Going home for the Chinese New Year with a year-end bonus of 100 million

Yang Fan's expression grew increasingly grim as he looked at the document.

He scrolled down and saw several more similar posts. Some said they got diarrhea after eating his hot pot, some said they found bugs in their food, and others said they saw the proprietress wipe the table with a rag and then grab the food...

They were all posted from alternate accounts, and the content was more exaggerated than the last.

"When did these posts appear?" Yang Fan asked.

"It started yesterday afternoon," Lin Xiaoyu said, her voice trembling.

"At first there were only one or two, so we didn't pay much attention."

"This morning, the forum was full of posts like this. People were even posting them on Douyin and Xiaohongshu..."

Xiaoya continued, "A few regular customers came at noon, but after sitting down, they hesitated for a long time and finally left."

"I asked them what was wrong, and they said... they saw the posts online and were a little worried."

She bit her lip and said, "I explained that our kitchen is very clean and the oil is all purchased through legitimate channels."

"But they...they say it's better to believe it's true."

The curtain to the kitchen was lifted, and Wang Xiuying came out.

Her eyes were also red, and there were water stains on her apron, so she must have just washed her hands.

"Xiao Fan..." Her voice choked as she spoke, "Our shop... is our shop going to have to close down?"

Lin's mother and her third aunt, Li Cuihua, also came out. The three of them stood at the door of the kitchen, their faces filled with confusion and despair.

"What did we do wrong?" Lin's mother murmured.

"We work from dawn till dusk every day, washing vegetables thoroughly, using only fresh meat, and buying legitimate cooking oil from the supermarket..."

"Why are you saying we're using dirty oil?"

Li Cuihua wiped away her tears: "This morning, people from the health bureau came to inspect us, saying they received a report and wanted to check our health permit and kitchen."

"They investigated for a long time but found nothing, but... but when they did investigate, all the neighbors saw it."

Wang Xiuying continued, "The owner of the mala tang (spicy hot pot) shop next door just now deliberately stood at the door and loudly said, 'Oh dear, some shops these days look clean, but who knows how filthy they are underneath.' She was clearly saying it for us to hear!"

Yang Fan understood.

This is someone who is jealous of the business's success and is deliberately spreading rumors and slandering it.

Moreover, it wasn't just one person—the one who posted was a paid troll, the one who reported was a fellow professional, and the one who kicked someone when they were down was also a fellow professional.

"Brother, what should we do?" Xiaoya tugged at Yang Fan's sleeve.

"If this continues, no one will dare to come and eat here. Today's revenue... is only a little over three hundred yuan so far, not even enough to cover the rent."

Lin Xiaoyu said softly:

"There was another customer in the afternoon who took two bites and said the taste wasn't right, and insisted on a refund."

"We gave her a refund, and when she left, she said, 'I'll never come back again.'"

The three elders stood aside, silently shedding tears.

They had worked hard for two months, and their business was getting better and better, and they had hope for the future. But now they have been splashed with dirty water from head to toe.

That sense of grievance and helplessness was written on everyone's face.

Seeing his family like this, Yang Fan felt a surge of anger rising within him.

But he quickly calmed down. Getting angry was useless; solving the problem was the key.

"When did the posts start to explode?" he asked.

"Around 3 p.m. yesterday," Xiaoya said, "several suddenly appeared, and then even more appeared this morning."

When did the health bureau officials arrive?

"10 a.m. today."

Yang Fan nodded. The timing was right—first spread rumors, then report them; a two-pronged approach.

This is going to ruin the store.

"Do you know who did it?"

Xiaoya hesitated for a moment:

"I...I guess it's one of the shops next door. We have the best business, and they're jealous."

"Especially that mala tang (spicy hot pot) restaurant, they even asked someone about our soup base recipe before, but my mom refused."

Lin's mother whispered, "And that stir-fry restaurant, the owner tried to get close to me before, saying he wanted to cooperate and asked us to teach him how to make bean and rice hotpot, in exchange for a share of the profits. I didn't agree..."

That makes sense.

Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents.

His family's bean and rice hotpot business was booming, which stole customers from others. Some people held a grudge and resorted to such underhanded tactics.

"Brother, let's call the police!" Xiaoya said. "This is slander!"

Yang Fan shook his head: "Calling the police is useful, but it's too slow."

"Moreover, the posts are all made from alt accounts, making it very difficult to find out who's behind them."

Even if they find out, it's just criticism and education, nothing serious.

"What should we do?" Xiaoya exclaimed anxiously. "We can't just let them spread rumors like this, can we? If it continues for a few more days, our shop will really go bankrupt!"

Yang Fan pondered for a moment, and a plan had already been made in his mind.

"Don't worry." He looked at his family, his tone calm. "Leave this to me."

"Brother, do you have a solution?" Xiaoya's eyes lit up.

"Yes," Yang Fan said.

"It will take some time. For the next couple of days, you can continue operating as usual, doing things the same way you always have."

"Keep the kitchen clean, ensure the ingredients are fresh, and provide excellent service."

He paused for a moment, then said, "If someone comes to ask for a refund, give it to them if they are polite, and write down the ones who are not."

"If anyone causes trouble, call the police immediately."

"But...no one's coming to eat," Wang Xiuying said with a worried expression.

"Someone will come," Yang Fan smiled. "Trust me."

He looked at Lin Xiaoyu: "Xiaoyu, send me all the links to those rumor-mongering posts on forums, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu."

"Also, find any positive reviews from previous customers and send them to me as well."

"Okay." Lin Xiaoyu nodded.

"Xiaoya, go find Zhou Yao and Zhou Jin and ask them to help clarify things at school. The e-sports club has many members, so their words carry weight."

"I'm going right now!" Xiaoya took out her phone.

Yang Fan then said to the three elders, "Mom, Auntie, Third Aunt, don't worry too much."

"It's common for people in the restaurant business to be envied. We're upright and have nothing to fear. Let them investigate if we've cleared our names."

The confidence in his voice was infectious. Wang Xiuying wiped away her tears: "Xiaofan, Mom believes in you. Whatever you say, we'll do."

"Okay." Yang Fan nodded. "We'll be open as usual tomorrow. I guarantee that within three days, those who spread rumors will be proven wrong."

He spoke with absolute certainty, and although his family still had doubts, they felt somewhat at ease.

By the time we left the hot pot restaurant, it was completely dark.

Yang Fan got into the car but didn't start it immediately.

He took out his phone and looked at the links to the rumor-mongering posts that Lin Xiaoyu had sent him; his eyes turned cold.

So you're playing dirty tricks, aren't you?

Okay, let's see who can beat whom.

He opened his contacts and found Lin Qingyue's number.

After hesitating for a moment, I dialed the number anyway.

The phone rang a few times before being answered.

"Hello, Yang Fan?" Lin Qingyue's voice came through, tinged with surprise. "Is something the matter?"

"Principal Lin, I'm sorry to bother you," Yang Fan said calmly. "There's something I might need the school's help with."

"you say."

"My family runs a hot pot restaurant near the entrance of the Normal University, called Qianweifang."

"Recently, we've been targeted by rumors and smear campaigns, claiming that we use substandard oil and that our kitchen is unsanitary. This has greatly impacted our business."

Lin Qingyue was silent for a few seconds: "Rumors? Do you have any evidence?"

"Yes," Yang Fan said. "There are dozens of posts on the forum, all made by alt accounts. The health bureau came to check today, but they didn't find anything."

"I understand." Lin Qingyue's voice turned serious. "This is cutthroat competition. How can the school help you?"

"Two requests," Yang Fan said. "First, we hope the school can clarify the situation. If convenient, the logistics department or the student affairs department could issue a notice stating that the hygiene inspection was passed."

"Let my mom and the others rest assured first, and let the business continue."

"As for those who spread rumors, I will find a way to deal with them."

Lin Qingyue thought for a moment: "Issuing a notice is fine. Schools have a responsibility to maintain the commercial environment around the campus."

"Yang Fan, don't worry too much."

"The innocent will clear themselves. As long as we stand up straight, the truth will come out sooner or later when it comes to rumors."

"Thank you," Yang Fan said sincerely.

"You're welcome," Lin Qingyue said. "You invested in and supported our student entrepreneurship, and now that you're facing difficulties, the school should help you. I'll make the arrangements tomorrow."

After hanging up, Yang Fan dialed another number.

This call was to Zhou Jin.

"Brother Fan?" Zhou Jin answered quickly.

"Zhou Jin, I need your help with something."

"you say!"

Yang Fan briefly explained the rumors about the hot pot restaurant, and then said:

"I need you to find a few tech-savvy friends to check out those fake accounts that are posting."

"No problem!" Zhou Jin said immediately. "I know a few senior students in the computer science department who specialize in cybersecurity. I'll have them help me investigate!"

Thanks.

"Don't mention it, Brother Fan! Your business is my business!"