Online Love, Based on the Real Object - Chapter 45

The penalty was handed down even faster than Chu Yunjing had anticipated so fast that they hadn’t even finished rooting out the mole.

When the notice arrived, Chu Yunjing felt the blood drain from her face as she sat in her office. The ruling was the absolute worst-case scenario: Revocation of the business license.

The justification was the heavy metal contamination, which legally made a factory shutdown and license revocation seem “routine.” But Chu Yunjing knew this was a targeted strike. She had consulted experts who told her that for a first-time violation without proven intent, the standard procedure was a warning and a fine, not the death penalty for the company.

This was a calculated move by a competitor to cut off her oxygen right as she stepped into the high-stakes arena of West Joy City. If she accepted this, it would be publicly announced, and the mall’s legal team would likely pounce on her for breach of contract. She was being attacked from both sides.

Qi Ning didn’t even wait for the end of the workday. She requested an immediate half-day leave, grabbed her bag, and rushed toward the VER offices. On the way, she called a lawyer friend.

“Are you busy? I need to know the standard penalty for a quality issue in a factory. Is revoking the license normal?” Qi Ning skipped the pleasantries.

“It depends on the severity,” the lawyer replied. “Under the Product Quality Law, you’re usually ordered to rectify the issue and pay a fine up to three times the value of the products. Revocation is for ‘serious circumstances’ or criminal intent. Why? What happened?”

“My friend’s skincare factory. A random check found lead and mercury in the facial masks. They just revoked her license.” Qi Ning sighed. “But they don’t use those materials. We think a recent batch of temporary workers sabotaged the line.”

The lawyer gasped. “Was every sample contaminated?”

“No, only the masks. And even then, only two out of every three samples.”

“Then the penalty is definitely too heavy,” the friend said firmly. “In this case, it should just be a suspension until the issue is fixed. It sounds like someone is pulling strings to destroy her. I suggest an appeal, but if the opponent has deep pockets or high-level connections, it will be a long, painful process. Let me know if you need me to step in.”

When Qi Ning arrived at the VER building, the atmosphere seemed deceptively normal—the regular staff clearly didn’t know the ship was sinking yet. On the third floor, she ran into He Hao leaving Chu Yunjing’s office. He looked like he had aged five years in three days.

“He Hao,” Qi Ning called out.

“Oh, you’re here.”

“What’s the status?” She pulled him into the quiet stairwell.

“It’s bad,” He Hao shook his head. “We were trying to catch the mole before the results came out, but we’re hitting dead ends. The shipping chain is dead. I tried reaching out to my contacts, but the moment they saw the ruling, they all backed away.”

Qi Ning knocked on the office door. Xu Lu opened it, her eyes red-rimmed.

“Ms. Qi…”

“Do you have a second? Could you go grab us two coffees?” Qi Ning gave her a knowing smile. Xu Lu understood the need for privacy and left immediately.

Inside, Chu Yunjing was on the phone, her voice weary as she discussed legal options. She looked exhausted, but she hadn’t collapsed yet. Qi Ning sat opposite her and waited for her to hang up.

“What’s the plan?”

Chu Yunjing rubbed her temples. “Appeal. But the timeline is uncertain. The best result is getting the license back, but the saboteurs probably planned for an appeal. Even a delay will ruin our Double 11.”

“We have to get this overturned now,” Qi Ning said, her voice dropping the usual playfulness. “I’m staying here with you. I might not be a legal expert, but you shouldn’t have to face this alone.”

Chu Yunjing managed a weak smile. “You aren’t useless. You can still cook noodles, remember?”

Qi Ning blinked, then a face flashed in her mind. She slammed her hand on the desk, making the pens jump.

“Holy crap! Shu Mingjie!” Qi Ning almost fell out of her chair. “How did I forget him? I’ve been keeping that connection for a rainy day! I’m calling him right now!”

She remembered Shu Mingyao mentioning her brother worked at the Bureau of Industry and Commerce and had recently been promoted. That was a direct line. She rushed to the balcony to make the call.

Qi Ning’s call lasted a long time. Xu Lu returned with the coffee, and Chu Yunjing took a sip of the bitter liquid. It didn’t taste bitter at all compared to the situation. She stood up and walked toward the balcony to bring Qi Ning her drink.

The glass door wasn’t fully closed. As she approached, she heard Qi Ning’s voice, strained and urgent.

“I’ll agree to whatever you want, as long as this gets fixed!”

Chu Yunjing’s hand froze in mid-air. Her grip on the coffee cup tightened, her heart sinking. She slowly withdrew her hand and stepped back into the office.

On the balcony, the conversation with Shu Mingjie wasn’t going well. Once he heard the penalty was already finalized, he started making excuses about it being “too late” to intervene, essentially giving her a polite “no.”

Qi Ning realized their connection wasn’t deep enough. He wasn’t going to risk his reputation for a “blind date” he’d only met once. She hung up, frustrated, and scrolled through her contacts until she hit the name right below his: Shu Mingyao.

She hated to keep asking favors from the same person, but Chu Yunjing’s entire future was on the line. She called Shu Mingyao.

“Sister Shu… if the factory stays closed, it’s over. Is there any way you can help? I’ll do anything!”

“Is this the first time you’ve ever asked me for a favor?” Shu Mingyao laughed softly on the other end. “I’ll see what I can do. Don’t worry, you silly girl.”

Qi Ning let out a long breath and walked back into the office. She saw Chu Yunjing staring blankly at a wall. Qi Ning jogged over and hugged her.

“I have good news! It’s going to be okay!”

But Chu Yunjing didn’t look happy. Her eyes were dark, and the mole at the corner of her eye seemed to lose its luster. She looked more dejected than before.

“Qi Ning,” Chu Yunjing said quietly, her voice trembling slightly. “I heard you. I heard what you said on the phone to him.”

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