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

"Found it. It's Mr. Zheng from the beverage shop next door who paid for online trolls."

Chen Xun sent the recording to the three women's group chat and then typed this sentence.

The shop fell silent immediately.

Yang Xiaotao was the first to jump up: "It really is him! That smiling Boss Zheng? He's two-faced, what a scoundrel!"

Lin Xinyue frowned: "The evidence is conclusive. What's the next step? Call the police or contact the Industry and Commerce Bureau?"

Li Qian didn't speak; she was listening carefully to the recording Chen Xun had sent her.

In the recording, Boss Wu's voice was very clear, revealing everything about how to take orders, how to post, how much it cost, and even Boss Zheng's information.

After listening, Li Qian looked up at Chen Xun: "This recording alone is enough to give Boss Zheng a hard time. But I'm thinking..."

Chen Xun looked at her: "What are you thinking about?"

"This Mr. Wu, who runs a small marketing company, is so loose-lipped?" Li Qian tapped her fingers on the table. "You give him an envelope, and he sells out his client. Doesn't someone like that risk ruining his reputation in the underworld? Unless…"

"Unless what?" Yang Xiaotao asked.

"Unless he doesn't care about this client, or the client isn't the ultimate decision-maker," Li Qian said.

Chen Xun's heart skipped a beat.

He recalled the casual, indifferent tone with which Boss Wu mentioned Boss Zheng.

"You mean, Boss Zheng might also be a pawn?" Chen asked.

"Why don't you just ask him?" Li Qian said. "Anyway, you're still officially 'Boss Chen' with him. Go find him again to 'chat about business' and get some information out of him."

Chen Xun thought for a moment and nodded.

"Okay, I'll go and see him again."

【Ding. 】

[The host is not content with merely resolving the conflict superficially; it intends to delve deeper into the root causes of potential business threats.]

[This investment has been determined to be highly risky.]

[Rebate triggered: 25,000 yuan.]

[The money has arrived.]

The notification that the money had arrived reassured Chen Xun even more. The system was encouraging him to dig deeper.

The next day, Chen Xun went to that old office building again.

When Boss Wu saw him, he was quite enthusiastic: "Boss Chen, have you decided? Which set meal do you want?"

Chen Xun waved his hand and handed over an even thicker envelope.

Mr. Wu's eyes lit up, and he quickly put it away.

"Boss Wu, I've been thinking about Boss Zheng's matter," Chen Xun said in a low voice. "You said last time that he targeted someone because his business was being stolen. But I've heard that his beverage shop isn't doing very well. Is it worth spending tens of thousands of yuan to take down a competitor? Will he even recoup those costs?"

Boss Wu chuckled twice and leaned closer: "Boss Chen, you're a smart man. Fatty Zheng doesn't have the guts, nor is he necessary, to do this on his own."

"What's behind that?"

"He has someone backing him up," Boss Wu said, lighting a cigarette. "Fatty Zheng is just the front desk manager. The people behind the scenes are the ones who actually put in the money and come up with the ideas. In companies like ours, sometimes when we take orders, we deal directly with 'managers' like Fatty Zheng. The real 'boss' doesn't show up in person."

Chen Xun followed up by asking, "So, is this 'boss' in the restaurant business?"

"It's not just about the restaurant business," Boss Wu exhaled a smoke ring. "They run an entire industry chain. They specifically target those trendy shops that suddenly become popular in the city—snacks, milk tea, fast food—anything that young people like and that has potential, they keep an eye on."

"How do we do it?"

"First, we send people to negotiate franchising or acquisition, driving the price down very low. If the shop owner doesn't agree," Boss Wu flicked his cigarette ash, "then it's our turn. We cause some trouble, splash some dirty water, ruin the business, and the shop owner can't hold on any longer. They either take over the shop at a low price or close down directly. Then we take over the shop or brand at a low price. It's a complete process, very well-practiced."

Chen Xun felt a chill run down his spine.

This is no longer normal competition; this is malicious hunting.

"Are these people very powerful?" Chen asked.

"Nonsense," Boss Wu said in a low voice, "Would they dare to do this without some connections? I heard their boss's surname is Jiang, and his name is Jiang Tianxiong. He started out in the local building materials and leasing business, he's ruthless and has strong connections. He's familiar with the property management of many shopping malls and streets, so it's very easy for him to cause some 'compliance' trouble for some small shop."

Jiang Tianxiong.

Chen Xun remembered the name.

"So, this time, setting up the instant noodle shop was also Jiang Tianxiong's idea?"

"I don't know whether he gave the order directly or not. But Fatty Zheng definitely listens to his superiors," said Boss Wu. "Anyway, their circle has their eyes on the large young traffic in MixC World and wants to set up a few trendy shops to control the area. Your instant noodle shop is doing too well and refuses to be acquired, so it became a target."

There's a lot of information here.

After digesting the information for a moment, Chen Xun asked, "Boss Wu, you're familiar with Fatty Zheng, do you know who his superior is? Or, who does this Jiang Tianxiong usually get along with? I'd like to avoid him."

Boss Wu thought for a moment: "I've heard something about who Jiang Tianxiong doesn't get along with. He's been fighting with a landlord named Zhou Wenbin for a long time. Zhou Wenbin also has some good shop properties, and the two of them often compete for them. Isn't your shop Zhou Wenbin's?"

Zhou Wenbin?

Chen Xun was stunned for a moment.

His landlord, Zhou Wenbin, turned out to be Jiang Tianxiong's business rival.

【Ding! 】

[High-value intelligence detected: Potential business rival "Jiang Tianxiong" and his malicious acquisition chain targeting the host industry.]

[A special investment opportunity deemed extremely high-risk, but potentially high-return.]

[Please carefully assess your next course of action.]

[System notification: If this crisis is successfully resolved and then reversed, it may trigger extremely high returns and a critical hit.]

The system's notification tone was more serious than ever before.

High risk, high reward.

Chen Xun said goodbye to Boss Wu, walked out of the office building, and lit a cigarette on the street.

Things were much more complicated than he had imagined.

It's not just simple jealousy from a competitor; it's an organized business mafia stirring up trouble. Their goal is likely not just to smear him, but to take over his business.

His landlord, Zhou Wenbin, turned out to be the mortal enemy of that culprit.

This is interesting.

Chen Xun took out his phone and called Zhou Wenbin.

The phone rang several times before I answered it.

"Hey, Brother Chen?" Zhou Wenbin's voice came through the phone, though the background was a bit noisy.

"Brother Zhou, is it convenient for us to talk? I have something important to ask you about," Chen Xun said.

"you say."

Do you know someone named Jiang Tianxiong?

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

Zhou Wenbin's voice noticeably turned cold: "How do you know this person?"

"My shop has been targeted recently. They've been smearing it with online trolls, and after all the investigation, it seems they've traced it back to this person," Chen Xun said honestly. "And I heard he and you don't get along?"

The sound of a door closing came from Zhou Wenbin's side, and then the background noise subsided.

"Brother Chen, where are you? Let's meet and talk." Zhou Wenbin's tone was very serious.

Half an hour later, Chen Xun and Zhou Wenbin sat in a private room of a teahouse.

Zhou Wenbin's expression was not good.

"That bastard Jiang Tianxiong is getting increasingly presumptuous," Zhou Wenbin said, taking a sip of tea. "He's got his eye on your shop?"

"Most likely." Chen Xun summarized the key points of the information he had heard from Boss Wu.

After listening, Zhou Wenbin sneered: "That's right, that's his style. He buys things at low prices, and if that doesn't work, he resorts to underhanded tactics to ruin people and then takes advantage of them. He started in building materials, made dirty money, and now he wants to whitewash his image with this 'brand matrix' thing, only picking on the weak."

"Is he very powerful?"

"He has some connections, but he's ruthless and doesn't play by the rules." Zhou Wenbin looked at Chen Xun. "I've had a grudge against him for years, and we've fought over quite a few projects and shops. This time, his move against you is probably not just because he wants your shop, but also because he wants to disgust me."

"Brother Zhou, do you have any suggestions?" Chen asked.

Zhou Wenbin thought for a moment: "Do you have any evidence? For example, the testimony of the marketing company boss I just mentioned, or the clues from Fatty Zheng's side."

"I have a recording; I can try to get more information out of Fatty Zheng."

"That's good." A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Zhou Wenbin's eyes. "Jiang Tianxiong is a bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong. If you have solid evidence and can expose his dirty deeds, he'll back down. He's not afraid of business competition, he's afraid of being exposed."

"Brother Zhou, what kind of help can you offer?"

"I can provide you with more clues about Jiang Tianxiong's shady past. I have some information about his past misdeeds, such as selling inferior building materials and violently clearing out businesses," Zhou Wenbin said. "In addition, I guarantee that no one will cause you any trouble with fire safety or sanitation at your shop. I can still put in a good word for you in that regard."

Chen Xun understood.

Zhou Wenbin was using him to give Jiang Tianxiong a warning.

"Brother Zhou, I understand," Chen Xun said. "I'll handle this myself, but I'll need your intelligence support."

"No problem." Zhou Wenbin nodded. "Brother Chen, go ahead and do it. If you need anything, just let me know. I've wanted to teach that bastard Jiang Tianxiong a lesson for a long time."

After parting ways with Chen Xun, Zhou Wenbin sat in the car without driving immediately.

He took out his phone, found a number saved as "Old Liu," and dialed it.

"Old Liu, this is Xiao Zhou. Help me check if Jiang Tianxiong has been contacting any of the new trendy restaurants in MixC World recently... Yes, especially the food and beverage sector. Hmm, there's one called 'Xunwei Instant Noodles,' the owner's surname is Chen, and he's one of my men. If Jiang Tianxiong makes a move, you know what to do."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Wenbin looked out the window.

Chen Xun is quite interesting. Not only was he not intimidated, but he also dared to investigate in return, and even tried to use the situation against him.

Perhaps, it might actually give him a pleasant surprise.

When Chen Xun returned to the shop, it was already afternoon.

All three women were waiting for him.

Chen Xun told them everything about his meeting with Zhou Wenbin and about Jiang Tianxiong, the mastermind behind it all.

The store erupted in chaos.

"What? It's not just Boss Zheng, it's the whole gang?" Yang Xiaotao's face turned pale. "Big brother, this... can we afford to mess with them? Will they send people to smash up the shop?"

Lin Xinyue also looked worried: "Chen Xun, how about we keep a low profile for now? And maybe postpone the new store promotions? They're so powerful, won't we suffer if we go head-to-head?"

Li Qian disagreed.

"What's the use of hiding?" Li Qian's voice was cold. "If you hide today, he'll dare to escalate his actions tomorrow. The more submissive you are with this kind of evil force, the more they'll think you're easy to bully. You should gather all the evidence, call the police if necessary, and expose them if necessary. Didn't Zhou Wenbin say he's afraid of the light of day?"

Yang Xiaotao panicked: "Sister Qian, those are desperate criminals! What if they retaliate against us if we're exposed?"

Lin Xinyue pulled Yang Xiaotao back: "Xiaotao is right, safety comes first. Chen Xun, our business is just getting on track, there's no need to take such a big risk."

Li Qian looked at Chen Xun: "What do you say? Are you just going to let it go like this?"

Chen Xun remained silent, listening to their argument.

Chen Xun spoke only after they had all finished talking.

"Are you done arguing?"

All three women were looking at him.

"Li Qian is right, we can't hide," Chen Xun said. "If we hide, they'll think we're scared, and they'll go even further next time."

Yang Xiaotao and Lin Xinyue's faces darkened.

"However," Chen Xun changed the subject, "Xin Yue and Xiao Tao's concerns are also valid. Safety must be taken into consideration."

He paused, then continued, "My idea is that, on the surface, we should continue with our business as usual, hold our events as usual, and pretend we know nothing to lower their guard."

"Secretly," Chen Xun's eyes sharpened, "Li Qian, you're in charge of compiling all the evidence, including recordings, screenshots of online troll posts, and clues about financial transactions, into a detailed report. At the same time, through your media friends, let out a little word that a business is being smeared by an organized online troll army and is collecting evidence to prepare for legal action. Note, don't name names yet."

Li Qian nodded: "Understood, it's a warning shot."

"Xiao Tao," Chen Xun said, looking at Yang Xiao Tao, "These next few days, keep an eye out for any unfamiliar faces loitering around the shop, especially at night. If you notice anything amiss, call immediately. Don't go up there yourself."

Yang Xiaotao quickly nodded: "Okay, I'll keep an eye on it."

"Xin Yue," Chen Xun said, turning to Lin Xin Yue one last time, "check all the fire safety equipment and health permits in the store to make sure everything is in order. Also, tell all the staff to be mindful of their service attitude lately and not to leave any room for them to cause trouble."

Lin Xinyue nodded: "Okay, I'll take care of it right away."

"I myself," Chen Xun said, "will continue to keep in touch with Zhou Wenbin to get more dirt on Jiang Tianxiong. At the same time, I plan to 'inadvertently' let Fatty Zheng know that we seem to have found something, but we haven't confirmed who it is yet, and we'll see how he and the people behind him react."

"Luring the snake out of its hole?" Li Qian asked.

"That's right," Chen Xun said. "If they panic, they'll give themselves away. Then we'll decide whether to crush them or negotiate."

The three women looked at each other.

This plan neither yields blindly nor confronts head-on; it considers the risks and leaves room for counterattack.

"I have no objection," Li Qian was the first to say.

"I...I'll listen to my older brother too," Yang Xiaotao said softly.

Lin Xinyue sighed, "Alright. Chen Xun, be careful."

【Ding! 】

[The system has detected that the host has developed a comprehensive "relaxed on the surface, tight on the surface, luring the enemy out" strategy to address the complex business crisis, and has clearly defined the roles within the team.]

[This has been determined to be a high-level strategic planning investment.]

[Pre-assessment rebate triggered: Basic strategy reward of 50,000 yuan has been credited to your account.]

Subsequent rebates will be settled based on the effectiveness of the strategy and the degree to which the crisis is resolved, with the possibility of high-return bonuses.

The system's voice made Chen Xun's lips curl into a slight smile.

He looked out the window at the darkening sky.

Jiang Tianxiong, right?

The game has only just begun.