Chapter 32: Caught in the act – Six eyes meet…
Lu Jinlan went back and teased Xiang Ruzhen and Yan Wuxin, "Guess who I saw go to the boss's husband's house?"
Yan Wuxin hurriedly asked, "Who?"
"Supervisor Miao."
"It was her?" Xiang Ruzhen murmured. "No wonder the supervisor inspected the cafeteria food every day and didn't find anything amiss. It turns out they were in cahoots."
Lu Jinlan laughed and said, "I guessed right. The cafeteria owner, Mr. Feng, and Supervisor Miao are indeed related. I heard Mr. Feng call her his cousin with my own ears."
Xiang Ruzhen's eyes lit up. "I vaguely remember that the 'Anti-Corruption Regulations' stipulate that if the two are really related, and the supervisor still gives the canteen's operating rights to Boss Feng, it's a violation. I'll ask Yan Yu later; she knows the law best. If this clause really exists, we can kill two birds with one stone. Not only can we kick Boss Feng out of the academy, but Supervisor Miao will also be in deep trouble."
Yan Wuxin rubbed his hands together, eager to try: "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go to the dean tomorrow and expose this matter."
"No way!" Lu Jinlan and Xiang Ruzhen said in unison.
Xiang Ruzhen said, "Everyone knows that Supervisor Miao has never liked us. If the dean thinks we are just making baseless accusations based on hearsay, not only will we fail to bring down Supervisor Miao, but we will also have a hard time moving forward with the canteen project. This matter must be investigated thoroughly, and we must not let the news leak out until we have solid evidence."
Lu Jinlan said, "That's right, so far only the three of us know about it. But on the day of the incident, we will definitely need other people to assist us. I think we can add Yan Yu, Le Wen, and Qiong Meng. They are all relatively stable and meticulous. If Ru Zhen can also select some reliable helpers from the student council, they can help control the situation in case of an emergency."
Xiang Ruzhen nodded repeatedly, "If Supervisor Miao and Boss Feng are really related, we can find out by going to Supervisor Miao's hometown. I've seen the college's registration information; her hometown is in the suburbs of Beijing. I'll go check it out the day after tomorrow, when I have a day off."
Yan Wuxin quickly said, "I know that area in the outskirts of the capital well, I'll go with you."
Lu Jinlan thought for a moment, "Boss Feng is always at home at night, so I don't have a chance to look at the accounts. During this break, I want to take the risk of going there during the day. If I can find evidence that he bribed Supervisor Miao in private, even if they are not related, we can still convict him of bribery."
Xiang Ruzhen said, "Okay, then we'll split into two groups early the day after tomorrow, and return to school early the evening after that. We'll meet at our usual spot on the back hill."
After the three of them discussed it and agreed, on their day off, Xiang Ruzhen dragged Yan Wuxin out early in the morning. Lu Jinlan woke up and was about to go out when she bumped into Lin Cheng, who had come to find her.
Lu Jinlan was taken aback: "Did you need something from me?"
Lin Cheng said awkwardly, "It's nothing, it's just... you seem to be very busy these past few days, I haven't been able to say much to you. I heard there's a lantern show tonight, and since you're off work, do you want to go see it together?"
Lu Jinlan thought to herself, the account book matter is still unresolved, how could she be in the mood to look at the lanterns? Besides, she had already promised Lou Yumin that she would go to his place on her day off.
So Lu Jinlan said, "I'm sorry, I've been busy these past two days and can't get away."
Rin Cheng's eyes darkened, and he said dejectedly, "Really? I didn't expect you to be so busy even on your day off."
Lu Jinlan then noticed that he had already changed into his outdoor clothes, presumably planning to go out with her right now. Feeling sorry for disappointing him, she couldn't help but feel apologetic. "I'm sorry, it really won't work these next two days. Maybe next time."
Rin nodded slightly, "Okay."
Lu Jinlan strode away, and after walking a distance, she turned back occasionally and found Lin Cheng still standing there, staring blankly, seemingly lost in thought.
Lu Jinlan paused, recalling their first encounter in Shenjing. It was she who encouraged Lin Cheng to resist the arranged marriage. Later, Lin Cheng not only ran away from the marriage but also came to the academy to work as a cook for her. He, who was so afraid of getting dirty, spent his days immersed in the fumes of the kitchen, working hard and enduring occasional scolding.
He was the only son of a wealthy family, and he must have been pampered and waited on hand and foot, living a life of luxury. Now, although he had left home and was not short of money, he insisted on suffering like this here.
Lu Jinlan really hoped that he wasn't doing this for her, but even though Lin Cheng often acted stubbornly and was hot and cold towards her, she knew that his staying here was inextricably linked to her.
"Sigh." She sighed and walked back quickly.
A glimmer of hope appeared in Rin's eyes. "You're back?"
Lu Jinlan hurriedly said, "I still have to leave. I just forgot to tell you. Let's have a good talk after I'm done with this busy period, okay? I have a lot to say to you."
Lin Cheng smiled and replied, "Okay, I also have a lot to say to you."
"Then I'll be going now."
Lu Jinlan bid farewell to Lin Cheng and took Lou Yumian with her to Willow Leaf Alley. As expected, the proprietress was not home during the day.
The two climbed through the window and successfully found the account book.
Seeing Lu Jinlan engrossed in looking at the account book, Lou Yumian couldn't help but ask, "Is the account book useful?"
Lu Jinlan: "Very useful. This boss's private account not only records the actual amount of money spent by the canteen each month, but also the amount and time he distributed money to the supervisor each time. The account book was written in his own hand, with his seal and signature, so he can't deny it no matter what."
Lou Yumin said happily, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's steal it!"
"Let me think." Lu Jinlan calculated in her mind that if the boss's husband had discovered the missing ledger before the incident and, connecting it to the problem in the cafeteria, had been alert and prepared in advance, it would have been very difficult for them to catch him in the act.
Lu Jinlan hesitated for a moment, "Stealing it directly won't work. It would be best if we took the real one and made an identical fake ledger, leaving it here. He shouldn't be able to detect it in a short time. These ledgers are sold on the market, and aging them isn't difficult, but his handwriting..."
Lu Jinlan's own calligraphy was barely passable, so imitating others was even more difficult.
Lou Yumin stared at the ledger for a moment, then suddenly said, "This handwriting isn't hard to imitate. I can try. When I was at home, I often imitated my sisters' handwriting to help them copy articles, and even the teachers at the school couldn't recognize it."
"That's great!" Lu Jinlan exclaimed with delight. "Let's go buy the ledger right now."
Lu Jinlan examined the real account book carefully again, memorized some of its contents, and then went to the study to buy an identical account book before returning home to have it aged.
Lou Yumin tried writing the boss's husband's name and some numbers. "Look, does it look like him?"
Lu Jinlan laughed and said, "It's so similar. I never knew you had such a skill."
Lou Yumin smiled and said, "It's just a trivial skill, not worthy of serious consideration. I would be happy if it could help you."
Lu Jinlan said, "Then I'll have to trouble you. I've read the previous parts. I'll read them aloud and you write them down. Let's work through the night and finish a part first. Tomorrow, we'll copy the rest from the real account, and then it will be flawless."
The two men worked until almost midnight the night before, and the next afternoon, as soon as Boss Feng went out, they immediately took the prepared items and skillfully climbed through the window to enter.
Lu Jinlan kept watch while Lou Yumian focused on copying. After about an hour, Lou Yumian put down her pen and said, "I'm done copying."
Lu Jinlan checked it and then added an ink dot to the cover, just like the real account.
Lou Yumin said, "This time, apart from the seal, it's exactly the same. I don't think he'll be able to tell for a while."
"Okay, pack your things and put this place back to normal."
Lu Jinlan tucked the real account into her bosom and put the fake account back in the drawer. Before the two of them had finished tidying up, two people suddenly entered the courtyard and were at the door in the blink of an eye.
The two had just finished tidying up and it was too late to go out, so Lu Jinlan pulled Lou Yumin and slipped into the closet.
However, the next second, the two heard a conversation that filled them with despair.
One man said, "The boss's husband is really something. He makes us work for him even during our days off. We also have to bring him clothes and shoes. Male bosses are such a hassle."
Another man said, "Forget it, he only received the news halfway through that he had to go to the banquet. We have nothing else to do, so let's go for him."
Lu Jinlan listened and wondered to herself: Why does this voice sound so familiar?
Lou Yumin asked anxiously, "What should we do?"
Lu Jinlan raised his fist. There was no other way; if all else failed, he would have to resort to force and knock the person unconscious.
However, the cabinet door opened the next second, and Rinjou was standing in front of her. There was no way she could throw that punch.
The three of them looked at each other and couldn't help but take a deep breath.
The person outside came over following the sound, "What's wrong?"
Lin Cheng slammed the cabinet door shut, barely managing to remain calm as he said, "It's nothing, I just saw... two cockroaches."
The man said with disgust, "Ugh? I hate cockroaches the most."
"Yeah, cockroaches are the worst. I'll go find my clothes, you go outside and find your shoes, don't come in, or the cockroaches will crawl on you."
After the man left, Lin Cheng opened the cabinet door again and saw the white jade hairpin in Lou Yumin's hair. A cold smile appeared on his lips, and he said in a low voice, "So the busy you were talking about was being busy having an affair, having an affair in someone else's wardrobe."
Lu Jinlan looked utterly dejected, but had no choice but to explain, "It's not what you think. We came here to steal things, not to have an affair. I'm not that perverted. Let's go to the back mountain this evening, and I'll explain to you."
Lin Cheng glared at her, snatched the clothes he was taking, and slammed the closet door shut.
After they left, Lu Jinlan and Lou Yumin finally breathed a sigh of relief. They came out of the wardrobe, checked it over, and then left with peace of mind.
Before returning to school, Lou Yumin was still a little worried. "Young Master Lin saw us together again, he must have misunderstood. Should I go and explain to him? I will tell him that I was the one who seduced you, that you did nothing wrong, that you just pitied me, and that I hope he won't be angry with you."
Lu Jinlan glanced at him. "The hairpin in your hair was bought by him on my behalf. He just found out it was for you, and he'll only be angrier when he sees you."
"Huh?" Lou Yumin never expected this. She pursed her lips, as if she didn't know what to say.
Lu Jinlan chuckled and snorted, "You're secretly overjoyed, aren't you? Don't pretend with me, just laugh if you want to."
Lou Yumin bit her lip and lay on her lap, her laughter trembling. She looked up, her face beaming with undisguised joy. "If I were him, I'd be angry too. Why are you so good to Lou Yumin?"
Lu Jinlan grabbed his neck with a smile, her nails tracing his Adam's apple, and said hatefully, "Men and petty people are the hardest to deal with. I'm leaving."
She went back to school to face the consequences of her capsizing.
When they arrived at the back of the mountain, Xiang Ruzhen was already waiting there.
Lu Jinlan hurriedly asked, "How is it?"
Xiang Ruzhen said, "It's been confirmed. Boss Feng is a relative of Miao Xuejian's stepfather's branch of the family. We even copied the family genealogy. What do you think?"
Lu Jinlan took out the ledger. "I also obtained irrefutable evidence, and I even made a fake ledger and put it back in its original place."
Xiang Ruzhen exclaimed happily, "So it went so smoothly? That's wonderful!"
"This is not good, there's been an unexpected situation." Lu Jinlan glanced at the angry figure rushing down the mountain and said helplessly, "Yu Mian and I were hiding in Boss Feng's closet when Lin Cheng caught us red-handed."
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Author's Note: To avoid misunderstanding, let me explain the issue of the female protagonist feeling sorry for "men." First, neither the author nor the female protagonist would be foolish enough to feel sorry for men. Someone who felt sorry for men wouldn't have written this novel, and the female protagonist who felt sorry for men wouldn't have so much resentment and dissatisfaction. Second, it's important to understand that the female protagonist's words or actions expressing sympathy for "men" in the text have absolutely nothing to do with men in real life. Every time she feels sorry for a "man," it's because the men in the novel resemble women in real life. Their terrible situations and similar troubles remind her of herself and others like them. All her thoughts correspond to a condemnation of real-world problems. As someone in a position of power, she sometimes sympathizes with men who resemble women, but such men don't exist in reality. The men in this novel are completely opposite to men in real life; apart from appearance, they have no similarities whatsoever.
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