If it had been the pre-rebirth Eric Carter, still young and hot-tempered, he would have exploded at the slightest provocation and definitely gotten into a fight with Director Clark and his group. But the current Eric Carter, having experienced so much, would never stoop to their level for a pointless quarrel.

Eric Carter also knew very well that as the economy became more active, various law enforcement departments gradually gained more power. Some people who had never tasted such authority inevitably became inflated. Director Clark was one of these people—after being asked for favors so many times, he had gradually distanced himself from the masses, feeling high and mighty, like a king who looked down on everyone.

How difficult is it to get a business license now? And how many people want to become self-employed and obtain legal operating rights? Naturally, the industrial and commercial system had become a hot and powerful institution.

But even though he stopped Huzi, Eric Carter felt a fire rising in his heart. Eric Carter knew that perhaps, no matter if he had been reborn or not, his personality in his twenties still deeply influenced him. He was still more like a young man in his twenties, not that enigmatic “business magician” who could turn the tides with a wave of his hand.

Scott Dawson was stopped by Eric Carter, but his big eyes still glared at Director Clark, making Director Clark furious. Just as he was about to speak, a timid voice came from the side: “Uncle, I don’t want the eggs anymore, just let me go.”

It turned out that among the law enforcement officers, there was also an eight- or nine-year-old little girl, wearing a floral dress, looking very cute and delicate. She was so short that Eric Carter and Scott Dawson hadn’t noticed her earlier.

Director Clark turned around and scolded, “Shut up! Do you know what you’re doing? This is called speculation and profiteering, understand? Did your parents send you here to sell? Tell me, who are your parents? Which work unit are they with? If you don’t say, don’t even think about leaving.”

Being scolded so fiercely by Director Clark, the little girl was so scared that her small body trembled, but she still shook her head and said nothing, obviously trying to protect her parents.

On the other side, a young law enforcement officer was holding a basket of eggs. It was clear that the little girl had come to the city to sell eggs and had been caught by them.

“Speak up! If you don’t, we’ll lock you up!” another officer threatened the little girl.

Her big eyes filled with tears, but she just shook her head desperately, refusing to speak.

Eric Carter couldn’t help but secretly admire the little girl’s sense of loyalty. So young, yet brave enough to take responsibility. Although, this behavior was a bit naive, because in the end, they would still be able to find her parents.

Just as Eric Carter was about to speak, he saw a young law enforcement officer slap the little girl on the head and curse, “Crying, are you? If you dare cry, I’ll beat you to death!” Clearly, he was annoyed by her tears.

Seeing this, Eric Carter’s face instantly turned cold. He said in a deep voice, “What are you doing? Hurry up and give the eggs back to the little girl! A bunch of grown men bullying a little girl—aren’t you ashamed?!”

The law enforcement officers all looked at Eric Carter. The young man who had just slapped the girl was obviously the roughest among them, and his mouth was filthy. He cursed, “Who the hell are you? Mind your own business and just get your hair cut!”

Eric Carter ignored the haircut, stood up, and said, “You’re supposed to be cracking down on speculation and profiteering. Do you even know what that means? Do you want me to show you the legal statutes? Besides, what you’re doing is called violent law enforcement!”

The officers looked at each other and grinned, thinking they’d run into a hothead. Violent law enforcement? That concept didn’t even exist for them. They had no idea what Eric Carter was talking about. One of them even started to move closer to Eric Carter, clearly wanting to show him what violence really was.

But Director Clark, being a cadre, sneered when he heard Eric Carter talking about laws and statutes. “She didn’t go to the market, and she doesn’t have a business license. That’s illegal business, speculation and profiteering.”

The little girl wiped her tears and said from the side, “My mom told me to go to the market, but I don’t know the way. I was just looking for someone to ask…”

Immediately, someone next to her scolded, “Nonsense! So young and already making excuses. Not learning anything good!”

Eric Carter was furious. In fact, it was perfectly normal for farmers to bring vegetables from their own plots or eggs from their own chickens to the city to sell. Not going to the market was common, since the markets weren’t big enough and only opened on certain days. The economy was just starting to pick up, and the supporting services and regulations hadn’t caught up. These people were just abusing their power, still bullying others with the same old tricks from years ago.

Moreover, a long-standing problem in the country was that systems and services lagged behind the law. The law was ahead, but the systems and services were behind, giving law enforcement officers opportunities to exploit. If you stuck strictly to the law, you could punish any business you wanted. If you didn’t want to be punished, you had to pay real money. What happened to this little girl today was just the beginning of such things.

Eric Carter turned to the little girl and said, “You’re Xiaohua, right? Didn’t your mom tell you to hand that basket of eggs to your cousin-in-law at the entrance of the market? Home-raised eggs, so they could have a taste.”

The little girl was stunned. She stared blankly at Eric Carter, wondering how this nice uncle knew her name was Xiaohua. She didn’t realize that Xiaohua was just a name Eric Carter made up.

“How do you know my name is Xiaohua? Do you… do you know my mom?” Xiaohua asked timidly.