"You are far too polite. Maintaining market regulation and protecting consumer rights is our duty. This is my business card; it has my number and contact information on it. You can add me, and if anything happens, you can contact me directly. I will make sure it is handled properly for you."
Yang Ning's actions made Jiang Cheng even more certain of his inner thoughts.
Seeing this, the Middle-aged Woman nearby immediately protested, "They didn't even buy our flowers, so how are they consumers? Besides, my business is based on mutual consent; how could there be any forced buying or selling? And what do you mean by price gouging? Don't just believe whatever you hear and wrong a good person!"
The staff ignored her sophistry, started recording with a phone, and then asked, "Please cooperate with the investigation. These are the flowers you are selling, right? How much for one?"
Seeing several people questioning her seriously, the Middle-aged Woman completely lost her previous arrogant demeanor and stammered, "These flowers... they don't have a fixed price. It depends entirely on the customer's wishes."
As soon as she spoke, the surrounding crowd erupted.
"Lies! Comrade, fifty yuan for one fake flower!"
"Exactly, we've all been scammed! This woman even had that Little Girl force people to buy them—three flowers for a hundred and fifty yuan!"
"Yes, yes, yes! We still have the payment records. Refund! Refund!"
...That Middle-aged Woman originally came from a common background, and her original intention for selling flowers was indeed to supplement her family's income.
However, after getting a taste of the profits, her intentions began to change, evolving into what they were now.
Over the past few years, because of the Little Girl selling flowers, her family's conditions had begun to improve.
She could even afford to buy luxury goods once or twice a month now.
To the point where her values had started to become distorted.
Seeing everyone shouting for refunds, the Middle-aged Woman said toughly, "You bought them voluntarily, so what's there to refund? I didn't force you. Whining over a few flowers... if you have the ability to get a girlfriend, you should be able to afford flowers. A bunch of paupers."
Her words further incited everyone's hatred.
"What did you say? If it weren't for us paying, where would your money come from?"
"If you're so rich, why are you out here selling flowers??"
"You are deceiving consumers! Comrade, that Little Girl isn't even an adult yet. Is this suspected child labor??"
...The crowd began to demand justice for themselves, one voice after another.
"This is my own child, out selling flowers to help with family expenses. What child labor? Don't talk nonsense."
Several staff members took the fake flowers from the Little Girl's hand to inspect them, and their expressions immediately changed.
The cost price of these fake flowers was obviously extremely low; they were very cheap products.
"Please show us the purchase price of these goods."
The Middle-aged Woman's eyes darted around before she shook her head. "I just bought them randomly on the side of the road."
Her panicked expression made it obvious she was lying.
The staff from the Market Supervision Bureau spoke again: "We can find out the purchase price just by asking at a nearby market. If the price difference exceeds 25%, our department will determine responsibility by comprehensively considering your business situation, the subjective malice of the operation, or the degree of harm to consumers. If you do not cooperate with the investigation, it is illegal. Do you understand?"
After speaking, the other staff members began to collect investigative data and contact information from the surrounding crowd.
"How is it illegal? What right do you have to question me? What does it have to do with you? I haven't broken the law. How is selling flowers illegal? Don't block me, we're leaving."
Seeing her flowers and payment QR code being forcibly confiscated by the Market Supervision Bureau, the Middle-aged Woman pointed angrily at Jiang Cheng and said, "What exactly do you want? Are you a psycho? You didn't even buy flowers, what right do you have to interfere? I'm going to call the police! A group of people bullying a common citizen!"
Meanwhile, the Little Girl beside her finally knew fear, her previous savage and bratty behavior completely gone.
She ran to Jiang Cheng, crying and acting pitiful: "Big Brother, Big Sister, we won't do it again. I'll give you all the flowers for free. Please let my mommy go."
Jiang Cheng smiled upon hearing this, then said to Yang Ning, "This mother and daughter are clearly repeat offenders. I hope the Market Supervision Bureau pays a bit more attention to them."
"Yes, yes, I understand. I will strengthen management in the surrounding area and strive to prevent such incidents from happening again."
The Middle-aged Woman finally realized the severity of the situation. She backed down and pleaded with Jiang Cheng, "Handsome Guy, Handsome Guy, please be merciful and let us go, okay? We won't dare do it again next time."
Jiang Cheng stared straight at her and shook his head: "I said it before—I will have people watch you to ensure you can't sell a single flower. If you don't believe me, try me."
Hearing Jiang Cheng's threat, the Middle-aged Woman's mouth hung open, unable to say a word.
She turned her head toward the people from the Market Supervision Bureau and pleaded for help, "Comrade, you heard that, right? He's threatening me! I want to call the police!"
Jiang Cheng laughed at that. "Don't worry, the police will be here soon."
Seeing Jiang Cheng's completely unfazed attitude, the Middle-aged Woman panicked instantly.
She tried to pull her daughter away again, but the Market Supervision staff wouldn't let her leave.
Facing the warnings from the Market Supervision Bureau staff, she not only failed to cooperate but instead started pushing and shoving, constantly threatening, "Go away! Don't touch us!"
The Market Supervision Bureau staff maintained a high degree of restraint, responding in a firm but polite tone, "Please cooperate. I am warning you one more time: do not get physical. Otherwise, you will be handed over to the judicial authorities for processing."