Chapter 185: I’ll Give You A Chance To Tell The Truth
Lu Qiaoge took the banknotes and flipped through them one by one.
Then she looked at the accounts on the register again; there were detailed accounts and summary accounts, all recorded very clearly item by item.
The calligraphy was also written well, and the Arabic numerals were neat.
What a pity, a person with this kind of personality really isn’t suitable for the Finance Office.
Deputy Director Huang was somewhat anxious; no need to think, it must have been Qiao Ge’s oversight, too trusting of the people in the Finance Office. She should have asked for a receipt certificate after checking the accounts.
The first time Xiangyang Food Factory settled accounts, such a big problem arose. Even if the Neighborhood Committee covered it up, the people from the Department Store would spread it outside.
Old Huang and Old Hu thought the same, feeling they had been too arrogant and hands-off. Qiao Ge was young and inexperienced, but they weren’t—how could they not care or ask? This was their responsibility.
But the matter had already happened; blaming anyone wouldn’t help.
The important thing was, what to do with this money now?
If they wanted this payment, they had to tell the truth to the Department Store. If the other side acknowledged it, then settle accounts according to the counterfoil they had. But if the other side didn’t acknowledge it and wouldn’t give money without the banknotes, they could only chalk it up to bad luck.
Old Hu frowned and asked, “When the banknotes were handed over, who else was in the Finance Office?”
Xiao Liu said, “Accountant Shen and the Cashier had gone out on errands; the Finance Office only had me.”
Then she spoke again: “At that time, I was extremely busy, so I told Lu Qiaoge to come back tomorrow. Lu Qiaoge got angry and said I didn’t think much of her. She was now a Factory Director no matter how small, and she had come in person to settle accounts, yet I wouldn’t give her face.
I didn’t argue with her, although I was very angry, because I was really busy doing the accounts. I didn’t say a word. She cursed me in the Finance Office for a while, and seeing I ignored her, she threw the banknotes on the table, didn’t even take a receipt, and left. Oh, she went to see her partner.
The banknotes stayed on the table. When Hu Ze came to settle accounts, he said something was wrong—over two hundred was missing. This was a big deal.
Director Hu, I suggest calling the Security Department to investigate me, or search the Finance Office, even search my home, or report to the Public Security Officer. Anyway, it’s not my fault; I have a clear conscience.”
Xiao Liu was usually talkative, and at this moment, she acted like someone who was in the right and wouldn’t let go.
Looking at her like this, she really seemed to have no problem at all.
Because she had the appearance of being fearless and unafraid of investigation.
She was open and aboveboard, which made the silent Lu Qiaoge seem guilty and in the wrong.
Several people were anxious for Lu Qiaoge.
Including Sister Qiao and Sister Hua standing in the corridor, they all broke into a cold sweat for Lu Qiaoge.
This thing couldn’t be proven.
Deputy Director Huang said, “Qiao Ge, is what Xiao Liu said just now true? Did you curse her?”
Lu Qiaoge gave a disdainful glance at the triumphant and confident Xiao Liu, then suddenly said seriously, “Xiao Liu, I’ll give you a chance to tell the truth, because I’m soft-hearted and really can’t stand seeing a girl cry and whimper.”
As soon as these words came out, for some reason, the calm and composed Lu Qiaoge suddenly made Old Hu not anxious anymore.
He even pulled over a chair and sat down.
Accountant Shen glanced at Lu Qiaoge: “What do you mean by that? You’re the one who doesn’t get the situation. We’re talking about the lost banknotes now; you’re dragging in unrelated things—isn’t this wasting everyone’s time?”
Xiao Liu saw Accountant Shen speaking for her and felt smug for a moment, but then remembered the earlier words and said mockingly, “Yeah, Lu Qiaoge, what’s the point of dragging in unrelated things? We’re talking about how to compensate for the loss after the banknotes are lost, and how you should take responsibility?”
Lu Qiaoge smiled faintly: “See, I gave you the chance, but you didn’t cherish it, so I have no choice.”
Xiao Liu’s heart skipped a beat, and she looked at Lu Qiaoge suspiciously.
Did she have some evidence?
It shouldn’t be.
She had already swallowed those banknotes, and besides, these banknotes were in duplicate.
One copy for the Department Store, one for the Neighborhood Committee Finance Office.
Xiao Liu gritted her teeth and glared at Lu Qiaoge; at this point, she still had this conduct—it infuriated her.
Lu Qiaoge looked at the two directors standing there, then glanced at Accountant Shen, and said sincerely, “First of all, I admit my mistake to the leaders. I shouldn’t have unilaterally trusted our own Finance Office comrade. I should have had Xiao Liu issue me a receipt on the spot.
Even within the same work unit, when it comes to money, it must be precise and accurate without the slightest oversight. I will certainly take this as a lesson and remember today’s experience!”
These words felt off.
Xiao Liu’s eyes widened, about to speak, but Lu Qiaoge stopped her with a taunting tone: “Comrade Liu Jing, you’d better not open your mouth. Every time you do, it’s nonsense, purely wasting everyone’s time.
Since the Food Factory was established, because it involves finance, it has added to your workload, and you’ve always resented me for it. I can understand that; after all, you’re used to being idle every day, and anyone would struggle with more work.
So my attitude toward you is to avoid you as much as possible and try not to have direct conflicts. No matter what, we’re in the same work unit and department; I still have a sense of the big picture.
The current situation is, I have no evidence to prove I gave you the banknotes, and I didn’t curse you.
But Comrade Liu Jing, can you prove that you didn’t destroy the banknotes and lie through your teeth just to slander me?”
Lu Qiaoge was calm and composed, just like usual.
Her tone and glance made Xiao Liu panic inside.
It was as if she couldn’t control the situation at all; Lu Qiaoge didn’t care or fear it.
Lu Qiaoge wouldn’t give her a chance to speak and continued, “I could say one-sided words like yours too, for example… Yesterday when I came to find you, you were the only one in the Finance Office. You suddenly shut the Finance door tight, took off your clothes, and danced and sang in front of me, scaring me so much that I threw the banknotes on the desk and ran away.”
The Finance Office instantly fell silent.
It was so quiet you could almost hear heartbeats; everyone stared at Lu Qiaoge in disbelief with wide eyes.
Liu Jing’s mouth gaped open, and finally, she shouted furiously, “That didn’t happen at all; you’re talking nonsense…”
“See, who can’t talk nonsense?” Lu Qiaoge continued, “Liu Jing, whether you ate or burned the banknotes to frame me, there’s no witness for that either.
But our Food Factory earned this money with great difficulty. We’ve worked up to now, workers getting up early and staying late, toiling hard, and haven’t received a single cent of salary yet.
How could it be ruined in the hands of a shameless villain like you?
Fortunately, I trusted the Neighborhood Committee Finance Office but not the Department Store Finance Office.”
Lu Qiaoge took out a stack of banknotes from her shoulder bag, placed them on the table, and said leisurely, “On the way back, I passed by the Department Store and told Team Leader Song that although we don’t have our own Finance Office, we still wanted to keep a copy of the banknotes as a base.
So I asked Team Leader Song to help reissue a copy according to her counterfoil. We went to the Finance Office to stamp it. Director, Accountant, please all come check if it’s genuine, and once verified, enter it into the accounts!”
Thanks to caroletu and 202103017400531478 for the reward, thanks to the treasures for the monthly passes and support. Adding an extra chapter today; begging the treasures to vote monthly passes. Thank you treasures, love you all!
