Chapter 221 Dead Tree Comes Back to Life

Hearing the door open, Zhou Liya immediately opened her eyes.

My first instinct was to search for Zhou Shufen's hands.

The little girl's eyes lit up instantly when she saw the red-covered ID in her hand.

"Mom! Uncle Guo!"

She jumped up and rushed forward, her voice clear and crisp.

"You two really went to get your marriage certificate? Does that mean you'll be a family from now on?"

Zhou Shufen smiled and gently turned a corner of the red booklet.

After confirming that everything was correct, I carefully placed it into the inner compartment of the box.

[Hey, it's like a withered tree has come back to life? The romance has suddenly blossomed, and the plot is jumping ahead like crazy!]

She replied coldly to herself.

"Shut up."

Guo Zhenyi placed the malted milk powder and fruit candy in the center of the dining table.

He bent down and gently patted Zhou Liya's head.

"You two can share this. Don't be greedy. Save half for tomorrow."

"Thank you, Uncle Guo!"

Zhou Liya's eyes narrowed into crescent moons with joy.

I couldn't wait to tear open a candy wrapper and pop it into my mouth with a "pop".

The tip of your tongue immediately tastes a rich, sweet orange flavor.

She smacked her lips twice, then picked out a pink one and brought it to Zhou Shufen's lips.

"Mom, try it, it's so sweet! Really!"

Zhou Shufen slightly opened her mouth and put the candy in her mouth.

The syrup slowly melts on the tip of the tongue, and the sweetness seeps into the heart.

She looked up and saw Guo Zhenyi standing in front of the stove, busy at work.

He held the fire tongs in one hand and stuffed firewood into the furnace with the other.

The bellows wasn't working smoothly, and sparks were popping and jumping around.

One of them bounced really high and splashed onto the back of his hand.

"hiss!"

His hand trembled, and he abruptly pulled back.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Shufen burst out laughing.

He then walked over and snatched the fire tongs from his hand.

"Let me do it, you'll set the house on fire if you do it this way."

Guo Zhenyi stood awkwardly to the side.

Her technique was clean and efficient, with a steady rhythm.

The flames gradually rose with the help of the wind, illuminating the entire kitchen.

He leaned against the door frame, gazing silently at her back.

A complex mix of emotions suddenly welled up inside me.

What do you want to eat tonight?

Zhou Shufen still had her back to him.

She poured some oil into the pan, preparing to stir-fry the vegetables.

Guo Zhenyi remained silent for a moment, his gaze never leaving her.

After a long silence, he answered in a low voice.

"I love everything you make."

Steam rose from the edge of the pot lid, carrying the aroma of the food.

The firewood in the stove was crackling and popping.

He stood at the kitchen doorway, his gaze quietly fixed on her.

Zhou Shufen felt her ears burning from his gaze and lowered her head to pour water into the pot.

"Make more meat dishes, you've lost so much weight lately you look emaciated."

"good."

He responded, took a handkerchief from his pocket, and gently handed it to her.

"Wipe your face, it's dusty."

A familiar scent of soap wafted into my nose.

It's the kind he likes to use the most.

She listened to the crackling of the firewood and her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Suddenly she realized that this house, this meal, and the person waiting for her were not a dream.

In both her lifetimes combined, she never imagined she would have this day.

They were warmly welcomed into the home.

She glanced at him furtively, then quickly lowered her head again.

But that one glance was enough.

The man in front of me was refined, handsome, and had a commanding presence that made him impossible to ignore.

It was exactly what she had been hoping for.

After lunch, she leaned back in the bamboo chair and closed her eyes for a while.

Guo Zhenyi sat to the side reading a book.

After resting, Zhou Shufen went to the factory to take inventory.

The year-end accounts are the most important; there can be no mistakes.

As soon as I arrived at the factory gate, several workers huddled by the gate, pacing back and forth.

Zhou Shufen's heart tightened, and she quickly went to meet her.

"Qiangzi, it's vacation time, why aren't you home yet?"

Qiangzi is an experienced worker; he's reliable and never causes trouble.

If he doesn't leave now, something must have happened.

Qiangzi rubbed his red hands, not daring to look up, and stammered.

Tie Zhu, who was standing to the side, couldn't hold back any longer, and his voice became hoarse.

"Director Zhou...we wanted to ask about this month's bonus."

Zhou Shufen's heart sank.

"Didn't we agree to pay tomorrow? The accounts have all been reconciled, and you won't be shortchanged a single cent."

"It's not a matter of less or less!"

Qiangzi finally looked up, his eyes were frighteningly red.

“We heard… half of the bonuses were withheld, saying the factory lost money. But I clearly saw truckloads of goods being hauled out of the warehouse just two days ago!”

His voice rose, and his finger trembled as he pointed toward the warehouse.

San Niu nodded, her voice trembling.

“My husband is unloading the goods and says this batch is selling like hotcakes, with incredibly high profits… How come when it’s our turn, we’re getting nothing? Did someone secretly pocket the money?”

Everyone chimed in with their own opinions, their words filled with suspicion.

Zhou Shufen frowned.

She has always treated her workers with utmost sincerity and has never mistreated anyone.

Why did such an embarrassing thing have to happen at this crucial juncture?

She stared at Guo Zhenyi, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

The other person noticed her emotions and nodded slightly at her.

"Stop making a scene."

Zhou Shufen took a deep breath and patted Qiangzi's arm.

"I really don't know anything about this. Don't worry, now that you've brought this up, as the factory manager, I will definitely investigate it thoroughly."

She paused, then spoke to Guo Zhenyi in a firm tone.

"Zhenyi, keep an eye on the situation at the factory gate for me. I'm going to adjust the accounts and thoroughly check them."

"I'll go with you."

Guo Zhenyi quickly caught up with her.

“This kind of thing can’t be taken lightly. Once the payroll and shipping documents are tampered with, the longer it’s delayed, the easier it is for the evidence to be destroyed, and the bigger the trouble will be.”

In the accounting office, Pan Chuanzhen was slowly packing her cloth bag.

Upon seeing Zhou Shufen enter, his expression changed slightly, and he immediately stood up straight.

"Director Zhou, why did you come in person? You could have just given me a call if you needed anything."

"Bring out this month's payroll, bonus list, and warehouse shipping manifests."

Zhou Shufen got straight to the point.

"I need to check it myself, immediately."

Pan Chuanzhen's fingers paused for a moment on the edge of the drawer.

"Factory manager, they're all locked. The key isn't in the office; Yang Fugui is keeping it safe today."

Where is Yang Fugui?

Zhou Shufen's eyes darkened, and she lowered her voice.

He said there was an emergency at home, so he asked for leave and left early.

Pan Chuanzhen's voice grew softer and softer.

Guo Zhenyi stood aside and sneered.

"His home is only a ten-minute drive from the county seat. Go to his house now and get the key back. We'll be waiting for you in the office."

Pan Chuanzhen pursed her lips and muttered something under her breath.

"Who are you? You're not from the factory, what gives you the right to order me around?"

Zhou Shufen's gaze swept coldly over Pan Chuanzhen.

Pan Chuanzhen shrank back and lowered her head, stung by that gaze.

"I...I'll go right away."

She slowly moved to the door.

Just as his hand touched the door latch, Zhou Shufen called out to him.

"Half an hour. We're not leaving, we'll wait here. If you come back even a minute later, it won't be as simple as just getting the keys."

Pan Chuanzhen felt a tightness in her back and stumbled out the door.

Silence fell once again in the accounting office.

Zhou Shufen walked to the table and gently ran her fingertips across the wooden beads on the abacus.