Super Rich: It all started when I met a young woman in a sleeper car.

Chapter 56 Victory

"If war has been declared, then let's fight to the bitter end."

After Chen Xun finished speaking, he checked the evidence folder on his computer again.

Lin Xinyue leaned closer to look: "Big brother, is this enough?"

"Surveillance footage, comparison photos, videos of their kitchen waste, and the recording of yesterday's paint-splashing incident." Chen Xun swiped the mouse. "The evidence is irrefutable."

Li Qian picked up her phone: "My friend said he has acquaintances at the Industry and Commerce Bureau who can help us ask about the procedures."

"No need," Chen Xun shook his head. "Let's follow the proper procedures. We'll go to the Industry and Commerce Bureau today and submit these documents."

Yang Xiaotao asked softly, "Shall we go now?"

"Go now." Chen Xun unplugged the USB drive. "Xin Yue, make a separate copy of the surveillance footage of the paint-splashing incident, the clearest one possible. Xiao Tao, make a table comparing our revenue since opening with their menu prices after opening. Li Qian, contact your friend first, and send it to them once the business registration authority has a result."

The three of them immediately sprang into action.

Chen Xun reorganized the evidence photos himself and put them into a file bag.

At 10 a.m., the four people arrived at the district Administration for Industry and Commerce.

There were quite a few people in the service hall, taking numbers and queuing.

When it was their turn, the staff member at the window was a woman in her thirties.

What kind of service do you need?

"Report this." Chen Xun handed over the file folder. "Report unfair business competition, malicious imitation, and malicious damage to property."

The staff member opened the file bag and rummaged through it.

She frowned slightly when she saw the comparison photos and surveillance screenshots.

"Is this 'Instant Noodle Research Institute' one of your competitors?"

"Yes." Chen Xun nodded. "From the decor to the menu, they copied almost everything. When we launch new products, they immediately follow suit. Recently, they even sent people to splash paint on our storefront. The security camera captured it, and the police report is here."

The staff then looked at the police report receipt.

"We'll accept the materials for now," she said. "We need time to investigate and verify them. Please leave your contact information, and we'll let you know if there's any progress."

"How long will it take?" Lin Xinyue asked.

"It's hard to say." The staff member finished organizing the materials. "If the situation is true, we will meet with the person in charge. You can go back and wait for news."

Leaving the Industry and Commerce Bureau, Yang Xiaotao was a little worried: "Won't they drag their feet?"

"Delaying it won't help," Chen Xun said. "The evidence is right here."

Li Qian glanced at her phone: "My friend replied, saying that the Industry and Commerce Bureau is currently cracking down on typical cases, and given our situation, it should be soon."

"Then let's wait," Chen Xun said.

Back at the store, business resumed as usual in the afternoon.

Business is actually better than it was a few days ago.

Many regular customers come in and ask, "Boss, is that place across the street going out of business?"

Chen Xun smiled and said, "Wait for the official announcement."

Just as the four of them finished cleaning up after closing time, Chen Xun's phone rang.

It's a landline phone.

"Hello, is this Mr. Chen Xun?" A formal male voice came from the other end of the phone. "I'm from the Market Supervision Section of the District Administration for Industry and Commerce. Regarding your report about 'Instant Noodle Research Institute' for unfair competition, we will meet with the person in charge tomorrow morning. If you need to explain the situation in person, you can come over."

"Okay, let's go over there," Chen Xun said.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Xinyue's eyes lit up: "So fast?"

"I guess the evidence is too strong," Li Qian said.

Yang Xiaotao clenched her fist: "That's great!"

The next morning, in a small conference room at the Industry and Commerce Bureau.

Chen Xun went in alone, while the three women waited outside.

Two people were sitting across the conference table. One was Mr. Zhang, the owner of "Instant Noodle Research Institute," and the other was a young man, who was probably the store manager or manager.

When Boss Zhang saw Chen Xun, his expression turned grim.

The person from the Industry and Commerce Bureau sat in the middle; he was a middle-aged man in his forties, surnamed Wang.

"The reason I called both of you here today is to conduct a preliminary investigation and mediation regarding Mr. Chen Xun's report that 'Instant Noodle Research Institute' is suspected of unfair competition," Section Chief Wang said bluntly. "Mr. Chen, you go first."

Chen Xun went over the materials he had submitted yesterday again, focusing on the imitation of the decoration, the imitation of the menu, and the paint-splashing incident.

After saying that, he handed over the USB drive: "The surveillance video is here."

Section Chief Wang plugged the USB drive into the computer and opened it.

In the video, two masked men are seen splashing paint, their name tags clearly showing the "Instant Noodle Research Institute" logo.

Boss Zhang's expression changed.

"Boss Zhang, what do you have to say?" Section Chief Wang looked at him.

Boss Zhang coughed and said, "Section Chief Wang, this... this might be the personal behavior of one of our employees, it has nothing to do with our store. As for imitation, isn't that how it is in the catering industry? Look at those hot pot restaurants, aren't their decorations all pretty much the same?"

"Almost?" Chen Xun pushed the printed comparison chart over. "Boss Zhang, this isn't almost. Whatever color we paint our walls, you paint them the same color. Whatever font we use for our menus, you use the same font. We launched our 'Pickled Cabbage and Beef Noodles,' and you launched your 'Pickled Cabbage and Beef Noodles' the very next day, even pricing it only one yuan cheaper than us. Is that what you call almost?"

Boss Zhang fell silent.

The young man next to him spoke up: "Section Chief Wang, our store also has its own innovations. Just because they did it first doesn't mean we're imitating them, does it?"

"Innovation?" Chen Xun laughed. "Your kitchen uses cheap seasonings and illegally disposes of food waste. That's quite a unique kind of innovation. Should I show you a video?"

The young man's face turned pale, and he dared not speak.

Section Chief Wang looked at both parties and said, "Well then, we need to further verify the evidence provided by Mr. Chen. Mr. Zhang, your store is suspected of unfair competition, and your employees are suspected of damaging other people's property. Please submit a written explanation for both of these matters. During our investigation, we suggest that you rectify the issues on your own."

Boss Zhang gritted his teeth: "Fine, we'll make the changes."

After leaving the Industry and Commerce Bureau, Boss Zhang strode up to Chen Xun and lowered his voice, "Chen Xun, is it really necessary to make such a big deal out of this? We're all in business, can't we each take a step back?"

"A compromise?" Chen Xun looked at him. "When you were throwing paint, why didn't you think about a compromise?"

"That's because the people below are ignorant!" Boss Zhang said. "How about this, I'll have them apologize to you and compensate for the losses. Let's settle this privately, okay?"

"No," Chen Xun said. "I want you to issue a public apology and post a notice in front of your store admitting to the imitation and paint-splashing incidents."

Boss Zhang's face darkened: "Don't go too far!"

"Then let's wait for the results of the business administration's investigation." Chen Xun said, then turned and left.

The three women surrounded them.

"How is it?" Lin Xinyue asked.

"Make them rectify the situation," Chen Xun said. "But the boss still wants to settle this privately."

"Settle it privately?" Li Qian frowned.

"Yes, I refused," Chen Xun said. "A public apology is required."

For the next two days, the Industry and Commerce Bureau remained silent.

But "Instant Noodle Research Institute" has closed down, with a sign on the door saying: "Undergoing internal renovations, temporarily closed."

Chen Xun's shop became even more popular.

On the afternoon of the third day, Chen Xun received another call from the Industry and Commerce Bureau.

"Mr. Chen, our investigation results are in. 'Instant Noodle Research Institute' did indeed engage in unfair competition, and we have issued a rectification order. Regarding the paint-throwing incident, the public security authorities are also handling it, and they will deal with the relevant responsible persons according to law."

"Thank you, Section Chief Wang," Chen Xun said.

"In addition," Section Chief Wang paused, "the other party's boss asked me to pass on a message that he wants to talk to you again."

"What are you talking about?"

"A settlement. They are willing to pay compensation and apologize privately, but a public apology... they feel it would have too much of an impact."

Chen Xun thought for a moment and said, "Section Chief Wang, please tell him that a public apology is the only option. If they don't apologize, we'll wait for the police's decision and ask the media to expose this."

Section Chief Wang sighed: "Okay, I'll pass it on."

Less than half an hour after hanging up the phone, Chen Xun's phone rang again.

It was still that unfamiliar number.

Chen Xun answered the call and pressed record.

"Chen Xun," Boss Zhang's voice sounded exhausted, "a public apology is simply not going to work. I need to make a living in this business; if I put up a notice, my shop will be out of business."

"That's your problem," Chen Xun said.

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.

"I apologize," Mr. Zhang finally said. "I'll post a notice in front of my shop for three days, admitting to the imitation and paint-splashing. I'll compensate you five thousand yuan for your losses. Is that acceptable?"

"I'll decide what the notice says," Chen Xun said.

"……OK."

"Compensation of ten thousand," Chen Xun said again.

Boss Zhang took a breath: "...Okay!"

"The notice should be posted by noon tomorrow, and the money should be delivered," Chen Xun said. "If it's a day later, I'll contact the media."

The phone hangs up.

Lin Xinyue's eyes widened: "He really agreed?"

"I agree." Chen Xun put down his phone.

"Ten thousand yuan!" Yang Xiaotao exclaimed.

Li Qian smiled: "That feels better."

The next day at noon, a notice was indeed posted at the entrance of the "Instant Noodle Research Institute".

It was clearly written in black and white: "This store hereby issues a public apology for imitating the decoration and menu of 'Seeking Flavors Instant Noodles' and for instructing its employees to vandalize the other store. The store will be closed for rectification starting immediately."

People passing by were watching and pointing.

In the afternoon, Boss Zhang sent someone to deliver an envelope containing 10,000 yuan in cash.

Chen Xun accepted the money and counted it in front of the person who came.

"Tell your boss this is settled," he said.

The person nodded and left.

After closing time that night, Chen Xun placed the ten thousand yuan on the table.

"We're celebrating tonight, it's on me," he said.

"Where to?" Lin Xinyue's eyes lit up.

"Let's have hot pot!" Yang Xiaotao raised her hand.

Li Qian smiled and said, "Okay, hot pot it is."

The four of them found a hot pot restaurant and asked for a private room.

We ordered a bunch of meat and vegetables, and opened a few bottles of beer.