That morning, Pak Agus was checking the sales report for Ria Jaya Market when his phone began ringing repeatedly. Several customers were asking whether it was true that Rian's vegetables contained dangerous chemicals. Agus immediately frowned. He had been working with Rian for weeks, and during that entire time, he had never encountered a single problem with the quality of the produce.
Without wasting any time, Agus picked up his phone and called Rian.
"Rian, have you heard the rumors about your vegetables?"
Rian, who was working at the farm, immediately stopped what he was doing. He had already heard about the rumors the previous day, but the concern in Agus's voice made him realize that the situation was beginning to directly affect his business.
"I have, sir. I'm already dealing with it."
"Then don't just sit around. Our customers are starting to ask questions."
Rian sighed softly.
"Actually, I'm taking samples of the vegetables to a laboratory. I'm going to have everything officially tested."
Agus was silent for a moment before his voice became noticeably more relieved.
"That's a good idea. Send us the results when they're ready."
"Of course. Once the laboratory results come out, I'll send them to Ria Jaya. Your official account can post them afterward."
"Agreed."
After ending the call, Rian immediately prepared several samples of Emperor Chili, carrots, tomatoes, spinach, and cucumbers. He selected samples from different parts of the farm so the results would accurately represent the overall quality of his produce.
At the laboratory, Rian handed the samples over for testing. He requested tests for pesticide residues, heavy metals, nitrate levels, and several other parameters related to food safety. He also requested nutritional testing because he wanted to know exactly how different his vegetables were from ordinary produce.
"If they claim my vegetables are dangerous..."
Rian stared at the sample containers as the laboratory technician carried them away.
"...then let's prove them wrong with numbers."
While waiting for the results, Rian contacted Pak Agus again. They discussed the situation in the market and what they would do once the laboratory report was completed.
"Once the results are ready, I'll send everything to you," Rian said. "After that, Pak Agus can post them on Ria Jaya's official account."
"Don't worry. If the results are good, we'll explain everything publicly."
Rian smiled faintly.
"That's exactly what I want."
A few days later, the laboratory results finally arrived.
Rian carefully read through every page. The results didn't merely show that his vegetables were safe to consume; they also showed exceptionally high quality. Several nutritional indicators were impressively high, while all the food-safety parameters remained well within acceptable limits.
Rian read the report twice.
"So I've been selling premium vegetables this whole time without even realizing it."
Jojo, sitting beside him, simply snorted.
"You're only realizing that now?"
Rian ignored him and immediately sent a copy of the laboratory report to Pak Agus.
Not long afterward, Ria Jaya Market uploaded the results through its official account. The post explained that samples from its supplier had been officially tested in a laboratory, and no dangerous substances had been found, contrary to the rumors circulating online.
The post spread rapidly.
Comments flooded in.
"So the rumors weren't true?"
"There's an official laboratory report. That means they're safe."
"If the supermarket is willing to publish the test results, why are people still believing the rumors?"
Some netizens began digging into where the rumors had originated. They discovered that several accounts responsible for spreading the accusations appeared to have similar posting patterns, repeatedly attacking Rian's reputation while indirectly directing customers toward other supermarkets and suppliers.
A conclusion slowly began spreading among the public.
This wasn't just a rumor.
It was an attempt to destroy a competitor.
And ironically, the strategy produced the exact opposite result.
Ria Jaya Market's sales skyrocketed.
People who had previously been hesitant became curious and wanted to try vegetables backed by official laboratory results. Photos of Rian's enormous Emperor Chilies, fresh carrots, and premium vegetables began appearing across social media.
Even several old customers who had stopped buying from him began coming back.
Rian's phone became busy again.
But this time, there were no complaints.
"Mr. Rian, do you still have any stock?"
"Mr. Rian, our restaurant wants to order again."
"Mr. Rian, can you increase our delivery this week?"
Rian simply smiled whenever he heard another request.
But there was one thing they didn't know.
Rian had already made his decision.
The restaurants that had abandoned him when the rumors began would not receive renewed contracts.
"I'm sorry," Rian said to one of the restaurant owners who called him. "I'll finish our current contract until the end. After that, I won't be renewing it."
"But Mr. Rian, we've already explained to our customers that the rumors weren't true."
"I know."
Rian paused for a moment before continuing.
"But when I was under attack, you chose to leave. Now that everything has been proven safe, you're coming back."
His voice remained calm.
"I'm not blaming you. But I also have the right to choose who I want as my customers."
After ending the call, Rian leaned back in his chair.
He wasn't angry.
He had simply learned something.
Trust in business couldn't be given only when everything was going well.
---
The new problem came from an entirely different direction.
Rian's stock was beginning to run low.
Demand from Ria Jaya Market was increasing much faster than expected. The four restaurants that were still working with him were also constantly asking for additional supplies. Even Dimas, one of Rian's longtime friends and a restaurant manager, had started calling almost every day.
"Rian, seriously. Increase the supply."
"I already increased it, Dimas."
"Not enough."
"I know."
"Then increase it again."
Rian rubbed his temples.
"Dimas, my farm isn't a factory."
"But my customers eat like they're running a factory."
Rian nearly laughed.
A few seconds later, Dimas became serious again.
"If possible, double our deliveries."
"That's exactly the problem."
Rian looked at the production records spread across his desk.
"If I force production right now, the quality could drop."
Dimas fell silent.
He knew how seriously Rian took the quality of his produce.
"Then how much can you increase?"
"Just a little."
"How much is 'a little'?"
"About twenty percent."
Dimas let out a long sigh.
"Rian..."
"If you want more, there's one condition."
Dimas immediately became suspicious.
"What?"
Rian smiled.
"The price goes up."
---
It wasn't just Dimas.
Pak Agus and the other three restaurants began contacting Rian with almost identical requests.
They wanted more stock.
Rian refused to increase the volume excessively, but this time, he also saw an opportunity to reposition his business.
If demand was rising while his production remained limited, then his prices should rise accordingly.
Eventually, Rian sent them a new price list.
Emperor Chili: Rp300,000/kg.
Premium Carrots: Rp220,000/kg.
Premium Spinach: Rp180,000/kg.
Premium Tomatoes: Rp250,000/kg.
Premium Cucumbers: Rp210,000/kg.
The prices were significantly higher than before.
However, Rian wasn't simply raising them without reason.
He also imposed a new supply limit.
"I can only increase the supply by around twenty percent for now," Rian explained to Pak Agus over the phone. "If you want more than that, I'll have to expand production again."
Agus was silent for a moment.
"At those prices, we still have a good margin."
"That's why I'm not increasing the quantity too much."
Rian looked out at the fields from the terrace of his house.
"My products are limited. If everyone wants more, then the price has to become more premium."
Agus eventually chuckled.
"You're getting better at business, Rian."
Rian smiled.
"Not better, sir."
He looked at the sales records that were already filling up.
"I'm just starting to realize that good products don't have to be sold cheaply."
Agus had no argument against that.
Meanwhile, the orders continued to pour in.
The rumor that was supposed to destroy Rian's reputation had instead made even more people curious about his products.
And without Wandra or Prabu realizing it, their attack had made Rian's brand stronger than ever.