154: Magic defeats magic

After completing the order, Lu Fan set off on his journey back home.

After landing in Hangzhou, he immediately called Xia Yunting.

“Elder Xia, mission accomplished. I've got the goods, and there's a lot of them. Bring your most reliable people personally; I'll wait for you at the company.”

Xia Yunting sensed the seriousness in Lu Fan's tone and didn't dare to delay.

He immediately began assembling his core team and simultaneously called his old squad leader to request the tightest security force.

When Lu Fan's small truck drove into the heavily guarded warehouse, he unloaded everything he had intercepted in the Northeast.

Before long, Jiang Fang and the others arrived after hearing the news. Looking at the wooden crates of various sizes, everyone was jubilant—it was another massive haul.

Soon, all the antiques in this batch were unpacked. Everywhere they looked was a torrent of cultural treasures.

The company's top management was collectively petrified, their pupils shaking, and the sound of gasping for air rose and fell one after another.

“Heavens... oh my god...” A sob-filled cry of astonishment broke the dead silence.

“So many... this is crazy... is the world crazy or am I?”

“The yongle encyclopedia... a thousand volumes? My goodness, Boss, did you go on a wholesale shopping spree?”

“Emperor Huizong of Song... Tang Bohu? Am I seeing things?”

While everyone was buzzing with discussion, Liu Zhicheng cleared his throat and gave orders: “Everyone, move quickly!”

“Jiang Fang, this is for you to handle. Give me an inventory once it's done!”

Lu Fan left the warehouse after dropping those words because the system notification rang in his head.

【Side Quest Issued: Merchants Value Profit but Also Love Their Country. On the 80th anniversary of the anti-fascist victory, please demonstrate a merchant's patriotism.】

After pondering for a moment in his office, Lu Fan already had an idea.

Before him, there was Evan Kail donating an album, and later, three generations of the Marcus family as guardians.

The answer was practically staring him in the face!

Evidence of the Japanese invasion of China—not only did he have it, but it was also extremely detailed.

With a thought, a pile of documents appeared on his desk.

These documents were retrieved from the Japanese secret service agencies and the Tianjin Airport. Zhang Tingshu had already taken the useful parts.

Although the rest had no intelligence value, they were the most powerful evidence of the Japanese invasion.

Compared to photos, these documents, which detailed invasion deployments, were more direct and more conclusive.

Donating these would make completing the mission a piece of cake.

But that wasn't good enough yet~~

He picked up his phone and instructed Jiang Fang on the other end: “Keep the outer packaging and seals properly preserved.

Items that clearly show signs of being looted by the Japanese should be stored separately...”

After giving a series of instructions, he hung up and buried his head in organizing the documents.

About half an hour later, Liu Zhicheng knocked on the office door with a folder and walked in with a solemn expression.

“President Lu~~” His voice carried a deep exhaustion. “I'm here to report the latest progress regarding the aftermath of the AB-goods scam.”

“Uncle Liu.” Lu Fan signaled for him to sit. “What's the situation now?”

Liu Zhicheng opened the folder, his brow furrowed: “The situation... is not optimistic.

Because we compensated everyone promptly, public opinion is in our favor, and relevant regulatory departments have issued announcements under pressure.

They admitted to loopholes and deficiencies in the regulatory process, expressed apologies to society, and stated they would investigate seriously and get to the bottom of it.”

He paused, his tone filled with obvious helplessness and resentment: “But the most crucial party—that factory.

They've vanished into thin air. From the moment the incident broke out until now, they haven't shown their faces, and they can't be traced.

They haven't issued any statements, given any explanations, or shown any intention of taking responsibility.

All investigative leads go completely cold once they reach them.

The current situation is that we seemingly won.

But in reality, seeking compensation and accountability has hit a dead end.

Our losses will likely just end up being forgotten.”

Liu Zhicheng closed the folder and sighed.

Just as the two were sitting in silence, feeling somewhat powerless, there was a knock on the office door.

Before Lu Fan could say 'Come in,' Xia Yunting pushed the door open and rushed in.

“Brother Lu, where are the things! What top-tier goods did you find this time...”

He stopped mid-sentence, keenly sensing the low pressure in the office.

Seeing Lu Fan's slightly furrowed brow and Liu Zhicheng's distressed face, his smile faded.

“Hmm? What's going on? Did something happen? Why the long faces?”

Liu Zhicheng glanced at Lu Fan, who gave a slight nod.

He then briefly recounted the dilemma of the 'AB-goods' scam and the dead end in seeking compensation to Xia Yunting.

As Xia Yunting listened, the relaxed expression on his face gradually disappeared, and his brow furrowed tighter and tighter.

By the end, he slammed his hand on the sofa armrest, furious: “Preposterous! Simply lawless!

Running such a low-life scam, screwing over so many people, and now they want to hide like cowards and dodge it all?

Do they really think no one can touch them?”

After a moment's thought, he gave a certain reply: “Brother Lu, don't worry about this anymore; leave it to me.”

Lu Fan was stunned for a moment and reminded him: “Elder Brother Xia, this group is very slippery. Conventional methods...”

“If conventional methods don't work, then we'll use unconventional ones!” Xia Yunting waved his hand, cutting Lu Fan off.

His face carried the confidence and dominance accumulated from years in the business world and special fields.

“Brother, have you forgotten what I do? Who stands behind Cloud Pavilion?

This matter is no longer a simple commercial fraud.

It has disrupted market order and caused an extremely negative social impact.

Furthermore, it is a blatant challenge to the authority of regulation and the law.

Whether for public interest or personal reasons, I cannot stand by and do nothing.”

He patted his chest: “I will report this directly to higher-level authorities and law enforcement agencies.

I'll put together a detailed report on the entire chain of evidence, their malicious acts, and the potential for a deeper protective umbrella!”

“I refuse to believe that if a supervision order is issued directly from above, applying pressure at every level, they can still hide. Can they still keep playing dead?”

The more Xia Yunting spoke, the angrier he became, while also revealing his extreme regard for and protection of Lu Fan.

“Brother, you've done so much for the country and the nation.

If we let you suffer a loss and feel disheartened over such a filthy matter, what would that say about us?

Don't worry, I'll definitely handle this beautifully for you.

We must drag these vermin out and give you and all the victims a clear explanation.”

Seeing Xia Yunting so indignant and taking everything upon himself, a warm current surged in Lu Fan's heart.

He knew that with Xia Yunting's power and background, since he had said those words...

Then there was truly hope for a complete resolution to this matter.

The AB-goods scam really could only be solved by using 'magic to beat magic.'

“Elder Brother Xia, then thank you so much!” Lu Fan stood up and said sincerely: “Come~~ let me take you to see the items I brought back this time.”