Initially, the blow against Dynasty Wuliang was conducted in secret, for a certain department had a very clear objective: to smear Dynasty Wuliang to cool down the liquor market, thereby stabilizing grain prices and keeping the cost of daily necessities in check.

There was no room for negotiation; the sales volume of Dynasty Wuliang had to be suppressed.

Because of the intricate web connecting Qin Xue and Dynasty Wuliang, and the mutual antagonism between that department and Qin Xue's faction, the opposition bypassed any preliminary dialogue and opted to strike from the shadows instead.

This was an organized, premeditated incident with backing from high places, catching Wang Zhuo and his side completely off guard. Wang Zhuo racked his brain but couldn't even suspect who the adversary was, directing his suspicion instead toward the Ma family and imagined enemies.

However, it took only three days for the enemy lurking in the dark to reveal themselves. The six liquor companies were not entirely aligned with that department; where there are people, there is politics. While the decision-makers among the liquor enterprises had reached a mutually beneficial agreement with the department, not everyone beneath them accepted this risky game. Thus, after Qin Xue's people investigated through various channels, someone divulged the detailed information.

“What?”

Wang Zhuo was quite bewildered upon receiving the news: “The Central Statistics Bureau? I don't even know which direction their main door faces. What are they, bored, picking on me?”

What possible connection could there be between a seller of functional beverages and a bureaucratic department notorious for falsifying data to deceive superiors?

In recent years, every time the Central Statistics Bureau released a set of statistics, they were questioned by experts, scorned by the public, and looked down upon by peer agencies. Consequently, anything published by this department had lost all credibility; it was an organization whose relevance was steadily waning.

To put it bluntly, whenever this department and a set of statistics appeared before the public simultaneously, everyone knew it was another attempt to fool them—don't trust it!

Therefore, Wang Zhuo never expected the knife thrust into his back to come from such a department, and he couldn't fathom the reason no matter how hard he tried.

But Qin Siqing, who had informed him, clearly knew the inside story. She smiled and said calmly, “The reason they are targeting you is actually quite sound, only their methods are overly unreasonable, and they might even backfire.”

Wang Zhuo adjusted the receiver and asked in surprise, “What reason? Tell me.”

So, Qin Siqing summarized for him the chain of reasoning: liquor sales drive production, production drives grain prices, and grain prices drive meat and egg prices, thereby agitating the entire market for daily necessities. She concluded that Dynasty Wuliang's influence was making the common people feel the sting of inflation more acutely, indirectly affecting the statistics bureau's data; their action was essentially pulling the rug out from under the problem.

“But shouldn't that be the purview of the NDRC?” Wang Zhuo felt a massive headache after listening, complaining miserably, “Isn't that within the scope of macroeconomic regulation? The Central Statistics Bureau is just an accountant cooking the books; they don't oversee operations. Why are they getting involved?”

“You actually know quite a bit,” Qin Siqing chuckled on the other end of the line. “Those two departments indeed have different responsibilities. But the NDRC cares about GDP, and your company contributes to that. The Central Statistics Bureau cares about data, and you are causing them trouble.”

Wang Zhuo scratched his head. “Doesn't the Central Statistics Bureau also want data showing economic growth? I’ve contributed in that area.”

“Your contribution is just icing on the cake for them,” Qin Siqing smiled faintly. “But the trouble you're creating is their immediate headache. Do you get my analogy?”

Wang Zhuo instantly understood and scoffed, “So, this is about solving the pressing contradiction right now. Then why don't they restrict the production of the distilleries to solve the root problem, instead of shooting my product in the back?”

“Easier said than done,” Qin Siqing said with a wry smile. “The liquor industry is too murky, and local protectionism runs deep. I suspect even a leader at the Vice-State level would struggle to fully control this sector. There are too many vested interests in that industry; restricting their output and sales would cause a backlash beyond your imagination.”

“Oh, so they decided to attack me, the source, picking the soft persimmon to squeeze, right?” Wang Zhuo felt a surge of righteous anger ignite.

“Exactly, that’s the situation,” Qin Siqing giggled. “Guess what my dad said?”

“Can’t guess,” Wang Zhuo replied casually, already formulating counter-attack strategies.

Qin Siqing stated directly, “My dad said they are making a mess of things. He also said that if you have any ideas, tell him, and he’ll lend a hand if needed.”

“Then I thank him in advance,” Wang Zhuo said without reservation, smiling. “Now that I know the whole story, I have a target. Tell Uncle Qin that I will issue a statement tomorrow, making those six liquor companies stew in their own juice first.”

After hanging up, Gan Lin was the first to eagerly ask, “So, it really was the Central Statistics Bureau?”

“Qin Xue investigated and confirmed it; it should be correct,” Wang Zhuo said with a wry smile. “Turns out it had nothing to do with the Ma family; it was this department causing trouble.”

“What now? Should we release the statement tomorrow?” Fu Xinran pushed the document she held toward the center of the table.

This was the statement of retaliation against the six liquor companies that Wang Zhuo had asked Gan Lin to prepare. Due to its significance, Fu Xinran had also become involved. As an experienced secretary, her writing skills were formidable, ensuring this document would hit the six companies hard.

“Release it!” Wang Zhuo answered without hesitation. “Later, contact some reporters and paid writers. Have them pen articles praising our product, focusing on data as much as possible. Exaggeration is fine. The enemy’s bayonets are out; we need to prepare our weapons too.”

Fu Xinran nodded gravely. “I’ll contact Manager Zhang and have her prepare to meet a few reporters tomorrow for interviews.”

Indeed, she was the leader’s sharp, thoughtful assistant, thinking two steps ahead… Wang Zhuo gave her an approving thumbs-up, then turned back to Gan Lin. “Yours isn't a light task either. Immediately contact a hundred liquor companies. We’ll issue a more grand joint statement. Those six companies are nothing; if they want to play, we’ll play bigger!”

“Won’t this draw a strong backlash from the Central Statistics Bureau?” Gan Lin expressed some worry.

“Let it bounce back,” Wang Zhuo sneered. “Haven't you noticed? Qin Xue and this Bureau are not on the same side. Otherwise, the Central Statistics Bureau wouldn’t have attacked us, and Qin Xue wouldn't be supporting our counterattack.”

“Understood.” Gan Lin was equally sharp and grasped the point instantly.

With arrangements mostly settled, Wang Zhuo slapped the table and stood up. “Let’s get moving. Gan Lin, call the liquor companies now. Secretary, you need to take this statement to the news agencies, right? I happen to be going past the Jade Store, so I can give you a ride.”

Arriving at the underground parking lot via the elevator, a cold gust of wind made the lightly dressed Fu Xinran shiver. She quickly hugged her arms and hunched her neck.

“Stay behind me; I’ll block the wind for you,” Wang Zhuo said with a smile, his pace unchanged.

The beautiful secretary quickly ducked behind him, suddenly realizing why he hadn't taken the opportunity to warm her in his arms while they were alone—how could a parking lot of this caliber lack surveillance cameras?

To her surprise, after they got into the car, Wang Zhuo made no overtly flirtatious moves as they drove out of the garage. She couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled. Had he turned over a new leaf today?

Ever since that strong kiss a few days ago, Fu Xinran had been troubled. Wang Zhuo often made small, suggestive moves, which she simultaneously enjoyed and resisted, leaving her deeply conflicted.

She had privately advised Wang Zhuo via QQ not to pursue office romance, saying it would only force her to leave. But Wang Zhuo had replied that he wasn't a rabbit, and she wasn't grass.

In the past, Fu Xinran had effective methods for dealing with the men who pursued her, but many of those tactics were unsuitable for Wang Zhuo, and the ones she did use proved ineffective. Thus, the two remained entangled.

“What are you disappointed about?” Wang Zhuo suddenly asked.

“Huh?” She glanced at Wang Zhuo, seeing his teasing expression, and replied awkwardly, “I’m not disappointed about anything.”

Wang Zhuo chuckled. “Oh, I thought you were disappointed because I didn't kiss you before we started driving.”

She was left speechless for a long moment, then quietly requested, “Wang Zhuo, can you stop teasing me? You already have a girlfriend and several confidantes; you don't need one more in me, right?”

“How do you know I don’t need one more?” Wang Zhuo chuckled. “Besides, you’re so outstanding; how could I bear to let someone else have you?”

This was precisely what Fu Xinran dreaded hearing. If Wang Zhuo became forceful, she truly wouldn't know what to do, yet she held deep affection for him. This conflicted emotion was like an unsolvable knot, suppressed in her heart.

“Don’t wear that outfit tomorrow; it’s not flattering,” Wang Zhuo said, glancing toward her legs.

This issue seemed unrelated to aesthetics… Fu Xinran shot him a glare, thinking, How can I not wear stockings? Am I supposed to let you touch my bare leg?

…

After dropping the secretary off at the newspaper office, Wang Zhuo faintly perceived what he sought in her flickering eyes at their parting—a subtle disappointment lurking deep within. He hadn't touched her once during the ride, yet she seemed unaccustomed to it!

A beauty, take your time... He watched Fu Xinran’s retreating back and smiled silently.

The joint statement from the six liquor companies did indeed have an effect, and the influence of the Central Statistics Bureau was far from negligible; it also mobilized some media outlets to reprint, report in-depth, and follow up on the story.

Dynasty Wuliang’s sales volume was indeed somewhat affected, and its explosive growth momentum saw a slight deceleration.

However, due to limited production capacity, the market remained hungry, so not a single bottle of Dynasty Wuliang sold each day was missed.

But just as Wang Zhuo predicted, the liquor sales of those six companies were immediately impacted. Since Dynasty Wuliang was unique, customers had a vast array of other white liquors to choose from.

You guys have issues with Dynasty Wuliang, right? Fine then. If we can’t switch to Dynasty Wuliang, can’t we switch to another kind of liquor?!