MGASC -Chapter 228 Arrested Without a Word

“What? Sealed up? What happened?”

“What do you mean illegal business operations?”

“I don’t know… does that mean we don’t have to pay the bill?”

The diners were still confused when the swaggering staff from the Administration for Industry and Commerce began driving people out while slapping seals across the doors.

Manager Ren hurried downstairs in a panic to ask what was going on. “Comrade, what’s this about? It’s the New Year—why don’t we sit down, have some tea, and talk it through…”

“What’s there to talk about? Who’s in charge here?”

“I am… but I’m not the boss—”

“Take them away! All management staff—take them all back for questioning!”

Feng An, the squad leader from the bureau, gave Ren Hong no chance to explain. After a round of rough handling, Ren Hong, Zhang Ling, Li Enhua, the two hairstylists, and even all the promotional goods were shoved into vehicles without another word.

Zhang Ling had tried to call Zhang Qiao, but before she could even touch the phone, a staff member shoved her violently to the ground. Her lower back slammed against the stair edge, pain making her gasp for air. Even so, they showed no mercy and hauled her straight into the car.

“Where are you taking us? You can’t just arrest people without explanation! At least give us a chance to speak!” Zhang Ling trembled with anger.

Just minutes ago, the restaurant had been lively and bustling. Now it was plastered with official seals. A crowd gathered outside, pointing and whispering.

The car door slammed shut with a bang. “A bunch of profiteers. You can explain yourselves at the bureau!”

…

Zhang Qiao had taken the three children to the market fair. Lin Xun carried Xiaxia, Lin Ran held a chicken in one hand and beef in the other. They returned home fully loaded, only to hear the phone ringing nonstop as soon as they stepped inside.

Zhang Qiao set everything down and answered without even changing her shoes.

It was Su Yin.

“Qiaoqiao, this is bad! Someone reported our factory for illegally producing substandard products. The production line and the restaurant have both been sealed by the bureau! I heard Sister Ling and Manager Ren have already been taken away. Qiaoqiao, what do we do?”

Su Yin’s voice was already choked with tears. Zhang Qiao’s heart sank.

“Substandard products? How are they substandard? Didn’t we complete all the paperwork?”

On the other end, Su Yin began sobbing. “I’m sorry, Qiaoqiao—it’s my fault… We’re still missing one final approval for the production compliance certificate. All our materials are complete, but the official in charge was on holiday and said it wouldn’t be approved until after the New Year. He told me not to worry and to continue production, said everything would be fine since all our documents were in order. I believed him. You were busy with the wedding, so I didn’t tell you. Who knew they would make an issue out of this!”

Zhang Qiao’s already tense expression darkened further. “So… we really don’t have the compliance certificate yet?”

Su Yin gripped the receiver, too ashamed to answer.

How could she explain? That she focused too much on the technical side and neglected critical procedures? That she trusted so-called acquaintances and failed to handle the matter rigorously?

Now both the factory and the restaurant were sealed. Guilt overwhelmed her.

“Qiaoqiao, don’t worry. I’ll go argue with them right now!”

She hung up, grabbed her briefcase, and headed for the Quality Inspection Bureau—only to be stopped at the door by her father, who looked grave.

“Where are you going now? I used every connection I had to keep you out of custody. You want to walk right back into it?”

Earlier that day, Su Yin had nearly been taken away too. Only her father’s intervention kept her at the factory, pending summons.

But how could she sit still?

“Dad, we’re being framed. I have to explain everything!”

Wiping her tears, she pushed past him and rushed downstairs.

Meanwhile, Zhang Qiao hung up, her thoughts in turmoil.

“Mom, did something happen?” Lin Xun asked worriedly. Lin Ran and Lin Jin stared at her nervously. The living room fell silent.

“It’s nothing…” Zhang Qiao forced a smile, unwilling to let her anxiety infect the children.

But Su Yin’s crying made her realize how serious this was.

Someone had set them up—and had waited patiently for the right moment.

“Lin Xun, you watch your siblings. I need to go out. If I’m not back tonight, go find Grandma Liu next door.”

…

At the bureau, Zhang Ling and Ren Hong were separated into different offices and interrogated one by one.

Zhang Ling didn’t know how the others were being questioned, but she refused to admit anything.

Illegal business operations? Selling products without proper certification? She had never even heard of such accusations—how could she confess?

“All our products have documentation. There’s a whole electrical factory there—how could they be uncertified?”

“You’re still arguing?” Captain Feng slammed the desk so hard it shook. “Someone has already suffered a house fire because of your products! We’ve seized hundreds of uncertified items. Witnesses and physical evidence are all here. Don’t think that refusing to admit it means you won’t be held responsible. Once the facts are established, you’ll be sentenced all the same!”

“Sent… sentenced to what?” Zhang Ling stammered. She hadn’t eaten or drunk anything for hours. Her stomach hurt, and cold sweat soaked her body.

She had always been timid. She was only holding on for Qiaoqiao’s sake.

She didn’t even fully understand what was happening.

“Prison!”

The word made her heart plummet.

Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor.

A handwritten statement was thrown in front of her, along with Captain Feng’s cold voice. “Sign it. Admit your guilt early and you might get leniency. Refuse, and you can wait for a prison cell.”

Zhang Ling picked up the paper. She wasn’t well educated; most of the scribbled words were beyond her.

But one thing she understood: signing her name and pressing her fingerprint meant admitting wrongdoing.

So she couldn’t sign.

“I… I can’t read.”

“Then press your fingerprint!”

“I won’t.”

“You—” Feng An pointed at her angrily. “If you won’t, your accomplices will! It’s all the same. None of you are getting away!”

He stormed out and exchanged a look with a colleague stepping out of another room. “Did they sign?”

“No. Each one’s stubborn as a mule.”

“Hmph… They won’t cry until they see the coffin.” Captain Feng gritted his teeth. “Fine. Lock them up for a day.”

“Captain, the higher-ups don’t even know about this yet… Is that okay?”

“What do you mean okay or not? We’re enforcing the law impartially!”

Though he said that, Feng An felt uneasy. His plan had been to scare them into confessing first, secure statements, and then arrest Zhang Qiao.

Who knew these people would be so tight-lipped?

“Captain Feng, there’s a call for you!”

He entered the office cold-faced and took the receiver from his assistant. “Oh, Quality Inspection Department? What? Zhang Qiao still dares to make trouble? I was just worrying about not being able to find her. I’ll be right there!”