Chapter 111: Taking the Initiative

From a distance, Xiaocheng understood at a glance what Qiu Zeyan intended to do.

Clearly, Qiu Hui had been beaten, while Xiaocheng remained unscathed after winning the math olympiad championship. This disparity gnawed at Qiu Zeyan’s pride, making him deeply resentful. So he called in his friends from the law enforcement bureau to come here and make things difficult for Xiaocheng’s grandmother.

After calming down, Xiaocheng glanced once more and immediately knew Qiu Zeyan was doomed.

He was actually dressed in the uniform of the Urban Management Enforcement Bureau! Normally, throwing himself into trouble like this would be reckless enough, but not only was Qiu Zeyan courting disaster, he had already prepared his own shroud.

The night market in this county town was originally an informal gathering of vendors. Although technically it involved occupying the street, it invigorated the local economy and provided convenience to nearby residents. As a result, the authorities tacitly tolerated its existence. Over time, it had become a distinctive feature of Hongxing County. When people in the city talked about the Hongxing Night Market, everyone knew about it. Many would even drive over specifically to stroll through, sample special snacks, and pick up inexpensive yet practical goods. It had become a popular weekend pastime. To accommodate this, the county extended the last bus from the city to nine o’clock at night.

Lacking any pillar industries, the county couldn’t underestimate the foot traffic the night market brought. The local government was even planning to demolish nearby shantytowns and build a clothing center to house all the vendors inside a building. The street itself would be remodeled into a dedicated food street. No matter the plans, for now, maintaining the night market’s vitality was paramount. So despite the occasional mess and disorder, the little county town was lenient, often turning a blind eye and never sending urban management officers to disperse the vendors.

The vendors, like sheep who had never seen wolves, were stunned when they saw the enforcement vehicle arrive. A skinny young man got out, looking around cautiously until he spotted the elderly lady selling candied hawthorns. Only then did he get back into the vehicle and whisper something. Soon after, three men stepped out.

Xiaocheng followed behind, acting casual but secretly opening his phone to record Qiu Zeyan.

“Grandma, you must stop selling. We’re from the City Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau. We’ve received a report that your candied hawthorns contain illegal food additives which may cause cancer with long-term consumption. Pack up your things and come with us.”

Mentioning cancer terrified the crowd ready to buy. They pulled out their money only to put it back. Nowadays, even eating candied hawthorns could cause cancer? What was safe to eat anymore? The worst part was those who had just taken a bite spat it all onto the ground.

But Grandma Wen was a seasoned woman. Hearing the accusations, she furrowed her brow and snapped, “You must speak responsibly! I cook my sugar right in front of everyone, and the candied hawthorns are dipped on the spot. Everyone sees clearly what goes in. Where’s your proof that my candied hawthorns cause cancer?”

Her reasoned rebuttal calmed the crowd. Though they no longer dared to buy, at least they didn’t toss away their treats like before.

Qiu Zeyan sneered coldly. “Who knows what kind of chemical sugar you’re using? Otherwise, how come your candied hawthorns don’t melt in this scorching summer?”

His words stirred the crowd again. It was true—selling candied hawthorns in summer was rare precisely because the sugar melted easily.

Grandma Wen’s candied hawthorns were different. Others would dip the fruit, then chop it on a cool board so the sugar hardened. But her technique was unique: she dripped hot syrup in layers into an iron bucket, stirring the red fruit as the syrup flowed. Then, using bamboo skewers, she twisted the semi-melted sugar so it formed fine threads like spun-sugar sweet potatoes—soft, sweet, and delicate in the mouth. No one else had this skill, which explained why Grandma Wen’s business thrived.

“That’s because I add rock sugar and control the heat just right while cooking! It’s a crime if my candied hawthorns melt!” Though she was usually composed, being falsely accused enraged her. Holding onto her tricycle’s handlebar, she trembled with anger.

“Don’t make excuses! Whether your syrup is poisonous or not, a test will tell! Scoundrels like you should be shot on sight! If you weren’t an old lady, I’d have slapped you already! Old Chen, load up her stuff!”

“Old Chen,” standing behind him, was a stocky man named Chen Jianzhuo. He was short with a thick waist and round face. Hearing Qiu Zeyan’s order, he reached to grab the cutting board. Grandma Wen tried to block him, but Qiu Zeyan shoved her away.

“Step aside! Don’t obstruct law enforcement, understand?”

Such violent enforcement, especially against an old lady, would normally provoke public outrage. But Qiu Zeyan was cunning—he slandered her as a heartless food merchant first. Once labeled a villain, the crowd ignored her plight, watching coldly. Only a few neighboring vendors, who knew Grandma Wen’s character, felt uneasy but lacked the courage to confront the urban management officers.

Xiaocheng was in the crowd, holding back, waiting for Qiu Zeyan to make a move. He didn’t care about Chen Jianzhuo grabbing things, but if Qiu Zeyan pushed his grandmother, he wouldn’t stand for it. As Qiu Zeyan bent over, grabbing at the board, everyone’s attention was on Grandma Wen. Xiaocheng quickly grabbed Qiu Zeyan’s ankle and pulled diagonally. The boy lost his balance and tumbled to the ground.

But Xiaocheng wasn’t about to let him fall and be done with it. As Qiu Zeyan went down, Xiaocheng hooked the sugar bucket used for dipping candied hawthorns with his foot. Then, using his knee from behind, he shoved the boy again. Qiu Zeyan’s head plunged right into the bucket!

The syrup for candied hawthorns was cooked at seventy or eighty degrees. The syrup in the bucket had cooled somewhat but was still semi-liquid and at least sixty degrees Celsius. The hot syrup splashed over him, and he screamed in pain, rolling on the ground. The bucket rolled along with his head. When he finally stood up and removed the bucket, the hot syrup still dripped down his neck.

Sixty-degree water alone is scalding; sticky syrup burning on the skin was unbearable. Qiu Zeyan’s eyes squeezed shut as he frantically wiped his face, hopping around while cursing, his mouth tasting sickly sweet.

Xiaocheng didn’t give him a moment to recover. As soon as Qiu Zeyan tried to get up, Xiaocheng kicked him down again, kneeled on him, and grabbed both his hands behind his back in a perfect capture hold. If handcuffs had clicked on now, it would have been complete.

“Don’t move!”

The move was so swift, the crowd barely comprehended what had happened. Xiaocheng straddling Qiu Zeyan turned to them.

“Don’t just stand there—call the police! I just phoned the Urban Management Bureau. They never sent anyone to enforce the law here tonight! And I know this guy—he’s not an officer! He’s a fraud. Call the police!”

Inside Xiaocheng’s mind, Wen Xiaodao chuckled, “That’s right. Instead of beating him up and letting him report us, it’s better to strike first! Impersonating an officer—that charge alone will teach this brat a lesson!”

——————

The reason Xiaocheng’s grandmother sells candied hawthorns instead of something like spicy hot pot is because of that special syrup bucket used for the spun sugar technique.

As for updates, there may be changes in the next few days. Currently, there are two updates a day. Soon, there might be PK battles, so three updates a day could happen at any time. Don’t be alarmed if that suddenly happens.