Reborn in 1991, I opened supermarkets all over the world.

Half an hour later, at the Dongxian Long-Distance Bus Station.

Du Heng handed a book to Lu Zifeng.

Sanmao's "Stories of the Sahara".

Turning to the title page, one finds a note written in delicate handwriting: "Don't lose it! Lin Siyan, a gift. February 7, 1991."

Today is the 8th, which means that Lin Siyan knew that Du Heng was returning to Dong County today, so she prepared the book yesterday.

Yes, it's already February 8th, and there are only a few days left until the Spring Festival.

However, the business license seems to be stuck and hasn't been issued yet.

Qiao Ling was very anxious. Although she hadn't invested much money, it was all her savings.

Lu Zifeng also realized that something was wrong, and the root of the problem could only be Wu Fucheng—of all the grudges between him in the past and present, only Wu Fucheng had the power to block his business license.

"No rush, the packaging boxes have arrived. Let's pack the gift boxes up first."

Lu Xiaoye and Lu Zhenzhen are both on winter break, so we called them all to come to the store to help out.

"Look carefully, the gift box says 'Happy Year of the Sheep', contains two bottles of Chongqing Coca-Cola, a box of White Rabbit milk candy, two boxes of rice candy, and an apple to symbolize peace and safety... The price is 18.8 yuan."

"The gift box is labeled 'Sheep's Delight,' and includes a bottle of Yuchan Daqu liquor, a bottle of Shancheng Cola, and two boxes of White Rabbit milk candy... It costs 39.8 yuan."

"Finally, there's the 'Three Sheep Bring Prosperity' box, containing a bottle of Luzhou Laojiao liquor and three bottles of Chongqing Coca-Cola... priced at 88.8 yuan."

Mr. Lu, with a pipe in his mouth, looked up and said, "Isn't it troublesome? Can't you just take 20, 30, and 90 directly? It would save you the trouble of giving change."

Lu Zifeng explained, "Although the price difference is only a few cents, the feeling is completely different between ten and twenty yuan, or thirty and forty yuan. Many people only look at the highest digit of the price."

Lu Xiaoye expressed his full support for his older brother's statement and gave an example: "Dad, tell me, which would make you happier, 59.5 or 60.5? One is in the 50s, the other in the 60s, right?"

Lu's father swung his pipe at him: "You son of a bitch, you still have the nerve to say that!"

What Lu's father was comparing was not Lu Xiaoye's scores in the two exams, but rather the scores of Lu Xiaoye and Lu Zhenzhen.

This gap is as vast as an insurmountable chasm.

As the father and his two sons were talking, the three women beside them—Lu's mother, Lu Zhenzhen, and Qiao Ling—all watched them and smiled.

On February 13, 1991, two days before Chinese New Year's Eve, the business license still hadn't been issued.

Lu's mother came up with a solution: "You can start selling first. If the industry and commerce bureau comes to investigate, just say your business license is being renewed. Besides, don't you still have the supply and marketing cooperative's sales point sign?"

Qiao Ling was undecided and looked at Lu Zifeng.

Lu Zifeng had considered the same approach his mother suggested.

However, the fact that their business licenses were being blocked clearly indicates that they were being targeted.

This person is Wu Fucheng.

If we follow Lu's mother's idea of ​​getting on the train first and buying the ticket later, we will easily fall into the other party's trap.

Even if you have the sales agency qualification, they will first inspect the goods, then investigate and find fault, and the Spring Festival will be over in no time.

"No rush, let me make a call first."

As Lu Zifeng spoke, he walked towards the public phone booth.

He left a message on Du Heng's pager and waited for about an hour before Du Heng called him back from the newspaper office.

"Happy Chinese New Year, Reporter Du!"

"Zifeng, I was just looking for you. My article has been approved and will be published tomorrow."

"Thank you."

"You're too kind. I should be thanking you. We rarely publish articles on topics like this, because we're worried about insufficient evidence and potential legal disputes. However, the Dongxian Cannery case has already been opened for investigation by the procuratorate. Once they have their results, I can even publish another article. This kind of topic is quite eye-catching once the higher-ups issue a directive. By the way, what did you want to see me about?"

"Uh, I've been trying to add a business license item for a long time, but it hasn't been approved yet."

"You suspect it's bureaucratic practices?"

"Not necessarily, it's possible that someone did it on purpose."

"Zifeng, although I'm willing to help you, you haven't grasped anything substantial this time."

"Brother Du, how about this? Tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock, you call the Dongxian Administration for Industry and Commerce. You don't need to mention my matter; just call as a reporter to find out about their procedures."

"Will this help you?"

"OK."

The next day arrived quickly. Compared to Qiao Ling and Lu's parents, who were as anxious as ants on a hot pan, Lu Zifeng was definitely not in a hurry.

He strolled slowly to the entrance of the Industry and Commerce Bureau, holding the day's newspaper in his right hand, and glanced at his watch with his left wrist.

It's 9:50 a.m. No rush, let me have a cigarette first.

At approximately 9:55, he stepped inside.

"What are you doing?" a middle-aged man in a navy blue jacket asked sternly.

"Hello comrade, I'm here to inquire about matters related to business licenses."

The middle-aged man pointed in a direction: "Go over there and find a clerk surnamed Liu."

"Okay." Lu Zifeng took two steps in the direction he pointed, then turned around and saw that the middle-aged man was no longer paying attention to him, so he turned around and went upstairs to the director's office.

The office door was open, but no one was inside.

Lu Zifeng felt that he would attract more attention if he stood in the corridor, so he simply slipped into the office and sat down naturally on the sofa opposite the desk.

He had his legs crossed and was holding a newspaper in his hand.

Even if passing staff saw him, no one asked him a question.

It's like a thief breaking into someone's room, starting a fire, and cooking. When the real owner returns, they'll first wonder if they've made a mistake.

When Director Zhong Dapeng returned, he had the same feeling.

However, Zhong Dapeng quickly came to his senses because he had just seen Lu Zifeng in the second-floor corridor.

"What's wrong with you, kid? Didn't I tell you to find Clerk Liu? Why are you in my office?"

Lu Zifeng stood up and asked, "Excuse me, Director, when will it be processed for the addition of items to our business license? The Chinese New Year holiday is just around the corner..."

As he spoke, he casually but actually very carefully placed the newspaper on his desk.

An article entitled "Discussion on Several Issues Concerning the Dongxian Cannery," which occupies a considerable portion of the text, is facing Zhong Dapeng.

Zhong Dapeng frowned slightly. Wu Fucheng was under investigation?

He hasn't had time to read the newspaper yet today.

Just then, the landline in the director's office rang.

"Director Zhong, hello. I'm Du Heng, a reporter from the newspaper. I'd like to know how long it takes to process a business license here? And if we already have both the food permit and the health permit, how long does it take to add other licenses?"

While answering politely, Zhong Dapeng kept his eyes glued to the reporter's name under the headline of the newspaper article.

Same newspaper, same name.