"Mr. Jiang, don't be nervous."
Sun Shan and Jiang Tian sat facing each other in the police station's conference room.
Jiang Tian hadn't committed a crime; he was merely reported, so he didn't have to be locked in the interrogation room.
"I'm not nervous," Jiang Tian replied truthfully.
Nervous?
Why should he be nervous?
Without even thinking, he knew it was a malicious report.
There was really no way to deal with things like this.
"Your vehicle has been sent for inspection. You must remain in this room until the results are out.
"During this period, if you have any requests, you can tell me."
"Okay!" Jiang Tian stretched: "Can you get me some food? I haven't eaten since noon."
Sun Shan: "......"
Fine.
He even has the mood to eat!
Sun Shan turned to the police officer behind him: "Go to the cafeteria and get him some food! Make the portions of vegetables and rice generous."
"Understood, Director Sun!"
Only the two of them were left in the room. Sun Shan narrowed his eyes and asked, "You lost your job yesterday and started setting up a stall last night? And the business immediately became popular. Have you considered finding a job?"
As the director, Sun Shan had a method for questioning. Asking directly would make people vigilant. But by asking indirectly, people would easily fall into his linguistic trap. This was the art of language.
Jiang Tian shrugged: "At first, I did think about looking for a job, but I heard that setting up a stall could make money, so I wanted to try. I didn't expect the fried rice I made to be so popular."
What happened with the system was his secret, of course, he couldn't tell anyone, or he would definitely be captured and studied like a lab rat.
Sun Shan took out a cigarette case, took one out, and offered it to Jiang Tian, but Jiang Tian shook his head and refused.
After lighting one for himself, Sun Shan took a deep drag. Amidst the swirling smoke, he said in a deep voice, "Don't blame us. You, an amateur, had such a popular business on your first day setting up a stall, better than those who have been doing it for years. Someone even reported that your fried rice contained poppy seeds. This is a serious matter, and our bureau must take it very seriously."
Jiang Tian grinned: "Of course not. Investigating me is your duty, and cooperating with the investigation is also my duty."
If you have a clear conscience, you have nothing to fear.
......
The wait was long. More than two hours later, at nearly eleven o'clock at night.
The inspection department sent over the relevant materials. Although Sun Shan couldn't understand the dazzling array of data, the conclusion was clear: Jiang Tian's three-wheeled cart, all edible items, were within national food safety limits, with no issues whatsoever.
This surprised Sun Shan quite a bit.
Previously, they would often take samples of various snacks for inspection. Almost always, some data would exceed the limit. It was the first time they encountered someone like Jiang Tian, so clean!
He was really impressive...
In many people's minds, the reason why these roadside snacks were so delicious was because they were generous with ingredients and had strong flavors. This inevitably led to some ingredients exceeding the limit. But Jiang Tian's food was not only delicious but also so healthy!
This time, the inspection wasn't just of the food cart. Before that, plainclothes police officers had disguised themselves as normal customers and purchased a portion in advance. The inspection result was also within the safe range. This was to prevent Jiang Tian from destroying evidence if he had indeed used prohibited items and was exposed.
After escorting Jiang Tian to the lobby, he saw his wife, Lin Wanqing, waiting from a distance.
"Honey!"
Lin Wanqing looked like she had been crying, her beautiful eyes bloodshot. She rushed into Jiang Tian's arms, tears streaming down her face.
"There, there," Jiang Tian gently stroked her hair, "Stop crying, I'm fine, aren't I?"
Beside them, Lin Chen also looked worried. He stood up and went to Sun Shan, asking, "Hello, officer. I'd like to ask, how many years will my brother-in-law be sentenced to in this situation?"
Sun Shan chuckled wryly: "The inspection results are within the safety range. No jail time is required. You can leave now."
As Sun Shan spoke, he turned to leave.
But Lin Wanqing, who had been crying in Jiang Tian's arms, suddenly raised her head, her eyes still teary, and asked, "Then what about my husband's business?"
Tonight, she was at home with Duoduo when her brother Lin Chen suddenly called, saying Jiang Tian had been taken away by the police for problems with his fried rice, having been reported for adding poppy seeds.
Upon hearing this, Lin Wanqing was terrified, but she firmly believed that her husband would never add anything he shouldn't.
The first portion of fried rice Jiang Tian made was for her and Duoduo. If he were truly audacious enough to add something, he would never have given it to his wife and child!
Therefore, Lin Wanqing didn't doubt Jiang Tian. The moment Lin Chen notified her, she knew it was a malicious report from a competitor, someone jealous of her husband's good business.
Now that the inspection was complete and Jiang Tian's fried rice had no issues, what about the business?
Being taken away by so many police officers in plain sight, would people believe him if he set up his stall again? Even if they did, people might suspect that the previous fried rice did contain something, but it was only rectified after the investigation.
The power of public opinion was terrifying. Sun Shan had seen too many such examples.
Even now, many people still believed Jiang Tian's fried rice was clean, but as public opinion fermented, more and more people would gradually lose their trust.
This would disheartened a conscientious businessman.
Sun Shan frowned slightly. After a moment of hesitation, he said in a deep voice, "This matter was indeed due to our lack of consideration. The bureau will find a way to clear your name. In the meantime, do you have any suggestions?"
Lin Chen and Lin Wanqing looked at each other, unable to think of a solution for the moment.
At this moment, Jiang Tian suddenly said, "Director Sun, look, can I set up my stall in front of the police station? That way, all the rumors will be dispelled."
"Ah?"
Jiang Tian's statement was so astonishing that it not only startled Lin Chen and Lin Wanqing but also made Sun Shan pause abruptly.
Setting up a stall in front of the police station?
This was truly unprecedented.
Sun Shan said sternly, "Brother Jiang, I'm not unwilling to help you with this, but there's no precedent for it, and regulations don't allow it."
"Alright!" Jiang Tian gave a wry smile. He had indeed been wishful thinking. It was impractical to even consider.
Setting up a stall in front of the police station was undoubtedly the best way to prove his innocence. With the police station's endorsement, who would dare question his fried rice anymore?
But as Sun Shan said, there was no precedent, and regulations did not permit it.
It seemed he had to think of other ways!
"Then, Director Sun, we'll be going now."
Since there were no other options, they could only go back and think carefully.
Jiang Tian and the other two turned to leave. Watching their retreating figures, Sun Shan felt guilty.
This matter should have been handled better. For instance, plainclothes officers could have notified Jiang Tian to cooperate with the investigation, preventing such a large scene.
"Wait."
Sun Shan suddenly called out, "Although I can't help you directly, I can let a sister department assist you."
Jiang Tian's steps stopped. He turned back with a confused look, "Sister department?"
Sun Shan nodded. "How about this, the urban management bureau is right next to the food street. Go and set up your stall there!"