Return to 88: Starting from Marrying My Sister-in-law

"Police! Don't move!"

"Who let you in?! Do you know who I am?"

Zhang Shangyi, wrapped in a loose bathrobe, stood frozen in the center of the living room. The lewd smile on his fat face had not yet faded, but was now twisted with shock and rage.

Two police officers swiftly twisted his arms behind his back, causing his bathrobe to come undone, revealing his bloated, pale belly.

"Help! He took off my clothes, he raped me!" A piercing scream rang out from the direction of the bathroom.

The stand-in woman wrapped herself tightly in her beige trench coat with the torn collar, stumbled towards the police, her black top hat askew, revealing her messy sideburns.

Her trembling fingers gripped the inside of her trench coat tightly, where the red indicator light of a miniature voice recorder was faintly visible beneath the fabric.

"Officer, I'm the deputy manager of Mingzhu Electrical Appliances. This is our upstream distributor, Mr. Zhang. Because I was threatened to stop supplying goods, Mr. Zhang asked me to come see him, sob sob sob. He took money... and forced me... saying that if I didn't comply, he would make Mingzhu Electrical Appliances go bankrupt!" Tears mixed with the acting of fear surged down her face, and she pointed perfectly to the black leather suitcase in the corner of the room.

"Bullshit! She's lying. The person I wanted to see was her boss, not her. I didn't. I didn't touch her. It was all her own initiative, you bitch, you dare to scheme against me, huh—"

Zhang Shangyi roared with bloodshot eyes and spittle flying, but his wrists were locked by handcuffs with a click.

He let out a piercing scream from the pain.

"Be honest, you've been caught red-handed, and you still dare to deny it?"

"take away!"

Several police officers quickly separated and picked up the black leather suitcase in the corner of the room.

And seeing a "victim" like him, dressed in a bathrobe, shirtless, and disheveled, it was hard to keep a straight face. The young police officer sneered, picked up the briefcase and weighed it in his hand: "Fifty thousand dollars in cash to frame you? You think you're someone important, but you dare to do it but not admit it. Think before you make up stories!"

The other person took the recorder from the stand-in and pressed the play button.

Zhang Shangyi's sticky, vicious threats: "Go, go inside and wash yourself," "Take it off yourself." "No, you're not that stinking bitch Yin Mingzhu. Never mind, the effects of my little blue pill are kicking in, I'll just do you first." "What are you crying for? Get up and go wash yourself, then call your boss up. I haven't had enough yet, hehehehehe." These words played on a loop in the luxurious suite, crushing his last shred of dignity.

"Lianxiang will not let you get away with this! I know it was you, it must be you! Yin Mingzhu, you schemed against me, you will die a horrible death! I will haunt you even as a ghost! I need to find a lawyer! Waaaaah, please, officers, let me go! I don't want to go to jail!" As he was dragged out of the room, Zhang Shangyi's curses turned into desperate sobs.

The double, acting as a key witness, was carefully escorted to another police car, and the combination lock box and voice recorder were placed in an evidence bag and sealed.

The police car sped away from the hotel, leaving behind only a mess and a wide-open, shameful door.

As Yin Mingzhu watched the police car drive away in the underground parking lot, a crack appeared on her usually icy calm.

I couldn't calm down for a long time.

Just now, she learned that in order to solidify the rape charge against the other party, the "stand-in" who went upstairs in her place had actually had sex with him in such a short time.

Both are women.

At that moment, she suddenly felt nauseous.

"Tell me, did I make a mistake? I should have had a better way to deal with this Mr. Zhang. We all knew that Mr. Zhang was on drugs, and that whoever replaced me to go upstairs would be in danger, but we still made the decision without hesitation."

Secretary Yu Li, sitting in the passenger seat, explained softly, "Mr. Yin, this has nothing to do with you. You've done a very good job, and we've already paid you. Actually, before going upstairs, I asked her (the body double) about this, and she said it was fine, just like being bitten by a dog. Mr. Yin, not every woman cares so much about chastity, especially for people in their industry."

"okay."

Yin Mingzhu stopped her from continuing.

We're all women, there's no need to make another woman's profession sound so unpleasant. Just understand what's going on in your heart.

“I’ve figured it out. You’re right, it was her own choice.”

Yin Mingzhu said, "I didn't force her, but I promised her her conditions. Give the order that from now on, the company will pay her a store manager's salary every month."

She's a woman who accomplishes great things, and just now, for a fleeting moment, I felt a slight sense of empathy and pity as a fellow woman.

But she no longer has time to think about these things.

Mingzhu Electrical Appliances Store was established with the support of Lianxiang. Therefore, the most prominent and best-selling products in the store are always a series of products from Lianxiang. They are not only affordable and guaranteed to be genuine, but also relatively cheaper than similar stores.

After all, it's an exclusive product and the regional general agent is a fact.

However, this also resulted in Mingzhu Electrical Appliances stores being particularly dependent on Lianxiang.

Just like what Mr. Zhang upstairs threatened on the phone before, once Lianxiang stops supplying goods to Mingzhu Electrical Appliances Store, no matter what the reason, the only outcome for Mingzhu Electrical Appliances Store will be closure.

This was unacceptable to Yin Mingzhu, who had long ago sworn never to entrust her fate to others.

I want to break this fate.

There is only one way: to make "Mingzhu Electric Appliances Co., Ltd." bigger and stronger, and to open its chain stores all over Hunan Province.

Ideally, we should also take over Star City, which is right beneath our feet.

If she succeeds, then in the future it will no longer be that she, Yin Mingzhu, needs Lianxiang and cannot live without it; instead, it will be that Lianxiang cannot live without her. The roles of client and service provider will be reversed, and at that time, she will completely control her own destiny.

In the dead of night in Beijing, the top floor of the Lianxiang Group headquarters building was brightly lit, creating a stark contrast with the silent night outside the window.

The air was so heavy it seemed you could wring water out of it. On the huge conference table, several high-resolution photos were displayed on the projection screen.

Zhang Shangyi, wearing a bathrobe, stood at the door of room 1808 of the Xingcheng International Hotel, his face showing undisguised greed and smugness, reaching out to take the heavy black briefcase.

From the small player next to him, an edited but still nauseating audio clip was playing on repeat: "...I want her in person! Make her get up here right now! ...Wash yourself clean and come in to wait..."

"Clap!"

A fine Jingdezhen porcelain cup was slammed to the ground, shards flying everywhere, and scalding tea seeped into the carpet, leaving dark stains.

In the main seat, Old Liu's face was ashen, his chest heaving violently, and his eyes burned with unprecedented anger and shame.

He glanced around at all the high-ranking officials present, and everyone who met his gaze instinctively lowered their heads.

"A humiliating disgrace!!" Old Liu's voice was hoarse but full of power, each word like an ice pick hitting everyone's heart. "Zhang Shangyi, that scoundrel! He didn't just disgrace himself, he disgraced the entire Lianxiang! He destroyed the brand reputation we've worked so hard to build!"

He slammed his hand on the table, causing the documents on it to jump up: "Immediately! Right now! Freeze all of Zhang Shangyi's internal permissions, including financial, personnel, and channel authorizations. Dismiss him and never rehire him. Send a formal letter to the relevant parties in Xingcheng, Hunan Province: Lianxiang Group firmly supports and cooperates with law enforcement agencies in their investigation. We will never tolerate or protect any behavior that violates the law or our company values!"

The meeting room was deathly silent, except for Old Liu's heavy breathing.

After a brief pause, his eyes sharpened like knives as he issued his second order: "To salvage our reputation and thoroughly rectify the Hunan market, headquarters shall immediately establish a temporary investigation team, led by Li Minghao, Director of the Group's Supervision Department, with members including legal, marketing, and core channel personnel. They shall take the next available flight to Changsha and take full control of all of Zhang Shangyi's work, thoroughly investigating all channel cooperation and sales activities in Hunan Province!"

"at the same time."

Old Liu's gaze swept over everyone, his tone icy and unquestionable.

"To ensure the independence and seriousness of the investigation and to avoid possible interference and collusion, effective immediately, we will suspend the supply of goods to all distributor stores in Hunan Province that have not signed a new annual framework agreement directly with headquarters. We will launch the strictest channel compliance review. Until all issues are investigated and rectified, all new product distribution and major promotional activities in the Hunan market will be suspended!"

This "compliance review" order is like a double-edged sword, gleaming with cold light.

On the surface, it was a radical overhaul, aimed at rectifying internal corruption within Lianxiang and protecting Lianxiang's reputation.

But it is clear to everyone present that this "nuclear weapon" of suspending supply is primarily aimed at Mingzhu Electric Appliances Co., Ltd., which played a key role in the downfall of Zhang Shangyi and is currently expanding its stores in Hunan Province.

It seems that Lao Liu is regretting his decision to support his biggest competitor's sister-in-law.

This woman is indeed not so easy to manipulate. Old Liu attempted to force Mingzhu Co., Ltd. to downplay the matter to avoid damaging the company's reputation due to Zhang Shangyi's personal behavior. At the same time, he also included a warning to Yin Mingzhu: if she did not obey and dared to break the rules again, then Mingzhu Electric Appliance Co., Ltd. would have no reason to exist.

If Lianxiang can support a small local electrical appliance chain, then after killing it, it can support a second one in the same way.

But will everything really go as he wishes?

The newly built flagship store of "Mingzhu Electrical Appliances" on Xiangjiang Middle Road in Changsha is brightly lit.

The huge glass curtain wall reflects the hustle and bustle of the city and the crowds inside the store. The ribbons from the opening ceremony have not yet been completely cleaned up, and the air still carries the scent of champagne and flowers.

Yin Mingzhu stood on the observation deck on the third floor, looking down at the prominent Lianxiang brand zone in the center of the lobby on the first floor, where people were bustling about and sales were booming.

Her face showed no victor's pride, only a deep, calm composure.

Following Zhang Shangyi's recent arrest for bribery and rape, several of Lianxiang's directly operated stores in Changsha have been forced to close and undergo financial audits.

She quickly seized the opportunity and swiftly opened the company's first large-scale chain home appliance store in Xingcheng.

She just didn't expect that Lianxiang would react so quickly; a new working group from Lianxiang headquarters had already moved into the branch office here three days ago.

"Mr. Yin, the phone rang at headquarters. It's Mr. Liu calling personally."

Secretary Yu Li strode closer, holding a vibrating satellite phone in her hand, her voice low and her expression serious.

Yin Mingzhu's eyes flickered slightly, a hint of expected coldness flashing across them.

She didn't say anything, but simply reached out and took the phone, then turned and walked towards the quieter floor-to-ceiling window.

Outside the window, in the direction of the Star City International Hotel, the very location where Zhang Shangyi's doomsday took place, now appears particularly glaring in the sunlight.

"Hello, President Liu." Yin Mingzhu's voice was as calm as a deep pool without any ripples, without the slightest hint of panic or flattery.

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone before Old Liu's deep voice, filled with suppressed anger, came through. He got straight to the point, without any pleasantries: "President Yin, impressive."

Every word was as if it had been tempered with ice.

"Lianxiang acknowledges Zhang Shangyi's wrongdoing; he brought it upon himself, and the group will not tolerate it. But this matter ends here."

Yin Mingzhu gave a soft "Oh?"

The last syllable rose slightly, carrying a perfectly appropriate, distant sense of doubt.

"What does Mr. Liu mean?"

"The United Association's handling of Zhang Shangyi is an explanation to the public, the victims, and its partners."

"But the impact of this matter must be kept to a minimum."

Old Liu's tone carried an unquestionable command as he spoke over the phone to Yin Mingzhu.

"Lianxiang's reputation cannot withstand the sensationalization of such a scandal. As a directly related party, Mingzhu Electric hopes you can consider the overall situation, cooperate with the group, and handle this discreetly. Especially those so-called 'details,' such as the recordings and the victims... Let them disappear if they can, and shut up if you can."

He paused, his voice suddenly becoming colder and harder, the threat obvious: "President Yin, you must understand, Lianxiang can elevate you to this position, and it can also make this position disappear in an instant."

The Hunan market is huge, and Mingzhu Electric Appliances will not be the only option.

You broke the rules and used inappropriate methods. The group can tolerate it once, but it will never tolerate it a second time.

If there's a next time, or if you don't cooperate this time..."

He didn't say it explicitly, but that cold pause was more lethal than any words: Mingzhu Electric Appliances would lose all of Lianxiang's supply authorizations and be ruined overnight.

The glass clearly reflected Yin Mingzhu's expression at that moment.

She showed no anger or fear at being threatened; instead, a faint, cold smile curved her lips.

She looked down at the bustling customers below, and at the Lianxiang counter occupying the central position, her voice remaining calm.

"I understand what President Liu means."

She paused slightly, her gaze sweeping over the huge "Mingzhu Electric Appliances" logo in the store downstairs and the equally prominent words "Lianxiang Core Strategic Partner" below it.

“However,” her tone suddenly changed, becoming clear and sharp, “I would also like to ask you, Mr. Liu, to understand one thing: in the entire Hunan Province, from Hengzhou, Yongcheng, Baoqing, to Loushi, Tancheng, Zhushi, and now to Xingcheng where I am standing, the largest and only electrical appliance chain store that can cover the entire province and has a complete distribution and service system is our Mingzhu Electrical Appliances.”

"I do not agree with your threat."

Her voice wasn't loud, but every word struck Lao Liu's taut nerves like a hammer: "If... I mean if, due to some 'misunderstanding,' the headquarters of Lianxiang insists on cutting off the supply to my Mingzhu Electric Appliances, or takes other actions that threaten the normal operation of my company, then, in order to protect myself, I may regretfully have to hold an emergency press conference."

"The content of the press conference..." Yin Mingzhu's voice suddenly carried a hint of cold, piercing sarcasm.

"Besides explaining to the public in detail the causes and consequences of the Zhang Shangyi incident, including how he used his position to coerce female business partners and how he accepted huge bribes, and the possible...knowing attitude of certain senior executives at Lianxiang regarding this matter?"

More importantly, we will also announce that all stores under Mingzhu Electrical Appliances will immediately remove all products from the Lianxiang Company brand and all product lines.

“Please speak.” Yin Mingzhu’s voice softened, but it was even more chilling than her previous threat. “When this news gets out, when millions of consumers in Hunan Province suddenly find that the Lianxiang products they trust have disappeared from the largest local stores… when the media begins to dig deep into the reasons behind this, linking Zhang Shangyi’s scandal with Lianxiang’s domineering suppression of downstream channels… what awaits Lianxiang?”

Is it merely a temporary loss of the Hunan province market?

"Stock market volatility?"

"The collapse of consumer trust in the Lianxiang brand nationwide?"

"President Liu, you are the one in charge. You know better than anyone that the consequences of this cannot be covered up by a single 'compliance review,' right?"

Take a deep breath.

Yin Mingzhu: "Finally, I would like to say one more thing: please do not doubt a woman's determination after being persecuted in the workplace. I mean what I say."

There was a deathly silence on the other end of the phone; not even a breath could be heard.

Only an extreme silence was spreading.

Yin Mingzhu waited patiently, her fingertips gently tapping the cold glass, until the increasingly heavy breathing from the other side reached her ears.

"Wow. What an unexpected remark. It's deafening. I underestimated you, Mr. Lu's sister-in-law."

"Mr. Liu, your words are insulting."

"Alright, I admit I misjudged you. I shouldn't have tried to disgust President Lu to help you out in the first place. Now it seems I didn't manage to disgust that young President Lu at all; instead, I disgusted myself instead."

"President Liu, you..."

"I told you not to speak yet. Did you think you had done something flawless and that your little tricks could fool me?"

"Zhang Shangyi deserves to die, but his mistake was being controlled by his cerebellum. However, his judgment of your wolfish ambitions was not wrong."

"Mr. Liu."

Yin Mingzhu took a deep breath and uttered a sharp question from her small mouth: "Do you really want to fight to the death?"

"No, you win. The Hunan province market is yours now. Lianxiang will completely withdraw its directly operated stores from Hunan, including the provincial capital, Changsha. Now I just want to see how far you, a woman, can go. I'm looking forward to it. I hope you won't disappoint me. Next, just like you dealt with Lianxiang, Little Prodigy and Little Genius—their directly operated stores far exceed ours in Hunan province." (End of Chapter)