Chapter 79

Tian Nana’s tender fingers, like fresh green onions, pressed firmly on Song Haowen’s smooth forehead. “Tsk, are you silly? This is an excellent opportunity for a test, something money can’t buy. By sparring with the national team athletes, you can assess your martial arts level and know where you stand when facing real experts in the future. Isn’t that a good thing?”

“But what if I happen to win against them…” Song Haowen hesitated.

“You win against them? They are professionals. Don’t count on it; it won’t be easy. However, if you have the ability, wouldn’t it be great to win? It means you’re not just a champion but the champion of champions. Of course, if you lose, it’s not embarrassing. After all, you faced the national champion. It’s a good way to humble yourself, so you don’t get slapped in the face the next time you show off,” Tian Nana said with a mischievous grin.

After thinking for a moment, Song Haowen said, “You make a good point. Actually, I don’t want to go because I don’t want trouble. Think about it, if I lose, that’s fine; they won’t bother me again. What I’m afraid of is if I win, they might force me to participate in various competitions, and I won’t have time for that. Not going offends people and disobeys organizational arrangements; it’s not my main profession, is it appropriate for me to spend so much time on it?”

“Then tell them before going to the martial arts team, regardless of the test result, you won’t participate in competitions in the future. Otherwise, you won’t go.”

“It’s probably not that simple. If I win, I might not have a say in it. They might use the hat of bringing glory to the country and force me to compete with Americans. Oh my, they are equivalent to top-level professional players, and I’m just an underage college student. In a real match, I’m afraid I’ll be like a little rabbit facing a big bad wolf, risking my life for nothing,” Song Haowen expressed his concerns.

“If that’s the case, you might as well stay at home. This way, there won’t be a threat to your life,” Tian Nana suggested, also having second thoughts.

Knock, knock, knock. At that moment, someone knocked on the office door. Tian Nana went to open it, and it was the security guard. Before she could speak, he said, “There are two people outside, claiming to be from the national martial arts team. They want to see Manager Song. Should I let them in?”

Tian Nana glanced at Song Haowen and immediately waved her hand. “Don’t see them. Just say there’s no such person. Ask them to leave.”

The security guard nodded and turned to leave. Song Haowen said, “Or tell them I’m not here. Remember, for the next period, I’m not seeing anyone.”

After the security guard left, Tian Nana looked at Song Haowen, who was still wearing a troubled expression, and chuckled, “It seems that being famous may not necessarily be a good thing. In the future, people looking for you won’t be limited to just the national team.”

Before she could finish speaking, the security guard rushed back, panting, “Manager Song, Manager Tian, something’s not good. More than ten people from the Industrial and Commercial Bureau are here, saying they want to conduct a routine inspection. Should we let them in?”

Tian Nana and Song Haowen were taken aback. Routine inspections by the Industrial and Commercial Bureau were common, but why did over ten people suddenly show up? What was going on? Were they planning to shut down the place? In just one or two hours, the small theater was scheduled to start its performance.

Both of them exchanged glances, feeling helpless. Tian Nana gritted her teeth, “I’ll go get Mom.”

Su Yan quickly arrived at the office upon hearing the news. Having experienced the world, she remained composed and immediately said to Song Haowen, “I don’t think this has anything to do with you, but it’s better for you and Nana to stay low. Go to the lounge inside and don’t show yourselves easily. If there’s anything, I’ll handle it first.”

She gestured for her daughter and Song Haowen to enter the lounge, then followed the security guard to the courtyard gate.

Sure enough, there were over ten government officials in blue uniforms with large-brimmed hats standing at the gate, and a minibus was parked in the distance.

Su Yan inquired about the situation, and a middle-aged man among them took out his work ID, then confidently said, “Routine inspection. Our bureau heard about your operation exceeding the approved scope, so we’ve been dispatched to verify. We hope you can cooperate actively.”

Upon hearing this, despite Su Yan’s dissatisfaction, she didn’t dare to easily obstruct the inspection. She had no choice but to let them in. Wu Hu and Zhao Meng from the wushu team tried to follow, but the security guard firmly refused them.

Su Yan invited the officials from the Industrial and Commercial Bureau to the guest room for rest and tea, but they remained unmoved, insisting on starting their work immediately. She had no choice but to lead them through the floors, explaining as they went.

The leader of the inspection team, a man named Wu, with a crew cut, small eyes, and a square face, who held the position of department head, didn’t seem to pay much attention to Su Yan’s explanations.

After going through the building, he waved his hand grandly, “Your small theater is suspected of operating beyond the approved scope. Stop business and rectify immediately. If there are any issues, deal with them later.”

Upon hearing this, Su Yan was so angry that she almost fainted. The operation here has always been within the regulations. If there are issues that need rectifying, she would comply, but stopping the small theater just like that? What about the tickets sold for tonight’s performance? Would the audience cause trouble if they couldn’t see the show?

Su Yan had to put aside her pride and pleaded, “Director Wu, can you give us a few more days for this matter? The performance tonight is almost ready, and it’s not easy to stop it abruptly.”

Director Wu sneered, “Manager Su, I know that your operation of this music studio, especially this theater, has received some kind of special approval, or it wouldn’t have been approved. However, we conduct our work impartially; we’re not intentionally making things difficult for you. We are only sealing off the theater this time, and it’s already showing leniency. Tomorrow, departments such as tax, fire safety, health, publicity, public security, and others will come for a joint inspection. That’s when you’ll face more issues. It’s likely that the entire compound of your studio will be sealed off.”

Su Yan, upon hearing this, felt as if thunder had struck her head. She couldn’t understand who she had offended. The music studio had been operating within the rules.

She continued to plead, “Director Wu, please help us tonight. Let our small theater continue the performance. Even if it’s the last farewell show… We owe it to the audience who bought tickets.”

Director Wu maintained a stern expression, “Manager Su, we’ve just met for the first time, and we’ve never had any dealings. I have no reason to make things difficult for you. But, to speak frankly, your operation of this music studio, especially the theater, has upset someone you shouldn’t have. Think about it carefully, and you’ll understand. So, tonight, your small theater cannot open. Accept it!” With that, he directed his subordinates to drive out all the performers and staff from the theater, sealing both the front and back doors with official seals.

In the current situation, Su Yan had nothing more to say and allowed the authorities to handle it. She entered the lounge, briefed her daughter and Song Haowen on the situation, and both were equally shocked. Song Haowen was about to rush out to confront the Commerce and Industry Bureau officials, but Su Yan stopped him.

“Don’t be hasty, child. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. What we need to do now is manage ticket refunds for tonight. As for finding out who wants to harm us, I’ll discuss it with Nana’s father when I get back. He knows many people in the government, and maybe we can find out the reason.”

Song Haowen speculated, “Auntie, could it be because I dealt with the Green Hair gang, and someone wants to help them out?”

Su Yan, looking surprised, said, “That’s not possible, is it? Child, don’t make baseless assumptions, and don’t act recklessly. You and Nana are students and public figures. It’s not appropriate for you to intervene. Let Auntie handle it. Rest assured, this setback won’t defeat us.”

Encouraged by Su Yan’s words, both Song Haowen and Tian Nana felt a bit relieved. Tian Nana said, “Mom, you go and accompany them. Handle it as you see fit. Song Haowen and I won’t add to the chaos.”

Song Haowen had a lingering worry in his heart, sensing that this door-sealing incident was probably related to him. However, he couldn’t determine which specific incident might have triggered it.

Tian Nana noticed Song Haowen sitting there in silence. Although she also felt upset, she walked over to him, gently placing her hand on his shoulder and comforting him, “Mom is right, ‘When the car reaches the mountain, there will be a way.’ We’ll find a solution sooner or later. Don’t be too sad. Besides, your sorrow won’t change anything. Instead, tidy up your mood first, and let’s handle the cancellation of tonight’s performance. This way, we can reassure the performers and stabilize their emotions. Don’t let the chaos outside affect us before we address the issues inside.”

Song Haowen was shaken by her words and thought, ‘Yes, why did I forget about this matter?’ “Nana, I’ll slip out quietly to see if they’ve left. If they have, I’ll follow your suggestion. We’ll split up and reassure the performers.”

Tian Nana grabbed Song Haowen’s arm. “You stay here. Let me handle it. I’m afraid you might lose your temper impulsively, making things more complicated. I’ll go.” With that, she left the room, closing the door behind her.

Song Haowen sighed and didn’t know what to do for a while. After all, he couldn’t assist in this situation.

Tian Nana rushed in less than half an hour later, her beautiful face flushed. She grabbed Song Haowen’s hand, still catching her breath, and said, “The issue for tonight has been resolved. The performance can proceed as planned!”

Song Haowen, overjoyed, eagerly asked for details. Tian Nana, somewhat breathless, explained the situation.

As it turned out, after Su Yan left the office, she immediately called her husband, Tian Pengxiang. She explained what had happened here. Tian Pengxiang promptly called his College school classmate, who was now the head of the Commerce and Industry Bureau in the district, and asked for help.

The classmate contacted Section Chief Wu, who was in charge of the inspection, to inquire about the situation. Understanding that this was a directive from higher authorities, Section Chief Wu reluctantly agreed to compromise.

The performance in the theater could proceed tonight as usual, but they would still be sealed tomorrow.

Upon hearing this, Song Haowen was overjoyed. Tian Nana, after struggling to explain the situation, finally made it clear.

Su Yan had managed to find a solution by reaching out to her husband, leveraging connections, and negotiating with the authorities. Tonight’s performance was saved, but the small theater would still face closure starting from tomorrow.