28: If you have any objections, please keep them to yourself.

"Wait, switch the live feed to South Gate!"

The brief switch just now seemed to have let Zhao Rubing discover something unusual.

She quickly gave orders to the staff.

"Director Zhao, watch your attitude. Please don't change the subject. We are currently discussing how to handle the aftermath of the problems your actions are about to cause."

Bureau Chief Zeng tapped on the table, looking very dissatisfied.

"Director Zeng, please watch your attitude as well. Our current topic is the Joint Inspection. Is there any point in ignoring the screen and insisting on bringing up other things?"

Zhao Rubing responded bluntly.

"Fine, fine, fine. It seems Director Zhao feels her plan is completely flawless and can't listen to any other opinions, right? Fine! Director Liang, you've seen Director Zhao's attitude. I don't want to say anything more, except for one thing: if those catering businesses start a fuss, whoever caused the trouble should be the one to deal with it."

"Correspondingly, if Director Zhao's plan achieves results, I won't take any credit for it either, alright?"

Liang Guodong smiled. "Old Zeng, as fellow managers, there's no need to be so distant. If there are any issues, we can just discuss them amicably. Don't you agree, Director Zhao?"

After persuading Bureau Chief Zeng, Liang Guodong looked at Zhao Rubing with a smile.

But despite these amicable words, Zhao Rubing's brow furrowed.

And it wasn't just her; others in the meeting room seemed to have noticed something as well, their eyes showing a strange light. Their looks toward Zhao Rubing became a bit more distant.

Because everyone present was shrewd, especially in the art of language, where they were masters. Liang Guodong's sudden change in how he addressed Bureau Chief Zeng was enough to show whose words he agreed with.

At this moment, Zhao Rubing didn't have time to watch the live broadcast and looked up at the kindly-faced Liang Guodong.

"Director Liang, I think Director Zeng's suggestion is correct. Whoever makes the decision bears the consequences. If any chaos arises or any negative results occur from this Hygiene Inspection, I will take full responsibility and won't involve anyone else."

Zhao Rubing said forcefully.

"Alright, that's all I need to hear. What about everyone else? What do you think?"

Without waiting for Liang Guodong to speak, Bureau Chief Zeng directly took over Zhao Rubing's words. As the leader, there were some things Liang Guodong couldn't easily say, as saying them would lead to accusations of favoritism.

But he, being at the same level as Zhao Rubing, could speak without such scruples.

The others looked at Bureau Chief Zeng's questioning gaze. After a brief silence, they all nodded in agreement.

Seeing everyone siding against her, a flicker of loneliness flashed in Zhao Rubing's eyes. She quickly composed herself, and with a cold face, turned her gaze toward the large screen.

Having achieved his goal, a cold smile appeared at the corner of Bureau Chief Zeng's mouth, his expression extremely satisfied.

He leaned back, glanced at the screen, and then sneered, "Heh, even East Street, a new street in Copper City, ended up like that after the inspection. An old district street like South Gate Night Market... tsk tsk tsk!"

"Director Zhao, you also said that today's matters will have nothing to do with you. So, if you have an opinion, please keep it to yourself."

Zhao Rubing didn't give him any face at all and snapped back directly.

Bureau Chief Zeng's face darkened. He was about to speak when he inadvertently saw Liang Guodong beside him tilt his head toward him.

He immediately shut his mouth, but his expression became even more unsightly. However, after happening to see several messages pop up on his phone on the table, he immediately beamed with joy.

He cast a sinister glance at Zhao Rubing, calmly picked up his tea, blew on it, and took a sip, feeling refreshed all over.

At this time, Zhao Rubing had no time to observe Bureau Chief Zeng's abnormal behavior.

All her attention was focused on the screen. Having watched the inspections of East Street and West Gate all morning, she felt that the inspection of South Gate Night Market revealed something unusual.

What exactly was different?

The inspection content and procedures were all standardized.

The inspectors were also fine; the few restaurants inspected just now were all hit without exception.

But why did she feel there was a problem with the inspection here?

It seemed... the faces of everyone whose premises were sealed off were filled with helplessness... Helplessness?

Right, that was it. The expressions were different. When the shops on East Street and West Gate were sealed earlier, the faces of all the owners were filled with resentment and anger.

But here, there weren't so many complex emotions, only helplessness.

What caused them to have such expressions?

With a thought, Zhao Rubing picked up her phone from the table, found a contact labeled Third Brother, and sent a text message.

"Is there anything special about the inspection at South Gate today?"

Not long after the message was sent...

...a reply came back.

"9:00 to 9:20, Changle Restaurant."

Seeing this reply...

...Zhao Rubing's cold and pretty face finally broke into a slight smile. She spoke to the staff member in charge of the large screen again.

"Xiao Zhang, replay the live broadcast recording of the South Gate Night Market starting from 9 o'clock."

The staff member hurriedly complied.

He began searching for the recording.

Soon, the live replay appeared on the screen.

What appeared before everyone's eyes was a yellowish street.

On both sides of the street, various miscellaneous items and dishes waiting to be washed were placed haphazardly.

Compared to the clean and grand East Street, this place was like heaven and earth.

And at this moment, the screen's camera lens slowly aimed at a sign.

Changle Restaurant.

Zhao Rubing sat up straight, her eyes fixed on the screen without blinking.

The others, however, lacked interest. Some had already started drinking tea and chatting, occasionally looking toward Zhao Rubing and shaking their heads.

Suddenly, a knock on the door came from outside the meeting room.

Hearing the knock, Liang Guodong's brow furrowed slightly.

Because for this kind of high-level management meeting, unless there was a special situation, the subordinates usually wouldn't interrupt.

But when Bureau Chief Zeng heard the knock, his spirits were lifted.

He quickly gestured for the staff member to open the door.

Then, a man ran in with a panicked expression.

"Director Liang, something happened outside. A large crowd has blocked the entrance to the Administration Bureau, saying they want an explanation from us. And more and more people are coming now."

"Who are they?"

"They seem to be people from various catering businesses. It's likely because of the Joint Inspection this morning."

Liang Guodong calmly glanced at Zhao Rubing, who was focused on the live broadcast, and nodded indifferently.

"Alright, I understand. Go out and tell them that we will have a dedicated explanation for them in a while. Tell them to stay calm."

"Yes!"

The man respectfully turned and left.

The meeting room became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

At this moment, everyone's eyes fell on Zhao Rubing.

Bureau Chief Zeng had an even more playful expression on his face.

But this time, he chose not to speak up.

Because...

...he didn't need to. Liang Guodong was already looking at Zhao Rubing with a slightly serious expression.

"Director Zhao, regarding the matter outside, how do you think it should be handled?"

"Let them wait!"

Zhao Rubing's tone wasn't flustered at all, and she didn't even move her eyes from the screen.