Shen Heng had already informed the person who was supposed to meet with Qiu Mao that the real purpose of this operation was to arrest Qiu Mao. The time and place were just a pretext, and no one would actually go to meet with Qiu Mao.

Unable to catch the lower-level accomplices, the police at the local police station had no choice but to interrogate Qiu Mao rigorously.

"You don't know the name of the person you're dealing with?"

"I don't know. He said that to be on the safe side, it's inconvenient for him to tell me his identity."

Qiu Mao was foolish, completely unaware of the risks. He was blinded by money, only seeing that he could earn two hundred yuan from a discarded refrigerator, but he didn't realize that he was operating in the open while others were operating in the shadows, and how unreliable this business was.

Where did you all meet up before?

"Once in Xingzi Hutong, and another time in the woods next to the factory."

"Explain the time and place clearly. Also, were Qiu Yuansheng and Hong Xiu fully aware of all your actions?"

"They all knew. They all knew."

Qiu Mao betrayed his parents quite quickly.

Qiu Mao was a spineless coward; sitting in the interrogation chair, he honestly confessed everything.

The police checked the bills from Chenheng Factory and found that since Qiu Mao started the transaction, he had taken out 20 refrigerators from the factory in five separate transactions, making a total profit of 4,000 yuan. They also stole one refrigerator and kept it at home for inspection.

This amount is based on Qiu Mao's confession. Since there are no downstream contacts, no one knows exactly how much money he made. However, the number of refrigerators can be verified with the damage report, so it is correct.

Shen Heng argued that Qiu Mao should compensate them according to the market price. According to the factory's reported damages, these refrigerators totaled more than 8,000 yuan. Even after deducting the discounts given to the shopping mall, the total cost was still close to 8,000 yuan.

Qiu Mao not only has to repay the 8,000 yuan, but he also has to serve ten years in prison.

"He's insane! Four thousand yuan! How could he be so bold?"

The detective in charge of the interrogation was talking to his colleagues about this during a meal. He said that they rarely take on cases involving the theft of even four hundred yuan, let alone four thousand.

"I think he's all bravado and no brains at all. Now that he's been arrested, look what's happened. The factory manager is demanding 8,000 yuan in compensation. I want to see where he's going to get 4,000 yuan from. Even if his whole family sold themselves, it wouldn't be enough."

These police officers weren't just making sarcastic remarks; they were genuinely baffled by Qiu Mao's stupidity.

The next day, Shen Heng came over again in person: "Officer, this is a bill provided by another purchasing chef in our kitchen. We suspect that Qiu Yuansheng abused his position to lie about the prices of vegetables when making purchases."

"Okay, we understand the situation. Director Shen, let me ask your opinion: do you want to mediate privately, or file for litigation?"

"Comrade, may I ask, given the current situation, what crime would they be convicted of if they were to be prosecuted?"

"Qiu Mao's case is quite serious; he will be sentenced to at least ten years in prison."

"Isn't that enough to warrant execution?"

"That's possible. It depends on the court; our police station doesn't handle convictions."

Shen Heng thought for a moment: "If it's about mediation, can I talk to him now? I need to see what his attitude is like. If his attitude is good, I'm not the kind of person who would push someone to their death."

Upon hearing this, the police realized that it was no wonder the man was able to do great things and make a fortune. He could forgive someone for taking eight thousand yuan, but if anyone dared to take eight thousand yuan from him, he would dig up their ancestral graves.

However, he didn't have eight thousand yuan.

"Qiu Mao's attitude in admitting his mistake is quite good. Well then, he and his father are being held in our police station. We haven't found his mother yet. Why don't you talk to Qiu Mao in person?"

Since there were no family members who could take responsibility, the police arranged for Shen Heng to speak directly with the person involved.

Qiu Mao was brought out wearing detention center clothes, and Shen Heng sat opposite him, looking at him.

"Factory manager, I know I was wrong! I'll return all the money I made to you. Please don't hold it against someone as petty as me. Please forgive me!"

Qiu Mao was so excited when he saw Shen Heng that he almost jumped out of his chair.

"Don't get agitated. I'm here because I don't intend to drive you to your death."

Shen Heng spoke casually, but Qiu Mao felt as if he had been granted a pardon.

"Factory manager, I knew you were magnanimous! Don't worry, I'll serve you like a slave from now on to repay your kindness!"

Shen Heng waved his hand impatiently: "Don't give me that nonsense. I came here to mediate with you for one thing. Perhaps you already know it."

Qiu Mao's eyes darted around, and he suddenly remembered: "Xu Yue! Is it related to Xu Yue? As long as you let me go, I will never say another word about this! Factory director, please believe me, I will keep my mouth shut, please just let my family go!"

Seeing that Qiu Mao was somewhat reasonable, Shen Heng temporarily showed a satisfied expression.

He said, "I can choose not to appeal, and I can accept only half of the eight thousand yuan, but you must pay me back the full four thousand yuan. Do you have any more questions?"

"N-nothing..."

Qiu Mao felt like he had gone from heaven to hell. He had made money easily these past two months and thought that his family would live a good life from then on. But it turned out to be just a dream. When he woke up, everything was gone.

Shen Heng didn't care about his disappointment: "By the way, your father was in our kitchen. He embezzled more than 300 yuan of food money. I called the police, and he has to return it all."

"No problem, no problem, it's all the best we can do. As long as you don't sue us, I'll agree to anything."

However, Qiu Mao originally thought that he would lose his life or at least go to jail after the incident, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better and Shen Heng was willing to let him go.

He suddenly felt very grateful to Xu Yue; if it weren't for Xu Yue, he would have been finished.

Qiu Mao's mind wasn't that sharp. At this point, he didn't realize at all that the reason he was in this crisis was because Xu Yue had set a trap for him.

Shen Heng continued, "Given that feedback from several workers at the factory indicates that your family of three did not meet the work standards during your time at our factory, you must return every penny of the wages I paid to you to the factory."

"What? This..."

"What? I'm already being lenient by not asking you for compensation for emotional distress. Besides, you sold the substandard TVs from the factory, which flooded the market and damaged the brand's reputation. Logically, I should be asking you for compensation for reputational damage."

Qiu Mao was stunned when he heard this; he never expected this to happen.

However, Shen Heng's words were so logical that Qiu Mao had no choice but to believe them. If he dared not cooperate again and angered Shen Heng, the consequences would only be worse.

"Okay, I promise you everything."

"Fine, you're quite decisive. I'll have someone draft a mediation agreement. Once it's signed, if you dare to violate any of the terms we agreed on, I will sue you again."

After the matter was settled, Shen Heng didn't bother to look at Qiu Mao again.