Xu Nian’an’s boutique store was thriving, and Xu Nianhua also worked hard in her studio. Pei Yicheng, afraid that she would get too tired, found all sorts of excuses to bring her nourishing soups and other nutritious foods, as he was concerned about her fatigue.
Ling Dong was also investigating an incident that had occurred twenty-one years earlier. With so much time having passed, it was not easy to look into.
Especially since the Gu Family had investigated, if the so-called thief was a sham, the Gu Family would have certainly destroyed any incriminating evidence or witnesses. This made Ling Dong’s investigation even more difficult.
If it had been in Ningbei, it might have been easier, but in South City, Ling Dong’s network was still somewhat shallow.
The Gu Family frequently sent things to Ningbei, but Xu Nianhua rejected all of them, sending everything back without accepting a single item. Despite her rejections, the Gu Family persisted in sending gifts, not only to Xu Nianhua but also to the village.
Xu Qinghe, following Xu Nianhua’s lead, smiled and declined these offerings. For those she couldn’t refuse outright, she would set them aside, making note of what they were, so they could be returned later.
As summer vacation approached, the Chili Sauce Factory had an incident.
The problem started when someone in the county ate the chili sauce and ended up in the hospital with severe vomiting and diarrhea.
Afterwards, the situation escalated. The chili sauce was accused of being unhygienic, and the local health authority was notified. Subsequently, the health inspectors arrived at the Chili Sauce Factory.
Ji Ying was outside washing bottles when she saw the health authority staff approaching and got quite a scare. Only half a day had passed since the incident, and Ji Ying was still unaware of what had happened.
Upon hearing the news, she was startled. Ji Ying assured, "The chili sauce we make is absolutely clean and sanitary."
As Ji Ying gave her assurances, the health authority staff entered the factory and began to find faults.
The person who had been vomiting and suffering from diarrhea, now standing at the factory gate, was groaning in pain.
"Blackhearted, they’re willing to do anything for money."
"Don’t they value other people’s lives at all!"
"If something happens to my husband, I might as well not live either."
A woman cried and screamed shrilly, with a man standing by her side. The man appeared pale and weak, clutching his stomach as though he had just overcome a terrible sickness.
The woman’s voice was loud. Her cries drew the curiosity of nearby people who came to ask what had happened. Not knowing until they asked, those who heard about the food poisoning from the chili sauce looked towards the Chili Sauce Factory, immediately wondering if they had felt unwell after consuming the chili sauce themselves.
"I eat that chili sauce every day," a man said timidly.
The woman immediately responded, "Young man, you’re just lucky. Look at my husband; he does hard labor, and after eating their chili sauce, he suffered so much he nearly lost his life!"
"Is it that serious?"
"Of course, it is," the woman said loudly, detailing their ordeal of going to the hospital after consuming the chili sauce.
Ji Ying was still unclear about the situation. Hearing the woman’s voice, it was her first encounter with such an incident. However, Xu Nianhua had emphasized repeatedly the importance of cleanliness and had advised on what to do in such situations.
After a moment of panic, Ji Ying collected herself. She stepped forward and said earnestly, "Sister-in-law, I will cover the medical expenses for this trip to the hospital."
The woman spat and said, "Who needs your measly medical fees? If my husband is harmed, can you compensate me with a new husband?"
"Factories like yours that harm people should be shut down and not allowed to sell chili sauce anymore," the woman shouted.