Chapter 136 - 110: Inspecting the Company
Chapter 136: Chapter 110: Inspecting the Company
"And in that situation, the authorities will prioritize repairs for high-priority companies to minimize their losses. As for the other companies..."
Julie didn’t finish, but Ning He understood.
’The ones who don’t make the cut are just left to fend for themselves.’
"So, the high-priority ones are all local businesses?"
Julie nodded. "Yes. Especially businesses that have joined the Food Chamber of Commerce. The chamber coordinates their water and power supply lines, laying them out along a single route so they share the same priority."
The image of a certain punchable face flashed through Ning He’s mind, and her expression soured.
"This Food Chamber of Commerce chairman... his name isn’t Gates, is it?"
Julie was slightly surprised. "You know him?"
Ning He’s cheek twitched. "Then we’d better think of another way. That man and I are mortal enemies. If he finds out I’m starting my own food company, he’ll do everything in his power to obstruct me, let alone let me join the chamber."
Julie’s mouth fell open, and it took her a moment to recover.
"I can’t believe it. I understand. I’ll be careful. But I must remind you, as the chairman of the chamber, Mr. Gates has unimaginable resources and influence. He controls many aspects of the food industry. Trying to bypass the Food Chamber of Commerce completely will be extremely difficult."
Ning He’s expression grew serious. "Never mind the later stages of production and sales. At the very least, he can’t find out before I get the company up and running."
The fundamental reason Ning He was starting a food company was to legitimize the black mud in her possession and mitigate her risks. Making money was secondary.
"I understand. I’ll make the necessary arrangements when I get back to ensure no information about our partnership is leaked," Julie said solemnly.
Next, Julie took her to visit the other four candidates.
One specialized in growing tomatoes and cucumbers, but due to mismanagement and equipment failure, they had lost three consecutive harvests. Their cash flow had dried up, and they were forced to sell.
One specialized in wheat. Producing staple crops came with preferential tax rates and utility costs, automatically placing it in the secondary priority tier. However, the long growth cycle and high risks of grain crops required high-end production equipment and specialized technicians for maintenance. After three consecutive quarters of below-expected returns, the owner pulled his investment and was also in a hurry to sell.
Another owner was insolvent. All the equipment had been cleared out, leaving only an empty shell. Of course, the price was relatively cheap: a four-hundred-square-meter workshop for only 100,000 original coins.
The last one was an empty factory building, dirt cheap. But all the paperwork, renovations, and retrofitting would have to be done from scratch. Not only would it take a lot of time, but Ning He also wasn’t sure how long the subsequent business permit application process would take, so she didn’t make a decision on the spot.
As Julie led the two of them around the food industry park in the Fifth Ring, their movements attracted the attention of others.
After showing Ning He the empty factory, the staff member watched them leave and quickly dialed his boss’s number.
"...Someone came to tour our No. 3 warehouse today, said she wanted to open a food company. She looks a lot like the person Chairman Gates specifically told us to blacklist."
"Are you sure?" a surprised voice came from the other end of the line.
"Her file has popped up in the company system multiple times before. I’ve seen her photo many times. I don’t think I’m mistaken."
"Good. I understand. You’ve done well."
Five minutes after that call ended, Gates received the news that Ning He wanted to start a food company.
He sat in a luxurious leather chair, swinging his leg. A frighteningly expensive high-end cigar was pinched between his fingers, and the corners of his mouth curled into a gleeful arc.
"Starting a food company? In her dreams. In Beiluo City, who can start one without my approval?" He sneered and lifted his chin at the assistant beside him. "Get Director Carolyn on the phone for me."
"Yes, sir."
The assistant quickly connected to the internal line of the Bureau of Biological Security.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this call? Do you have some instructions for me?" Carolyn’s slightly playful voice came from the other end.
"As a matter of fact, I do." Gates blew a smoke ring and narrowed his eyes. "Some upstart who doesn’t know her place wants to challenge me. I need you to teach her a lesson for me. Show her she can’t be so naive, thinking she can accomplish anything just with her own abilities."
"Oh? And who is this person worthy of so much of your attention?" Carolyn’s interest was piqued.
"It’s that brat with the surname Ning." Gates practically spat out Ning He’s name through gritted teeth. "Don’t let her give up so easily. Wait until her preparations are almost complete, then hit her with a rude awakening. This time, I’m going to make sure she learns her lesson the hard way!"
Carolyn’s expression faltered for a second, and her gaze fell on a file in the middle of a stack of material bags on her desk.
Ning He’s name was written on it.
But she quickly looked away and responded cheerfully into the receiver:
"Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it."
"Good. And pay more attention to the lab. Get some results soon so I can report back to them."
"I understand."
"Alright, I’ll let you get back to it. I won’t bother you any longer."
Gates hung up the phone in high spirits. He glanced at the designer watch on his wrist and pushed himself to his feet.
"Let’s go. Time to see what new tricks that one has come up with today. Once things go south for her in a little while, she probably won’t be in the mood to cook properly anymore. HAHAHA!"
The assistant opened his mouth as if to say something, but swallowed his words and hurried to follow.
’Sigh, the boss is a strange one.’
’On one hand, he hates that Ning He girl’s guts. On the other, he’s at her restaurant every other day. And when he comes back, he chews out his own people.’
’He’s got the managers and chefs of our own restaurants on edge every single day. They’ve privately asked me for a solution I don’t know how many times.’
’What kind of solution could I have?’
’I can’t cook. I can only eat!’
’Her food is genuinely delicious, and there’s always something new.’
’Can they do that?’
’I even secretly take my own family there to eat.’
’My picky little son wolfs down two large bowls of just the noodles every time. My older son eats for ninety minutes straight without a break.’
’Even my wife has been asking me to find a way to get some of that same noodle sauce.’
’So, the only thing I can do is send them a text in advance whenever the boss is heading over, telling them to brace for a scolding.’
"Are you getting in the car or not?" Gates, already seated in the back, urged impatiently.
The assistant quickly hit the send button and scrambled into the car.
"Let’s go. To Heqi Chinese Restaurant!"