Four in the afternoon.
Wang Qiang sat on the steps outside Farmer's Mountain Spring, his third cigarette between his fingers.
Through the curling smoke, he was still plotting how to mobilize headquarters' resources and teach the Yicheng City government a lesson.
"It's just a prefecture-level city. I refuse to believe they'd dare snub a major taxpayer like us!"
A cold smile curled his lips, as though victory were already in sight.
Just then.
The shrill wail of sirens tore through the quiet afternoon air, drawing steadily closer.
"Wee-oo! Wee-oo!"
Several official vehicles marked "Fire Supervision," "Market Regulation," and "Health Enforcement" came roaring up with an irresistible air of authority.
Their alternating red and blue lights cast an ominous glow over the company's imposing entrance.
The convoy blocked the exit with precision. Every door opened at once, and more than twenty uniformed enforcement officers stepped out, their faces utterly expressionless.
At the sight, Wang Qiang froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up with wild delight.
He simply assumed his old friends had come around, impressed by his "clout," and finally decided to help him get even.
"Ha! I knew it! Those old foxes still know which way the wind blows!"
Wang Qiang flung down his cigarette butt and ground it out underfoot, then hurriedly straightened his mud-covered suit.
He forced an almost obsequious smile onto his face and strode over to greet them.
"Ah! Zhang, Liu, Zhao! I knew you fellows would come through for me!"
"Come on, let's head straight to Chen Family Village and shut that dump down! Dinner's on me tonight at Heaven on Earth. We're not leaving until we're drunk..."
His voice brimmed with enthusiasm, and he had already opened his arms for a warm embrace.
However.
He was met with deathly silence.
Director Zhao