Official Career Storm

Chapter 1494 - 1494

Deputy Captain Sun smiled slightly and said, "We checked the cafeteria yesterday, and there are many hygiene issues at No. 1 High School's cafeteria. It has been sealed for investigation, and improvements have been ordered. Samples of the food were taken for testing."

Song Guanchao nodded and asked, "In such cases, how is the cafeteria usually handled?"

Deputy Captain Sun replied, "Our enforcement team only has the authority to enforce the law; specifics depend on the police. We only assist with inspections and preserve evidence."

"Alright, thank you for your help, Deputy Captain Sun."

"You're welcome, it's our duty."

Just as they were speaking, Deputy Captain Sun's phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, looking a bit surprised, but didn't immediately answer.

After exchanging a few more words with Song Guanchao, he then bid farewell and left.

Once outside, he quickly went downstairs, redialing the number.

"Director Cui, are you looking for me?"

The call was from the Deputy Director of the Food and Drug Administration.

Director Cui asked, "Are you handling the case at No. 1 High School?"

"Yes."

"How's the investigation going?"

Hearing Director Cui's inquiry, Deputy Captain Sun had some suspicions.

He guessed that the cafeteria owner must have connections reaching Director Cui.

These things happen all the time; he's long grown accustomed to it.

"The cafeteria has some hygiene issues. According to regulations, it's temporarily sealed and we've ordered them to make improvements within a time limit. The food from the cafeteria has been sent for testing, and results should be out in a few days."

Director Cui acknowledged, saying, "I've heard about this situation too. It shouldn't have much to do with the cafeteria owner. It seems someone in charge of purchasing got kickbacks for buying expired goods and condiments."

Deputy Captain Sun smiled and said, "Director Cui, this is outside our enforcement team's jurisdiction. It's a police matter."

Director Cui grunted, "I'm just mentioning it, am I bothering you?"

"No, not at all. How could I think that, Director Cui?"

"Keep an eye on the cafeteria, once they make the necessary improvements, lift the seal. We can't keep the cafeteria closed just because a few students got food poisoning; the other students still need to eat."

"Yes, you're right, Director Cui, I'll make sure to keep an eye on it."

After hanging up, Deputy Captain Sun felt a bit conflicted.

The situation was clear now.

On one hand, the cafeteria owner used connections to reach Director Cui, obviously trying to downplay the issue.

On the other hand, Director Song was determined to thoroughly investigate the matter.

He personally didn't care for such trivialities, he just thought that if you're going to run a cafeteria and make money, you should have some conscience and shouldn't treat students like this.

Though Deputy Captain Sun himself wasn't a saint, he figured that anyone with a conscience would be outraged in such situations.

But he also understood that he was insignificant and powerless and that his dissatisfaction would have to stay bottled up.

He was now torn whether he should inform Song Guanchao about this situation.

After smoking two cigarettes downstairs, he finally made up his mind and turned back into the City Government Building.

"Knock, knock."

"Come in."

Seeing the returning Deputy Captain Sun, Song Guanchao was a bit surprised.

He suppressed his curiosity, poured him a cup of tea, and patiently waited for him to speak.

Deputy Captain Sun took small sips of tea, looking hesitant, clearly having something important to say but troubled by certain reasons.

"Director Cui just called me," Deputy Captain Sun eventually said.

Seeing the inquisitive look on Song Guanchao's face, Deputy Captain Sun explained, "He's our Food and Drug Administration's Deputy Director."

"Oh." Song Guanchao seemed thoughtful, asking, "Is Director Cui planning to intervene in this matter?"

Deputy Captain Sun said, "The cafeteria probably reached out to Director Cui, hoping we'd just go through the motions and not blow things out of proportion."

Song Guanchao wasn't surprised.

It's common for people to reach out when problems arise.

He just didn't expect Deputy Captain Sun to inform him of this.

Ordinarily, as a deputy in the enforcement team, his rank is not high, and advancing further seems unlikely.

But if he genuinely wanted to make money, his position could easily bring in hundreds of thousands a year.

Moreover, no matter how high Song Guanchao's rank is, it has nothing to do with him.

The Food and Drug Administration and the City Government rarely even interact normally.

Without this food poisoning incident, Deputy Captain Sun might never have crossed paths with him.

That's why Song Guanchao found it peculiar.

He couldn't figure out why Deputy Captain Sun told him this.

Song Guanchao directly asked, "Why are you telling me?"

"I just think a school cafeteria should be cleaner." Deputy Captain Sun said with a self-deprecating smile, "Does Director Song find me a bit pretentious?"

Song Guanchao shook his head, earnestly responding, "I greatly admire you, Deputy Captain Sun."

Deputy Captain Sun was momentarily stunned, then felt slightly embarrassed, "No, no, I'm just an ordinary person. Besides, it's my job. Please, Director Song, don't say that—I can't handle such praise, I'm not a good person—I'm just, just…"

Song Guanchao remarked, "A gentleman assesses actions, not intentions. Compared to Director Cui, Deputy Captain Sun has principles and conscience. People like you are truly rare."

He stood up, offering his right hand. Deputy Captain Sun hesitated, then stood and shook hands with him.

Song Guanchao said, "Deputy Captain Sun, thank you very much."

"No need to be so polite."

Even though he said that, Deputy Captain Sun felt quite pleased inside.

Though his intentions weren't to gain favor with Song Guanchao, being acknowledged by others made him feel that his actions were correct.

After Deputy Captain Sun left, Song Guanchao called Liang Jiajia.

As soon as the call connected, before he could speak, Liang Jiajia said, "I was just about to call you. That Principal Liu knows nothing."

Her tone was evidently furious.

They knew there was a problem, but without a confession or concrete evidence, they were stuck.

The frustration of being powerless was palpable.

Song Guanchao asked, "Has the cafeteria owner been arrested?"

"No." Bringing it up, Liang Jiajia was even more exasperated, "The police station beat us to it and arrested the cafeteria owner, the purchaser, and a few chefs."

"Which police station?"

Wang Rui had already been removed from his position—who ordered the arrests?

"It was the Pailou Street Police Station."

"Who ordered the arrests? When were they arrested?"

"They were arrested yesterday morning. Didn't you know?"

Yesterday morning...

That was before Wang Rui had been removed from his position.

That guy managed to do what needed to be done.

However, Song Guanchao understood that these arrests were merely a way to protect the cafeteria owner.

Officially, people were arrested, but the culpability would ultimately be pinned on the purchasers.

"Did you investigate the identity of the cafeteria owner?"

"Yes, the cafeteria owner's name is Qian Guangchang."

"Who's behind him?"

"Still investigating," Liang Jiajia replied, "I'll let you know when I find out."

"Okay."

Just as the call ended, Zhou Qian called.

"Brother Song, the school isn't allowing me to conduct interviews!" Zhou Qian said angrily.