all three of them were experiencing symptoms.
Zhao Qiang asked the proprietress, "Have you really not eaten seafood lately?"
The proprietress said, "Really, there isn't any."
Zhao Qiang and his two companions walked onto the road. Suddenly, Zhao Qiang turned back to the restaurant, where the three were still arguing over the toilet. Zhao Qiang asked, "Boss, have any of your customers been suffering from food poisoning lately?"
The proprietress clutched her stomach and said, "Yes, the day before yesterday, a group of workers, who said they were from Haifeng Group, were celebrating their discharge from the hospital. When asked, they said they had food poisoning and diarrhea, but they had recovered."
Zhao Qiang slapped his thigh: "Oh no!"
Chen Xinyu followed her in and asked, "What's wrong?"
Zhao Qiang said, "This virus has begun to infect healthy humans through contact."
Chen Xinyu was startled: "Oh no, does that mean we'll get infected too?"
Zhao Qiang said, "Xiao Wei and I definitely won't get infected. If we were, we would be showing symptoms by now. As for you, does your stomach hurt?"
Chen Xinyu touched her lower abdomen: "A little bit."
Zhao Qiang asked, "Don't you want to go to the toilet?"
Chen Xinyu shook her head: "It's not that serious."
Zhao Qiang said, "Then you're just nervous. Relax and your stomach won't hurt anymore. Now we have important business to attend to. First, go find Senior Brother Shan Hongfei and have him release the information immediately. Isolate all the poisoned patients, and everyone who has been in contact with them during this time should also be isolated."
Chen Xinyu said, "If that's the case, then this matter is very serious; this is undoubtedly the second time."
Zhao Qiang said, "We have to stop everything, otherwise the whole of Dongyang City will suffer if it spreads. Young people are okay, but the elderly and weak will definitely not survive. Moreover, it is not clear how many times the diarrhea symptoms will recur. The sooner we implement isolation, the better."
It was already 11:50 p.m., and even those who stayed up late should be asleep by then. Zhao Qiang immediately called Shan Hongfei, who was still at the municipal government coordinating various resources to save the patient.
"Junior brother, what's the matter?" Shan Hongfei's voice sounded tired. Officials may seem glamorous, but it's not easy in reality. If everything goes smoothly, they can get promoted and make money, but if something goes wrong, they may lose their positions.
Zhao Qiang said in a heavy voice, "Senior brother, things seem to be going badly."
Dan Hongfei didn't dare to take Zhao Qiang's words lightly. His voice trembled slightly as he asked, "What is it now?" This junior brother was practically a jinx; wherever he went, trouble followed.
Zhao Qiang said, "I just found several patients with diarrhea at a bone shop."
Shan Hongfei said, "Today, new patients have been sent to the hospital one after another. There's nothing to be alarmed about. It must be that their condition has just flared up. I've notified the hospital to send an ambulance to pick them up."
Zhao Qiang said, "But they haven't eaten seafood recently."
Shan Hongfei asked, "Is that just ordinary food poisoning?"
Zhao Qiang said, "No."
Dan Hongfei said anxiously, "My good junior brother, just tell me what happened. I'm not very patient lately."
Zhao Qiang said, "They have been in contact with patients at the Dongyang branch of Haifeng Group."