A good number of employees at the company began whispering to each other:
"What's going on? Can't the company hold on any longer? They even fired Vice President Zhang!"
"Should we leave too? It's one thing if it's not making money, but I'm afraid working for a company like this will bring trouble. People might look down on us, thinking we're making money through scams!"
"..."
As everyone was speculating, a firm voice rang out from the crowd: "Everyone can start packing your things and prepare to run. If nothing unexpected happens, the company is at its last leg. They probably can't even pay this month's salary."
This statement silenced the hall for a moment, then like a stone dropping into water, it rippled through the crowd.
Some excitedly exclaimed, "Then what are we waiting for? Those who want to resign, hurry up and do it. Don't get dragged down yourself and not even get paid."
With that, everyone rushed back to their workstations to gather their belongings. Afterward, some headed to Chen Lishu's office and knocked on the door.
Chen Lishu, upon receiving the first employee who wanted to resign, didn't say much and quickly approved her resignation contract.
However, by the fourth and fifth person, she gradually realized something was amiss. She then put down her work, looked up, and asked the employee in front of her with as much pleasantness as possible, "Can you tell me why you're resigning? The company is still paying your salaries, and I promise you here that everything will be sorted out within two days. Even with that, do you still want to resign?"
The two employees present exchanged glances. One of them stepped forward, bowed to Chen Lishu, and said, "We've heard about the company's situation from Gao Xinyan. Looking at the trend, it seems they might not even be able to pay this month's salary. We know this is the company's most difficult time, but we can't help it. We work to support our families. We can't go through this difficulty with the company and let our families starve to death."
Gao Xinyan. Hearing the name, Chen Lishu felt a sense of familiarity, and a humble, introverted figure flashed through her mind. She hadn't expected so many people to come out for revenge after Lu Gen had already gone to prison.
She let out a long sigh, wrote her name on the resignation report approval line, and then said to the employees about to leave, "When you go out, please call Gao Xinyan for me."
"Okay." The two nodded and then left the office.
About ten minutes later, the office door was pushed open again. Gao Xinyan walked out, but this time she was significantly different from last time; her belly was noticeably pregnant.
Upon seeing this, Chen Lishu's right eyelid twitched. "Why would you do this, a beautiful young girl? You deserve a better life."
When Gao Xinyan heard this, her smile almost broke. She looked at Chen Lishu expressionlessly and said, "General Manager Chen, you called me in, but you're not trying to meddle, are you? Just say what you need to say directly; there's no need to beat around the bush."
Chen Lishu shook her head helplessly and then persuaded her earnestly, "Why are you instigating other colleagues to resign at this critical juncture? Is it because you hate me? If that's the case, then I can only say you're too foolish. The reason Lu Gen went to prison was not because I deliberately framed him, but because he deserved it! If you're seeking revenge on me, have you considered that you might lose your job too? You're pregnant now and need money. Are you trying to drive yourself to a dead end?"
Gao Xinyan stroked her belly, then raised her head to meet Chen Lishu's eyes. "But I didn't lie. I was just stating the facts. General Manager Chen has been busy with the sausage factory matters lately, so you probably don't know how chaotic the company has become. Your good cousin, Li Chen, is dating Tang Yingying from the finance department. I heard your cousin is a seasoned gambler and even instigated Tang Yingying to steal company money to fund his gambling. If you don't believe me, you can go to the finance department right now! The money was transferred last night!"
Hearing this news, Chen Lishu inwardly cursed. Why were all the bad things happening at once? It truly made her feel overwhelmed and powerless.
Chen Lishu picked up the phone and dialed the finance department. "Bring me this month's account books. I will personally audit them in the finance department in three minutes!"
After speaking, Chen Lishu left the office with Su Nian.
Gao Xinyan watched Chen Lishu's retreating back, the corners of her lips curling upwards, a look of satisfaction on her face. She stroked the baby in her womb and whispered, "My child, I've finally avenged your father!"
----
Finance Department.
Chen Lishu pushed open the door impetuously, scanned the room, and asked, "Which one of you is Tang Yingying?"
As her words fell, a reserved girl stood up from the crowd. She stammered, "I... I am!"
"I heard you transferred company money to Li Chen's private account. Is that true?" Chen Lishu's sharp gaze pierced Tang Yingying like a knife.
Tang Yingying opened her mouth, her mind racing to figure out how to handle the situation. However, no matter how fast her mind worked, it couldn't overcome Chen Lishu's words: "You'd better answer truthfully. After all, the company's account books are right here. I'll find out the truth once I check. I'm giving you an opportunity to rectify your mistake now."
With that, Tang Yingying's body trembled. Then, she fell to her knees with a thud, tears streaming down her face, and nodded. "I... I didn't do it on purpose. Li Chen kept instigating me, saying he wanted to have a home with me and needed money to buy a house. Later, I found out he was using this money for gambling! I originally planned to replenish the account with my salary once it came in, but I didn't expect Li Chen to be so greedy. He asked me for money every few days. I didn't want to give it, but... but Li Chen's words would just confuse me."
Facing Tang Yingying's words, Chen Lishu's expression was exceptionally cold. "How much money did you transfer to him in total?"
"Twenty... twenty thousand."
"Was it transferred last night?"
Tang Yingying shook her head. "Only 150,000 was transferred to him yesterday. The remaining 50,000 was transferred little by little over time."
Chen Lishu turned and commanded sternly, "Su Nian, call the police now, and immediately freeze Li Chen's account."