He called Zhou Qing’s office again.
Fortunately, Zhou Qing was still there.
“Hello? President Zhang… Oh, oh, I’ll go over and take a look right away. What? I didn’t sign, and the finance department wouldn’t release the deposit slip privately. Alright, I’ll tell Manager Yang about it right away.”
After hanging up the phone, Zhou Qing couldn’t help but smile.
It seemed even heaven was on his side.
He went to the finance department with a pretense of purpose. After understanding the situation, his expression instantly turned serious and solemn.
He first reprimanded Jiang Yuwei and then directly called Zhang Zhihui back using the finance department’s phone.
“You explain it to President Zhang.” Once the call was connected, Zhou Qing spoke a few words to Zhang Zhihui and then handed the phone to Jiang Yuwei.
It was only when Zhang Zhihui’s stern scolding came through the phone that Jiang Yuwei finally realized she had truly messed up this time.
Being in finance required strictness. Yet, she had given the deposit slip to Yang Lili, knowing full well Yang Lili had forged the signature.
Thinking of something, Jiang Yuwei quickly explained, “President Zhang, this was my oversight. But Manager Yang insisted I give her the deposit slip, showing me a voucher with both her and Manager Zhou’s signatures.”
At this point, she could only push the blame onto Yang Lili.
After all, she hadn’t forged the signature herself. Even if held accountable, her responsibility wouldn’t be too great.
By then, Zhang Zhihui no longer cared about who was right or wrong. If that money wasn’t recovered, his and Luo Yaowu’s scheme targeting He Zinian would be for naught.
He asked Jiang Yuwei to hand the phone back to Zhou Qing, paused, and said, “Call the police.”
Zhou Qing was startled, “President Zhang, do we really have to do this?”
Zhang Zhihui replied, “Yes, forging a signature without my permission. Only then can the contract signed under such circumstances be voided.”
…
On the other end, Yang Lili shook hands with Sun Cheng. After exchanging pleasantries, she was invited into the office.
“I didn’t expect President Chen to be here as well,” Yang Lili said, feigning surprise when she saw Chen Lishu seated in the room.
Chen Lishu responded, “I also didn’t expect you to be interested in bidding for the Kyoto Garment Factory contract.”
Yang Lili sat down, “No one stipulated that only you, President Chen, could bid, right? Moreover, with such a large承包费 (chéngbāo fèi - contracting fee), I believe it’s important to act within one’s capabilities. Taking too big a stride and forcing it will not benefit your future development.”
Chen Lishu raised an eyebrow, “For such an important matter as a contract, sending only yourself, isn’t your President Zhang being a bit too hasty?”
Yang Lili didn’t want to be looked down upon by her, “While I may not have the same autonomy as you, President Chen, as a manager of the company, I can make decisions regarding contracting a factory.”
“Since both parties are here, I’ll be direct,” Sun Cheng said, sitting down opposite them.
“We’re all in business. Since both your companies are interested, the highest bidder naturally wins.”
“Manager Yang, President Chen’s bid is one million eight hundred thousand yuan.”
Recalling the highest price Zhang Zhihui had told her she could afford, Yang Lili tentatively offered, “One million eight hundred and fifty thousand yuan.”
Sun Cheng looked at Chen Lishu.
Seeing the smugness in Yang Lili’s eyes, Chen Lishu suddenly found the whole affair incredibly tiresome.
“You win,” Chen Lishu said, leaving.
Sun Cheng was taken aback and, seeing her about to leave, became anxious, “President Chen.”
He still hoped the price could be pushed up further.
Watching Chen Lishu leave, Yang Lili assumed she was leaving in a fit of pique due to anger, as the price had only increased by fifty thousand yuan. It seemed she genuinely didn’t have much money and was merely bluffing.
With Chen Lishu gone, Sun Cheng was helpless, but the amount was already far higher than the initial projection of one million five hundred thousand yuan.
As it turned out, just as the contract was signed, several people in uniform suddenly arrived at the factory…
Chen Lishu received the news while preparing to book her ticket back to the provincial capital.
Although she wanted to teach Yang Lili and Jiang Yuwei a lesson, she hadn’t expected that Yang Lili’s boss would have Zhou Qing report the case.
“To be honest, I always thought President Zhang was a good person, capable and decisive, but…”
Zhou Qing couldn’t quite articulate it. It was when he heard Zhang Zhihui unceremoniously tell him to call the police, when this matter had been approved by him from the start, otherwise Yang Lili wouldn’t have taken the risk to forge the signature.
Seeing Zhou Qing’s downcast expression, Chen Lishu couldn’t help but ask, “What do you plan to do next?”
Zhou Qing glanced at her and said hesitantly, “I haven’t quite figured it out yet. I always thought Yang Lili was a stumbling block, and Jiang Yuwei was also her recruit. Frankly, the two of them together have caused me a lot of trouble. But now, with them both gone, I really need to consider my future.”
This was a matter only Zhou Qing could decide, and Chen Lishu couldn’t add to it.
“By the way, have you found a person in charge for your office?”
Chen Lishu immediately understood and said with a smile, “I couldn’t find anyone suitable when recruiting before. Then I thought it would be better to promote someone. Zhang Jia has good work capabilities.”
People like Zhou Qing, who would disregard the company’s interests for their own, might be good partners, but they would never be suitable employees.
Hearing that she was going to promote Zhang Jia, Zhou Qing’s smile, though a little strained, still praised, “Zhang Jia is indeed good. Not only does he have a degree, but he’s also down-to-earth and diligent.”
Chen Lishu changed the subject and asked, “How are Yang Lili and Jiang Yuwei doing now?”
Zhou Qing replied, “Their handwriting has been authenticated. Unlike ordinary criminal cases, it depends on how the leadership decides to pursue it. Economic cases might not result in severe penalties, but if they end up with a criminal record, their future prospects will be ruined.”
“And your President Zhang?”
Zhou Qing said, “He arrived in Kyoto yesterday. After visiting the bureau, he said he had matters to attend to. Perhaps he’s truly busy. I’m not entirely sure about the specific decisions yet.”
After they parted ways, Chen Lishu took a car to the police station Zhou Qing had mentioned.
Since they hadn’t been convicted yet, Yang Lili and Jiang Yuwei were only being held.
Upon seeing Chen Lishu enter, Yang Lili’s expression was somewhat blank.
“Are you here to gloat?”
She had worked so hard, aiming to make a name for herself, but it had turned out to be ridiculously farcical.
She couldn’t understand. Even if she had personal intentions, she was still considering the company’s interests. She had made this decision because Zhang Zhihui had agreed. However, to her surprise, because there was no breach of contract penalty to pay, her boss had pushed all the responsibility onto her, even going so far as to report her to the police.
“To be honest, if I just wanted to gloat, I could have just stayed home and enjoyed myself.”
Chen Lishu looked at her. Whether it was due to a change in mindset or something else, Yang Lili facing her seemed like a stranger. It was as if the docile and enduring person from her memory was not the same person at all.