Chapter 161: Maliciously Reported

The two walked side by side to the reception area.

The Discipline Inspection Committee comrade was very direct, offered no small talk, and went straight to the point.

"Comrade Jiang Ran, Comrade Su Ruan, we have received a Real-name Report indicating that, in the process of obtaining Demolition Compensation for your Chongsu Clothing Store in West City, there may be issues of using familial ties to obtain internal information in advance and engaging in improper operations."

"At the same time, the report also questions whether, being listed as a key support target of the Incubation Park, you have any profit transfers or other violations. Please state the relevant circumstances truthfully."

The tone was bureaucratic, carrying an intangible pressure.

Jiang Ran and Su Ruan exchanged a glance, each seeing calm in the other's eyes. They had been prepared.

Su Ruan spoke first, her voice clear and steady: "Comrades, regarding the Demolition Compensation, we have retained all purchase contracts, transaction vouchers, bank statements, and all documents related to the disbursement of the compensation in full, and they are ready for inspection at any time."

"We bought those three properties long before any rumors of demolition arose, purely based on personal judgment and commercial considerations."

"The alleged use of familial ties to obtain internal information is baseless. My father, Comrade Jiang Jianguo, works at a machinery factory and has no connection to the Chengxi Pianqu redevelopment planning; this can be investigated by the organization."

Her tone was composed and orderly.

Jiang Ran added, his tone bearing a candid firmness: "As for the Incubation Park, we learned of it through official channels, proactively contacted the Planning Office, and based on our design capability, business model, market reputation, and clear development plan, after multiple on‑site inspections and strict evaluations by the Planning Office comrades, we were selected as a cultivation target."

"The entire process was open and transparent, and we have retained all communication records."

"If our being local spouses and my father's reputation lead to doubts about the project's fairness, isn't that unfair to all local entrepreneurs who compete for opportunities on merit?"

He paused, looking straight at the two Discipline Inspection Committee comrades: "We welcome any fact‑based investigation. We also trust that the organization will give us a fair conclusion."

"Chongsu is the fruit of our joint effort; we cherish its feather more than anyone and will never do anything to sabotage it."

Their answers were neither servile nor arrogant, logical and well‑founded, and the evidence they provided was clear and verifiable.

The Discipline Inspection Committee comrade recorded carefully, his complexion easing slightly.

"We will verify the circumstances you have provided," one comrade said, closing his notebook. "Additionally, the report mentions your cooperation with a Guangzhou enterprise involving large sums of money; is there any suspicion of asset transfer or money laundering?"

Su Ruan sneered inwardly, thinking this was an unfounded accusation.

She replied calmly: "Our cooperation with Guangzhou Qiwen Textile is a commercial venture based on complementary strengths."

"All collaborations are covered by formal contracts, the funds flow entirely through the company's public account, taxes are paid according to law, and every transaction is documented."

"The cooperation mainly involves design licensing and joint production and sales, which falls within normal commercial cooperation."

"We can also provide the relevant contracts, invoices, and bank records."

The questioning lasted nearly an hour; the Discipline Inspection Committee comrade's questions were sharp, and Su Ruan and Jiang Ran responded calmly.

Finally, the two comrades stood up: "Thank you for your cooperation. We will check each of the situations you described. During the investigation, please keep communications open and cooperate with our work."

After the Discipline Inspection Committee left, the shop was quiet to a suffocating degree.

Douzi, Yaya, and Wang Shifu all looked at Su Ruan and Jiang Ran with worry.

Jiang Ran shook his somewhat stiff shoulders, forced a smile, and, though a bit strained, tried to lighten the mood: "What's everyone staring at? Nothing! Clean Ones Remain Clean—let the Discipline Inspection Committee prove our innocence! Let's just get on with what we need to do!"

Even so, his heart felt heavy.

A Real-name Report and Discipline Inspection Committee involvement are nothing like the chaos Su Yaozu could stir.

The forces behind it wield considerable power and harsher tactics, striking directly at their reputation and innocence.

That night, returning home, the atmosphere was also somewhat oppressive.

Jiang Jianguo had already learned the news, his expression gloomy yet unruffled.

"As expected," he said, drawing on his cigarette, "You performed well; your answers were fine."

"What remains is waiting and perseverance." The Discipline Inspection Committee investigation follows procedure; as long as we stay clean, there's nothing to fear.

"During this period, we must act especially cautiously; any sensitive fund transfers or partnership talks should be clearly recorded, preferably with third‑party witnesses."

Su Ruan and Jiang Ran both nodded solemnly.

Li Huijuan, cradling Nian An, who was full and satisfied and playing with his little feet, worried: "Things had just started to look up, why… sigh, someone must be jealous and causing trouble!"

Jiang Jiaojiao and Yan Shen also came over, their anger flaring at the words.

Yan Shen mused: "I've heard some rumors at the Design Institute; lately, people have been privately discussing the Incubation Park project, vague but hinting at something fishy."

"It now seems someone wants to obstruct the project, or at least muddy the waters to strike at benchmarks like Chongsu."

"The more they act like this, the harder we must run our shop!" Jiang Ran clenched his fist. "When the Discipline Inspection Committee's results come out, we'll see how they scramble!"

He said that, but the invisible pressure still loomed over the household.

At night, Su Ruan suffered some insomnia, staring with open eyes at the roof in the darkness.

The Discipline Inspection Committee comrade's sharp gaze and those malicious speculations swirled in her mind.

A warm, rough large hand reached out, grasping her slightly cool hand, the ten fingers interlocked.

"Can't sleep?" Jiang Ran's voice sounded beside her ear, low and steady.

"Hmm." Su Ruan replied softly, curling a bit into his embrace.

Jiang Ran pulled her close, his chin resting on her crown, his voice resonating through his chest with a reassuring vibration: "Don't be afraid, daughter‑in‑law."

"If the sky falls, I'll hold it up. We haven't done anything wrong, what's there to fear? Consider it… tempering."

"Good steel is forged by countless hammerings. After this trial, anyone who tries to slander us will have to think twice."

His embrace was solid and warm, his words simple yet powerful.

Su Ruan closed her eyes, feeling his heartbeat and warmth, and her turbulent thoughts gradually calmed.

Indeed, they had walked this road together, what storms hadn't they endured?

This time, it was just another hurdle they needed to cross together.

"Hmm." She held him tighter, burying her face against his chest, drawing courage and warmth, "We together."

In the days ahead, Su Ruan will devote all her energy to the new series designs, communicating with the Chen Family more efficiently.

After the second batch of co‑branded items arrived, thanks to their solid quality and the reputation built earlier, they sold out quickly again.

Jiang Ran, meanwhile, took store management and customer service to the extreme, arriving earliest and leaving latest each day, ensuring every aspect of the shop was flawless.

They even proactively made the monthly financial statements clearer and more standardized, ready for any eventuality.

The Discipline Inspection Committee's investigation seems to be ongoing, but they have not come directly to them again.

However, the undercurrent has not stopped.

A few days later, Su Ruan received an unexpected call, and it was Shen Man who called.

"Boss Su," Shen Man's tone was a bit hesitant, "there's something… I think I should tell you."