Faced with the brand-new business license Lin Nian handed over, Lu Tingchuan remained silent for a long time.
He didn’t reach out to take it. He simply stared at her with those bottomless eyes.
The air was thick with a silent contest.
Finally, he let out a low sound from his throat.
“Mm.”
Then, with that, he turned and continued his inspection, as if nothing had happened.
He didn’t bring up the issue of shutting down for rectification again.
Lin Nian knew she had won this round.
She retracted the license, looked at his tall, upright figure, and finally let a victorious smile appear at the corner of her lips.
The next day, Lin Ji Snack Stall reopened under the gaze of the public.
What Lin Nian hadn’t expected was that after these past few days’ events, her fame had not decreased—it had increased.
“Heroic boss who outwitted a thug,” “Boss with the sharp tongue who verbally sparred with the Chief of Staff,” “Stubborn boss who dared to challenge the living tyrant commander”…
Various legendary stories spread throughout the military compound, making her a moderately famous figure.
Even many people who usually didn’t eat spicy hot pot came specifically to see the legendary boss for themselves.
The line at Lin Nian’s small stall was longer than ever.
“Boss, a bowl of spicy hot pot! We want to see if eating what a hero makes can make us brave too!” a young soldier shouted jokingly.
Lin Nian laughed, quickly cooking the vegetables, and replied, “I don’t know if it’ll make you braver, but it’ll definitely fill your stomach!”
A round of friendly laughter echoed around.
With business booming, Lin Nian’s mood lifted.
She even thought that as long as Lu Tingchuan didn’t come to bother her again, she could live this life happily forever.
However, trouble always comes when you least expect it.
That afternoon, while she was busy at the stall, a commotion arose at the edge of the crowd.
A stylish young woman, surrounded by a group of people, walked over arrogantly.
The girl was just over twenty, with fair skin and a proud expression. She wore a faded military uniform, but the fabric and cut were clearly much better than an ordinary soldier’s.
She didn’t line up like the others; she walked straight to the stall, scanning Lin Nian and her stall with a critical eye.
Lin Nian’s memory was instantly triggered.
Lu Tingting.
Lu Tingchuan’s younger sister, an art troupe soldier in the military.
In the book, she was a spoiled, arrogant young lady who looked down on Lin Nian’s background and constantly caused trouble for her.
Lin Nian hadn’t expected to run into her so soon.
“You must be Lin Nian?” Lu Tingting spoke softly, but her superiority was impossible to hide.
Lin Nian didn’t stop her movements and replied calmly, “Yes. What’s the matter?”
“I heard you’ve become quite famous in the military compound recently,” Lu Tingting said, her mouth curling with obvious sarcasm. “A mere street vendor causing such a stir—how enlightening.”
Lin Nian recognized the hostility but didn’t want to argue with such a young girl.
“If you want to eat spicy hot pot, go to the back and line up. If not, please move and don’t block my business.”
“You!” Lu Tingting didn’t expect this country girl to speak to her like that. Her noble temper flared instantly.
She had come to give this insolent girl a lesson!
Her brother was a heroic fighter with limitless future prospects—how could she be bothered by such a lowly girl?
She had to make sure this girl knew that the Lu family’s doors were not open to just anyone!
Lu Tingting cleared her throat and deliberately raised her voice to the surrounding customers:
“Everyone, come and see! You dare to eat food from this roadside stall?”
She picked up a bunch of vegetables with her handkerchief, holding them up for everyone to see.
“Look at these leaves, there’s still dirt! Are they even clean?”
“And the soup—it’s red like something, who knows what chemical dyes are in it? Eat it and you might get diarrhea!”
“I’m telling you, my brother is the military’s discipline inspector. He hates dirty, messy food! Don’t blame me if you get sick!”
Her words were loud and piercing, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.
The customers in line looked at each other, hesitating.
Food safety is a serious matter.
Seeing the doubt in the crowd, Lu Tingting smiled smugly.
She didn’t believe that with this commotion, the girl’s business could survive.
However, Lin Nian’s reaction surprised her again.
Faced with such near-defamatory accusations, Lin Nian neither panicked nor became angry.
She simply stopped her work and calmly looked at Lu Tingting as one would a clown performing.
When Lu Tingting finished speaking, Lin Nian slowly took a folder from the drawer.
She laid out the certificates inside, one by one, in the most visible spot on her stall.
The brand-new business license.
The health permit stamped by the Administration for Industry and Commerce.
Even a sampling report from the epidemic prevention station obtained just yesterday, for the soup base and ingredients.
Black text, red seals, all shining brightly under the sun.
“Excuse me, comrade,” Lin Nian said to Lu Tingting in a measured voice. “You claim this place is unsanitary—where’s the evidence?”
“This place doesn’t have a government-issued health permit. You, on the other hand? You’re just talking, right?”
Lu Tingting’s face immediately stiffened.
She hadn’t expected Lin Nian to be so well-prepared.
Before she could think of a rebuttal, some of the customers waiting in line spoke up.
“Who is this girl? She’s speaking so irresponsibly!”
“That’s right! I’ve been eating here every day, and I haven’t gotten sick. My health is fine!”
A middle-aged woman, dressed like an officer’s wife, directly stepped forward, pointing at Lu Tingting: “I know you. You’re Lu Tingting from the art troupe, right? Your brother may be Commander Lu, but how can you slander her like this? We regular customers know Lin Nian’s food is clean and good—better than your unit’s cafeteria!”
“Yes! Lin Nian, don’t mind her. Give me a bowl, with extra spice!”
“I want one too! I want to eat and show her!”
The crowd had sharp eyes.
The reputation Lin Nian had built over these months now unleashed its full power.
Originally hesitant customers, seeing the regulars’ support, began to criticize Lu Tingting.
Lu Tingting found herself isolated, her pretty face turning bright red.
She had thought she came to assert authority, but instead, she became the laughingstock.
Her attempts to sabotage Lin Nian’s business not only failed, but her poor performance only became free advertising for Lin Nian’s honesty and reputation.
Watching Lu Tingting on the verge of tears, Lin Nian coldly chuckled in her heart.
A little girl trying to fight her?
Too inexperienced.