This wasn’t really a big deal. Jiang Weide had connections, so leasing a cold storage was understandable.

However, doing business is about harmony and making money, but ever since Jiang Weide took over that cold storage, he used special means to force several nearby cold storages to shut down hastily.

In the business world, deception is neither right nor wrong, and Huo Sining couldn’t rashly judge or blame Jiang Weide’s actions. Yet after all his small maneuvers, his cold storage was the only one left on the wharf, essentially monopolizing the docks around Min City and Fucheng. The entire fish market depended on Jiang Weide’s cold storage to survive.

Close to the wharf is the largest fish market. Regardless of size, fishing boats returning ashore need a nearby cold storage to store their fresh catch, which they’d then sell at a high price during the fishing off-season.

Only some perishables like crabs, sardines, and pomfrets, which are hard to store, are directly processed and sold at the fish market near the wharf.

Owing to this, Jiang Weide’s cold storage became the only choice for fishermen, who had no choice but to store their catch there.

But after eliminating the nearby cold storages, Jiang’s facility had no rivals, and he began to act recklessly. The rental price of the storage rose continuously, and to save on electricity, Jiang Weide pulled a trick by weakening the cold storage’s refrigeration. There were even unexplained power outages, ruining the fish stored there and causing a significant financial loss. Yet due to Jiang Weide’s status, the fishermen dared not offend him, swallowing the bitter pill in silence.

"This person is really something else, clearly it’s his fault for not providing enough refrigeration, but he turned around and placed the blame on the fishermen, claiming their seafood was like that when stored!"

Even Wu Jun couldn’t help but turn livid with anger, despite never meeting Jiang Weide. He already looked down on him so much that if they met on the street, Wu Jun might very well charge at him and give him a good beating.

Huo Sining scoffed, "So what? Jiang Weide is the son-in-law of a top city official. Those fishermen are powerless; how could they fight him? Jiang Weide has both money and connections. With his current status, those fishermen can only suffer in silence."

Yue Shuwen, who has an aversion to injustice, was incensed at hearing Huo Sining’s words:

"Does it just end like this? Even I, as an outsider, can’t stand seeing this person bully simple fishermen and landlords. Let alone those directly affected. How can we let such a person get away so easily? Let’s abduct this Jiang fellow and teach him a lesson!"

Huo Sining glanced at Yue Shuwen with a hint of a smile, "Since when do you believe in violence? We should use our brains to solve problems, not act recklessly. Just giving him a beating won’t solve his problem. People like him need to be taken down at their weakest point so they can’t come back, instead of hiding out and returning with a new façade."

Yue Shuwen instinctively glanced at Wu Jun, awkwardly rubbing her nose, but soon her curiosity got the better of her, and she asked Huo Sining:

"If we can’t beat him up, then what should we do?"

Huo Sining chuckled, "I have my own brilliant plan, just wait and see."

Saying this, she turned to Wu Jun:

"These next few days, I need you to investigate this cold storage, gather its address and layout for me, I need them."

Wu Jun nodded, not uttering a single unnecessary word, while Yue Shuwen curiously looked at Huo Sining:

"Are you planning to start with that cold storage? Although it appears to have monopolized the Fucheng fish market wharf, that’s not Jiang’s mainstay. Right now, all his money is invested in the municipal subway project. Once the plans go through, he’ll likely move into real estate. So destroying his cold storage won’t matter."

Huo Sining laughed, eyes gleaming with intrigue, "Really? Then I’ll break this inflection point, make him regret investing in that cold storage, and make him spit out every last cent he swallowed!"

That evening, the three settled in a hotel in Fucheng, avoiding Zhang Chao’s father’s hospital. The next morning, after breakfast, Wu Jun set out to tackle the tasks assigned by Huo Sining, while she and Yue Shuwen headed to the central hospital to see the promising little chap praised by Liu Cheng.

At the central hospital, they found Liu Cheng waiting downstairs. Once out of the car, Huo Sining spotted a flushed, excited young boy standing beside Liu Cheng and immediately realized this was the Zhang Chao who had called her before.

Huo Sining’s gaze swept over the young boy, nodding silently, and turned to Liu Cheng, "This must be Super Zhang?"

Liu Cheng nodded, pulling Zhang Chao closer and saying, "Xiao Chao, this is Miss Huo Sining I’ve been telling you about."

A hint of shyness and sheepishness flickered in Zhang Chao’s eyes, but he quickly regained his composure, looking at Huo Sining with admiration, "Hello, Miss Huo, I am Super Zhang. You can call me Xiao Zhang or Xiao Chao. I’ve watched your magic shows and your treasure appraisal programs on TV. I... I’m a fan of yours!"

Not feeling much like an idol, Huo Sining glanced at Zhang Chao and dismissively waved, "Forget about idol and goddess talk, just ask Liu Cheng. He used to send me private messages on Weibo daily, calling me his goddess. But later, he realized that idols are meant to disillusion you. Now, you can ask him if he still considers me his goddess. He’s probably regretted boarding my ship now."

Despite the jest and playful banter from Huo Sining’s bright eyes, Zhang Chao was meeting such a renowned figure for the first time, so he was understandably cautious. However, he hadn’t expected Huo Sining to be so approachable, absent of the cold demeanor he’d imagined. His initial nervousness instantly eased, and he couldn’t help but laugh along with everyone else.