Chapter 45: A swift and decisive approach
The next day, without prior notice, Su Hexi brought two workers and a problematic steel bar marked with the steel plant's logo, which they had taken out of the construction site warehouse, and came to the steel plant director's office in a dignified manner.
She was wearing a sharp black suit and skirt today, her makeup delicate but frosty, her eyes sharp, and every step she took carried an invisible pressure. The secretary tried to stop her, but she ignored him and pushed the door open.
"Director Liu, Deputy Director Ma, excuse me for disturbing you. I am Su Hexi from the 'Xi' brand." She spoke directly and her voice was clear and cold, instantly attracting the attention of several factory leaders who were holding a small meeting in the office.
Director Liu was startled. Recognizing the owner of the clothing factory who had been in the spotlight recently, he immediately stood up and said, "Boss Su, what a rare visitor! What can I do for you?"
Without any greeting, Su Hexi directly asked the worker to place the piece of steel bar on the clean carpet in the office with a "clang". The sound was not loud, but very impactful.
"Director Liu, leaders, I'm here today to seek justice and to warn your factory to prevent a greater disaster!" Su Hexi pointed at the rebar, his tone heavy and angry. "The steel you produced and sold to us has serious quality issues! Because we used this inferior material, a partial support structure on our brand building under construction has collapsed. Fortunately, it happened at night, so there were no casualties, but the economic losses are enormous, and the construction schedule has been severely delayed!"
She stared at several factory leaders whose faces suddenly changed. "This isn't just a matter of economic loss! Today, our construction site collapsed, and it's a stroke of luck that no one was injured! What if this batch of materials spread to bridges, schools, or residential building construction sites tomorrow? Director Liu, all the leaders, have you considered the consequences? Will you still be able to maintain your decades-long reputation?!"
The office was dead silent.
Director Liu's face turned pale and cold sweat oozed from his forehead.
There is no small matter in the quality of the project, especially when it comes to the word "landslide". Once it is exposed, it will definitely be a major accident that will shake the world, and the leadership of the entire factory will have to be investigated by their superiors!
"Boss Su...Boss Su! Don't say that! This...this batch of materials..." Deputy Director Ma also stuttered.
"The evidence is irrefutable! Do you dare to say this isn't steel from your steel mill? My purchase order is right here!" Su Hexi interrupted him, slamming the purchase order on the table. "I'm asking for two things: First, the steel mill must be held responsible for this and compensate us for all our losses! Second, and more importantly, I must know how such inferior, substandard products managed to pass your factory's quality inspection and be sold so smoothly? Is there any human involvement behind this? I must get a clear investigation result! Otherwise, for the sake of public safety, I will report the situation to higher authorities!"
Su Hexi's words were soft but firm. He gave the factory face by not making a big deal out of the matter and let them investigate secretly, but he also pointed out that Xue would report to the superiors.
Director Liu immediately realized that the seriousness of the problem was far beyond his imagination. This was no longer a simple quality dispute, but a major incident that might involve serious violations of laws and regulations, and even endanger human lives!
"Boss Su, don't worry! Our factory will thoroughly investigate this matter and give you a satisfactory explanation. We will absolutely not tolerate any leniency towards those responsible!" Factory Director Liu immediately stated in a serious voice, "Please give us a moment. We will immediately set up a secret investigation team, maintain absolute confidentiality, and get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible!"
A secret investigation team was quickly set up and the atmosphere instantly became tense.
Su Hexi brought the news to Zhou Zhisheng. Zhou Zhisheng also saw that the factory was indeed conducting a secret investigation. He no longer hesitated and secretly found the investigation team while Qi Anhai had not yet reacted. He handed over the copy of the "Special Batch Ingredient Application Form" with Qi Anhai's blurred signature that he had hidden, as well as the abnormal production time, shifts and other information that he had secretly recorded.
He tearfully confessed to the investigation team, "Director Qi Anhai forced me to do this! He promised me the position of director and told me to dispose of this batch of problematic materials. He even made me sign the quality inspection certificate! I was bewildered at first, but later I realized he wanted me to be a scapegoat! Leader, I was wrong, and I'm willing to accept any punishment, but Qi Anhai is the mastermind behind this!"
Almost at the same time, the investigation team also received reports from several veteran workers.
These old masters had long been dissatisfied with Qi Anhai's behavior, but they were afraid to offend their superiors because they had no evidence. Now that the factory had launched a serious investigation, they immediately stood up to testify:
"That's right! Director Qi ordered the addition of that batch of materials! The ingredients are totally wrong!"
"He also informed the quality inspection department, and they just went through the motions and issued the certificate!"
"He also secretly withheld money from us for raw materials, passing off inferior goods as good ones for his own benefit!"
The workers spoke one after another, exposing clearly how Qi Anhai ordered the production of inferior steel, how he bypassed quality inspections, and how he attempted to make Zhou Zhisheng take the blame.
Both human and material evidence were present, forming a complete chain of evidence that all pointed to Qi Anhai.
The investigation team acted swiftly, apprehending Qi Anhai while he was still in his office, dreaming of a promotion and wealth. Faced with overwhelming evidence, Qi Anhai paled and collapsed to the ground, unable to argue any further.
Qi Anhai's crimes of embezzling public funds, passing inferior goods off as good ones, and attempting to have others take the blame were completely exposed, and he was quickly transferred to judicial authorities.
Zhou Zhisheng collected evidence, confessed the facts voluntarily, and made meritorious contributions while serving his sentence. Considering that he was also a victim and did not cause actual losses, the factory eventually expelled him and did not pursue criminal responsibility.
The factory director was primarily doing this for Su Hexi's sake, as Zhou Zhisheng was her brother-in-law, and the issue was indeed at the steel mill. If Su Hexi hadn't come to them and reported the matter directly, the consequences they would have suffered would be unimaginable. They owed Su Hexi a favor.
After this ordeal, Zhou Zhisheng felt like he had shed a layer of skin, and his whole person became much calmer. He was filled with gratitude and guilt towards Su Hexi and Zhou Lin.
Seeing that he was in a depressed state at home, Zhou Lin suggested that he come and work with him.
"Zhisheng, after this, you can't go back to the steel mill. I'm in need of an experienced person to take charge of building material procurement and quality inspection. If you're willing, come and help me."
When Zhou Zhisheng heard that he had work to do again, he immediately became motivated, "Brother, can I work with you? Will my sister-in-law... say no?"
Zhou Lin was silent. The construction site belonged to Su Hexi, and he was just helping to look after it. To put it bluntly, he was also working for Su Hexi now.
Zhou Lin brought Zhou Zhisheng to find Su Hexi, "Brother, what should I say when I see my sister-in-law later? Should I...should I still call her sister-in-law?"
He originally thought Su Hexi would only cause trouble and harm the family, but he didn't expect her to be so capable. Now he is convinced by Su Hexi, but unfortunately... his eldest brother has divorced her.
Zhou Lin was silent for a moment. "Let's call her Boss Su for now. Zhisheng, she's actually really nice."
Zhou Zhisheng lowered his head with regret, blaming them for not recognizing the talent. When Zhou Lin was unwilling to divorce, they thought that Zhou Lin was confused and wanted to separate them.
Su Hexi was holding a tape measure and a notebook, inspecting and examining every girl who came to apply.
As her brand expanded, the number of models she needed naturally increased. This time, she wanted the audience to understand what true luxury is, to rediscover what high-end, classy, and luxurious brands are like!
"Sister-in-law...Boss Su," Zhou Zhisheng said hesitantly, shaking his hands awkwardly. "I want to find a job at the construction site. I...I can do anything."
He has now been fired from the steel mill and no one dares to hire him. As a grown man, it is impossible for him to stay at home doing nothing and rely on his family for support.
Su Hexi knew that Zhou Zhisheng was not a bad person at heart, and had worked in the steel plant for many years. He was actually very familiar with materials and production management processes, but he had been blinded by fame and fortune.
She said indifferently: "I have handed over all the matters on the construction site to your brother. For matters like this, just go to your brother."
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