Chapter 405: The Sense of Crisis Instantly Maxed Out

Ma Shiyou was truly at his wit’s end with this son.

But he also knew that if he didn’t do as his son wished, Ma Tao would actually quit the force.

That was unacceptable. He had to call in favors just to get him that job.

’The little brat was going to quit before he even finished his first day?’

"Fine! I’ll have your brother go. You just stay out of trouble!"

Ma Tao was finally satisfied.

Ma Shiyou called his older son, telling him to drop what he was doing and head to his younger brother’s police station.

"Dad, you can’t keep spoiling him like this. You’re only hurting him," Ma Hong advised.

Ma Shiyou sighed. "Your brother isn’t going to amount to much. The worst he can do is stir up this kind of trivial trouble. As long as you and I are still around, we can fix whatever mess he makes."

Ma Hong was speechless, but he reluctantly went to find his brother.

Shen Lu was still unaware of these events, busily working away in the kitchen.

They finally made it through the lunch rush and were having a quick staff meal.

That was when Ma Hong and Ma Tao arrived.

One of the brothers wore a police uniform, the other a tunic suit—a very typical getup for public officials.

When Shen Lu saw them, she immediately opened the door to let them in.

Ma Hong wasted no words. He immediately displayed a document stating that her restaurant was to cease operations indefinitely.

Shen Lu raised an eyebrow. "May I ask what regulation my restaurant has violated?"

Ma Tao sneered, "You assaulted a police officer, a heinous act, and you’re also suspected of human trafficking. You can forget about ever running a business again."

’Assaulting a police officer? Human trafficking?’

Completely bewildered, Shen Lu pulled up the security footage to check.

Huo Qian rushed over, her fists clenched. "You little brat, you just don’t know when to quit, do you!"

Shen Lu held her back. "Huo Qian, don’t be rash."

Huo Qian looked embarrassed. "Boss, this kid is an idiot. The Deng Family put him up to this. I didn’t want to bother you, so I sent him packing myself. I can’t believe he actually dared to come back."

Huo Qian had considered the matter too trivial to even mention to Shen Lu.

But she never expected such a small incident to have further consequences.

In truth, the police and the Mercenary Corps were quite familiar with each other, because most police officers in the Lower City District were ordinary people without superpowers.

It was fine if they were only handling ordinary cases, but there was no guarantee they wouldn’t run into more difficult situations.

Therefore, the two sides often collaborated.

Thus, most people on both sides knew each other, and conflicts were rare. Even when they did happen, it was usually the police who had to swallow their pride.

After all, the police didn’t have superpowers. And without superpowers, you were treated as second-class.

"You damn woman, who gave you permission to lay a hand on a police officer?! Bro, I suspect she’s a subversive! Get a couple of Superpower Users to arrest her and interrogate her harshly!" Ma Tao said, posturing with his hands on his hips.

Ma Hong ignored his brother. He simply turned off the holographic document and reiterated, "Please cease operations immediately and close the restaurant for investigation."

Shen Lu tilted her head, studying the Ma brothers for a few seconds before suddenly saying, "Are you aware of something? My restaurant doesn’t have a business license."

Shen Lu’s sudden confession stunned both Ma Tao and Ma Hong.

Ma Tao exclaimed, "Aha! So you’re operating illegally! That’s another crime on top of the others! Bro, how much is the fine for that?"

A sarcastic smile touched Shen Lu’s lips. "But I do have an establishment permit. Also, my restaurant’s taxes aren’t paid to the Lower City District’s Commerce Bureau."

Ma Tao didn’t get it. "What are you babbling about?"

Ma Tao didn’t understand, but Ma Hong did.

Shen Lu was implying that although her restaurant was located in the Lower City District, it wasn’t under its jurisdiction, and they should mind their own business.

"Regardless, assaulting an officer and human trafficking are facts. If you do something wrong, you should be punished. That’s the same whether you’re in the Upper City District or the Lower City District."

"Evidence? You have no evidence whatsoever, yet you expect me to shut down my restaurant just because you say so? Sorry, but I refuse."

Having said all she needed to, Shen Lu had no interest in wasting any more words with them. She waved her hand, signaling for Huo Qian and Wu Jun to escort them out.

Ma Tao and Ma Hong were ordinary people and naturally no match for Superpower Users. The two were pushed out of the restaurant.

"Bro, look at them! Are these legitimate business owners? They’re just a bunch of gangsters! Come on, go ask our police chief for an arrest warrant. Let’s drag them to the station! If we don’t teach them a lesson, they’ll really think they can walk all over us."

Ma Tao seethed.

Ma Hong ignored his brother, got into their car, and made a phone call.

Huo Qian apologized to Shen Lu again.

"Boss Shen, I’m sorry. I’m the one who caused this trouble."

Shen Lu had already reviewed the security footage. Seeing the arrogant Ma Tao and the members of the Deng Family being blocked at the door, she understood everything perfectly.

"It’s not your fault. But next time something like this happens, just let me know."

"Yes, Boss."

Shen Lu took a screenshot of the two brothers from the footage and sent it to Xue Can, asking him to look into their identities.

Xue Can’s reply came quickly.

Xue Can: Those are the two sons of Ma Shiyou, the secretary to the deputy chief of the Lower City District. What were they doing at your restaurant?

Shen Lu: You know them?

Xue Can: Not well. I just know of them.

Shen Lu: Alright, thanks.

Xue Can: Ma Shiyou’s younger son is a bit of a punk. Did he cause trouble for you?

Shen Lu: Just a small disagreement. It shouldn’t be a problem.

Shen Lu only wanted to know their identities; she didn’t want to get Xue Can involved.

Xue Can sensed this. He had heard that Fu Cheng went to the Military Hospital to be fitted for a prosthetic limb and would soon be able to stand and walk like a normal person. His superpower would also be partially restored.

His sense of crisis shot through the roof.

He wanted to make more of an impression, to do more things for Shen Lu to make her see that Fu Cheng might not be her best choice.

Xue Can: You’re my client. You should tell me about these things. If anything else comes up, I can handle it promptly.

Shen Lu thought about it, realized he was right, and explained the whole situation.

Shen Lu: My restaurant is located in the Lower City District, but that’s its only connection to it. Not even laser cannons or handheld micro-missiles can blast through my walls. What can they possibly do to me?

Xue Can: They can block your supply chain. Right now, they’re probably on their way to the market.

Shen Lu pursed her lips, unconcerned. In reality, she didn’t actually need to buy ingredients from the market anymore.

She had just been doing so for a while, and since Star Coins were easier to earn than popularity value, she continued working with the market vendors with the thought of saving a little where she could.

Xue Can: I’ll go talk to some people. Don’t worry.

Shen Lu: Actually... it’s fine.

Xue Can didn’t reply. Shen Lu figured he had probably gone to make some calls.

Just as Xue Can predicted, Ma Hong and Ma Tao went to block Shen Lu’s supply channels. They also called President Pan.

As soon as President Pan received the call, he rushed to meet them.

Before Ma Hong could even speak, Ma Tao jumped in, wildly embellishing the story. He painted Shen Lu as a villainous woman who stopped at nothing and criticized President Pan for his inaction as the head of the Commerce Association.

"Doesn’t your Commerce Association manage all the businesses in the Lower City District? Look at her! Does that brat look like a business owner to you? She’s a complete tyrant!"

President Pan listened, his expression darkening. ’Speaking of tyrants,’ he thought, ’you’re the one who acts more like one.’